Freshly Picked Vana'diel 20 Digest

[Camate]

Greetings,

To coincide with the August 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 20.
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/7rWlqU5hJQA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Table of Contents

Rhapsodies of Vana’diel Chapter 2 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557080&viewfull=1#post557080)
Escha – Ru’Aun (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557081&viewfull=1#post557081)
Seekers of Adoulin Quest (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557082&viewfull=1#post557082)
Unity Concord (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557083&viewfull=1#post557083)
Mog Tablet Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557084&viewfull=1#post557084)
Domain Invasion (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557085&viewfull=1#post557085)
Geas Fete (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557086&viewfull=1#post557086)
Sinister Reign (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557087&viewfull=1#post557087)
Existing Content Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557088&viewfull=1#post557088)
Trust Initiative (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557089&viewfull=1#post557089)
Merit Point Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557090&viewfull=1#post557090)
Job Point Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557091&viewfull=1#post557091)
Job Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557092&viewfull=1#post557092)
New Abjurations and Cursed Gear (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557093&viewfull=1#post557093)
Vendor NPC Adjustments (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557093&viewfull=1#post557094)
Quality-of-Life Improvements 1 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557093&viewfull=1#post557095)
Quality-of-Life Improvements 2 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557093&viewfull=1#post557096)
Quality-of-Life Improvements 3 (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557093&viewfull=1#post557097)
On-going Events (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557093&viewfull=1#post557098)
Conclusion (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/48119-Freshly-Picked-Vana-diel-20-Digest?p=557093&viewfull=1#post557099)

[Camate]

Rhapsodies of Vana’diel Chapter 2


(4:20～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=260))

In the second chapter of Rhapsodies of Vana’diel, we implemented scenarios 4-6.

The cutscenes that were added feature character dialogue that varies depending on your progress in each of the missions, and they were also made to have other minor deviations.

We’ve made it so you can now view all of the different cutscenes from both the Melody Minstrel and footprints located in each area, so once you finish a mission, be sure to watch the other cutscene variations.

After completing the missions you will once again be rewarded with a bonus key item, and you’ll be able to gain bonuses such as an increase to the maximum amount of alter egos you can summon.

Details on all of the key items can be found here (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/46977).

[Camate]

Escha – Ru’Aun


(7:50～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=470))

We implemented a new Eschan area called Escha – Ru’Aun, and as the name implies this area was based off of Ru’Aun Gardens.

Adventurers can enjoy various content in this area such as Geas Fete, Domain Invasion, fishing, gathering, and other activities.

This area is meant for players who are level 99 and up, and there are a lot of powerful monsters roaming around.

[Camate]

Seekers of Adoulin Quest


(11:58～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=718))

Continuing the story of the quest “No Laughing Matter,” we added the conclusion, “A Barrel of Laughs.”

When completing the quest you’ll be able to select one piece of equipment from four possible reward items.

In event you would like a different reward item, you can change the item you picked for another; however, you can only do this once a week.

[Camate]

Unity Concord


(13:35～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=815))

We’ve added Yoran-Oran and Sylvie as Unity leaders.

Sylvie is the first geomancer-type alter ego, and Yoran-Oran possesses a high amount of support capabilities.

We’ve also made adjustments to the Unity accolades required to change Unities, so if you’re interested in trying out a different Unity, now’s a great chance to do so.

[Camate]

Mog Tablet Adjustments


(15:34～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=934))

It’s been quite some time since the rewards for finding Mog Tablets was last changed, and since we’ve been receiving requests on the forum for this, we revamped the lineup of rewards.

Mog Tablets will show up on wide scan when you are in a certain range, so if you have the opportunity, definitely try and find them!

[Camate]

Domain Invasion


(18:24～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1104))

Powerful notorious monsters will appear in Eschan areas at certain times. These monsters can't be claimed as normal, so everyone in the area will be able to fight them.

If the notorious monster is successfully defeated, you will be awarded an individual reward based on your contribution, and three types of beneficial effects will randomly be activated from the 11 available in the area.

After a certain amount of time the notorious monster will run away, but the remaining HP will carry over to the next time it appears.

[Camate]

Geas Fete Additions


(21:30～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1290))

We added a variety of notorious monsters to Escha – Ru’Aun.

If you are able to successfully defeat a notorious monster, you can earn a new Vorseal effect as well as other rewards such as cursed equipment materials and abjurations.

Please try to hunt down these monsters and make abjuration equipment.

[Camate]

Sinister Reign


(22:32～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1352))

In Sinister Reign, you’ll be able to fight against the NPCs that appear in Seekers of Adoulin, which includes Arciela. It’s rare to battle against ally characters, so give it a try.

Three NPCs will appear at random, and if you defeat them all you’ll be able to obtain an alter ego and equipment from the NPCs who appear in the battle.

The reward equipment will be augmented randomly. You can challenge this content quite easily with bayld, so it will be possible to repeat the battle until you obtain an augment you are satisfied with.

[Camate]

Existing Content Adjustments


(26:17～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1577))

The wait time required to re-challenge the mini-games for Promotion: Sergeant Major and Promotion: First Lieutenant has been changed from one Vana’diel day to one Earth minute. We’ve made this adjustment so you can re-challenge immediately if you fail.

[Camate]

Trust Initiative


(27:20～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1640))

We’ve added a lot of new alter egos, which can be obtained through the second chapter of Rhapsodies of Vana’diel, Sinister Reign, and future campaigns.

As I mentioned previously when talking about Rhapsodies of Vana’diel, with the new bonus key item you’ll be able to call out a maximum of five alter egos. Try summoning different combinations of alter egos.

We’ve also made quality-of-life adjustments and stat adjustments. In addition to being able to summon alter egos in Vagary, we increased the amount of enmity for tank-type alter egos, and also made it possible for the effects of AoE items to affect alter egos.

[Camate]

Merit Point Adjustments


(32:30～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=1950))

We increased the cap for the attributes, combat skill, and magic skill categories making it possible to boost your character even more.

While we have been receiving feedback asking for an increase to other categories, unfortunately we are not able to increase categories other than HP/MP due to the merit point system.

[Camate]

Job Point Adjustments


(33:50～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=2030))

We increased the cap on each job point category from 10 to 15. To coincide with this increase, we also added gifts up to 1200 job points.

With the large amount of categories it’s a bit difficult to introduce each of them here, so please be sure to check out the gifts page (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/45366).

[Camate]

Job Adjustments


(37:45～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=2265))


Red mage
We increased the cap of the effect of Temper so it scales with enhancing magic skill.

During the broadcast we received a question asking whether enhancing magic skill only has an effect when you cast Temper or if it affects auto-attacks, so I would like to respond to this.

Enhancing magic skill only has an effect when you cast Temper and Temper II. Due to this, it’s useful to change equipment when casting these spells to boost your enhancing magic skill.



Dark knight
We made adjustments so that the effect of Consume Mana can be applied towards elemental weapon skills.



Beastmaster
We made adjustments to the effects of Infrasonics and Hi-Freq Field.

Due to the fact that the above two special abilities reduced evasion by a percentage, they possessed an effect that was larger than we planned; therefore, we made adjustments so that evasion is reduced by a set value.



Summoner
We reduced the recast delay for Avatar’s Favor so that you could quickly reapply it if it is dispelled.



Beastmaster and summoner pet commands
As a plan for a future version update, we are looking into making adjustments to the range in which pet commands for beastmaster can be used. Beastmaster is a job that we’ve balanced with close to mid-range engagements, but at the moment only pets are being sent close to enemies and players are standing in the back. We feel that there isn’t enough risk being taken on by the beastmaster despite their damage output.

In regards to summoner, this is a job that was created to be a back line job, and we are looking into making adjustments to increase the range in which pet commands can be executed so they can function better in the back.



Puppetmaster
We’ve added new attachments.
There are high-tier versions of existing attachments, and their effects and elemental values are higher.
By switching these with the lower-tier attachments, you can save attachment slots, but you can also combine them together for sharper settings.

Additionally, we increased the stats for attachments that elicit effects when spending maneuvers. The projectiles produced by Barrage when using the Barrage Turbine, which uses three maneuvers, has been doubled, and other attachment effects have also been increased. Please test them all out.

Prior to the version update we made an announcement regarding UI changes to address the increase in attachments, but since we were able to address this with internal specification changes, we did not end up making changes to the UI.

With these changes there will be a slight increase in loading time, but we adopted this method in order to avoid large changes to the way the game feels.



Scholar
As Embrava didn’t have much of an effect for ranged attackers, we added a Flurry effect.



Geomancer
We made it possible to freely target the area of effect of Geocolure spells. To coincide with this we also added new control methods. Please check out the version update notes ( http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47901-Aug-5-2015-%28JST%29-Version-Update?p=555992&viewfull=1#post555992) for details on this.

[Camate]

New Abjurations and Cursed Gear


(46:02～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=2762))

With the addition of new materials for cursed equipment, it will be possible to enhance cursed items.
By trading the enhanced cursed item and a new abjuration to an NPC, you’ll be able to obtain even more powerful equipment.

It’s extremely difficult to create the HQ items, but in addition to the HQ items having high base stats, they also have higher augment caps.

Furthermore, there are combination bonuses only for the HQ versions, and the stats have been created to fit the difficulty of making them.

[Camate]

Vendor NPC Adjustments


(50:42～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=3042))

We increased the variety of attachments that the NPC “Rararoon” (Nashu (G-6)) sells.

Additionally, we increased the goods sold in Waag-Deeg’s Magic Shop in Lower Jeuno. Previously hard to obtain magic spells, such as ancient magic, have been added.

In order to keep an advantage for players who obtain these spells and attachments themselves, we’ve set the price to be on the high side. However, please consider buying it from the shop if you would like to obtain these right away.

[Camate]

Quality-of-Life Adjustments 1


(52:34～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=3154))

We added a feature that allows you to target a party member to check their status icons. This will allow you to check what status ailments and support effects they have.

We also added a focus target feature so you can continuously see a party member’s information even if you change your target.

In the future we would like to add a feature that allows you to see a timer for effect durations, but we're looking into whether or not this is possible while taking communication volume limitations and other factors into consideration.

[Camate]

Quality-of-Life Adjustments 2


(59:14～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=3554))

We’ve made it possible to save equipment sets server-side similar to what can be done with macros and configuration settings.

This will make it possible to play comfortably with your usual settings when you are not in your normal environment.

Details on how to save this information can be found in the version update notes. ( http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/47901-Aug-5-2015-%28JST%29-Version-Update?p=555994&viewfull=1#post555994)

[Camate]

Quality-of-Life Adjustments 3


(01:04:15～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=3855))

We addressed Blood Pacts so that the subtargeting color differentiation function now works with them. Additionally, we made the area of effect display compatible with geomancy spells.

We also made it possible to set various configuration settings with text commands.

*The timer display function located in the configuration cannot be used at the moment. It will be implemented in a coming version update, and only the button was added ahead of time.

[Camate]

On-going Events


(01:08:01～ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWlqU5hJQA&feature=player_detailpage#t=4081))


The Goddess’s Gala
As a part of the Goddess’s Gala, we are once again holding the Return Home to Vana’diel Campaign, the Discount Campaign, and the Active Adventurer Appreciation Campaign.

Details for each of the campaigns can be found on PlayOnline (http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml).



Mosaic Art Project
We’re in the midst of creating a mosaic using all of the screenshots that everyone has been sending in. We’ll be releasing the finished mosaic on the Goddess’s Gala site, so please look forward to it!

*The submission period for screenshots ended on Sunday, August 9th.



Aloha Iroha
We’ve started to release a four panel manga to coincide with the Rhapsodies of Vana’diel scenario. The manga is being created by the manga artist, Tomokichi.

We’ll be announcing on PlayOnline when the manga will be released. Please look forward to seeing a slightly cuter side of Iroha that is different from the serious tone of the in-game scenario.



FINAL FANTASY XI Channel
On Tuesday, August 11th, we will be setting up a FINAL FANTASY XI channel on Niconico.

We have a lot of plans to add various kinds of videos that range from the videos found on old DVDs included with magazines to short movies and much more, so keep an eye out!

The FINAL FANTASY XI channel can be found here (http://ch.nicovideo.jp/FD-XI).
(*Please note the site is in Japanese.)

[Camate]

Conclusion


The next version update is slated for September.

This is a smaller version update that will focus on adjustments, but the development team will be working on content for everyone to enjoy, specifically content created by Associate Director Fujito.

See you during the next Freshly Picked Vana’diel!