"Freshly Picked Vana'diel 12" Digest

[Camate]

Greetings,

To coincide with the October 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 12.

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

(*Video will be added later.)

Table of Contents

Quest: “A Forbidden Reunion” (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527899&viewfull=1#post527899)
High-tier Avatar Battlefields (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527902&viewfull=1#post527902)
Walk of Echoes Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527903&viewfull=1#post527903)
Job Adjustments Part 1 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527905&viewfull=1#post527905)
Job Adjustments Part 2 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527907&viewfull=1#post527907)
Job Adjustments Part 3 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527908&viewfull=1#post527908)
Job Adjustments Part 4 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527910&viewfull=1#post527910)
Job Adjustments Part 5 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527913&viewfull=1#post527913)
Quality-of-life Improvemnts (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527914&viewfull=1#post527914)
November Version Update Preview (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527915&viewfull=1#post527915)
Return Home to Vana’diel Campaign (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527917&viewfull=1#post527917)
Future Events and Campaigns (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527918&viewfull=1#post527918)
Conclusion (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/44658-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-12-Digest?p=527919&viewfull=1#post527919)

[Camate]

Quest: “A Forbidden Reunion”



*The video shows off a portion of the quest as well as the Lilisette alter ego in action.

We were finally able to implement a post-ending quest for Wings of the Goddess. Please be sure to witness what happens. After you finish the quest you’ll be able to obtain the Lilisette alter ego. She has a variety of flashy animations making her a glamorous alter ego.

Also related to Wings of the Goddess, we’ve made it possible to obtain the Karaha-Baruha alter ego from the October Repeat Login Campaign. He normally functions as a white mage, but he is also able to utilize Fenrir’s abilities. When summoning him alongside Star Sibyl they have special dialogue, so be sure to check it out.

[Camate]

High-tier Avatar Battlefields



*The video shows off in-game footage of the battlefield.

We’ve added new battlefields where you can fight against the nostalgic six avatars once again. With the home points that were added nearby the battlefields, it’s easier than ever to get to these areas, so take a friend along and have some fun with the nostalgia.

[Camate]

Walk of Echoes Adjustments



In response to requests we’ve been receiving on the forums, we added a system for surge walks to occur naturally as well as a system that allows you to purchase Kupofried’s Medallion inside of Walk of Echoes.

Additionally, we’ve largely reduce the amount of time for a walk to become active once it has been beaten from ten minutes to one minute. We also added a system that will automatically remove you from the battlefield when you win.

With these adjustments we’re able to make Walk of Echoes even easier to enjoy.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments Part 1



We’ve made various job adjustments.


Warrior
We’ve made it so when your main job is warrior, both Berserk and Defender will grow in strength with your level. This adjustment does not change the penalties of each of these abilities, and it simply enhances them while warrior is your main job.


Ninja
We added the job trait “Daken” which makes it so you attack with shurikens between your auto-attacks. To coincide with this adjustment, we also changed the effect of Sange.

While these adjustments do not make it so a single attack is significantly more powerful, it makes it easier to generate TP and enmity, so we’d like everyone to try it out and provide feedback.

Additionally, Daken also has a special characteristic where the attacks do not feed enemies TP.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments Part 2




Summoner
We’ve added the new avatar Atomos as well as the ability “Apogee” which allows you to immediately use another Blood Pact. We’re looking forward to hearing your feedback on both of these.

Additionally, we also made changes to Avatar’s Favor. When using Avatar’s Favor the perpetuation cost of avatars increases, but we’ve eliminated the attack penalties and other limitations. Moving forward we plan on making further adjustments to Avatar’s Favor.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments Part 3




Blue mage
In comparison to enhancement capabilities of other jobs, blue mage had some areas that were not up to par, and to improve this we increased the effect duration and reduced the casting time for enhancing-type blue magic spells.

Additionally, we also added attribute adjustments to spells that were added after Seekers of Adoulin widening blue mage’s battle capabilities.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments Part 4




Dancer
We largely reduced the recast timer for steps, Presto, Striking Flourish, and Ternary Flourish. While dancer is a job that has a lot of aspects to it, we’ve made it so more damage can be dealt.


Geomancer
We added the new ability “Entrust” which allows you to cast an indicolure spell on a party member. There are many uses for this ability, so please test it out.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments Part 5



We’ve raised the skill cap for front line damage dealing jobs’ main weapon type to A+.

Main combat skill increases

<table width="620" border="0"> <tr> <td width="20%" align="center" bgcolor="#a8d0d7">Job</td> <td width="20%" align="center" bgcolor="#a8d0d7">Combat Skill</td> <td width="60%" align="center" bgcolor="#a8d0d7">Pre-adjustment→Post-adjustment</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Thief</td> <td bgcolor="#eaf2f3" align="center">Dagger</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#eaf2f3">417 → 424</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Beastmaster</td> <td bgcolor="#f5fafb" align="center">Axe</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f5fafb">417 → 424</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Ninja</td> <td bgcolor="#eaf2f3" align="center">Katana/Throwing</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#eaf2f3">417 → 424</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Blue mage</td> <td bgcolor="#f5fafb" align="center">Sword</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f5fafb">417 → 424</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Puppetmaster</td> <td bgcolor="#eaf2f3" align="center">Hand-to-Hand</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#eaf2f3">404 → 424</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Dancer</td> <td bgcolor="#f5fafb" align="center">Dagger</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f5fafb">404 → 424</td> </tr></table>*Values displayed are for level 99.

Additionally, we largely increased the accuracy, ranged accuracy, and magic accuracy for pets. We looked into making adjustments via abilities and such, but in order to make it easier for pet jobs to participate in content we prioritized speed. We’ll continue to make adjustments moving forward so that pet jobs can easily participate in content.


Accuracy adjustments for each job’s representative pet

<table width="620" border="0"> <tr> <td width="20%" align="center" bgcolor="#a8d0d7">Job</td> <td width="40%" align="center" bgcolor="#a8d0d7">Pet</td> <td width="40%" align="center" bgcolor="#a8d0d7">Pre-adjustment→Post-adjustment</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Beastmaster</td> <td bgcolor="#eaf2f3" align="center">Generous Arthur</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#eaf2f3">798 → 866</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Dragoon</td> <td bgcolor="#f5fafb" align="center">Wyvern
</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f5fafb">834 → 902</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Summoner</td> <td bgcolor="#eaf2f3" align="center">Garuda</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#eaf2f3">807 → 875</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#c6e9ef" align="center">Puppetmaster</td> <td bgcolor="#f5fafb" align="center">Automaton (Valoredge)</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f5fafb">760 → 828</td> </tr></table>*Accuracy values are for pets at level 119.

[Camate]

Quality-of-life Improvements



We expanded the equipment set capacity from 20 to 100. I hope everyone will be able to put them to good use.

Additionally, we added new icons for stairs, teleport locations, and other locations to the map. We’ll be adding more as we move forward and we’re prioritizing those that involve transportation.

Furthermore, we’ve added a feature to Mog Gardens that allows you to perform tree pruning, weed removal, and excavation multiple times at once.

In the next version update we plan on adding a feature that halts consequent gathering attempts when the effects of fertilizer run out, and we’ll be making it easier to perform gathering multiple times at once when using fertilizer.

[Camate]

November Version Update Preview




Seekers of Adoulin Finale
The Seekers of Adoulin missions come to a conclusion in the next version update. Be sure to find out what happens!


Unity Concord
We’re planning a new type of community where you can belong to a group much larger than a linkshell and do various activities with. We’re planning to release details on a special site soon, so please stay tuned!


We’ll also be adding new growth elements when jobs will grow stronger the more you use job points, and we’ll be making adjustments to summoner and other jobs, as well as various other adjustments.

[Camate]

Return Home to Vana’diel Campaign



We’re planning to hold another Return Home to Vana’diel Campaign in November. We’re currently working on the schedule, but once everything is decided we will make an announcement.

Additionally, we’re preparing a special event that features the quest “Babban Ny Mheillea” in celebration of “XI Day” (November 11th). You’ll be able to obtain mandragora and lycopodium suits as well as the Babban Ny Mheillea alter ego.

*The video shows off the mandragora suit and the Babban Ny Mheillea alter ego.

[Camate]

Future Events and Campaigns




Halloween seasonal event
We’ll be holding the annual Halloween seasonal event this year on October 21.


Surge Walk Campaign
We’ll be holding a special campaign where all of the walks in Walks of Echoes will be surge walks. This version update made Walk of Echoes even easier to participate in, so please be sure to check it out.

[Camate]

Conclusion



It’s been one year since the first Freshly Picked Vana’diel as well as our efforts to hold version updates each month. While there are times it’s been difficult on the development-side, I feel this is extremely beneficial for delivering more and more content for everyone to experience.

I hope you all enjoy the October version update, especially the quest involving Lilisette.

The development team is currently working full steam ahead on the November version update, so look forward to this and I’ll see you during the next Freshly Picked Vana’diel!