"Freshly Picked Vana'diel 14" Digest

[Camate]

Greetings,

To coincide with the December 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 14.

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

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DtxwMghhvOY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Table of Contents

Quests That Expand on the Lore of Adoulin (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535923&viewfull=1#post535923)
New Job Enhancement System “Gifts” (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535924&viewfull=1#post535924)
Job Adjustments Part 1 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535925&viewfull=1#post535925)
Job Adjustments Part 2 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535926&viewfull=1#post535926)
Unity Concord: New Wanted NMs (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535927&viewfull=1#post535927)
Separating Log Windows (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535928&viewfull=1#post535928)
Quality-of-life Improvements (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535929&viewfull=1#post535929)
Chacharoon’s Cheer (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535930&viewfull=1#post535930)
Upcoming Events and Campaigns (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535931&viewfull=1#post535931)
January Version Update Preview (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535932&viewfull=1#post535932)
Conclusion (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45544-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-14-Digest?p=535933&viewfull=1#post535933)

[Camate]

Quests That Expand on the Lore of Adoulin



(02:22~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=2m22s”))
The “Seekers of Adoulin” missions have come to an end, but there are still many untold stories of Adoulin. The two consecutive quests that have been added with this update tell one of these stories and they can be considered sequels to “Seekers of Adoulin.”

The Weatherspoon Inquisition
Irreparable rifts. Irreconcilable discord. Unconveyed feelings.
In their search for an ancient, hidden treasure, the true enemy will stand before both parties.


Eye of the Beholder
A man who wards off evil and brings glory to a prestigious family.
What is the unknown truth that he hides?

In the quest “Eye of the Beholder,” the contents of a certain seasonal event are used as foreshadowing. Be sure to keep your eyes out for it.

[Camate]

New Job Enhancement System “Gifts”



(05:02~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=5m02s”))
*The video shows gameplay of obtainable Gifts and equipping Superior equipment.
Now you'll be able to become stronger by spending job points on specific job point bonuses, and receive further bonuses through Gifts based on how many job points you’ve spent!
We're also looking into adding abilities and spells earned through Gifts to make it feel like you are leveling up past level 99.

Gift Bonuses
In addition to Gifts that boost your base traits, we plan to add further bonuses to abilities and spells.
I believe some players may have felt that the Gifts that were added this time only provided a small boost; however, the current set of Gifts is only the beginning.

We'll be adding more Gifts that will stack with each other little by little to produce more noticeable effects.

We’ve heard that some players believe that Gifts are necessary in order to tackle certain content, but based on the current set of Gifts, there is no need to make adjustments to certain content. Please think of Gifts as something that makes the content easier, rather than something necessary.

In future, if there's a demand for more challenging content, we'll consider adding content with a difficulty which requires the boosts from Gifts.


Superior Equipment
Superior has been added as a feature to further expand items post-level 99.

Players will now be able to equip items marked as Superior [Su] after obtaining the Gift Superior.
With the addition of Superior, we were able to add new synthesized items with an item level of 119. Moving forward, we'll consider adding even more attractive crafted items.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments Part 1



(15:17~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=15m17s”))
In situations where you are able to gain a good amount of support enhancements, the gap between one-handed and two-handed weapons were too great. For this reason, we have made adjustments to shorten this gap.

We are making careful adjustments to this, as we are worried that if we were to make the damage dealt by both one-handed and two-handed weapons the same over time, we’d end up in a situation where one-handed weapons become stronger when there's not enough support.

With that said, we wanted a feature unique to the one-handed weapons; therefore, we increased the upper limit for accuracy. You'll now be able to deliver more steady damage if you have enough physical accuracy.

We'll leave it at this for one-handed weapons adjustments for now and make further adjustments as necessary, so please continue to provide your feedback.
Next, we'll be focusing on pet-related adjustments followed by plans for adjustments to elemental magic.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments Part 2



(19:37~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=19m37s”))
In the December update adjustments have been made to summoner, blue mage, and puppetmaster.

Summoner
There have been requests for some time now for Blood Pact: Hastega II and it has been added in this version update. With the addition of Hastega II, we thought it wouldn’t be right to add a Blood Pact to only Garuda; therefore, we decided to add Blood Pacts to each avatar.

Added with this update was Carbuncle’s Pacifying Ruby, which has an effect of lowering the enmity of one target party member by 25% and should come in handy when playing in a party.

Additionally, there are plans to add Blood Pacts to Fenrir, Diabolos, and Cait Sith as well in the future.


Blue Mage
We are planning to make periodic additions to the blue mage.

Molting Plumage is one of the blue magic spells that was added in this update. This spell alone allows blue mages to receive the effects of the job trait, Dual Wield.


Puppetmaster
Puppetmasters attack side-by-side with an automaton, and frequent use of maneuvers is necessary to control it. In light of this, the animations for maneuvers have been removed, allowing for more attention to be given to attacking.

In the next version update, we plan to address an issue wherein the Target Marker and Attuner attachments are ineffective against certain monsters.

[Camate]

Unity Concord: New Wanted NMs



(29:17~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=29m17s”))
New Wanted objectives have been added to Unity Concord.

In Unity Concord, stronger versions of previous Notorious Monsters have been added.
For example, Cactrot Veloz, which was added to Eastern Altepa Desert, is modeled after the Notorious Monster Cactrot Rapido, whom many have seen gallantly racing across the desert.
We’ve also prepared a special mechanic for Cactrot Veloz in which it hectically runs around during battle, so look forward to seeing it.

We hope you have fun with Unity Concord while reminiscing about old memories.

[Camate]

Separating Log Windows



(33:42~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=33m42s”))
*The video shows gameplay of how the battle log and the chat log can be displayed separately.

In terms of new log window functions, the ability to separate the battle log and the chat log, as well as a function that displays timestamps has been added.

By using this function, even when the logs are moving quickly during battle, there should be fewer cases in which you miss other players’ messages.

Additionally, based on feedback, we will consider including the option to have the separate windows lined up side-by-side on the PC version only.

[Camate]

Quality-of-life Improvements



(40:46~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=40m46s”))
*The video shows gameplay of how the waypoints now display the destinations.

The map of the destination can now be displayed when selecting destinations at waypoints.
This function has been available for home points and survival guides, but by extending this feature to waypoints as well, it should make it easier to get a better understanding of where you are headed.
In addition to this, when trading items with NPCs, the item help display has been made easier to use, and various other adjustments were made to make daily adventures a little more convenient.

[Camate]

Chacharoon’s Cheer



(47:20~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=47m20s”))
*The video shows gameplay demonstrating the effect of receiving Chacharoon’s Cheer.

A new system, Chacharoon’s Cheer, has been added to monster rearing.
With this system, players may speak to Chacharoon and use mementos received from monsters they have raised in order to gain a variety of effects helpful in an adventurer’s day-to-day life, such as a slight bonus to experience points gained, or a small improvement to items in the Mog Garden shop.

The gained effects and improvements to the Mog Garden shop items will vary depending on the monster, so try to raise a variety of monsters to build up your memento collection!

Please note that there is currently a confirmed issue wherein Chacharoon’s Cheer effects that make it easier to raise combat skills will occasionally not activate properly. This issue is scheduled to be addressed in the January version update.

[Camate]

Upcoming Events and Campaigns



(1:00:09~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=1h00m09s”))
*The video introduces new alter egos that will be added to the campaigns.


Double Capacity Point Campaign [Currently underway!]


Double Synthesis Skill Increase Rate Events [Currently underway!]
Those who want to enjoy battling can save up job points to obtain Gifts, and those who want to enjoy synthesizing can attempt to create Superior equipment with increased rate for synthesis skills.


The December 2014 Login Campaign [Currently underway!]
The alter ego that can be obtained in this campaign is Rughadjeen. If he is summoned together with the other Serpent General alter egos, it will have the effect of strengthening each of the other alter egos.


Starlight Celebration From Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 0:00 a.m. (PST) to Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 7:00 a.m. (PST)
This event starts on Thursday, December 18th.
This year, we’ve prepared new items such as a candy-shaped club resembling a leafkin and a high-quality version of the snowman cap.


A Vana'diel New Year's Campaign From Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 12:00 a.m. (PST) to Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 12:00 a.m. (PST)
We'll be holding several campaigns which includes the Surge Walk Campaign and the Wildskeeper Reive Campaign. We'll be sharing details on topics. Start your New Years by playing in Vana'diel!


I Dream of Mog Bonanza Marble sales start Wednesday, December 24, 2014!
In this year’s Mog Bonanza, we prepared many new items such as the instrumental version of "Forever Today" which can be played on the Orchestrion.　


New Year's Alter Ego Extravaganza From Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 7:00 a.m. (PST) to Monday, February 2, 2015 at 6:00 a.m. (PST)
We're planning to introduce three new alter egos, "Gilgamesh", "Kukki-Chebukki", and "Margret" to the upcoming New Year's Alter Ego Extravaganza.

Gilgamesh will have unique motions, and Kukki-Chebukki is setup in a way that he will only cast spells matching the element of the day of the week.

[Camate]

January Version Update Preview



(1:13:18~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=1h13m18s”))
*The video shows images of the extended region of the Mog Garden.

Due to the holiday seasons, the January version update is planned to be a somewhat smaller update.
We'll be implementing the "Linkshell 2" feature which we couldn't include in the December update, as well as new quests which will go deeper into the side-stories that couldn't be told through the "Seekers of Adoulin" missions.

We're currently preparing the following features which we are aiming to implement sometime after the February version update.

Continuation of Alluvion Skirmishes
Addition of new Job Point Categories
New Gifts
New monsters for monster rearing
Expansion of the Mog Gardens

Also, in future we're planning Heroine's Combat-like content for Seekers of Adoulin. We'll share more details on this later, so please look forward to the future version updates!

[Camate]

Conclusion



(1:22:48~ (”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtxwMghhvOY#t=1h22m48s”))
In this final version update for 2014, we introduced new quests which further expand on the lore of Adoulin. We also introduced new systems and features such as the Gifts system as a post-level 99 leveling system, as well as a feature to separate the chat log to make your day-to-day conversations more pleasant. Additionally, Chacharoon's Cheer will make your daily adventures with your reared monsters even more memorable.

We just released this new version update, but the development team is already planning ahead and developing new features for next year. Please look forward to Final Fantasy XI in 2015!

See you in the next Freshly Picked Vana'diel.

I wish you all a Happy New Year!