Third Tier

If making significant changes to the current Merit point system/set up/format - make the int/mp/combat skills/magic skills categories fall under the individual jobs. That way I can be 12/12 mp on blm and 12/12 hp on cor.

Yes, this means that if I have 5 jobs at 95/99 or whatever, I have to merit HP or MP 5 different times, and combat skills 5 different times, and magic skills 5 different times, that's fine - lets do that.

I understand that the original design of merits were to specialize your characters - but that was 2005? when merits were first introduced? The game has changed, lets move on.

It's silly for me to have 16 staff skill and 120 mp on cor.

To Camate and the devs: You've made exp and merits incredibly easy to obtain - that's great. Now let us use them.

I don't care so much about changing current merits as I do getting something new and interesting.

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Originally Posted by Camate

A new merit group is a really good idea :)

Before we add a new system, we would like to revamp and make adjustments to the existing merit point categories and items, so “Merit Point Category 3” (name pending) would come after those things are completed.

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Looking forward to the improvement of spirit perpetuation down merits.

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These two may boost Samurai's DoT.

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Because SAM is a weak damage dealer.

please get rid of useless merits like mantra

All I want is them to be of some use and take a long time to get, adding a new merit system and allowing everyone to cap them in a few days is idiocy

I am pretty sure they made mention of merit system adjustment earlier, but we have not heard anything about it. Instead of speculating is it possible to get any info on what exactly they are planning?

Far as new merit categories im assuming it will just cover the new abilities/traits released since 75

For SMN tier 1:
Change attack from +3 to +3%, consistent with m attack.
Spirits... Just give em tier 5 spells tier 4 AOE, leave merits alone.

SMN tier 3 ideas
Pet weapon delay
Pet subtle blow
Pet movement speed
Pet double attack
Blood boon rate
Summon fast-cast
Phoenix: 2hr summon, each tier adds reraisega tier, tiers 4 and 5 add raisega.

Posted some suggestions on merits for SMN on the SMN forum but just to get mo re exposure here:

Collapse all the merited Bloodpacts into one merit and make 3 more that give us and edge on the SMN playstyle of today
Suggestions for the other 3 could be...
Offensive
- A merit ability that lets you use 2hr avatars more often (say 1 hour recast an fully merited 30 min)
- BP recast - and remove cap
- Turn 2hr pacts into normal BP:Rage (nerf them a little maybe) and give new ones or bonus damage while under 2hr effect
- Spirit:BP Rage/ward, similar to DRG that can manually command their pet, to attack / cure, needless to say, thiw sould require spirits to be able to cast the new nukes, kinda outdated

Defensive
- An avatar "provoke" that raises enmity for the avatar as pike and then decreases overtime
- Increase attributes that diferentiate each avatar more and give them more survability (this in combo with the voke would make factible and avatar 2nd hand tank)
- Aura like covert effect for magic damage, abrorbs -agas and the like (would make choosing avatars more strategycally for the element) and strong resistance for the element

Put me down for expanding the cap for each job merit group from 10 to 15 and introducing two new merits per group, and introducing a new global merit group with expensive QoL abilities like a permanent Sprint Shoes Kupower, FoV/GoV Field Support buffs on demand (cooldown reduced via additional merit levels), additional AH slots if possible, reduced aggro radius culminating with no aggro from EP mobs, and so forth.

If you must edit the current system

Get rid of:
Defender
Aggressive Aim
Mantra
Hide
Flee
Scavenge
Minne Effect
Elemental Seal*
All Circle-type JA recasts
Elemental MP cost
Monster Correlation

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Originally Posted by Leonlionheart

If you must edit the current system

Get rid of:
Defender
Aggressive Aim
Mantra
Hide
Flee
Scavenge
Minne Effect
Elemental Seal*
All Circle-type JA recasts
Elemental MP cost
Monster Correlation

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Inb4 lots of butthurt THFs. I know way too many people that merited this because "well the others are useless, and I had to put them somewhere lols"

I skimmed and didn't see this. If I missed it shame on me!

*** Master Merits ***
(from Final Fantasy V: Job Mastery kinda!)
I played FF5 one time! It was lame. But...!
It had a system where you eventually level your job to Master:
This allowed part of the job to be carried over to your bare job.
Ex: Dragoon MASTER >>> Perform "Jump" without being DRG!

Examples:
WAR99 can merit "Mastery: Double Attack" (up to +5 DA for any lv.99 job!)
WHM99 can merit "Mastery: Cure Potency" (up to +5 CP for any lv.99 job!)
SAM99 can merit "Mastery: Store TP" (up to +5 STP for any lv.99 job!)
...and so on...

Reasoning / Limitations:
It would encourage people to level multiple jobs, which is in SE's best interest,
and it would allow greater customization of your main job! If it were limited to
10 or 20 upgrades across all jobs or something, then you wouldn't be
expected to level every single job to 99...

You said FFV was lame? your argument becomes invalid.

So, if we're not getting group 3 merits, here is an easy answer for adjusting the existing ones. Just get rid of all the group (combo) limits. People have so many jobs now it makes no sense to limit a player's ability to max each job's capability. Let them max both HP and MP, all of the attributes, all of the weapon skill, all of the magic skill, all of each individual job's group merits.

That should keep people busy.

FF5 is the best FF :/. I am enraged!

Nightmare version of group 3 merit update:
Group 3 merits:
* Copies all merit upgrades from group 1 and 2, including ranks invested.
* Unlimited: allows capping all merits to cap

RDM would be exempt from this, otherwise they could obtain functional Bio III, Dia III AND Phalanx II which would be overpowered. WHM, BLM and SCH will gain full bonusses of RDM group 1 and 2 merits if they sub RDM as if they were main job RDM. (The reverse will obviously not be possible.)

I didn't read all of the responses so forgive me if this came up already,

Blm.
1. make elemental seal a sub meritable catagory, that will give elemental seal a large % chance to critical, up to say 100% @ max merits? (I'd be happy with a max 50% chance but 100% would me more in line with BLACK FREAKIN MAGE! shoot make it rob me of my hp, idc, I'ma blm!! I should be able to Destroy a "hybrid", instead of just clobber his nukes, uggghhh.)
2. I lovvvve my mini manafont (MANAWELL), can this be meritable , by reducing timer by 5 min? (2.5 would be more realistic).
3. Manawall, holy moly ty ty ty ty s.e. but uh... can we reduce it's recast timer by say 2.5 mins also)?
4. If it had a 30 min recast I would still love it, but an ability achieved via merits to increase our chance of criticaling our next spell? min recast of say 20 min @ max merits?

other than that, I'm pretty stoked they put us back on top of the Nuking food chain despite, the gap being as narrow as it is, I'm pleased, but I still feel like we're being skrew'd out of that extra mab that we don't get compared to dd's job attibutes % increases in the whole "attack bonus" vs. mab thing.. but w/e ..

maybe make blm or respective dd's able to boost 1 stat by say 10? :p (int for blm) (enmity for sch or i'ma have a b.f.!)

edit: STUN TIMER FOR BLM.... IS .. CRUEL ... SHORTEN IT!

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Originally Posted by Nawesemo

STUN TIMER FOR BLM.... IS .. CRUEL ... SHORTEN IT!

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A 45 second recast timer can seem unforgiving, but you can do your best to get around it. At best you can reduce it to 22.5 seconds, which should allow you and another person on Stun duty to block any nasty TP moves. This will require 50% recast delay, in a direct form, or in the form of Haste.

Sub Scholar for the 10% reduction from Dark Arts. Demand to have Haste cast on yourself for an additional 15% reduction. (Alternatively, when we get level 99, sub Red Mage for the 7.5% Recast reduction, and self Haste.)

Wear as much Haste gear as you can muster (Swift Belt 4% and Walahra Turban 5% are pretty easy to get a base 9% - but you can also go better with a Goading Belt 5% and Zelus Tiara 8%, in addition to other gear like the Goliard Saio 4%, or if you want to get really creative, a Rune Chopper 9% - be sure to swap it in only during Stun!). Between basic gear you can get something like 9%, and with more work, around 17% or even a full 25% if you macro in a Rune Chopper.

Since getting capped Haste on gear is a pain in the butt, you might want to get the Recast Delay reducing Indra+2 Staff (the Lightning Accuracy one) that gives -12% Recast Delay - which also lets you sub Red Mage instead of Scholar while maintaining a perfect 50% recast on Lightning element spells like Stun, if that's your goal.

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Originally Posted by Runespider

Abyssea type atma merits, massively boost triple attack/crits/refresh etc.

Just make them require mass amounts of merits to gain.

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I have an idea. What do you say we flip this idea around ask them to give us a category of merits that are only active OUTSIDE of Abyssea? I like that idea much better. It's not the first thing I would think to ask for... but it's a great reason for people to get out of Abyssea once in a while and enjoy the way THE REST of the world was designed.

I was asked by a 95 NIN today what zone I was in... it wasn't a name he recognized or had ever been to. I was headed to Bibiki Bay - Purgonogo Isle to AFK against the beautiful scenery there. I have a hard time accepting that there can be people at the level cap who have not experienced the beauty and attention to detail that SE and their design team put into this game... I just can't.

Give me merits only active out in the "Real World". I don't want to be in Abyssea forever.

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Originally Posted by Camate

Before we add a new system, we would like to revamp and make adjustments to the existing merit point categories and items, so “Merit Point Category 3” (name pending) would come after those things are completed.

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This has been mentioned a half-dozen times, but never in much detail. Perhaps because I was struck in the head as a child, I am filled with a sense of curiosity about what sort of thing is planned. I doubt specific details can be released yet, but my question is pretty broad.

Would all or almost all of the merits be adjusted, or just the options that were vehemently and unrepentantly awful even at 75? To give specific examples, is the goal to make awesome stuff like Shellra V or Triple Attack rate more awesome while updating almost all merits for a level 99 environment? Or would the goal simply be to make putting a merit in Aggressive Aim or Scavenge recast less akin to being kicked in the head by a truck?

I hope that's clear enough.

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Originally Posted by SpankWustler

Perhaps because I was struck in the head as a child

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpankWustler

being kicked in the head by a truck?

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Unhealthy obsession with things striking you in the head is unhealthy.

It all started when I was struck in the head...

There was this truck, you see.

Personally I would like to see more uses for Merits over all. Having a third tier of merits is a start.

Make Base merits like magic skills, Max HP, Max MP, Strength etc. separate for each job. So that people can merit HP, strength, Hand-to-hand... w/e on monk and still have Max MP, emnity -, Staff etc. on a mage job.

Remove set point caps for current job specific categories so that people can fully merit everything for each job.

Make merit changes possible in the field so that people are not constantly leaving to go use them.

Do this now.

Being able to use Merits for elite training regimes might help. Turn in ten merits, a piece of unaugmented gear, and hope for the best.

Maybe SE will add new elite regime augments to grounds of valor areas for higher level gear?

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Originally Posted by Economizer

Being able to use Merits for elite training regimes might help. Turn in ten merits, a piece of unaugmented gear, and hope for the best.

Maybe SE will add new elite regime augments to grounds of valor areas for higher level gear?

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I would be ok with this. SE has always been looking for ways to create Gil sinks in the game to decrease inflation... why not merits too?

refresh passive merit would be awesome, and no, would not be OP. Crikes. Something to make MP based jobs more viable and fun outside of abyssea would be great.

For BST a bunch of pet attribute merits (Haste PLEASE) would be awesome.

For BRD would love to merit a couple JAs (even on 20 min timers) that allowed a third song and a song that hits a whole alliance (Fortissimo!) ... I don't think being able to have 3 songs up for 5 of every 20 mins would be gamebreaking, nor would it make the empy significantly less valuable. And so much is done in alliances now that frankly, I think songs should just hit all alliance members, but I would settle for a JA.

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Originally Posted by Glacont

If at this moment SE opens a 'Group 3' Merit for all jobs, what suggestions do You have to fill-in these slots? I am curious about everyone's stand point on this issue. Keep in mind, You only need the post jobs You favor. If, however, You want to post a full list for All Jobs, feel free. It's all in fun to promote good conversation.


For Myself I perfer the following:

WAR
+Critical Attack Bonus III [Job Trait]
+Blood Rage Recast Time (max merits reduce time to 3 mins)
*On a side note, Blood Rage's duration, in My opinoin, shuold be 1min 30 secs

Samurai
+Sekkanoki Recast Time (max merits reduce time to 3 mins)
+Install Attack Bonus I-III [Job Trait]
These two may boost Samurai's DoT.

DarkKnight
+Critical Attack Bonus II [Job Trait]
+Scarlet Deliriun Recast Time/Duration
+ "Insert name" Refresh/Conserve MP (Each merit upgrades it by 2%) [Job Trait]

I understandd that what is listed above is broken to some extent. I am bias to these jobs.

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>___________________>

Hello.

Previously, we stated that we are developing something to the effect of “merit point category 3,” and we have an update to share with you all. (As stated in the previous post, this is in an early stage of development)

“Merit Point Category 3” is intended to strengthen two-hour abilities and we are also working toward adding new two-hour abilities (*)
*What are new two-hour abilities?

• We are planning to implement them to the test server in March 2012.
Please look here for a more detailed implementation schedule.
• The new two-hour abilities are scheduled to have completely different effects, rather than enhanced current two-hour ability effects.
• The new two-hour abilities will share the same recast timer with current two-hour abilities and we want players to choose them based on the situation.

Here is a revised order of test server implementation:
1. Raise the level cap to 99
2. Raise the maximum limit for merit points
3. Adjust merit points groups 1 and 2
4. Add new two-hour abilities
5. Add merit points group 3

We will let you know once we finalize all of the details.

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Originally Posted by Camate

• The new two-hour abilities will share the same recast timer with current two-hour abilities and we want players to choose them based on the situation.

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<prolonged /sigh> ...... some things just ain't ever going to change, I see. I rather not have them at all if we're going to suffer more shared timers and choices between JAs, and instead focus on content I won't be displeased with. It's not enough that it'll be a two hour job ability per use? That it needs to be shared for some kind of balance that I'm not seeing. Bah whatever I'm used to it.

Half the 2 hour abilities that we have suck. Why not just fix those?

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Originally Posted by FrankReynolds

Half the 2 hour abilities that we have suck. Why not just fix those?

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I think Camate said they would do that.

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“Merit Point Category 3” is intended to strengthen two-hour abilities and we are also working toward adding new two-hour abilities (*)

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New 2 hours plus strengthened 2 hours through merits.

Now, just what "strengthen" means is anyone's guess.

How about some rampant speculation? :D

I'll start the speculation off. :)

Let's assume that Group 3 is ONLY about 2-hour strengthening. (The wording can be interpreted that way, although the 2-hour thing may only be one element of group 3).

Each group normally has 4 or 5 choices, each choice can have 5 levels with a max combination of 10 through the group. This would allow several different "original 2 hour" buffs you could apply, mix and match, various levels, to totally customize your 2 hour.

Let's try a couple out.

Ranger: Eagle Eye Shot

1. Increase damage by 1 per level (EES is now effectively 5x hit). 5/5 would double the damage. Bah, make it 2 per level. We rngs deserve it.
2. Increase accuracy in 5 steps up to guaranteed accurate.
3. Increase range up to 2x current range over 5 steps
4. Decrease enmity in 5 steps up to max of zero enmity
5. Decrease recast timer by 20 mins, 10 mins per step thereafter for max 1 hour reduction.

Thief: Perfect Dodge

1. Increase duration of effect 5 sec per step. Max would be 55 sec from current 30
2. Add chance to dodge ranged attacks. 20% per step to max of 100%
3. Add chance to dodge magical attacks. 20% per step to max of 100%
4. Increase enmity when used so at level 5/5 it is equal to (unmerited) invincible
5. Decrease recast timer by 20 mins, 10 mins per step thereafter for max 1 hour reduction.

I honestly don't care because I use my current 2 hours so rarely that I just don't even know anymore. They might as well not exist because you're constantly saving them "just in case" At this point it's just habit. I find myself using them right before I know I'm going to bed. So you know, whatever. It'll be nifty to see the adjustments and all but they'll still be as useless as ever because everyone saves them "just in case" due to the 2 hour restriction.

meh, most people hang out in abyssea, and intense soothing light pyxides can reset your halfass shared 2hr timer....they're usually pretty plentiful :P

I'm wondering what nin 2hr merit will accomplish? Auto-reraise? Kick Nagi down another notch and give you 100% hp upon raise?

Calling it now.

Thief: Treasure Hunter IV

Merit updates cant come soon enough. I've been capped on merits for over a year. This includes capping every single jobs merit category - all 20. I'm sure I'm not the only one frustrated at this lol.

all I have to say to this is /sigh