Count Down to Mog Bonanza: Rank 5 - Behemoth Statue

Behemoth Statue

This is the second furnishing you can choose after winning rank 5 in the Mog Bonanza. It appears to be only obtainable through Mog bonanza as there have been no other confirmed claims. The only known elements attributed to the Behemoth family are water and lightning.

Count Down to Mog Bonanza: Rank 5 - Adamantois Statue

Adamantois Statue

The first of three brand new furnishings added to rank 5. Currently there is no other way of obtaining it and not much released on it. If you are a collector of the special event items, this is still exciting! Adamantois are generally water or earth creatures so I'm sure that one or the other will be the element attributed to the statue but the real question will be how many storage spaces!

Count Down to Mog Bonanza: Rank 5 - Cordial Invite

Cordial Invite

This is the last of the rank 5 deathga option. This allows you to participate in an invite only battle against the hero's of Vanadiel. After defeating them you are rewarded with the title "Super Hero". Previously this battle has only been accessible to those participating in the Fan Festivals.

Martial Ball Invite

This is a new item to rank 5. This invite allows you to battle some of the Heroines of Vana'diel. Until now this invite was available only tho those participating in Fan Festivals 2007 and 2008. The reward for winning this is a the new title of "Superheroine"

Rank 5 rewards are won when the last digit of your marble matches the winning number.

Leather Head: A guide to Leathercrafting

Leathercrafting is one of the "under-loved" crafts. Still, it has many prospects. None of the crafts are a quick-fix way to get rich. They all take incredible investment and commitment. Leather craft is an imperative sub craft for most crafts, especially when making armor but it is still a force to be reckoned with as a main craft at 100.

The Tanners guild is located in Southern San d'Oria and head up by the guild master, Faulpie. The hours are 3:00 to 18:00 and it is closed on Iceday.

You know how I am with repeating myself, so don't forget these tips!

• Pick a craft based where you live or a city that you frequent. This will make you more motivated to hand in your test items or check the daily guild item.
• Check your guild point item every day! There is nothing worse then being hard up for points and the item of the day is something costly to make. Checking every day will allow you to pick and choose the items you want to turn in. Take advantage of single recipe and cheap requested items. You may need to turn in more but bone hairpins beat scorpion masks any day!
• Take advantage of experience points party locals and prey. Leveling off beetles, for example, your bound to get some drops. You can work these into your recipes and save both time and money.
• Don't just farm or just buy all of your items. Time is money, don't waste it on farming up all of your ingredients. At the same time there are some items that are greatly inflated. Balance the cost vs. the loss of buying and decide which is best. There are many suggestions in the following guide but don't be afraid to check vs. your servers present economy.

Updates are coming; watch for them!

Bare Bones: A guide to Bonecrafting; Levels 90-100

Demon helm - level 91

dark crystal + sheep leather + demon skull + demon horn

• The best day to craft with dark crystals is lightsday and darksday due to increased skill gain and a reduction in material loss.
• Face north east during synthesis
• Farm as many demon bits as you can access. You can farm fairly easily with most 75 jobs at Castle Zvahl Keep.

Mammoth tusk - level 94

wind crystal + giant frozen head

• The best day to craft with Wind crystals is Iceday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain.
• Face East while Synthing.
• Finally a use for all the useless dyna drops!

Option 1
Scorpion Gauntlets - level 96

earth crystals + HQ scorpion shell (x2) + leather gloves (x2)

• The best day to craft with Wind crystals is Iceday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain.
• Face East while Synthing.
• The HQ shells are a bit of a pain to farm so there is an alternative that you can switch between

Option 2
Trumpet ring - level 96

wind crystal + trumpet shell (x2)

• The best day to craft with dark crystals is lightsday and darksday due to increased skill gain and a reduction in material loss.
• Face north east during synthesis
• These aren't too badly priced on the auction house but if you have fishing in the 60's your laughing!

Option 1
Chronos tooth - level 100

wind crystal + colossal skull

• The best day to craft with dark crystals is lightsday and darksday due to increased skill gain and a reduction in material loss.
• Face north east during synthesis
• Another dyna drop to upgrade but a very good option for skilling up the last few levels.

Option 2
Dragon ring - level 100

wind crystal + dragon talon (x2)

• The best day to craft with dark crystals is lightsday and darksday due to increased skill gain and a reduction in material loss.
• Face north east during synthesis
• Dragon talon's are more difficult to get a hold of but you are more likely to be able to sell these. mix up the two if you are skilling up to cap out.

Count Down to Mog Bonanza: Rank 5 - Training Ground Key

Training ground key

Yet another of the new rank 5 items. This key grants access to a spacial assault. previously it was available only to participants in the 2007 and 2008 Fan Festivals. Beating this BCNM grants you the title "Bloody Berserker".

Bare Bones: A guide to Bonecrafting; Levels 78-90

Marid Ring - level 81

wind crystal + marid tusk

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increased skill gain.
• Face East during synthesis.
• If your farm up some of the marid tusks you can break even or make a profit. These do sell slowly on the auction house so you will have to be patient.

Hellish Bugle - level 85

earth crystal + colibri beak + imp horn

• The best days to craft with earth crystals are Windsday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increased skill gain.
• Face southeast during synthesis.
• These materials are nice and easy to get from any experience points party level 50+. Go out and get some xp and farm these up at the same time!
• Also you an desynth these with lightning crystals to reuse some of the mats.

Dragon Mask - level 87

wind crystal + sheep leather + wyvern scales

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increased skill gain.
• Face East during synthesis
• If you can manage to sell all of these on the auction house you should be able to make a profit regardless of buying or farming the items. I still suggest that you either farm or dig up the scale as these are an extremely slow seller.

Behemoth Ring - level 89

wind crystal + behemoth horn (x2)

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increased skill gain.
• Face East during synthesis
• Unless you are resourceful or have allot of beasmen seals these will have to be purchased.

Dragon claws - level 90

earth crystal + beetle jaw + dragon talon

• The best days to craft with earth crystals are Windsday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increased skill gain.
• Face southeast during synthesis.
• Farm the beetle jaws and try the Chocobo hot and cold game for some of the talons.

Guild Test Item (Veteran)
Coral Bangles - level 87

wind crystal + giant femur + coral fragment (x2)

This is the last test item you will need to turn in.

Count Down to Mog Bonanza: Rank 5 - Mercenary Camp Entry

Mercenary Camp Entry Slip

Another of the new items added to the fifth rank . This was a gift obtained both at the 2007 and 2008 Fan festivals as well as completing the Serpent Generals quests. After defeating the five Serpent Generals in this battle you gain the title "The Sixth Serpent".

To get this through Mog Bonanza you only have to match the last didgit but as previously stated you can also get a slip to enter this BCNM by completing:
Saga of the Skysepent
Ode to the Serpents
Soothing Waters
Embers of his past

Bare Bones: A guide to Bonecrafting; Levels 69-78

Vivified Coral - level 71

Wind Crystal + Bone Purification (Key Item) + Coral Fragment + Lightning Anima + Water Anima + Light Anima

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Daksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain
• Face east while synthing
• Unless you know someone with Alchemy leveled you will have to purchase the Anima's
• Farm, Fish or Excavate Coral Fragments by any means necessary to cut down on cost. They are readily available by many methods.
• Hold on to these. In just a few levels they will become a great money maker!

Demon Knife - Level 73

Wind Crystal + Ebony Lumber + Demon Horn

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Daksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain
• Face east while synthing
• Unless you have Woodworking at 60 or you know people who know people ~,^
• Farm up the Demon Horn's in Castle Zvahl Baileys to cut back a bit on cost. If you do this, and sell them you should break even or even make a profit.

Madrid tusk arrowhead - Level 78

Wind Crystal + Bone Chip + Marid Tusk

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Daksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain
• Face east while synthing
• Try to farm the tusks if you can however they are fairly inexpensive compared to other materials.
• a stack of these NPC for a bit over 4k if you are not able to sell them on the AH.

Guild Test Item (Adept)
Coral Haipin - level 77

Wind Crystal + Black Pearl + Coral Fragment + Pearl

"Acquire" one of these and hand them in to prove your craftiness!

Count Down to Mog Bonanza: Rank 5 - Pest Repellent

Pest Repellent

One of several new items added to rank 5 this year. Previously this was available only through attending the 2008 Fan festival. The holder of this item can lead their party into an exclusive BCNM.

Waves of monsters will fall from the sky for your party to pick off. Upon completion you receive the title "Swarminator". The description of this battle actually looks pretty fun. It's no enhancing sword but hey, can you put a price on a good time?

This being a rank 5 prize you only have to match the last digit to your marble to win one of these.

Bare Bones: A guide to Bonecrafting; Levels 60-69

Demon Arrowheads - Level 63

Wind crystal + demon horn + bone chip

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Daksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain
• Face east while synthing
• These fetch a decent price on the Auction house

Scorpion Mask - Level 64

earth crystal + ram leather + scorpion shell

• The best day to craft with earth crystals are windsday and darksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain.
• Face southeast during synthing
• use lightning crystals to get some of your materials back and resyth.
• try to sell the +1's on the auction house but they may take a bit to sell.

Ladybug ring - Level 66

wind crystal + lady bug wings (x2)

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Daksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain
• Face east while synthing
• use lightning crystals to get your mats back and save money.
• sell the +1's on the auction house but they are not a particularly quick seller.

Beast horn - Level 69

Wind crystal + ram horn (x2)

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Daksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain
• Face east while synthing
• This synth may very well make you hate your life. I'm sure by now you already hate Ram's, I do. You can alternatively make Demon Rings as well but that is even more expensive.
• Farm up these horns to cut down loss.

Guild Test Item (Artisan)
Bone Patas - Level 68

Fire crystal + Carbon Fiber + Crab Shell + Giant Femur (x2)

Another rank under your belt, gratz!

Count Down to Mog Bonanza: Rank 5 - Miratets Memoirs

Miratete's Memoirs

Last years only real prize for Rank 5 so i suppose this is the best place to start. Somewhat of a "booby prize" since you can buy the marbles at level 5 but can't use the scroll until level 20. Any mules winning this will gain only inventory +1. Also they are only good for about 750-1500 experience points and they cannot be used for limit points.

I have to say, these are kinda like the "fat burners" of FFXI you pay money to avoid something that takes you 15 minutes to do if u would only put the effort in. Such a waste! I am so psyched that we actually have a couple choices this year.

These are available throughout the year by taking part in several quests.

Count Down to Mog Bonanza Commences

So we are getting closer! No way have I forgotten. The Mog Bonanza bubbles and bounces its way into town in just a couple months!

By way of the releases we can see that allot of details have been changed this year. I thought I'd break it down a bit with my own unofficial count down.... gives me something to do to pass some time.

Stay tuned to find out about some of the great prizes offered or check out the details released by Square Enix so far.

Final Fantasy XIII Trailer

So, was it good for you?

Plans to release in North America and Europe are still looking like spring of 2010 /sulk. SE, you're such a tease!

Bare Bones: A guide to Bonecrafting; Levels 47-60

Scorpion Arrowheads - Level 41

Wind Crystal + Bone chip + Scorpion Claw

• The best day to craft with Wind crystals is Iceday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain.
• Face East while Synthing
• If you farm in the Maze of Shakhrami you can get all 3 of the ingredients in the same large room on the second map. Farm the skeletons, scorpions and wind element's.
• if you have the inventory space save your shells for later use!
• Save these for future use.

Blood Stone - Level 57

Wind crystal + Fiend Blood + Grass thread + Giant femur

• The best day to craft with Wind crystals is Iceday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain.
• Face East while Synthing.
• Buy the fiend blood.
• Buy the grass thread or desynth yag necklaces with wind crystals
• Farm the Giant femurs.
• Sell any +1's that you make and use a lightning crystal to desynth the NQ's

Scorpion Ring - Level 60

Wind crystal + Scorpion shell

• The best day to craft with Wind crystals is Iceday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain.
• Face East while Synthing.
• The Maze of Shakharami for crystals and shells again.
• Use lightning crystals to get the shells back and sell any +1's that you make.

Guild Test Item (Craftsman)
Astragalos - Level 58

wind crystal + Giant femur + Black ink + Beastmen blood

Buy or craft up one of these IF you want to pass 60 on bonecraft.

*** Just remember that you can level every craft to 60 with no penalty however, after 60 you only have 40 crafting levels that you must distribute between them all except fishing. So If you plan on taking any craft to 100 no others can pass 60. ***

/random

Yes, of course more randomness for Jarnsy. I'd never be me without it! I dare you to watch this and NOT have this song stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

Back to History Class

Square Enix announced yesterday its partnership to unveil the World War II MMO, Order of War. The team up includes London based Wargaming.net. Players will be thrust real time into the shoes of officers in legendary battles. This game promises to be historically accurate and beautifully detailed.

The screenshots for this game are epic. They have certainly gone over and above in the detail. I can't wait to see how it plays!

SE plans to infiltrate PC's accross North America Fall of 2009.

Bare Bones: A guide to Bonecrafting; Levels 39-47

Bone knife - level 41

Wind crystal + giant femur + walnut lumber

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Daksday due to reduced material loss and increase in skill gain
• Face east while synthing
• Use Lightning crystals to desynth and reuse items
• Buy walnut lumber from the Auction house.
• Farm femurs from the Dhalmels in Buburimu peninsula
• Sell any +1's or remaining on auction house (for reference they NPC for about $750-$843)

Horn Arrowheads - level 43

wind crystal + bone chip + ram horn

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Darksday due to decrease in material loss and increase in skill gain.
• Face east while crafting.
• Farm Ram horns from Konschtat highlands
• Buy bone chips from the guild merchant or auction house
• Save the arrowheads for later use

Carapace mask - level 45

Earth crystal + dhalmel leather + crab shell

• The best days to craft with earth crystals are Windsday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increased skill gain.
• Face southeast during synthesis.
• Buy dhalmel leather from the Auction house.
• Farm shells from sea serpent grotto
• Use lightning crystals to desynth and reuse the materials.
• Sell these to NPC's for $1050-$1071

Horn - level 47

wind crystal + beetle jaw + ram horn

• The best days to craft with wind crystals are Iceday and Darksday due to reduced material loss and increased skill gain.
• Face East during synthesis
• Time is money! This time buy the beetle jaws if you don't have any remaining but still farm the Ram horns.
• These sell slowly on the auction house but they NPC for $780 before trying to sell them be sure you won't end up loosing money by repeatedly paying fees.

Guild Test Item (Journeyman)
Carapace Gorget - level 49

earth crystal + iron chain + crab shell (x2)

Buy or make one of these to get your new rank.

Bare Bones: A guide to Bonecrafting; Levels 29-39

Beetle Arrowhead - level 33

Wind crystal + beetle jaw + bone chip

• The best day to craft with wind crystals is Iceday or Darksday due to reduced loss of materials and an increase in skill gain.
• Face west during synthesis, it is rumored to improve skill gain.
• Farm the beetle jaw's but buy bone chips. Check the price at the guild shop vs. the auction house for the best price.
• Keep the arrowheads for use later.

*** Option 1/2 ***
Fang Arrowheads - level 38

Wind crystal + bone chip + black tiger fang

• The best day to craft with wind crystals is Iceday or Darksday due to reduced loss of materials and an increase in skill gain.
• Face west during synthesis, it is rumored to improve skill gain.
• Farm the Tiger fangs from Beaucedine Glacier but buy bone chips through the usual methods.
• If you choose this option save the arrowheads for use later

*** Option 2/2 ***
Horn Ring - Level 37
Guild Test Item (Apprentice)

Wind crystal + Ram horn + Fish scales

• The best day to craft with wind crystals is Iceday or Darksday due to reduced loss of materials and increase in skill gain.
• Face west during synthesis, the rumor doesn't hurt.
• Buy fish scales from NPC in Bastok, Sandy or windy, they sell for $72 - $99
• Farm Ram horns from the Tremor Rams in Konschtat highlands.
• These sell to NPC for $1200 - $1224 each making it possible to make a profit without having to wait for them to sell on the Auction house.
• Save one of these as your test item if you choose to skill up this way.

Bone Cudgel - level 39

Wind Crystal + grass cloth + giant femur + bone chips (x6)

• The best days for crafting with wind crystals are Iceday or Darksday due to reduced material loss and and increase in skill gain.
• Face west during synthesis.
• Farm femurs from buburimu peninsula.
• Buy bone chips and grass cloth. Grass cloth can also be crafted very easily with little or no clothcraft skill with grass thread.
  

Bare Bones: A guide to Bonecrafting; Levels 17-29

Carapace Powder - level 21

Wind Crystal + Beetle Shell (x2)

• The best day to craft with wind crystals is Iceday or Darksday due to a reduced loss of material and increase in skill gain.
• Face west during synthesis. This is a popular rumor and hey, it doesn't hurt!
• Farm the beetles to make these, you will be working with beetle bits for the next several levels so keep them.
• This is a bit of a slow seller but if you manage you should make a profit.

Beetle Ring - level 25

Wind Crystal + Beetle Jaw

• The best day to craft with wind crystals is Iceday or Darksday due to a reduced loss of material and increase in skill gain.
• Face west during synthesis. This is a popular rumor and hey, it doesn't hurt!
• Farm the beetles to make these.
• This is a bit of a slow seller but if you manage you should make a profit.

Horn Hairpin - level 29

• Wind Crystal + Ram Horn
  
• The best day to craft with wind crystals is Iceday or Darksday due to a reduced loss of material and increase in skill gain.
• Face west during synthesis. This is a popular rumor and hey, it doesn't hurt!
  Farm rams horns from tremor rams in Konschat highlands
• This is a bit of a slow seller but if you manage you should make a profit. Keep in mind that these NPC for $910-$969 gil

Guild Test Item (Novice)

Beetle Earring - level 27

Earth Crystal + Beetle Jaw + Silver Earring

Buy or craft up one of these to clear yet another rank!

Bare Bones: A guide to Bonecrafting; Levels 9-17

Bone Earring - level 12
(goldsmithing - level 3)

Wind Crystal + Brass Ignot + Bone Chip (x2)

• The best day to craft with wind crystals is Ice Day or Darksday due to a reduced loss of material and increase in skill gain.
• Face west during synthesis. This is a popular rumor and hey, it doesn't hurt! Keep and sell any +1 Earrings that you might make and desynth the rest with lightning crystals.
• Buy the chips from the guild while they are cheap or the auction house if it is comparable. Make the Ingots if you can otherwise they are also fairly inexpensive on the auction house. Sell any left over earrings to absorb your cost.

Gelatin - Level 16

Fire Crystal + Distilled water + Bone chip (x4)

• The best day to craft with fire crystals is Darksday due to a reduced loss of material and increase in skill gain.
• Face east during synthesis. This is a popular rumor and hey, it doesn't hurt!
• Buy the chips from the guild while they are cheap or the auction house if it is comparable.
• Buy the water from any of the NPC's it is very cheap and readily available.
• Sell these on the auction house in Windy, they usually go quick because the cooking guild is there also.

Guild Test Item (Initiate)
Bone Ring - level 17

Wind Crystal + Bone chip + Sheep tooth

Whip one of these up or buy it form the guild or auction house and hand it in the break the cap.

The Object of My Affection

Browsing through my wish list for today's item I found myself, yet again, gazing at this shield. So why haven't I posted it already? Who knows?!? So here it is, my current love interest. Every Red Mage out there has a hope and a dream to melee. And one day we will! It's just unfortunate that outside of campaign, that day will probably have very, very few witnesses. I am obsessed with Magic Accuracy but the Magic Attack Bonus on this shield is not too shabby, to say the least. Want one for yourself? It drops off Vee Ladu the Titterer.