Hello!

I truly enjoy the game, but I have only an hour here and there, two at most, to play. I have been soloing so far, and am looking forward to enter parties.

Is one hour enough for party play? I wouldn't want to let down other players by leaving early.

Winkle

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In-game : Winkle
RDM 37/WHM 17/THF 25

Just tell them you have an hour when they invite you. They may retract the offer but if they don't then they won't blame you. Don't surprise people by suddenly dropping or telling them about it 5 minutes before you go, that's a big no-no.
Also note that you won't be able to progress a lot after a certain point since each level requires more exp than the previous one, eventually reaching a point where a single level takes more than an hour.
Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear but that's how it is.

Thanks, Nightcoder. Always happy to learn how things are.

I'll let others know from the start, then, how much time I have. I'll probably mention in a search comment too.

Cheers!

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In-game : Winkle
RDM 37/WHM 17/THF 25

level BST, or just be upfront with people that inv you

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I've been considering BST, yes, thank you. I chose RDM (now at lvl 28) based on nasomi's "Get a Job" page, which recommends RDM and BST for those who plan to play mostly solo.

I'll certainly give BST a try.

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In-game : Winkle
RDM 37/WHM 17/THF 25

meh.. RDM is certainly better solo than a number of jobs, but it's going to take a long time to just solo the job.

Just giving the leader a heads up is best. But also... just be comfortable starting your own party. Starting your own parties cuts down on the amount of time you spent seeking a party, and allows you to just replace yourself when you're getting close to needing to leave.

No one will be upset if you're the leader, and as you need to leave a suitable replacement shows up to continue the party.

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I hadn't thought of that. So, if I intend to play a healing role, make sure there's a second healer in the party?

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In-game : Winkle
RDM 37/WHM 17/THF 25

No - I meant.. If you're going to be RDM/WHM, main healing for your party. Be the leader of the party... You know when you have to leave, and you don't need to make anyone aware of it. As you're nearing the time you need to leave? Just find another RDM/WHM or WHM to come and replace you in that party. Bid everyone farewell. No one cares if you had to sub yourself out after 40 minutes or an hour, if their XP isn't impacted.. and it won't be, because another person showed up to be their healer.

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Cool. I get it.

Thanks!

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In-game : Winkle
RDM 37/WHM 17/THF 25

To answer the thread's question, most EXP parties I've formed last around 2 or 3 hours from the moment we are full and heading to a camp. Around the 2-3 hour mark there's usually more than one people who need/would like to leave, and we agree to disband the party at that point.

Wolffhardt's answer for your concern is great, if you can only stay for a short time it's doable by calling a replacement over to your area, it's very common to "rep" people in this MMO and people LFG won't be surprised by it.

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Baleful Badger