Nice find Daymos. Looks like end game as we know it is intentionally being shifted down to midgame and a whole new end game is going to be created. Might give us a change to experience some stuff that we haven't. So Square is intentionally going to allow abilities like refresh and convert to be subbable...interesting.
Anywho I saw this article on Petfoodalpha.com today. Basically its a defense of the upcoming update by FusionX. (Petfoodalpha's host). Who knew FFXI had so many naysayers lol.
Just What Exactly Is The Big Problem?Some of you that frequent the site often will know that I can be very negative when discussing Square Enix and the last few version updates that we’ve seen. However, when the announcements were made at this years VanaFest that the level cap would be increased, that both new NMs and HNMs are going to be added, and then that the new Abyssea add-ons would be made in a way so a party could do the new content… suddenly I was extremely excited for Final Fantasy XI again after the past year of disappointments.
I’ve recently skimmed some of the community forums, some of the blogs etc. and there is one thing that I am constantly running into that is surprising me. People are very unhappy about the new level cap. Unhappy to the point where they swear at Square Enix in every sentence of their post. Is there something I missed?
There are a variety of things that people are complaining over, but is there really a reason to worry?
End Game Is Going To Be EasierCurrently, endgame as we know it will be changed to a certain degree yes. There was no discussions of setting a level 75 cap on Dynamis, nothing about level cap restrictions in Dragon’s Aery. Sky will be easier, Sea will be easier, and with that the possibility of Absolute Virtue finally being defeated now that everybody’s level has gone up by 29. The same could probably be said for Pandemonium Warden as well. Some of the strategy could be lost during these fights in place of brute force, but they will also become more possible for players that may not of had a chance to tackle them before. Starting with the June version update, endgame as we know it will slowly start to shift towards mid-game. It doesn’t mean the content won’t be playable. You’ll still be able to do existing events on your level 75 job.
Now, lets not forget that with every version update scheduled for 2010, there is the inclusion of both new NMs and HNMs. We saw from a video played during the event that we’ll see some evil pixies, giant enemy crabs, and insanely large slimes. And to top that off, a new dragon that looks like Vrtra on steroids. It’s safe to say that the idea of camping NMs and HNMs isn’t going anywhere. If the idea of fighting Fafnir is to “easy” or “old school” for you now, go tackle the new antlion NM which is sure to offer up an exciting new challenge for players.
My Homam is going to be worthlessIt seems that many people haven’t noticed that with the March version update we’re going to get our answer to making our gear more useful with the coming higher levels. Trial of the Magians will allow players to participate in a series of quests that are split up into a number of different categories. Upon the completion of these quests, players will be able to select augments for their weapon or armor piece of choice. The fact that both Relic and Mythic weapons will be able to be augmented via this new quest line leads me to believe that everything could be fair game. If that’s the case, take your Homam and toss some augments on it, and it’s suddenly not so outdated anymore. Armor isn’t the only thing that can be updated either, weapons are going to be a popular thing to be upgrading in the next version update. Read the following quote carefully:
Square wrote:
By repeating the quests, up to 80 different features can be added to a single weapon. With figures such as Damage and Delay added to the equation, there exist 500 possible attribute patterns for a single quest branch!
Eighty. On a single weapon.
Damage, delay, probably some of the obvious things like STR, DEX, HP, MP etc will be added. But eighty things? Will we be seeing more job specific augments available from the Magian system? No matter how you look at it, you’re great gear can definitely remain great. It seems they are taking the great augment rewards from the previous add-on scenarios and allowing them on equipment of your choice. We’ll get our first taste of what’s possible in the coming weeks.
The only real problem with this new level cap is that people don’t have the time to, or they don’t want to have to go back to the grind of leveling. But the thing is, unless you want to tackle the new content, you don’t have to. Current endgame activities aren’t going anywhere, you’ll still be able to do them. If you want a new exciting challenge then you’ll work to build up your character to take those challenges head on. Even without leveling we’ll still be able to see some of the great benefits that the Magian quests will make available to adventurers at level 75. If you still think you’re ready to grab a pitchfork and a torch and march over to Square Enix’s HQ, I urge you to take a deep breath and wait until the content becomes available before saying it’s the worst thing to happen to Final Fantasy XI.
http://petfoodalpha.com/2010/03/just-what-exactly-is-the-big-problem/#more-7471