Freshly Picked Vana'diel 19 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. The following is a digest of what was discussed.




Hello, everyone.
Matsui here.

Thanks for tuning into Freshly Picked Vana’diel 19.
For those of you who were unable to watch the stream, I’ve created this digest of what was discussed.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tq5mtHjf6VA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Table of Contents


Adoulin Quests (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554949&viewfull=1#post554949)
Alter Ego Quests (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554950&viewfull=1#post554950)
Difficulty Adjustments for Existing Quests (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554951&viewfull=1#post554951)
High-tier Avatar Battles (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554952&viewfull=1#post554952)
Escha – Zi'tah Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554953&viewfull=1#post554953)
Geas Fete Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554954&viewfull=1#post554954)
Unity Wanted (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554955&viewfull=1#post554955)
Unity Concord (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554956&viewfull=1#post554956)
Alter Egos and Adventuring Fellows (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554957&viewfull=1#post554957)
Job Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554958&viewfull=1#post554958)
Item-related (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554959&viewfull=1#post554959)
Fishing Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554960&viewfull=1#post554960)
Lu Shang’s Rod and Ebisu Rod Enhancement Quests (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554961&viewfull=1#post554961)
/Sitchair Emote (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554962&viewfull=1#post554962)
Mog Gardens (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554963&viewfull=1#post554963)
Quality-of-life Improvements (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554964&viewfull=1#post554964)
Ongoing Events (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554965&viewfull=1#post554965)
Conclusion (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47792-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-19-Digest?p=554966&viewfull=1#post554966)

[Camate]

Adoulin Quests



(1:27～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=87))

We added the quests “The Weatherspoon War” and “A Thirst Before Time” which are the final portions of the quest lines that began with “Thorn in the Side” and “A Thirst for the Ages.”

Each quest have a special event battle and special equipment rewards available, so please check them out if you have yet to do so.

[Camate]

Alter Ego Quests



(4:36～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=276))

We added a quest to obtain an alter ego of one of the famous Mithran trackers, Shikaree Z. We hope you venture out to obtain this alter ego as we’ve prepared a special cutscene for this.

Shikaree Z is a dragoon-type alter ego that continues to use Jump while wielding a polearm. In addition to skill chaining with players, she will also give party support in the form of cures and haste.

While we do not have any plans at the moment for the other two Mithran trackers, if the demand is large enough, I can talk to the lead again.

[Camate]

Difficulty Adjustments for Existing Quests



(6:05～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=365))



The Gustaberg/Kuftal Tour
These quests were initially created uniquely for an MMO, but since there are many that cannot clear these due to not meeting the job level requirements, we increased the level needed to participate and lowered the required number of party members.



Eco-Warrior Rewards
When we originally implemented these quests they were quite challenging, and since you weren’t able to cancel them, there are many who have these in their quest log.

We made adjustments that increased the level cap to level 25, and you can also call forth alter egos, so it’s become easier to clear this content with smaller groups. Please use this opportunity to take on this content.



Wrath of the Opo-opos/Wandering Souls
These are quests that have an extremely low amount of hints, so we changed the quest log entries to add more information.



Promotion: Superior Private/Promotion: Corporal
We made adjustments so that you can now search for and find the “Warhorse Footprint” needed for these quests with a smaller amount of people.

Along with adding an effect to make it more noticeable, it also now appears on wide scan and radar.

[Camate]

High-tier Avatar Battlefields


(10:30～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=630))

We added new high-tier avatar battlefields where you can challenge stronger versions of Fenrir, Carbuncle, and Diabolos.

We’ve eliminated some of the mechanics from Carbuncle and Diabolos, and made adjustments to make this a simple, straightforward battle.

We were thinking about the cost of Phantom Gems for quite a bit, but as we expect congestion since this is just being implemented, we set the cost at 15 merit points. We’ll be keeping an eye on this and we plan to make adjustments to the cost in the future similar to the other high-tier avatar battlefields.

[Camate]

Escha – Zi’tah



(13:18～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=798))

We made various adjustments so that you could earn experience points and Escha silts more easily.

We added more monsters geared towards level 99 and above players, and we also added a system that shortens the respawn time of monsters down to 1 minute based on the rate in which they are eliminated. This has made it so the area will not be empty of monsters.

Additionally, *we eased the modifiers on experience point gains while battling as a party in this zone, and when you fight against monsters as a party you will earn more experience points and Escha silt.

[Camate]

Geas Fete Adjustments



(15:25～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=925))

In order to make it easier to challenge Geas Fete, we made adjustments to the cost of Tribulens. When purchasing these key items continuously in a short amount of time, the price will not increase for the first three you buy, and the range in which it increases afterwards has been decreased.

Additionally, we added a system that will spawn an additional notorious monster at a set rate when you successfully defeating high-tier notorious monsters.

Furthermore, we increased the amount of Escha beads you can obtain from notorious monsters and also make it possible to obtain experience points from the monsters the notorious monster “Muut” summons. These adjustments have made it easier to earn the various points that are available in this content.

[Camate]

Unity Wanted



(18:25～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1105))

The drops of the new Wanted targets have their stats fashioned after the original equipment that dropped from the original notorious monsters, so please try and hunt them down.

As a side note, we originally planned on adding a new notorious monster similar to the once popular Unstable Cluster that dropped the Soboro Sukehiro; however, there was some incompatibility between the structure of Riverne and the Wanted system, and we found that it would be difficult to implement.

Since there have been many requests in the past for an upgraded version of the Soboro Sukehiro, we will be looking into a way to introduce this.

[Camate]

Unity Concord



(20:52～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1252))

We implemented a system where the Unity leaders will occasionally pop into Unity chat to say something. Each NPC has their very own unique dialogue, so please keep an eye out for it.

This feature has been turned off during certain content and battles, however, as it would be kind of odd if Maat started talking in Unity chat while you are fighting him for the limit break battle.

[Camate]

Alter Egos/Adventuring Fellow



(22:27～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1347))

We expanded the content that allows alter egos to be called forth. It’s now possible to use alter egos in the newly added high-tier avatar battles, Delve, Incursion, and Eco-warrior.

We made adjustments to the use delay, reuse delay, and max charges for both the Signal Pearl and Tactics Pearl making it easier to summon adventuring fellows.

We’re aware of all of the various requests for adventuring fellows that have been posted, but we wanted to first make adjustments so that they could be utilized more easily.

We’ll be looking into adjustments for other facets of adventuring fellows for the future.

[Camate]

Job Adjustments



(26:42～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1602))


Monk
We changed the effect of Footwork and made it into an ability that boosts the rate of kick attacks when auto-attacking. Footwork was originally implemented with the objective of reducing the amount of TP given to enemies; however, with the recent change in battle style, the opportunities to use this were scarce, so we changed it into a more practical effect.



Beastmaster
We added six new familiars (8 if you include HQ versions). We also added a text command for the “Ready” ability. Check out the June version update information for details on this new text command.



Ranger
We changed the effect of Flashy Shot for battles post-level 99. We’ve made it so the ranged accuracy and ranged attack are increased based on the difference between the target and the player.

Additionally, we made it so Eagle Eye Shot now ignores Blink and Shadow Images. This adjustment was only made to the Eagle Eye Shot used by players and automatons, and you will still be able to avoid this attack when it is used by a monster.



Dragoon
Since there were occasions that effect of equipment bonuses were not factored into wyvern breath due to the delay generated through /equipset, we increased the activation time for certain breath abilities by .25 seconds.



Blue mage
We added new blue magic spells and traits.

Of the new spells, we added in abilities used by elementals that have dual elements as well as those used by Velkk. Be sure to check out the new traits too.



Puppetmaster
We increased the maximum HP of automatons.

By combining attachments in the past it was possible to have a large amount of durability on your automaton; however, when using various attachments now that give good effects and to put maneuver effects to use, durability is being sought after. Due to this we decided to increase automaton’s survivability.

Additionally, we made adjustments to the effect duration and effect amount of Repair which makes it possible to recover a larger amount of HP in a short amount of time. It’s now easier to support your automaton when suddenly taking a large amount of damage.

[Camate]

Item-related



(38:22～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=2302))

We made it possible to exchange mellidopt wings for the various kind of stones available.

Additionally, we made it possible to purchase pet foods, broths, and automaton attachments from NPC vendors. The attachments available from the NPC will differ based on the player’s puppetmaster level.

The prices of these items have been set a bit higher so that it’s cheaper when making them through synthesis.

[Camate]

Fishing Adjustments



(42:51～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=2571))

We increased the rate of fishing skill gains. Additionally, we increased the chance of reeling in a catch and cases where you don’t reeling a catch in have been reduced. This is a great opportunity to try your hand at fishing if you have yet to try it out.

Furthermore, the beneficial effects given by the phase of the moon have been enhanced. We previously did not release information about this, but new moons and full moons give an effect to fishing, and the time it takes to reel in a catch from when you initiate fishing is reduced.

[Camate]

Lu Shang’s Fishing Rod/Ebisu Fishing Rod Enhancement Quest

*The video shows off gameplay introducing the special effects of the rods and Katsunaga’s UI.


We added content geared towards players who possess a Lu Shang’s Fishing Rod and an Ebisu Fishing Rod. We’ve also added in new catches and fishing-related objectives to Records of Eminence.

Furthermore, Katsunaga will now tell you about the types of catches you’ve reeled in after you complete the “Fisherman’s Heart” quest. Check out the version update information for details. We made it so the NPC will tell you information even if you do not trade him an item, and we relocated him right outside the boat boarding area so you can use this NPC more easily.

[Camate]

/Sitchair Emote



(56:00～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=3359))

*The video introduce the new emotes.

We added an emote that lets you pull out a chair and sit in it. Similar to /sit, you can use certain emotes while you are sitting in your chair.

You’ll automatically have access to this emote, but by using special items available through conquest points, you will be able to sit in four different types of chairs. We plan on adding other types of chairs in the future.

[Camate]

Mog Garden



(70:25～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=4225))

We unlocked rank 5 for monster rearing. We also made it possible to rear bugards and adamantoise, and you can now rear three monsters at the same time.

[Camate]

Quality-of-life Improvements



(72:55～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=4375))

*The video introduces newly added items to the configuration; however, these will be implemented in the next version update.

We made it possible to lock the appearance of ranged weapons with the lockstyle feature.

Additionally, we’ve received requests for name plates not to enlarge when the area of effect display is shown, so we added a text command to turn this off.

[Camate]

Ongoing Events



(77:00～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq5mtHjf6VA&feature=player_detailpage#t=4620))

Mosaic Art Project
As a part of the Goddess’s Gala, we are collecting screenshots of Vana’diel taken by players and creating a mosaic out of them. Please send in your screenshots that show your memories of Vana’diel!

The details on this event can be found here. (http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/vanaproj/detail/mosaic.html?lng=en&rgn=us)

[Camate]

Conclusion



The next version update is slated for an August release.

The August version update is a major one, and we will be adding the second chapter of Rhapsodies of Vana’diel. There will be a new area as well as new battle content, so I hope you are all looking forward to it!

See you during the next Freshly Picked Vana’diel!