Inter-Knot Team
[Notice] Beginner's Guide to the Hollows: Always watch out for unknown Ethereals
Many a rookie Inter-knot user will, after several commissions, start to think: I'm stronger now, and I can beat a powerful Ethereal. You may be coming to have similar thoughts yourself as you gradually increase your Inter-Knot Level. But is that really true?
— Of course not. It's just because you haven't come across a powerful Ethereal yet. Please, do not lower your guard.
The HIA classifies Ethereals into ten different strengths (from weak to strong): Antimony [Sb], Zinc [Zn], Tin [Sn], Manganese [Mn], Cadmium [Cd], Nickel [Ni], Copper [Cu], Bismuth [Bi], Lead [Pb], and Mercury [Hg]. Due to the weaker Ether levels seen in the companion Hollows where basic commissions occur, there are usually only [Sb], [Zn], and a few [Sn] Ethereals — which indeed present rather easy combat targets.
However, once you go up to the [Mn] level, things ramp straight up significantly. Killing a [Mn] Ethereal usually takes a fully-trained tactical support team.
I recommend buying or printing out pictures of all the Ethereals before going into the Hollows. As a rookie Proxy, there's 99.99999% chance you'll never encounter them — but on the off chance you do, even if they only look slightly similar, you'd be better off running away.
Archaeoceti
This grading system... It's based on heavy metals.
Entangled Proxy
Any posts that record official speeds for Ethereals? I'm just worried that I wouldn't be able to run away from them if I tried...
Penrose Stairs
To the day I die, I hope I only have to fight Sb Ethereals. Best if they were Sb Ethereals that drop Hg rewards.
Anonymous
My mate at the Association loves to complain about how she does Hg-level work, but gets Sb-level pay.