New with a few questions

[The Casualty]

So I picked up the free trial of this game out of boredom and have been playing for ~4-5 days, trying to get a feel for the game, and I have to say that thus far that I've been pleasantly impressed with how smooth it looks and runs. Before I decide to shell out the cash though - aside from finishing out the trial (I mean, might as well right?), I have a few questions.

- I picked Zalera just based on what was available and how active their community subforum is compared to the other open ones, but in game it's pretty quiet. Is that par for the course? Are later zones more chatty or is it mainly a LS/FC sort of thing?

- Following up with that, since it's so quiet, I have no way of judging the community. How is it? Any other games you might compare it to?

- I'm not at the point of doing group content yet as I've been kinda laid back exploring (no sense rushing when cap is 20 for the moment), but how friendly are pugs? I picked Marauder and like how it plays, but aside from whatever HQ gear I can make myself, I'm a bit limited on what's accessible to me as a free trial; are vets going to put up with me learning to tank, or should I be trying to pick up say a DPS to watch someone else do it first?

I'm sure there are other questions I might add, but any help answering these would be great. Loved XI and this just seems better in every regard, that and god, finally, another MMORPG where I can play with a controller.

[Arkenaw]

Most chat is kept to linkshells and free company, except for cases where people may be hunting or hanging out (mor dhona/cities)

People insist the game has a great community, but it's really not that special, this is especially obvious when doing hunts

Pugs are hit or miss, you will either get a friendly group or a group that wants speed runs and no nonsense.

[Lathais]

Chat is pretty quiet on my server too, Hyperion, one of the oldest and busiest servers. My FC chat is always active though, and once I join a few LSs it will probably be more. You can join up to 8 LSs, so look for some to join.

No, I can not compare the community here to any other game. It is so much better than any other game I have played.

PuGs are friendly. I've run Sastasha(1st dungeon) with new tanks before. It's easy enough you can get through it with a tank barely tanking, so you can learn well. One thing I would suggest before tnaking as Marauder though is level Gladiator to get Flash so you can use it as a Cross Class skill before trying to tank as marauder. Otherwise it will be difficult to hold threat. I ran Sastasha with a fresh MRD tank the other day and it was painful. Either the healer or I was tanking most of the time, except for the target he was attacking. We still got through the whole dungeon, it just took a bit longer. For an idea of the community too, no one complained, no one insulted the guy, we just got through the dungeon. Just be sure to say you are new.

You can also practice tanking in Guildhests, which are like little mini dungeons with maybe a couple pulls and a boss. They are short and quick.

[Sorrior]

Chat is pretty quiet on my server too, Hyperion, one of the oldest and busiest servers. My FC chat is always active though, and once I join a few LSs it will probably be more. You can join up to 8 LSs, so look for some to join.

No, I can not compare the community here to any other game. It is so much better than any other game I have played.

PuGs are friendly. I've run Sastasha(1st dungeon) with new tanks before. It's easy enough you can get through it with a tank barely tanking, so you can learn well. One thing I would suggest before tnaking as Marauder though is level Gladiator to get Flash so you can use it as a Cross Class skill before trying to tank as marauder. Otherwise it will be difficult to hold threat. I ran Sastasha with a fresh MRD tank the other day and it was painful. Either the healer or I was tanking most of the time, except for the target he was attacking. We still got through the whole dungeon, it just took a bit longer. For an idea of the community too, no one complained, no one insulted the guy, we just got through the dungeon. Just be sure to say you are new.

You can also practice tanking in Guildhests, which are like little mini dungeons with maybe a couple pulls and a boss. They are short and quick.

Flash or Overpower spam LOL..But yeah eventually get flash and provoke from gladiator.

As for community overall very nice but some of the dicks are beginning to show at end game buut far fewer then in say WoW or most other games.

As for audio it really depedns sometimes you will see alot other times not so much. but yeah FC and Linkshells often have alot of chatter find ones that suit you. I am ina social guild and a linkshell alllll about the crazy fun times whether it be anime cray porn or what have you.

And yeah just rememebr OP is your friend as a marauder and that you WILL need a scond class t 15 for warrior..Been sooo long but i think it is gladiator(which becomes a paladin when you hit 30 and have a 15 white mage)