Player of the Month October 2007

Real Name: Keith
Age: 27
Character Name: Soracloud
Character Race: Elvaan Male
Character Job(s): 75 BST 68 THF
Nation: San d'Oria
Rank: 8
Server: Gilgamesh
Linkshell: Rabidmoogle
Linkshell Website: www.rabidmoogle.com
Real World Location: New Jersey USA
Career / Employment Industry / Current Level of School: Beer Distributor
Hobbies: FFXI - Beer Snobbery - Working around the House - Computer Graphics
Family: Twin Sister - Wife - Two Cats -Two Parents and lots of Relatives
Your Website: www.beeradvocate.com (not mine, but my life)

Besides Final Fantasy XI, what other MMORPGs have you played and how do they compare to Final Fantasy XI?

FFXI has been my first and only MMORPG. Will I ever pick up another one? Probably not, I have enough addictions in my life as of now.

How did you find out about Final Fantasy XI, and when did you begin playing?

I have always been a fan of the Final Fantasy Series. I really did not know what to expect from an Online version so I stayed away for a year or two. In 2004 my Wife (then Girlfriend) bought it for me as she worked later hours then me and spent time at the gym. She said she got it for me to keep me occupied while she wasn't home and figured I'd play for awhile and move on. Well it kept me busy thats for sure but the game hasn't yet run its course for me and well here I am!

Do you know anyone in real life who plays Final Fantasy XI?

Nope.

How did you come up with your main character's name?

I was feeling quite unoriginal when I used "Soracloud." I had used it before for online forums and other Internet outlets. Its obviously a mix of two Square Enix Characters Sora from Kingdom Hearts (which I love also) and Cloud from FFVII. Strange thing is, I never liked Cloud the character, I just thought it fit well with the name.

What is your favorite job and why?

In FFXI? Beastmaster, hands down. I have taken THF to 68, BRD to 48 and RNG to 37. I dumped RNG pre nerf because of the |337ism attitude of a majority of other RNGs. The idea of being an endgame BRD wasn't attractive to me and LFP on THF for hours on end sucked. Also, PTing was not something that Real Life allowed me to do steadily.  The freedom to start/stop EXPing whenever and wherever I wanted was a major attraction to the job. After getting into the BST zone, I realized I was obsessed with it. I love every aspect of the job. I tell myself the day I stop playing BST is the day I leave FFXI.

Which forum(s) do you frequent the most?

Allakhazam.

About how often do you play Final Fantasy XI and how long is a typical playing session for you?

I play usually 5 days a week and about 2-4 hours at a time.

How do you spend your time in game?

I was hellbent on getting 75 BST. I EXP'd usually everytime I was online. I took breaks to farm, do missions and quests but it was pretty much a grind. Now that I am 75 I Merit, do Missions, lots of Quests, NM,/HNM Fights and Sky.

Do you craft? If so, what are your skill levels?

30 Smithing. I really want to level it but whenever I have excessive amounts of gil I tend to blow it on gear.

Approximately how much of Vana'diel have you experienced?

A lot of Vana'diel. Being a BST you tend to travel off the beaten path and I was always willing to explore just to see new things. I have Sky Access but no Sea. I am not really far along ToAU either but I have been around all the new areas.

What is your favorite expansion?

RoTZ. Great Storyline, fresh content and some fun fights!

What is your least favorite expansion?

CoP. Great storyline yes, but I keep running out of room for level capped gear and I despise Attowa Chasm.

How far have you progressed in missions?

Home Nation: Rank 8 - withinin a month I hope to finish Sandy Missions. RoTZ: 16-1 - Hope to get this done also within a month. CoP: 3.3 - We'll have 8 expansions by the time I finish CoP. ToAU: 15-1 - Starting to get into these now and really enjoying them.

What is your favorite zone?

Purgonorgo Isle

Who is your NPC hero and why?

Brutus! Beastmaster and master of the Axe!

If Shantotto was your mom, give a good excuse for coming home 6 hours after curfew.

Who?

Describe your most memorable moment or proudest accomplishment in game.

Well the solo climb to 75 as BST is my favorite long term accomplishment. Soloing Wespes as a low level THF for a week straight to get my Hornetneedle pop item was a trial and I am still proud of that day when I finally got it.

What is the largest amount of gil you have ever had at one time, and how did you go about accumulating it?

I go through so much I never really have a ton on me. I think during the Christmas Gil Explosion of 2005 I made a couple million off of some THF gear. Then I blew it all on a Monster Signa.

What are some things you would change or implement in order to improve Final Fantasy XI?

I am sick of losing claim on NMs cause their name goes yellow during a pet swap.

If you were stranded on Purgonorgo Isle what 5 items would you most want to have with you?

A case of Troegs Nugget Nectar, a case of Stone Russian Imperial Stout, a Beach Chair, Axe and a Razor.

How do you describe Final Fantasy XI to your coworkers or computer-illiterate friends?

I usually just tell them its a game that people all over the globe play together and once. We can't fight eachother in normal circumstances and group up to do Missions and big boss fights.

What is next for you in the world of Final Fantasy XI?

Fully Merit BST and finish all Missions, except CoP.

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