Thoughts on the FFXI Job Adjustment Manifesto

[Sotek]

Oh, and SCH post incoming. They explain their intentions behind lowering the levels of the helices. I have to say, I don't get it. They wanted to give SCH more of a "scholar-like" role earlier on and at higher levels they can become better. . . Let's hope I am lost in translation. They do acknowledge the VW proc issue and admit that it has been discussed by the team.

Camate-san, we'll wait for your official translation of course! I was scratching my head on this one

I really hope there's more to it than that. Giving every other job access to our only unique proc spells (and unless they've fixed it, our only procs) just so low level Scholars can feel more scholarly is beyond idiotic. Catering to the non-existent low level players is idiotic. Acting like anyone at Lv.30 is actually going to play the job and not leech in Abyssea is idiotic.

There are people at low levels but they're so few they might as well not exist, certainly not enough to justify that bullshit excuse. Making Helices stronger at higher levels? They're going to be the same strength at Lv.60, leave them as they are and increase their strength from Lv.60. It's not rocket science. Heck, treat them like a normal bloody spell set and just add a second tier in starting from Lv.85 rather than have some roundabout "they get stronger a you level" bullshit. Not difficult, SE. I know you were too busy thinking Libra and Animus were amazing additions to the game around Lv.85, but you can still go back and add them in now that you (hopefully) realize what awful additions they actually are.
I find it hard to believe they've actually discussed the Voidwatch issue at all. How would that have gone down? Helices are the only unique stagger proc we have for Voidwatch, there should have been absolutely no discussion, there should have been a uniform "Don't give Helices to /Scholar" from all. Once again they're displaying a grand lack of common sense followed by covering it up with complete bullshit. "Modus Veritas is working as expected" all over again.

Hey Camate, I want to feel like I have a more White Mage or Black Mage role at Lv.30, can you tell the development team to lower the levels of Holy, Flash, all Banish spells, Cure V, Ancient Magic, Elemental Celerity and -aga spells to Lv.30? I'd call it fair game then, but since I'll still be /Red Mage I'll have to ask that Red Mage gets all of that by Lv.30 too; poor fellas need a boost anyhow.
I'm being 100% serious by the way, unless the development team decides to have some common sense. They can completely omit the Dark Arts and Helix duration from this update for all I care, currently it's doing nothing more than completely ruining the rest of what is a quite nice update for Scholar.

[Merton9999]

I really hope there's more to it than that. Giving every other job access to our only unique proc spells (and unless they've fixed it, our only procs) just so low level Scholars can feel more scholarly is beyond idiotic. Catering to the non-existent low level players is idiotic. Acting like anyone at Lv.30 is actually going to play the job and not leech in Abyssea is idiotic.

This was my first thought when I read Sasa's preview too. Why are they making a change to SCH's fundamental unique dark arts function aimed at low level players? Do mobs take any longer to die in GoV than they do In Abyssea to the point that helices would be worth casting at that level? Do people use a helix to solo pages?

Even if there is a major benefit in providing low level SCHs some scholarly stuff, I don't mind the concept of providing unique abilities at low levels and scaling them, but what's wrong with the way it's always been done - with multiple tiers of spells? Basically where BLM gets non-subbable -ga procs because they're different spells, SCH is going to get stuck with the same spell that scales, so anyone /SCH can proc with it?

Silly. SE, can you please change Blizzaga 3 to level 40 and scale it? Thanks. Also, AM from levels 40-49. Or, stop this ridiculous scaling nonsense and just add Helix II and make those proc in VW instead.

[Bayohne]

As noted above, Mocchi did make a post regarding your job of choice, Scholar. Here it is!

I would like to explain the adjustments to the level at which Helix spells are learned and their MP cost.
I should have explained this to you earlier and I’m sorry it's taken awhile to do so.

There are 2 main points to these adjustments:

• Allow scholar-like activity starting at a lower level
• Review Helix spells so that damage and usability are increased at higher levels

We have been reviewing Voidwatch (and its weakness system) within our team, and have been debating this issue pretty heavily.

We understand your concerns very well, but it has been difficult for us to focus on anything other than Voidwatch. With that said, we have decided to consider not only the current situation, but also the future, which is why we decided to allow scholar-like activity from a lower level so that they can participate more actively in the battle content that will be added in the future.

We would also like to increase the merits of using scholar as a main job when using Helix spells, so please continue to submit your feedback on this issue.

[Sotek]

We have been reviewing Voidwatch (and its weakness system) within our team, and have been debating this issue pretty heavily.

We understand your concerns very well, but it has been difficult for us to focus on anything other than Voidwatch. With that said, we have decided to consider not only the current situation, but also the future, which is why we decided to allow scholar-like activity from a lower level so that they can participate more actively in the battle content that will be added in the future.

This makes absolutely no sense.
They're considering the situation for the future and making an adjustment that only has an effect in the past, or rather no effect at all since none of us currently benefit from lower level Helices, we're all already Lv.95. This adjustment is nothing more than a boon to any job that subs Scholar (White Mage springs to mind), Lv.40 Scholars aren't going to be doing Voidwatch or any end game event for that matter, giving them Helices has absolutely no effect. There are no low level events worth mentioning and EXP mobs will die before Helices even manage two tics; though maybe that's appropriate as at lower levels they wont even have a long duration.

Seriously, there is no logic in this move what-so-ever. I'd love to hear their debate over Voidwatch. I seriously have no idea how anyone could have reached the conclusion that this was a worthwhile adjustment to make. It does nothing for lower level players; there are none and even if there are Helices will be worthless at that level. It does nothing but bad for Scholar; you've given away 8/10 of our unique procs to any White Mage, the remaining two don't even work. Lower MP cost is negligible, I'd take lower cast time instead. Stronger Helices don't require dropping their level, be that a second tier, grading them by level or more sensibly grading them by Elemental skill.
Letting us participate more actively in battle content? What does that even mean? The only way that makes sense is that since Helices are a lower level, /Scholar can use them rather than Scholar main using them and that's just a bundle of sheer stupidity. They only other way I can possibly make sense of this is if future content is going back to having level caps and well, I don't even want to consider that.

Cut the Dark Arts and Helix section out of this update completely; heck never consider an adjustment to them again if you're this inept. It does nothing but ruin what is otherwise a great update.
It truly is amazing how they've got me off complaining at a non-update for Modus Veritas with this bullshit.

[brayen]

As noted above, Mocchi did make a post regarding your job of choice, Scholar. Here it is!

Hmm if this is all that is being considered at the moment for helixes i will have to add that they are fairly underpowered for most content. They are good on weak mobs but the duration means nothing in these cases and the low dmg value on top of the slow pace of the damage over time really leave a lot to be desired. Add on top of all that the only respectable way to power it up with our job ability, it will fail to activate on most monsters.
Feedback/opinion to help helix:
- better base damage
and/or
- make the damage over time quicker (normal 1 tic rounds)
(both of these could be adjusted by level as well)

- MAKE MODUS VERITA NOT MISS
(this is a must, there is no reason for them NOT to fix this, it was a terrible solution to the overpower conjunction of this ability across multiple sch and should be addressed)

[Rexen]

It makes me wonder though with all these adjustments to what level spells are learned if the new 99 end game (seperate from Voidwatch) will be something kind of like Salvage, where instead of starting with no access to armor/abilities, your level is scaled down and the higher you climb the higher your level goes. It would make sense as to when they say more battle content to be added because I can't see them adding completly capped events and they made leveling a mute thing so people probably don't even use the spells so much on the climb to 75, and just learn them all when they're there. It's only really 75+ where you start awaiting spells and even then it takes a few hours max to level into the ones you want.

I just think it's too much of a rush to call it all illogical because they do seem to be preparing a lot for what's to come over what is already here.

[Sotek]

Unless every event has a Salvage-style level cap this isn't worth it. We're practically worthless for Voidwatch, but possibly useful for an undisclosed event? Yeah, I'm not buying it. This isn't a fair trade no matter how you paint it.

Even if it was, having Helix II ~Lv.40, Helix III ~Lv.60 and Helix IV ~Lv.80, with III and IV acting as procs, would still be by far the better option than this stupidity.

[Septimus]

This makes absolutely no sense.
They're considering the situation for the future and making an adjustment that only has an effect in the past, or rather no effect at all since none of us currently benefit from lower level Helices, we're all already Lv.95. This adjustment is nothing more than a boon to any job that subs Scholar (White Mage springs to mind), Lv.40 Scholars aren't going to be doing Voidwatch or any end game event for that matter, giving them Helices has absolutely no effect. There are no low level events worth mentioning and EXP mobs will die before Helices even manage two tics; though maybe that's appropriate as at lower levels they wont even have a long duration.

Seriously, there is no logic in this move what-so-ever. I'd love to hear their debate over Voidwatch. I seriously have no idea how anyone could have reached the conclusion that this was a worthwhile adjustment to make. It does nothing for lower level players; there are none and even if there are Helices will be worthless at that level. It does nothing but bad for Scholar; you've given away 8/10 of our unique procs to any White Mage, the remaining two don't even work. Lower MP cost is negligible, I'd take lower cast time instead. Stronger Helices don't require dropping their level, be that a second tier, grading them by level or more sensibly grading them by Elemental skill.
Letting us participate more actively in battle content? What does that even mean? The only way that makes sense is that since Helices are a lower level, /Scholar can use them rather than Scholar main using them and that's just a bundle of sheer stupidity. They only other way I can possibly make sense of this is if future content is going back to having level caps and well, I don't even want to consider that.

Cut the Dark Arts and Helix section out of this update completely; heck never consider an adjustment to them again if you're this inept. It does nothing but ruin what is otherwise a great update.
It truly is amazing how they've got me off complaining at a non-update for Modus Veritas with this bullshit.

I could see dropping the level of Helixes if they are going to add in a few stronger tiers of them; tier 2 stops at around level 75, tier 3 for level 99. This way they could keep them at about the same power for a lower cost and scale up them up by power and cost accordingly. Add in tier 2s to the current Voidwatch procs and tier 3s at the level 99 cap release Voidwatch Ops. You could leave the tier 1s so that it would be a comparable to subbing BLM or WHM, but require tier 2s so that there is an actual reason to bring a SCH even if it is a lame proc reason as opposed to the job bringing something to the table.

[Septimus]

It makes me wonder though with all these adjustments to what level spells are learned if the new 99 end game (seperate from Voidwatch) will be something kind of like Salvage, where instead of starting with no access to armor/abilities, your level is scaled down and the higher you climb the higher your level goes. It would make sense as to when they say more battle content to be added because I can't see them adding completly capped events and they made leveling a mute thing so people probably don't even use the spells so much on the climb to 75, and just learn them all when they're there. It's only really 75+ where you start awaiting spells and even then it takes a few hours max to level into the ones you want.

I just think it's too much of a rush to call it all illogical because they do seem to be preparing a lot for what's to come over what is already here.

Good lord, no, no, no no no no. No more level caps. It was a bad idea when the game started, it is a worse idea now.

I am almost on the floor in the fetal position at the thought of this. I lived through unnerfed CoP, I cannot handle any more level caps in my life.

[Rexen]

Unless every event has a Salvage-style level cap this isn't worth it. We're practically worthless for Voidwatch, but possibly useful for an undisclosed event? Yeah, I'm not buying it. This isn't a fair trade no matter how you paint it.

Even if it was, having Helix II ~Lv.40, Helix III ~Lv.60 and Helix IV ~Lv.80, with III and IV acting as procs, would still be by far the better option than this stupidity.

Well, not every event had atma, but a melee job not having a critical hit weaponskill killed it in Abyssea. If the new armor in this new event is highly saught after then it would make sense really lol.

Good lord, no, no, no no no no. No more level caps. It was a bad idea when the game started, it is a worse idea now.

I am almost on the floor in the fetal position at the thought of this. I lived through unnerfed CoP, I cannot handle any more level caps in my life.

I don't see how it would be so different to Salvage. I'm sure the monsters in there were scaled down the same as you, they died fast even when everyone was naked and had no weapons so I don't see how this would be different, if it existed at all, it is just a theory lol. CoP level caps were there to pose a constant challenge that leveling couldn't over come and, although I didn't do it when they were first added, towards the end when I did do them I had fun and I'm glad I did experience it before the caps were removed.

One thing it would do if anything would make people get to know their jobs for all the levels and it would be something new. Since a lot of the partying is skipped now, and half the levels aren't even seen except with a "/item "forbidden key" <t>" macro, it would give people a chance to see what it was like. I can't think of any other reason why they would be so bothered about levels when people get through them at a ridiculous rate right now.