Gamer Escape Interviews FFXI Dev Team Post VanaFest 2012

[Valkrist]

The main reason why rune fencers and geomancers will be unable to equip Relic and Empyrean weapons is because those weapons were created and balanced around the jobs that existed at the time. This is also the reason that blue mage, corsair, puppetmaster, dancer and scholar were never given access to relic weapons.

However, as Mythic weapons are job-specific, it won't be a problem to design a weapon that is best suited specifically for rune fencers or geomancers.

As an additional note, when we release content for these new jobs in Seekers of Adoulin, they will be able to earn the equivalent of Relic equipment, Empyrean equipment, and Mythic weapons. We simply used these terms to make it clearer and we haven't officially decided on what names these types of equipment will take.

Here goes the question that I'm surprised that other people haven't asked yet. Where are the relic equivalent weapons for all of the five "new" jobs after CoP? That hasn't been addressed, yet the two new classes to be coming out already have those weapons in mind?

[Karbuncle]

For Seekers of Adoulin, we didn’t create a map for an ocean route, so we’re planning to make the main mode of transportation a teleport-like warp. We are planning to make this extremely convenient, and as players progress further with pioneering, the number of areas that they’ll be able to warp to will increase. We can’t say too much, but yes, there will be a quest requirement similar to the one to use the boat to travel to Aht Urhgan.

I think this answer upsets me a very miniscule amount, I understand "Main Streaming" THe process, But... Going to Adoulin is going to be as exciting as Warping into Abyssea.

Warp > Loading > WELCOME...

I guess i'm the only one who felt the excitement of boarding the boat to Aht Urghan, Seeing the sights... actually feeling like i was traveling to a far off new land... Not just.. Warp > Done. That 10-20 Minute boat ride to aht urghan gave you excitement, build up, anticipation.. You knew you were going to a far off and new land... Warpin > Done is going to kill and or/eliminate almost all the excitement for most players, as it will be as mundane and routine as warping to a VW Battlefield, or an Abyssea zone.

Boat ride doesn't need to be mandatory every single time, BUt having that first venture, knowing you're going really far, seeing the terrain changes, the structures in the horizon... I guess I'm getting old, I loved the build up.

Whatever though, very minor complaint, Can't say I'm disappointed overall

[Karbuncle]

...Could this possibly allude to new job specific gear sets for every job with the upcoming expansion?

That part definitely seems a little confusing.

Artifact Armor Equipment
Relic Armor Equipment
Empyrean Armor Equipment.

Not new job specific gear sets, I think they're just saying "They're going to get Relic/Emp/Artifact" Gear. However, a new set of Job Specific armor seems redundant at this point.

[Kristal]

Greetings,

To answer the question about "why can't these new jobs also use relics?"

The main reason why rune fencers and geomancers will be unable to equip Relic and Empyrean weapons is because those weapons were created and balanced around the jobs that existed at the time. This is also the reason that blue mage, corsair, puppetmaster, dancer and scholar were never given access to relic weapons.

However, as Mythic weapons are job-specific, it won't be a problem to design a weapon that is best suited specifically for rune fencers or geomancers.

As an additional note, when we release content for these new jobs in Seekers of Adoulin, they will be able to earn the equivalent of Relic equipment, Empyrean equipment, and Mythic weapons. We simply used these terms to make it clearer and we haven't officially decided on what names these types of equipment will take.

Camate, a lot of people seem to be worried that the term "empyrean weapons" covers ALL of the magians weapons. We know that Rune Fencer/Knight will not be able to equip Caladblog/Xiphias/Ragnarok, but what about the bread&butter weapons Fulgurante, Tenebreuse and Kauriraris that are available through magian trials? Without those, RNF/K will not have much to wield. (Not as bad as PUP had it when it was introduced, but still...)

[Creelo]

Artifact Armor Equipment
Relic Armor Equipment
Empyrean Armor Equipment.

Not new job specific gear sets, I think they're just saying "They're going to get Relic/Emp/Artifact" Gear. However, a new set of Job Specific armor seems redundant at this point.

Artifact armor goes without saying imo.

But if they're gonna get "Relic and Empyrean" armor, why wouldn't they just add that to Dynamis/Abyssea as it is?

But it seems they aren't. They're going to add "equivalents" to Relic/Empyrean, which possibly means a new event that has armor for every job in the game because why would they add an event where you could only get Geomancer/Rune Fencer "Relic/Empyrean" armor. And since this is a whole new expansion... I really wouldn't be that surprised if we did see new job specific gear sets lol

[Twille]

the last thing this game needs is ANOTHER set of job-specific gear.

[Muras]

Greetings,

To answer the question about "why can't these new jobs also use relics?"

The main reason why rune fencers and geomancers will be unable to equip Relic and Empyrean weapons is because those weapons were created and balanced around the jobs that existed at the time. This is also the reason that blue mage, corsair, puppetmaster, dancer and scholar were never given access to relic weapons.

However, as Mythic weapons are job-specific, it won't be a problem to design a weapon that is best suited specifically for rune fencers or geomancers.

As an additional note, when we release content for these new jobs in Seekers of Adoulin, they will be able to earn the equivalent of Relic equipment, Empyrean equipment, and Mythic weapons. We simply used these terms to make it clearer and we haven't officially decided on what names these types of equipment will take.

Here goes the question that I'm surprised that other people haven't asked yet. Where are the relic equivalent weapons for all of the five "new" jobs after CoP? That hasn't been addressed, yet the two new classes to be coming out already have those weapons in mind?

I've had similar thoughts, especially towards Empyrean weapons.

For example... Rune Fencer can't use Caladbolg? Ok... Let's add a new Empyrean Great Sword then that only Rune Fencer can use. What's that? It'd have similar DMG ratings? It's aftermath would also be Occasionally Deals Double Damage? Similar delay too even? The only difference is that only Rune Fencer can equip it and not Caladbolg itself?

Seriously, just add the new jobs to Empyreans at the very least. I somewhat understand limiting relics to the older jobs because they have more unique properties, but it really makes no sense for Empyreans.

[THD]

Greetings,

To answer the question about "why can't these new jobs also use relics?"

The main reason why rune fencers and geomancers will be unable to equip Relic and Empyrean weapons is because those weapons were created and balanced around the jobs that existed at the time. This is also the reason that blue mage, corsair, puppetmaster, dancer and scholar were never given access to relic weapons.

Because a Scholar with Claustrum destroys balance.

[Teraniku]

Here's an idea: there's this thing called the Test Server? Why not do a field test that allows restricted jobs on the weapons access to those items? Then the players can provide testing, feedback and SE can look at the parse list to see if the weapons are overpowered for the job or not. Even make it a series of BCNMs where they can only be used. That way you have your control data and the BCNM acts as your "Laboratory controlled conditions" for testing. Probably won't happen, but it could be done on the test server.

They can design a fight with the Heroines but can't do something like this?

[Finuve]

you just got BALANCED!