[Suggestion] Replacing the Point Allotments System with Synergy Stats and Traits

[Cairdeas]

I know this isn't the biggest deal in the world but I've heard a lot of people complain, or praise the point allotment system. The problem is the numbers do not scale well and so spending points feels well.. pointless in most cases.


One thing I'd like to see is a return back to the small even numbers where a few points in one stat could mean a huge difference in prowess or ability.

Where 3 Dex was considered a saving grace, not 30.

But to resolve this we need to take away some of the control we have on our point allotment, but NOT ALL.


One that can be implemented was already experimented with and proved to be extremely popular. And that is Skill Bonuses and Synergy. In a nutshell its the system present on Blue Mage in FFXI.

You Equip a Skill, You gain bonus stats from having it equipped.

You Equip two skills, you get a Synergy Trait from them being synergistic with each other.

You Equip a assortment of certain skills you get more and more powerful Synergy Traits.

This system as it appears in XI seems like it would have been the next intentional step with how the Armory System should have gone if it had remained in the relm of being "Level Less" like the original staff had claimed.

But it could still be a great system to use to replace the current point allotment system.

1. It would be easier to balance, and would still give players the ability to heavily customize their skill and stat load outs.
2. It would allow for stats to be more important for output in combat. 1 or 2 points of strength would be more important than it is now for instance.

[Cairdeas]

I'm surprised no one even has comments on this. Wow.

[kukurumei]

That would be equivalent to the skill point level up systems of EQ/FF11/ or more modern-ish the talent system of WoW.

As always it can get complex, and while not bad, not always good, because you're charging developers with a task that they probably don't want at this point in time. Constantly balancing things to avoid cheat characters/builds.

That's the original reason they considered scrapping physical levels. It spun out of their control to balance classes.

Static stats are far easier to deal with obviously, but if people want the developers to ride that horse...well it's a rough ride.

[Cairdeas]

These would be static Stats just granted when you equiped a skill.


Equip Cure: Earn +2 Mnd +2 Magic Potency +10 MP

Equip Simian Thrash: Earn +10 Str +15 Attack Power +25 HP

Of course if you equip a skill below its optimal rank the stats scales.

[kukurumei]

These would be static Stats just granted when you equiped a skill.


Equip Cure: Earn +2 Mnd +2 Magic Potency +10 MP

Equip Simian Thrash: Earn +10 Str +15 Attack Power +25 HP

Of course if you equip a skill below its optimal rank the stats scales.

No longer static stats since skills are integrated within the system. It's a bonus stat but not static, which would have to be balanced like everything.

Dev's would have to "audit" every skill every update, every time they release a new skill, and every time they make a new monster.

I'm not saying it's not interesting or not workable, just that it's going to be a wild ride and not pleasant.

[Cairdeas]

If that was the case they would have had to do the same thing with Blue Mage in XI and they didn't.

[kukurumei]

If that was the case they would have had to do the same thing with Blue Mage in XI and they didn't.

You must have repressed memory. The blu ownz saga of when they first came out was epic.

[Cairdeas]

They still didn't rebalance them.

Blue was only powerful because of specific subjob choices.

Also this would be for all classes not just one job.

[kukurumei]

They still didn't rebalance them.

Blue was only powerful because of specific subjob choices.

Also this would be for all classes not just one job.

A bigger chore for developers. Every week there would be an "oh no-z they made another unbalance combination".

This is the exact situation moving away from flexible stats they want to avoid.

Can you do it? sure. Will people regret it? Maybe.

[Cairdeas]

Again, after it was implemented I don't remember of them ever needing to rebalance the spells synergyies on Blue Mage.