Legend0.1: Introduction
0.2: Basic Zeny Areas
- 0.21: Desert Wolves
- 0.22: Gonryun Dungeon 01
- 0.23: Wild Roses
- 0.24: Mavkas
0.3: Intermediate Zeny Areas
- 0.31: Juperos
0.4: Advanced Zeny Areas
- 0.41: Nameless Island
- 0.42: MVPs
0.5: Conclusion
0.1: IntroductionZeny is what runs a server; its value increases and decreases depending on what's available and how frequently. When rare items become too available, the value of Zeny drops; likewise, when these items become scarce, their price inflates, and Zeny becomes more useful.
In order to buy items and gear from NPCs and players, Zeny is a must-have resource. Luckily, there are many different approaches to harvesting Zeny, and there are quite a few classes that can help you achieve money-related goals you set. In all scenarios, however, perseverance is key, as well as patience and the ability to mindlessly perform the same tasks repetively and effectively.
Note that it is absolutely mandatory to have a Merchant with Overcharge available. The bonus from that skill makes a huge difference when your feat is completed.
0.2: Basic Zeny AreasThese are areas that a novice could go to with no equipment / basic equipment. They are accessible and reliable ways of acquiring money, though they may not be the most effective. The good thing about these areas is the scarceness of other players on the map, as well as the fact you can go there after leveling a bit and expect to profit.
0.21: Desert Wolves-
RMS DataRequired Class(es): Whitesmith; Assassin Cross; TaeKwon
- Whitesmiths have an advantage with their Pull Cart Skill (highly recommended)
Required Base Level: 60+
Monster(s) of Interest: Desert Wolf
Best Hunting Maps: ve_fild04 (60)
Weaknesses: ATK + Water Element
Item(s) of Interest: Stiletto [3]; Katar [2]; Mink Coat [1]; Desert Wolf Card
Bonus(es): Meat restores a decent amount of HP (use while hunting to avoid returning to town); Rough Oridecon = Easy Pure Oridecons; Claw of Desert Wolf is a prerequisite for several different Headgear Quests
Desert Wolves is perhaps a very old, outdated way of earning money. By using a class with a lot of STR (therefore, higher weight capabilities), you can take advantage of their mediocre DEF, their low HP, and their weakness to the endowable (and easy-to-find) Water Element. You can earn a decent amount of Zeny in a short period of time, and the level requirement is low enough that you can start here early.
0.22: Gonryun Dungeon 01-
RMS DataRequired Class(es): Sniper
Required Base Level: 70+
Monster(s) of Interest: Zipper Bear; Enchanted Peach Tree
Best Hunting Maps: gon_dun01 (30 Zipper Bear; 35 Enchanted Peach Tree)
Weaknesses: ATK + Holy Element (Zipper Bear); ATK + Fire Element (Enchanted Peach Tree)
Item(s) of Interest: Royal Jelly; Zipper Bear Card
Bonus(es): Honey is a useful SP recovery item; Dead Branches and Old Blue Box appeal to some individuals; Black Bear Skin is used to create the TeddyBear Hat
Again, another older but effective way to make money. By swapping out elemental arrows, it's easy to acquire en masse Royal Jellies, and even pick up a few Zipper Bear Cards along the way (useful card for Whitesmiths.) As well, the dungeon is very close to the central Kafra in Gonrun; therefore, even if your Sniper becomes overweight, it is very easy to return to Gonryun / @go Gonryun and deposit the items into the Kafra, and then return to the dungeon itself. It's convenient, it's quick, and it's reliable.
0.23: Wild Roses-
RMS DataRequired Class(es): Sniper; Gypsy; Clown
Required Base Level: 60+
Monster(s) of Interest: Wild Rose
Best Hunting Maps: gef_fild05 (50)
Weaknesses: ATK + Earth Element
Item(s) of Interest: Witherless Rose
Bonus(es): Dustiness on the same map has a valuable Card
Wild Roses have been an easy method of money for a while. Long-Range is very important here - a Sniper can easily one-hit KO these fast-moving, passive enemies with a Double Strafing (same for Gypsies and Clowns) with the right equipment. Even lacking equipment, however, these cats are easy to kill, and they drop the coveted Witherless Rose (which, lucky for Snipers, weighs next to nothing!) High Flee is also important to avoid being critically damaged by their Sonic Blow; again, the Archer classes are perfect for this hunting environment.
0.24: Mavkas-
RMS DataRequired Class(es): Sniper; Assassin Cross (linked with EDP)
Required Base Level: 80+
Monster(s) of Interest: Mavka
Best Hunting Maps: mosk_dun03 (15)
Weaknesses: ATK + Fire Element
Item(s) of Interest: Witherless Rose; Crystal Mirror
Bonus(es): Blue Herbs are good SP-healing items that are also useful for Creators
Mavkas are on the higher end of the Basic spectrum. Their entourage is tougher, and they do require the basic Burning Bow + Scorpion Cards to deal adequate damage. Unlike everything else in this category, they also harbour a higher DEF (32 compared to 0) and therefore require more Double Strafings to kill. A linked Assassin Cross with EDP is able to OHKO Mavkas; however, their short-range proves difficult when trying to monopolize the map from other players. Again, Witherless Roses and Crystal Mirrors weigh practically nothing and are therefore very Sniper-friendly. It is very important to have Fly Wings on this map due to the surrounding monsters' ability to spam Water Ball, instantly killing you.
Mavkas also take some time to spawn, and this should be taken into account when calculating efficiency.
0.3: Intermediate Zeny AreasThese areas require experience, skill, and equipment to hunt in. They are either very mobby maps or just tougher in comparison to the basic areas. It is important to understand the target monsters' weaknesses and to exploit them effectively, if possible. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for a player to profit in the following areas.
0.31: Juperos-
RMS DataRequired Class(es): Whitesmith; Assassin Cross
Required Base Level: 80+
Monster(s) of Interest: Venatu
Best Hunting Maps: juperos_01
Weaknesses: Not Exploitable
Item(s) of Interest: Crest Piece
Bonus(es): Steel is interesting for crafting with Whitesmiths; Elunium is universally useful; Professional Cooking Kit is the 2nd-best Kit and easier to acquire than the Royal Cooking Kits; Venatu Card can be useful for AGI&LUK builds (i.e. Dodge Assassin)
Juperos are difficult for two reasons: they don't take a lot of damage, and their elemental weaknesses are extremely hard to exploit. There are four different kinds of Venatus (target monster) on the map, and it's difficult to distinguish which is of which element, and it's very scroll-consuming to have to change to these new elements at every attack. It is also impossible to mob if you're trying to exploit these elemental weaknesses due to conflicting with other types of Venatus. If you have the right equipment i.e. high ATK and more damage to Medium-sized monsters, this area could be useful for making money in a short period of time; however, without the right build and equipment, it's too difficult for a novice to exploit the area and profit effectively.
Assassin Crosses are able to Grimtooth and mob via the neutral element; this method can be useful, but again requires the right equipment to be efficient.
0.4: Advanced Zeny AreasThese areas require the right equipment, the right build, and the right environment to be effective. A novice should not attempt these areas unless guided by a large group of peers. These areas are highly profitable and if exploited properly, will allow a player to roll in dough after a short period of time.
0.41: Nameless Island-
RMS Data-
RMS DataRequired Class(es): TaeKwon (to solo); Creator; Group Play
Required Base Level: 90+
Monster(s) of Interest: Banshee; Ragged Zombie
Best Hunting Maps: abbey_01 (93 Banshee; 33 Ragged Zombie); abbey02 (70 Ragged Zombie)
Weaknesses: ATK + Holy Element
Item(s) of Interest: Wool Scarf; Tidal Shoes; Expert Ring [1]; Orlean's Gown [1]; Mes [3]
Bonus(es): Flame Skull drops Black Leather Boot (useful when slotted); Flame Skull Card is a useful anti-status barrier
The only effective and safe way of soloing Nameless Island is to have a high Flee- and high ATK-output Ranked TaeKwon with around 16,000HP and the right equipment and elemental armour to-boot. Banshee can't do anything against said TaeKwon and the damage output when Holy kicks are spammed allow for the 30k-HP monster to be killed in (on average) 3-4 seconds. It is also possible to mob with such a TaeKwon without requiring HP healing items; contrarily, you'll require SP items as you'll find that your SP will depleat extremely fast due to the amount of kicks required to kill the monsters.
Creators are also effective here with the right equipment. Obviously, if you storm Nameless in a large party, it's extremely effective and will allow for better results over time (though you may have to share the spoils.)
0.42: MVPsRequired Class(es): Champion; Paladin; Creator; Group Play
Required Base Level: 90+
Monster(s) of Interest: Assassin Cross Eremes; Satan Maroc; Hard Rock Mammoth; Ifrit; Valkyrie Randgris; etc.
Best Hunting Maps: Vary
Weaknesses: Vary
Item(s) of Interest: Ice Pick; Diabolus Set; Bone Head; Ring of Resonance; Ring of Flame Lord; Cards; Valkyrie Set; etc.
These are just examples of items that MVPs may drop that are valued by the community. By defeating MVPs, you can acquire and monopolize these equipment, which can be especially valuable if properly refined. Most MVP/Mini-Boss Cards are extremely valuable (see: Maya Purple, Golden Thief Bug, Tao Gunka) and are coveted and sought by most of the community for huge advantages in PvP/WoE/etc. Obviously, it is an MVPers goal to acquire these items and either retain them for their own use, or to sell them for a huge profit.
MVPs require equipment i.e. Abysmal Knight Cards to be killed effectively and efficiently. By having a stronger damage output, you can defeat these MVPs faster and easier, allowing for faster respawning and the chance of rarer items i.e. cards to be dropped - for you, hopefully!
0.5: ConclusionThere are many, many different areas you can venture into in order to make Zeny; not all are listed in this guide. This is just a sample so that new adventurers can benefit.
Feel free to add thoughts below, should you know of more areas, or methods of improvement.
