Choco Raising, is it worth it?

[IndyRacing]

If you only visit your bird once or twice a week, I wouldn't expect any miracles. If you're only looking for something you can ride home from a lowbie party in the jungles or Citadel to avoid aggro, a turtle-speed bird may suit your needs.

I wanted to chime in on my results of Chocobo raising.

I initially raised one (that I have attached to my whistle and have called I think a total of 26 times - my current whistle has 24 charges on it, and I use it VERY seldom once I realized it was 1000 gil per ride - it costs 25,000 to fully charge one, or did last fall), and then started to raise another after the very first update (which made it so that stats raised quicker than initially). I cared for that 2nd chocobo for 21 days, and then I stopped playing FFXI (my last log in was Nov 4th, and I came back sometime in week 1 of March).

I had assumed my Chocobo had run away, so when I came back in March, I didn't even head to Sandy to check up on it (I generally don't ever head to Sandy, and probably the only frustration I had with Chocobo raising was that I felt tied to Sandy, having to go back there at least every other day, if not every day. I wish raising could be done in Jeuno or Aht Urghan). But yesterday I was in Sandy for the first time since I'd come back, so I decied to talk to the NPC to get the bad news (and I have considered raising another, since my first one is not at MAX speed - he's close, but not quite).

Well, that short check in with the Chocobo NPC turned into 127 days worth of cut scenes. Oh...my...gawd. It was a nightmare. After I got day 149's CS, I was finally informed that he was being put into the stables and I was given my card. I don't even know what his stats are (he can't be faster than my initial one, so it really doesn't matter, I don't think). After like day 31 or something he was on basic care every day, so they can't be great stats.

Anyways, I always carry my whistle with me, but the 1k gil per use is a bit daunting, so I rarely use it anymore (haven't used it once in the month I've been back). I'd love for someone to tell me it's cheaper now to recharge than it used to be

 

[Halifirien]

I read on a guide that chocobos don't really care which of the greens they get, but I'm not sure.

The adult diet I feed my birds for physical stats are one Vomp Carrot and two Gysahl Greens each day. Feeding them three carrots a day or using the other greens has always struck me as overkill. I don't think they care about the type of greens, either.

I think the affection-boosting ones are probably better for people who can't walk their bird daily, but I'm not sure.

 

[Skaw]

The adult diet I feed my birds for physical stats are one Vomp Carrot and two Gysahl Greens each day. Feeding them three carrots a day or using the other greens has always struck me as overkill. I don't think they care about the type of greens, either.

I think the affection-boosting ones are probably better for people who can't walk their bird daily, but I'm not sure.

Oh, theres a difference. Azouph Greens almost boost affection a complete rank on their own. Feeding an Azouph to fill the little tiny bit of hunger left over from double carrots will permanently lock Parent Status, no matter what plan you have your Chocobo on.

 

[Icewolf]

Is a raised chocobo with all the best stats faster than a rented choco?

 

[Neyla]

Anyways, I always carry my whistle with me, but the 1k gil per use is a bit daunting, so I rarely use it anymore (haven't used it once in the month I've been back). I'd love for someone to tell me it's cheaper now to recharge than it used to be

Well I don't think SE really expects people to use the chocos they raise as their only means of transportation. If you're in a town or teleported to Mea, Holla or Dem, there's really no need to call the bird. But if you're outposting or wrapping up a party in hostile territory and can't get a D2 or a teleport out of the place, that's when they come in handy. Besides, 1k per use is still far cheaper than crag birds were pre-TOaU, when they were anywhere from 1.5k to 3k a pop.

 

[Skaw]

Is a raised chocobo with all the best stats faster than a rented choco?

You need top Strength and Gallop learned. But, yes, you can get a raised chocobo to be faster.

Thats where the problem arises. To learn Gallop, you need Average Discernment. A little bit in the opposite direction of building Strength. On the otherhand, you could breed to get Gallop. However, the 80 Chocobuck bonus plans could make it easier to get a First Class Strength Chocobo to get enough Discernment to learn Gallop.

 

[Halifirien]

Oh, theres a difference. Azouph Greens almost boost affection a complete rank on their own. Feeding an Azouph to fill the little tiny bit of hunger left over from double carrots will permanently lock Parent Status, no matter what plan you have your Chocobo on.

True that it raises affection fast, but you're not likely to have your affection drop below Parent level if you're walking it each day and feeding it gysahl greens, either.

 

[Skaw]

True that it raises affection fast, but you're not likely to have your affection drop below Parent level if you're walking it each day and feeding it gysahl greens, either.

Call me Cautious. It's not like they're expensive to grow anyway. Up to 20 Azouphs in one pot, with 320 gil seeds. After my first Chocobo was a failure due to Affection problems with Love Sickness, it's better to just nuke the problem.

 

[Mym]

Winning Chocobucks works as followed:
1st Place: 5 Chocobucks
2nd Place: 3 Chocobucks
3rd Place: 2 Chocobucks(Assuming here, have never come in third)
4th Place: 1 Chocobuck

3rd place is only 1 chocobuck.


I've been feeding my current Teen Chocobo a straight diet of Vomp Carrots so far.

Since the day my chocobo was born, I've been at parent status, yet once I started feeding 2 carrots a day, I've seen my affection drop off to "Wants to be with you all the time" after he does a Deliver Packages care plan. I have a feeling that Carrots actually contribute to affection loss.

All my previous chocobos, I've fed either just Greens, or a Greens/carrot mixture, and I've never had my affection drop, unless I am doing the top level care plans.

Worms can be your best friend as well. A Cupid worm will max out your affection, a Gregarious worm will completely fill your chocobo up, and also give you back about 50% of its energy.

As far as racing goes, My current racer, with STR- average, END- poor, DIS - average, REC - substandard (Gallop and Treasure finder) consistently wins the free races (unless StarOnion, MeteorBrian, or InvincibleLeg are in it) I am however stuck on the International Race II :x

My friends chocobo by contrast, has first class STR and END, yet poor DIS and REC, and he loses all the time.

Discernment especially, I think is a big skill for racing. According to SE, it effects your chocobos ability to stay with the pack, and its timing on using items.


My advice for anyone who is raising a chocobo, is do the Hot and Cold Game as much as you can. 70% of the time the reward is a chocobo raising item (Salads, elixers, worms) it really helps offset the total cost.

 

[Morari]

I've been feeding my current Teen Chocobo a straight diet of Vomp Carrots so far.

Since the day my chocobo was born, I've been at parent status, yet once I started feeding 2 carrots a day, I've seen my affection drop off to "Wants to be with you all the time" after he does a Deliver Packages care plan. I have a feeling that Carrots actually contribute to affection loss.

All my previous chocobos, I've fed either just Greens, or a Greens/carrot mixture, and I've never had my affection drop, unless I am doing the top level care plans.

You almost answered your own question...

Here's a guide. As you can see, the Affection Drop you're seeing is a combination of not giving any affection-boosting food and the affection-lowering care plan you've selected. But it's not a direct result of the carrots.

 

[Skaw]

As far as racing goes, My current racer, with STR- average, END- poor, DIS - average, REC - substandard (Gallop and Treasure finder) consistently wins the free races (unless StarOnion, MeteorBrian, or InvincibleLeg are in it) I am however stuck on the International Race II :x

My friends chocobo by contrast, has first class STR and END, yet poor DIS and REC, and he loses all the time.

My Chocobo, RoiMustang, has First Class Strength and Endurance, Poor Discernment and Receptivity, and 0 Abilities usually places First or Second, occasionally 4th. I have only lost 3 races. 1 Free Run, and 2 Official. The Free Run loss occured during my ladder climb through Team Bastok. The 2 Officials (back to back) during my climb through Team San d'Oria(One more race left.) Is he using any items? Speed Apple and Gysahl Bombs are great, and cheap to manufacture. Especially Gysahl Bombs since you can HQ them, however their effect is resistable.

I have problems with MeteorBrain, InvincibleLeg, and StarOnion as well. I think you need First Class Strength and Endurance, along with Gallop(faster running) or Canter(more stamina) to beat them. Maybe even both.

 

[Mym]

:shok: You can beat the Big 3?

I always use a Speed Apple, and final spurt.

 

[Skaw]

:shok: You can beat the Big 3?

I always use a Speed Apple, and final spurt.

I've beaten them individually, but when they're together I always place Fourth. It takes a lot of luck. It helps if they use their Speed Apples as soon as possible, and then another racer hit them with a Fire Biscuit. Under those conditions, I can beat them.

StarOnion seems to have pretty high Receptivity though. Fire Biscuits usually have no affect on it. Coincidentally, when going against the three of them simultaneously, StarOnion is always in First.

 

[Rappa]

I love having my chocobo now. Now only is it convenient, but I really make money off of it. After making it learn Treasure Finder and getting the hang of the chocobo hot/cold game, I usually make 2-3x more than I spend on upkeep. I found a dragon talon one day then a chocolixir the next and a cupid worm the day after that. Also have gotten 2 chocobo whistle tickets which let me recharge my chocobo whistle for free. Good stuff!

 

[Zaltana]

IMO, no.

 

[Halifirien]

IMO, no.

Hehe, please elaborate. :biggrin:

 

[Svina]

Some people camp NMs, some craft, some kill Gods, some raise chocobos.

I personally find it rewarding, because its still one of the relatively unknown things in the game. You cant go to a website and read a detailed strat on how to raise a "perfect" Chocobo... nobody knows for sure.

People still haven't cracked the crafting code IMO =P

 

[Rinoah]

Does anyone know yet if breeding good chocos gives the chicks higher potential stats?

E.g two First class speed & strength chocos breed, assuming first class is 100, would the chick since it had two speed and strength parents be able to get a value of 120 for speed and strength?

Also i read alot of guides in preparation of raising my choco (don't want to screw it up), it says that when it is an adolescent "Its about time to feed it it's first worm" but doesn't really shed any light on this phrase. If anyone could give me info on worms that would be appreciated (i caught a small amount from someone mentioning feeding one or two worms".

 

[Saiyuki]

See my problem was and when i rise another one is how to raise its stats cause mine was always average bird i mean i honestly diddn't have a clue what i was doing. So here a couple of my questions k does what u feed it matter? Second does how many days u do a certain thing like i.e. Listening to Music or Digging for treasures cause i want my next bird when i raise it to be better than my 1st one.

Most of the stuff i have read on here has been helpful i want to thank u all.

 

[Morari]

See my problem was and when i rise another one is how to raise its stats cause mine was always average bird i mean i honestly diddn't have a clue what i was doing. So here a couple of my questions k does what u feed it matter? Second does how many days u do a certain thing like i.e. Listening to Music or Digging for treasures cause i want my next bird when i raise it to be better than my 1st one.

Most of the stuff i have read on here has been helpful i want to thank u all.

Sai... talk to me in game, I can help you out. Also, I'm going to reference the two best pieces of Chocobo Raising information on the net so far:

FFXI Wiki Chocobo Raising main article

FFXI Wiki Chocobo Raising guide

Those, plus the guidance of anyone even moderately experienced with raising chocobos, will help you out immensely.