“Freshly Picked Vana’diel 8” Digest

[Camate]

Greetings,

To coincide with the June version update, Producer Akihiko Matsui held another "Freshly Picked Vana'diel" to go over some of the new content and discuss other topics pertinent to adventuring. Below is a digest of what was discussed.



Hello,
Matsui here.

Thanks for tuning into Freshly Picked Vana’diel 8.

For those of you who were unable to watch the stream, I've created this digest of what was discussed during the stream.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/stDCGnVGUbo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Table of Contents

Trust Alter Egos and Adventuring Fellows (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512595&viewfull=1#post512595)
Battle Content Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512599&viewfull=1#post512599)
Reive Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512608&viewfull=1#post512608)
Weapon Skill Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512609&viewfull=1#post512609)
Job Adjustments Part 1 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512611&viewfull=1#post512611)
Job Adjustments Part 2 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512615&viewfull=1#post512615)
Mog Garden (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512621&viewfull=1#post512621)
Quality of Life Improvements (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512624&viewfull=1#post512624)
Synthesis and Gathering (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512626&viewfull=1#post512626)
Records of Eminence (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512628&viewfull=1#post512628)
UI Revisions (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512630&viewfull=1#post512630)
Campaign Announcements (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512632&viewfull=1#post512632)
July Version Update Preview (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/42839-%E2%80%9CFreshly-Picked-Vana%E2%80%99diel-8%E2%80%9D-Digest?p=512633&viewfull=1#post512633)

[Camate]

Trust Alter Egos and Adventuring Fellows



(06:20～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=6m20s))


Summoning alter egos while in a party
We’ve made it possible to summon alter egos when you are in a party with other players.

After forming a party, the party leader will be able to summon alter egos.
They can be summoned prior to entering seal battlefields and after entering a skirmish area.

Currently, in order to temporarily address a bug that was found right before implementation, the conditions for summoning alter egos was made a bit strict; however, we will be making it more convenient in a future version update.




Alter ego and adventuring fellow adjustments
We’ve adjusted the behavior of certain alter egos.

Ayame
We’ve made adjustments so that she uses a weapon skill that will elementally coordinate with the weapon skill last used by a player.

She’ll function well as a skill chain initiator, and it will be extremely convenient for quests that involve performing skill chains.


Mihli Aliapoh
She now uses Afflatus Solace and the amount she cures for has been increased.





Summoning alter egos mid-battle
Currently, in order to prevent cases where only alter egos are continuously thrown at enemies during battles, we’ve restricted the ability to summon alter egos while you are in battle.

In a future version update, we would like to implement a system that functions much like the charged for scholars that would allow you to summon alter egos a set number of times while you are in battle.

[Camate]

Battle Content Adjustments



(15：30～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=15m30s))


Skirmish

Outer Ra’Kaznar
We’ve increased the drop rate of vials of transmelange and Pulchridopt Wings, and made it so it’s easier to enhance skirmish equipment to item level 119.

As an effect of these adjustments the drop rate for Ghastly Stones, Verdigris Stones, and Wailing Stones has consequently been lowered. Of these items, Wailing Stones are an item that is in heavy demand, and in the July version update we will be restoring the original drop rate for this item.



Yorcia Weald
We’ve added an option to reduce the defending time.



Easing of entry requirements
We’ve made it possible to enter all skirmish areas solo.
It’s also possible to summon alter egos in skirmish, so you’ll be able to get into this content easily even if there are not a lot of people around by using your alter egos.





High-tier mission battlefields

Adjustments to the exchange rate for phantom gems
In order to make it so high-tier battlefields could be accessed more easily, we’ve reduced the merit point cost associated with purchasing the required key items.

Considering the congestion conditions for Divine Might and the Ark Angels battles we have not made adjustments to the exchange rate for these battlefields.



Addition of Divinator and Seraphicaller as rewards to all battlefields
As these items are very important for puppetmaster and summoner to increase their pet’s level, we made changes so that they drop as a reward for all battlefields.

These have been set as separate slots from existing rewards, so the drop rate of other rewards will not be affected.

Additionally, we set a certain chapter of Rem’s Tale to each battlefield as a countermeasure to disperse congestion from the Ark Angels and Divine Might.



Delve

Adjustments to the drop rate of Yggzi Beads
We’ve made adjustments so that Delve notorious monsters spawned in field areas are guaranteed to drop Yggzi Beads.

[Camate]

Reive Adjustments



(20：00～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=20m00s))
*The video shows off gameplay footage of arcane glyptics.



Lair reives
We’ve increased the amount of experience points and bayld that are earned.
Also, we’ve reduced the delay between when lair reives respawn making it even easier to earn bayld and experience points.




Colonization reives
Just as with lair reives, we’ve also increased the amount of experience points and bayld that you can earn from colonization reives, and we’ve also made it easier to breakthrough obstacles.




Wildskeeper reives

Addition of new reward equipment
To serve as motivation to challenge wildskeeper reives, we’ve added new rewards.


Reward equipment customization
We’ve made it possible to enhance the equipment you can obtain from wildskeeper reives with arcane glyptics. While the item level of the equipment will not change, by using a Naakual Paragon that is rewarded for defeating a Naakual, you’ll be able to freely select two enhancements from a list of special bonuses.

The type of Naakual Paragon needed to add arcane glyptics will differ depending on the equipment.

[Camate]

Weapon Skill Adjustments



(27：00～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=27m00s))

*The video shows off a graph of the changes to the amount of TP generated.

Weapon skill adjustments
We’ve made adjustments to the stats of nearly every weapon skill including the ones learned at low levels using the strength of merit point weapon skills as a base measurement. The adjustments enhanced all weapon skills in a certain way.

With these adjustments, monsters’ weapon skills were also affected, but the monsters of major content such as Adoulin content and high-tier mission battlefields were not affected.

Additionally, certain monsters’ weapon skills were also temporarily enhanced, but in the next version update we will be reverting them back to their original strength.




Revisions to TP gain calculations
Previously, there were more advantageous situations for weapons with a short delay and we made adjustments to compensate for this by making it so weapons with longer delays gained more TP. However, to better fit the current game balance we’ve made changes to the calculations so that all weapons generate the same amount of TP.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments Part 1



(34：30～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=34m30s))


Geomancer and rune fencer
After clearing a quest you’ll be able to use the specialized weapon skills as geomancer and rune fencer without equipping their ergon weapon.

When undertaking these quests, bringing the Ayame alter ego along will be a great help.




Addition of 5 new high-quality broths for Call Beast
We’ve made it so when synthesizing certain broths it will be possible to create high-quality versions.

When using the high-quality broth, the pet that is summoned will be level 119 and also have enhanced stats. In particular their defensive stats will be higher.

Additionally, we’ve added new methods for obtaining verboshrooms as this is a special key ingredient which was often difficult to come by, and they will now drop from funguar-type monsters located in Sih Gates.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments Part 2



(35：55～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=35m55s))


Rune fencer

New magic spell: Crusade
We’ve added the new magic spell “Crusade” which facilitates enmity gain.


Elimination of enmity gain from Rune Enchantment
This is a change that was coupled with the above adjustment. Previously it was difficult for rune fencer to gain enmity and players were constantly using Rune Enchantment as a means to do this. However, this was something that was not originally intended for this ability, so with the addition of new methods to gain enmity it will no longer be necessary to do this.


Adjustments to ward abilities
We’ve made it so when harboring three runes and using ward abilities, the effects can no longer be removed by dispel-type abilities.





Paladin
We’ve also added Crusade to paladin’s array of spells.
Crusade adds an effect that is equivalent to enmity +30.




Ninja
We’ve added Gekka: Ichi to facilitate enmity gain and Yain: Ichi to suppress enmity gain.

Gekka: Ichi and Yain: Ichi give an effect of enmity +30 and enmity -15, respectively.

[Camate]

Mog Garden



(38：05～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=38m05s))


Maximum rank increase
We’ve raised the rank cap of each gathering point to rank 7.




Addition of a new quest
When you reach rank 7 for all of the gathering points it will unlock a special new quest.

If you complete this quest you’ll be rewarded with the Straw Hat item.




Sticky rice
We’ll be making it possible to grow sticky rice in your garden furrow in the July version update.

[Camate]

Quality of Life Improvements



(39：30～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=39m30s))


Easing of Earth time requirements for certain missions and quests
We’ve eased the amount of Earth time that must pass to progress with certain missions and quests making it easier to play through them. Additionally, we’ve made it possible to upgrade Mog Lockers without having to wait for a certain amount of time to pass.




Door mechanic in Eldieme Necropolis and Halvung
We’ve implemented means so that the door mechanic in these areas can be opened solo.

[Camate]

Synthesis and Gathering



(41:45～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=39m30s))

*The video shows gameplay introducing the new synthesis kits and new synthesis features.


Additions to the guild shops
We’ve eliminated the holiday for each guild shop, and one of the two guild shops will be open 24 hours.
Depending on your synthesis skill, the items available from the 24 hour NPC will increase.
You’ll be able to purchase a variety of different materials and their stock will not run out.




Synthesis kits
With only a synthesis kit and a crystal you’ll be able to synthesize items.
While you will not be able to make high-quality items and the synthesis kit will be lost if you fail, by using a synthesis kit you’ll be able to increase your synthesis skill easily without having to procure all your materials.




Sythesis history feature
We’ve added the “/lastsynth” text command which will allow you to perform synthesis again for the last recipe you used.




New Super Kupower: “Crystal Caboodle”
With the improvements to movement speed Ease of Exploration did not have as much of an effect anymore, so we changed it into a new Super Kupower.

When Crystal Caboodle is active the amount of crystals dropped by monsters will be increased and they will also drop crystal clusters.




Visual indicators for gathering points
By adding a visual effect to gathering points, we’ve made them easier to find.

[Camate]

Records of Eminence



(49:30～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=49m30s))

*The videos shows off gameplay that introduces the new daily objectives.


Daily objectives
As a response to requests for repeatable objectives that even backline jobs can easily accomplish, we’ve added daily objectives that you can set once per day.

Completing these objectives will grant you a bonus that will give nearly triple the amount of sparks of eminence.

[Camate]

UI Revisions



(51:10～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=51m10s))
*The video shows off the aspects that have changed.


Change to the method of TP display
In order to make it easier to understand the effects of Store TP and Regain, we’ve multiplied the displayed TP values by a factor of 10.




Party member TP display
We’ve added the “/partyinfo showtp on” text command which will allow you to see party and alliance members’ TP.




Current location coordinates display
We’ve made it so the coordinates of a player’s current location is displayed under the compass.




Stacking of material items
We’ve made it so it is now possible to stack ores and other synthesis materials.

[Camate]

Campaign Announcements



(56:50～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=56m50s))


Celestial Nights

Addition of reward items
The content of the event is just as it has been in the past, but we’ve added new fireworks as a reward for this year’s event, so I hope everyone has a good time participating.





Double Experience Campaign
Starting on Thursday, June 26 at 11:00pm (PDT) we’ll be holding the Double Experience Campaign. The bonus will also apply to adventuring fellows, so if you have not yet maxed out your adventuring fellow’s level yet, this is the perfect time to take them up to level 99.




Summer Alter Ego Extravaganza
We’ll be kicking off the Summer Alter Ego Extravaganza in July, and four brand-new alter egos from Wings of the Goddess will be added!

Noillurie
Elvira
Lhu Mhakaracca
Ferreous Coffin

We’ll be releasing more details about the campaign on topics in the near future!

[Camate]

July Version Update Preview



(64:00～ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=stDCGnVGUbo#t=39m30s))

*The video shows off gameplay footage of new spells for red mage.


The next version update
The July version update is slated for an early July release.
Though it’s a small sized version update, it’s packed with content such as the new monster raising system for Mog Garden, brand-new spells for red mage and geomancer, and much more!