In case meriting protectra V wasn't bad enough...

[Babekeke]

From Vana'Fest 2012:

Protect will made 1.5x stronger, and Protectra V may be made 3-4x stronger

[SpankWustler]

Protectra V being changed to give bros 200+ defense would be extreme enough to make me re-think the spell's value. I suspect I'd also re-think how I prioritize casting and re-casting it.

It requires a huge amount of Defense to make a palpable difference, possibly to make any difference at all in some cases, but the post-change amounts could be that huge. Also, unlike Defender and food and buffs from Bard or Corsair, nothing with more utility has to be given up for Protect spells. It would be really interesting if Protectra V and its kin became more useful; I hope the Development bros decide to go the whole nine yards with this.

More than that, though, I hope this and similar changes mentioned are signs that the Development Bros are starting to take long and hard and rarely kind looks at under-performing elements within Final Fantasy XI. Defense and defense-increasing-abilities seem to have been over-valued by the Development Bros from day one and it would be super-cool if that stopped.

[Babekeke]

So, how long until Cannonball is nerfed after this change takes place?

[Daniel_Hatcher]

From Vana'Fest 2012:

Hmm. I get it's a merit spell but compared to others that's a HUGE bonus.

[Llana_Virren]

Hmm. I get it's a merit spell but compared to others that's a HUGE bonus.

Try huge fix, because compared to other merit spells, Protectra V has been a waste of .DAT space.

[Daniel_Hatcher]

Try huge fix, because compared to other merit spells, Protectra V has been a waste of .DAT space.

It actually fits with the majority of merit spells.

[Babekeke]

It actually fits with the majority of merit spells.

Only now that we are 99. At 75, most other merit spells worked:

AM2, these were BLM's most powerful spells, and well worth using for a magic burst. Not so since tier 5 spells.
RDM enfeebles were so good at the time that often 2 RDMs would be taken to events, like for salvage, have the first rdm unlocked with dia3 and phalanx 2 (for trash mobs), while the other rdm has para/slow for the boss. Current content enfeeb resist makes most of them worthless now though.
San spells, more powerful than Ni spells, and still only cost 1 tool. Completely win in that respect, even at 99.
BRD, I can't really comment on. If they did have a good use at 75, or now, I never bothered with them. 5/5 T&N for me.

[Camate]

Happy Friday everyone

I’d like to share some information that might give a bit more insight and explanation to the Protect/Minne effect adjustments.

This adjustment mainly took place to turn these spells and songs’ effects into a percentage enhancement as opposed to a static value, so that the benefits can be felt more and more at higher levels. Therefore, currently existing spells such as blue magic and rolls that enhanced defense as a percentage are not being adjusted at this time.

While many players have been asking for an additional damage reduction effect to be added to Protect, we have no plans to add this since the higher defense will already cut damage much more than before.

Finally, as we have mentioned in the past for other topics, by making these spell adjustments, monsters that utilize this magic will also see defense enhancements as well, as is the norm when we make adjustments of this kind.

Be sure to hit up the test server and try out the enhanced defense that can be gained from these spells, feel the difference for yourself, and let us know your feedback

[Dragoy]

It's Saturday here!

Oh, an cautiously interested... barely!

[Ophannus]

Guess this means casting protect won't just be a placebo from now on.