About LS

2010/06/12

Throughout my many years of playing the game, Ballista is the only part of FFXI that I still play.  Ballista has been and will probably remain dominated by JP because almost all NA don’t understand the game well enough to stand even the slightest chance against them.  Although the Ballista Royale in 2006 didn’t reflect the “standard” Ballista form, it showed that the JP annihilated the “top” cross-server NA players with a final score of 44 – 0, verifying JP supremacy.

Most NA perceive Ballista as WoW or any other hardcore PK’ing game, but it’s far from that.  It’s a game that requires teamwork and scoring—almost like a virtual sport.  Instead of promoting good sportsmanship, the NA bring “PK’ing ethics” into Ballista.  Because of the typical NA style of play, which may include cursing, vile-mouthing, or even the absence of skill, the JP tend to belittle, scorn, and show little to no respect toward foreign players.

The JP normally presume that NA playing Ballista is synonymous to chickens trying to fly, but that time has come to an end.  My friend Teishii/Desutaru (who I call “T”) leads an NA Ballista LS on Siren, the server which holds the highest class Ballista.  After gathering some of the most passionate and competent NA Ballista players from several different servers, we were able to form a team strong enough to play competitively against the most powerful and populous JP Ballista LS called GanBallistar.  Getting the ball going proved to be a difficult challenge, as we lost roughly 15 consecutive games during the first two weeks.  Even after gathering the most skilled NA players, our losses seemed endless against the formidable GanBallistar.

On the night of June 11, 2010, we endured our regular routine of beatings in Diorama, but as time neared its end, we were only able to play one last match before the reservation expired.  With the team in low spirits, losses invited further losses, but despite our defeats, T praised our efforts, encouraged us to stay sharp, and brightened our hopes for a better tomorrow.  As a supportive leader, he brought the fire back in the game.  That night—that one, last game—we did the impossible.  We won.

Finally, after the torturous streak of losses, as well as learning from our experiences, mistakes, and advice from others, we defeated the JP players of GanBallistar at their own game—a game in which no group of NA has ever reigned victorious.  That glorious match sparked the beginning of a revolution.  Our celebration was phenomenal with colorful displays of firecrackers, Angelwings, Datechochins, and other ceremonial items going off.  Even the JP cheered for us, applauding our victory and offered us many generous compliments.  It was a magnificent and unforgettable moment.

Our victory was no fluke, though, as we triumphed through the games ahead of us.  After witnessing our success first hand, the JP realized that not all NA are amateurs.  Today, the generalization that “NA suck at Ballista” has been amended to “most NA suck at Ballista.”  Having newfound respect towards NA, the JP are more cooperative with us during official matches (Jugner, Pashhow, Meriphataud), leading to better teamwork and more enjoyment within our flourishing Ballista community.

2010/10/17

Moved to Lakshmi. Story yet to come/to be written.

2012/05/02

Moved to Carbuncle. Story yet to come/to be written.