TazzyLynn's Parser: A GuideFollow

Since Spyle is no longer working on his parser it has stopped working with recent updates that SquareEnix has made. Spyle released the source code for his parser on 6/22/06.

TazzyLynn has taken up the project and now has a working version of the parser (based on Spyle's source code) and is in the process of updating the parser to work with even more functions than Spyle's had working.

Here is a guide for TazzyLynn's version. I will try to update this guide with new information and whenever TazzyLynn makes changes. I also plan to add more details on the various workings of the parser, but wanted to get a starting guide out there first.

Feel free to let me know of anything that you'd like added or that needs changed.

-- Ikonic


TazzyLynn's FFXI Log Parser: A Guide
(Based on TazzyLynn's FFXI Log Parser v7.1.3)

You can get TazzyLynn's FFXI Log Parser from here:
http://www.lildevilproductions.net/

Installation:

This guide is based off Version 7.1.3 Full Setup as found on TazzyLynn's home page.

After you have downloaded and extracted the contents of the ZIP file you can now install the program. To do so just open the setup.ext file.

Once you open the setup.exe you will have a prompt displayed welcoming you to the installation program.

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Click OK to continue with the installation. This will bring up another prompt that will give you the option to change the default installation path. If you would like to change this path feel free to do so. Once you are ready to continue installing click on the top button.

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Next the installation program will give you the option to change the name of the folder that it installs the parser to in your programs list. If you'd like to place it in an existing folder you are welcome to do so as well. Click on Continue when you are ready to do so.

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Once the installation program is finished it will tell you as such.

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Setup:

Now that the parser has been installed we need to set it up to start parsing. Open the parser and it should look similar to this:

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You will need to select the location of the ffxi log files for the parser to know where to read the data from. To do so use the Options > Set FFXI Log Location menus.

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By default the log files will be found in C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\TEMP\. Choose any of the log files listed and click Open.

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Next we will need to select which reporting fields that we want the parser to gather data for. To do this go to Options > Select Reporting Fields.

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By default only Melee, Spell, Skill, and Melee Hit % are checked. Check any additional that you would like to collect data for and click OK.

You can select every field, but doing so will make the resulting exported table rather large. It is generally recommended to only choose those fields that you will directly influence (meaning if you are a melee you don't need to know how much MP a mage uses).

Following are the fields and what each one means:

Melee - total damage dealt from melee attacks
Ranged - total damage dealt from ranged attacks
Spell - total damage dealt from spells
Skill - total damage dealt from weapon skills (determined from weaponskills.txt)
Ability - total damage dealt from job abilities
Additionall(sic) Effect - total damage dealt from additional effects
Melee Hit % - percentage of melee attacks that actually hit the enemy
Melee Hit/Miss - number of melee hits and misses
Melee High/Low - High and Low hits of your melee attacks (excluding skills/abilities)
Melee Average - average damage of each melee attack
Range Hit % - percentage of ranged attacks that actually hit the enemy
Range Hit/Miss - number of ranged hits and misses
Range High/Low - High and Low hits of your ranged attacks (excluding skills/abilities)
Range Average - average damage of each ranged attack
Spell High/Low - High and Low hits of the spells that do damage
Spell Average - average damage of the spells that do damage
Spell MP Used - amount of MP used when casting the spells that do damage
Weapon Skill High/Low - High and Low hits of your weapon skill attacks
Weapon Skill Average - average damage of each weapon skill attack
Weapon Skill Uses - number of times you did a weapon skill
Ability High/Low - High and Low hits of the abilities that do damage
Ability Average - average damage of the abilities that do damage
Critical Hit % - percentage of attacks that were critical hits
Critical Hits - total number of attacks that were critical hits
Avoid % - percentage of attacks you avoided
Take/Avoid - total number of attacks taken and avoided
Evades - number of attacks you evaded
Parries - number of attacks you parried
Resists -
Absorbs - number of attacks you absorbed
Avoids - number of attacks you avoided
Anticipates - number of attacks you anticipated
Counters - number of attacks you countered
DMG Taken - total amount of damage taken during that fight
HP Recovered - how much HP was recovered, by whatever means
HP Healed - how much HP that player healed another for
HP. MP Used - how much MP was used to heal HP
% of TTL DMG - that player's percentage of the total damage dealt

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To Begin Parsing:

We are now ready to start parsing. There are several options for how you would like the data displayed or saved.

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Start Parsing - Reads the logs, calculates the data, and spits it out in the report.
Parse Gathered Log - After you have parsed data and saved it to a file using one of the gather methods you can use this to parse that log file.
Gather Logs to File - Instead of reading the log files and calculating the data immediately, it reads them and dumps them into a single file of your choice that you can parse later.
Gather Logs to Date - Instead of reading the log files and calculating the data immediately, it reads them and dumps them into a file named after the current date. Example: 10-10-2004.prs. It is important to note, that if you play over midnight, it will start a new file for the new date.
Parse/Gather Logs to File - This is a combination of parsing immediately and gathering. Useful if you always want to save the logs, but see immediate results at the same time.
Parse/Gather Logs to Date - This is a combination of parsing immediately and gathering. Useful if you always want to save the logs, but see immediate results at the same time.

Of these options only three will allow you to start parsing and read the data immediatly. These are:
File > Start Parsing
File > Parse/Gather Logs to File
File > Parse/Gather Logs to Date

Personally I am a fan of File > Parse/Gather Logs to File so that I may save the results for later while also being able to look at them now.

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It should ask you for a *.prs name to save it as. Name it anything you desire and then click Save.

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You are now setup and parsing the data.


Additonal Notes:

If you are running the Parser on the same system that you run FFXI on you will need to start the Parser before starting the game.

FFXI only creates a log file after 50 lines of text have passed through your chat window, because of this, there will always be a delay. The more filters you have on the less text and more delay before new information becomes available. From the Parser's point of view the less filters you have turned on the better.

The Parser can ONLY read what YOU can read! For example if you have other misses off, it won’t see them and therefore cannot calculate them into the results. The Parser is very dependent on the filters that you have set up.

Edit: Corrected URL for TazzyLynn's Website.


Edited, Aug 30th 2007 7:18pm by Icinoki

I have wanted to have the ability to parse many situations in which I play for a while now and appreciate this a ton, rate up. I only have one question. It may appear dumb, but it's an honest question. Using the parser, am I at risk to be caught by SE and get in trouble? I'd like to use the program, but I really don't wana get in trouble for using it either. Is it like Windower, in which they *supposedly* can detect it, but often times it's not on the main to do list? Thanks a ton-Isaiah

If it hasn't deviated too much from Spyle's version (I haven't used this one yet), then no. It only reads the log files that are already occasionally dumped by FFXI into a particular directory. It doesn't hook into any of FFXI's processes, and unless FFXI uses something similar to WoW's Warden, it can't detect a completely seperate process.

I have found that the parser likes to pick up data from people/npc's not in my party... anyway to avoid that? I can avoid PC's data by tweaking my filters. But, not for NPC's such as Summons.

If, for example, I was a SMN, and there was a party near me with a SMN as well, the avatar data is messed up. =/

Some questions about use:

How often are log files created? For example, if I'm playing for a while doing various things, and then I go join an XP pt that I would like to parse--how would I know which log file to have the parser go through in order to accurately obtain info from JUST my xp session?

I have created a new home for the parser. Please update your bookmarks for the new website.

http://www.lildevilproductions.net

Thank you all for your continued support.

Edited, Nov 19th 2006 at 12:24am PST by TazzyLynn

Edited, Nov 19th 2006 at 12:25am PST by TazzyLynn

This link doesn't work for me, it keeps constantly timing out.

You're pathetic. You'd dare blame someone doing something amazingly helpful to the majority of players for the TP-Burn mentality? Yeah, I blame the Wright brothers when jet liners go down. Give me a break. If you don't like it, don't use it, but don't bitch like a child. Most of the jobs you just quoted get very good use out of the parser. STFU and GFY, kthnx.


EDIT: Just for the record, I think the TP-Burn thing is a problem too, but I don't go around crying about it. Seriously, don't blame others for your problems. That's called "projecting." Seek help.

Edited, Nov 19th 2006 at 7:15am PST by HeavensentLXXI

My Paladin friend has been using parser to prove that he can do comparable damage to other jobs. A Thief in my dynamis LS has been parsing himself to show that THF doesn't do as low DOT as people often think. Personally I like being able to parse my Dragoon to prove that there's nothing "lol" at all about it. Practically all the jobs in your post can make good use of the parser in one way or another.

Now shut up and stop pretending to speak for communities you're not a part of.

Thanks for your effort, TazzyLynn. Good job.

Edited, Nov 19th 2006 at 7:52am PST by Phycho

Does anyone know if there is any possible way to have a parser running for the ps2?

lolmoron


If an incredibly useful program that is able to detect your contribution to the party (in terms of damage, at least) is "perpetuating the ruination of FFXI", I really don't know what to say.

Like other posters have stated, this type of program allows jobs such as DRG and THF to say "We're not gimp" with actual proof. Maybe that's what bothers you? Maybe you would like to state things without any proof at all? Sorry, but that's not my - or most people's - way of playing.

And if you really are doing crap damage, why is it? The parser can tell you. Maybe it's your 50% accuracy, or your 5 dmg/hit average. This program can allow you to compare every single aspect of your DDing to the others of the party, and find why your performance was so poor. You could then proceed to fix your problem, or whine about how the parser has made your life a living hell. Going by the information in your sig, I cannot understand where you're coming from and would appreciate if you kept your comments to yourself.


On topic, thanks a bunch for the great parser (and guide), I was wondering why my old parser wasn't working properly, I'll use this one from now on ^^. Honestly, an enourmous Thank You from most FFXI'ers for doing a very helpful job with little to no remuneration at all. Greatly appreciated :)

Blaming others for your problems is not called projecting. Freudian Projection involves denying qualities in yourself and instead seeing them in other people.

You can read about it here if you really want:

http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/coping/projection.htm