New 2-hour Abilities

[tyrantsyn]

Does it really matter if you can use the ability or not? I mean I can understand the Astral flow thing very well. THF shouldn't be able to start raining avatar death down on a mob. But at least the ability would stop the mob from doing the same. Even if the effect is wasted on the thf who's unable to take advantage of it.

[Kysaiana]

As others have suggested, it would be better if THF SP "stole" the mobs SP before it actually uses it and let you select it from job ability menu. This would probably be difficult to code however. On a semi-related note, I think I read somewhere that people were wondering if Perfect Dodge could be stolen since I think normal steal always fails during or something. Anyway I can confirm you can, in fact, steal it with the new SP. So yay for that I guess.

Is there any word from the Dev's if PLD SP is working as intended on the test server? Cause if so, it's going in the useless pile with RDM and maybe BLU depending on what unbridled learning spells are added in the future.

[Camate]

Greetings!

I have some information to share about puppetmaster (and I suppose ranger too indirectly) and ninja.

• Puppetmaster
  We will be proceeding with puppetmaster’s new special ability as it currently is on the Test Server.
  
  Aside from this, based on suggestions that we received for this new special ability, we are considering some things for future adjustments and would like to share them with you.
  • Eagle Eye Shot
    There have been a lot of requests to improve the damage capabilities of Eagle Eye Shot, but we will not be making adjustments specifically for automatons. Since this ability’s owner is the ranger, we are planning to revamp Eagle Eye Shot and we will make the changes to the automaton version based on this.
    
    
  • Strengthening Automatons
    In regards to suggestions for abilities to strengthen automatons, we believe that instead of having this done via the new special ability it should be realized through Overdrive. In the future, we will be performing adjustments on Overdrive and would like to use your ideas as reference.
  We will continue to make adjustments to puppetmaster as a whole including attachment adjustments.
  
  
• Ninja
  Based on feedback, to make better use of ninja’s new special ability we will be increasing the effect duration from 30 seconds to 45 seconds.
  
  Though there may be differences depending on equipment and other support effects, the effect of this ability should increase the amount of attack rounds so that you can fire off 3-4 weapon skills in those 45 seconds.
  

[CireFF]

Greetings!

I have some information to share about puppetmaster (and I suppose ranger too indirectly) and ninja.

• Puppetmaster
  We will be proceeding with puppetmaster’s new special ability as it currently is on the Test Server.
  
  Aside from this, based on suggestions that we received for this new special ability, we are considering some things for future adjustments and would like to share them with you.
  • Eagle Eye Shot
    There have been a lot of requests to improve the damage capabilities of Eagle Eye Shot, but we will not be making adjustments specifically for automatons. Since this ability’s owner is the ranger, we are planning to revamp Eagle Eye Shot and we will make the changes to the automaton version based on this.
    
    
  • Strengthening Automatons
    In regards to suggestions for abilities to strengthen automatons, we believe that instead of having this done via the new special ability it should be realized through Overdrive. In the future, we will be performing adjustments on Overdrive and would like to use your ideas as reference.
  We will continue to make adjustments to puppetmaster as a whole including attachment adjustments.
  

Thank you so much for the response! It's a relief to know that the developers are recieving the feedback regarding Heady Artiface. Since the main issue many PUPs have with the ability is how they're utilized with the automaton's inherent restrictions, it's encouraging to know that while H.A. will remain as proposed, they are still going to look into adjusting the automatons themselves. Perhaps after some of those things are addressed H.A. will be more effective (awkward increased casting/RA delay when mixing heads- I'm looking at you >.>)

It's also very welcoming to hear that adjustments to Eagle Eye Shot and Overdrive are being considered. I'm sure any RNG or PUP will excitedly embrace these changes.

I am curious, though, if other old 2-hour adjustments are being considered alongside these? (Invincible negating ALL dmg and not just physical, perhaps?)



On another note, the recent interim report mentions that sometimes it's difficult when the development team is looking at proposed adjustments in the context of future changes they want to make down the road, while the players are simply looking at how the adjustments affect the game how it is now. I can't help but wonder if the RDM SP ability is an example of this. The development team really needs to understand however, that simply inveiling an ability without providing the context of the future changes is only going to inflame the player-base, which is the exact opposite of what they're trying to do by making us excited about new additions. The players will be much more understanding and excited for these new abilities only if the underlying systems are changed FIRST. New abilities added before the system is changed/fixed feels backwards and is inviting complaints and criticisms and frustrations.

[Kristal]

Greetings!

I have some information to share about puppetmaster (and I suppose ranger too indirectly) and ninja.

• Puppetmaster
  We will be proceeding with puppetmaster’s new special ability as it currently is on the Test Server.
  
  Aside from this, based on suggestions that we received for this new special ability, we are considering some things for future adjustments and would like to share them with you.
  • Eagle Eye Shot
    There have been a lot of requests to improve the damage capabilities of Eagle Eye Shot, but we will not be making adjustments specifically for automatons. Since this ability’s owner is the ranger, we are planning to revamp Eagle Eye Shot and we will make the changes to the automaton version based on this.
    
    
  • Strengthening Automatons
    In regards to suggestions for abilities to strengthen automatons, we believe that instead of having this done via the new special ability it should be realized through Overdrive. In the future, we will be performing adjustments on Overdrive and would like to use your ideas as reference.
  We will continue to make adjustments to puppetmaster as a whole including attachment adjustments.
  

Good news for PUPs there, although I wonder... are the devs also considering a quickswap option for automatons like players have with jobs? It would be a great tool to have in any case, but it's going to be especially important for the new SP2.
And Harlequin.. poor Harlequin.. I hope the devs realize that the frail little thing would spontaniously short-circuit if you tried to Heady Artifice it... keep in mind it's been exposed to sea water for years before it was found again, left rotting and rusting. It needs a complete disassembly and renewal, not a lick of paint...

On another note, the recent interim report mentions that sometimes it's difficult when the development team is looking at proposed adjustments in the context of future changes they want to make down the road, while the players are simply looking at how the adjustments affect the game how it is now. I can't help but wonder if the RDM SP ability is an example of this. The development team really needs to understand however, that simply inveiling an ability without providing the context of the future changes is only going to inflame the player-base, which is the exact opposite of what they're trying to do by making us excited about new additions. The players will be much more understanding and excited for these new abilities only if the underlying systems are changed FIRST. New abilities added before the system is changed/fixed feels backwards and is inviting complaints and criticisms and frustrations.

I have the same position on this. RDM SP2 (for some reason I want to call it "Endymion" now) makes no sense in the current game, but might work in an environment where ordinary Elemental Seal cannot reliably land an enfeeble against 999 defense, while SP2 would land it for great effectiveness (especially when you combo it with Saboteur).

Surely the devs must understand by now that the players resentment for the change lies with the lack of information? Inform us already!

[FrankReynolds]

I have the same position on this. RDM SP2 (for some reason I want to call it "Endymion" now) makes no sense in the current game, but might work in an environment where ordinary Elemental Seal cannot reliably land an enfeeble against 999 defense, while SP2 would land it for great effectiveness (especially when you combo it with Saboteur).

Surely the devs must understand by now that the players resentment for the change lies with the lack of information? Inform us already!

I think the best route to take would be to make sure all content is ready before releasing it instead of releasing half baked stuff, getting people all riled up and then constantly telling them to be patient while they fix it.

Right now, I feel like the waiter keeps dropping raw chicken on my plate and going "Just wait a while. It'll be good when it's cooked. I swear.". But, only half the food ever gets cooked...

[Kristal]

I think the best route to take would be to make sure all content is ready before releasing it instead of releasing half baked stuff, getting people all riled up and then constantly telling them to be patient while they fix it.

Well.. it IS the test server, after all. They can try out different options and see what works best and what is liked more or less. But even then they should know that it's no use adding a new feature when there's no proper test environment yet... It's like testing icing effects on winter tires on a hot summer day.

[Sunrider]

Still waiting to hear Red Mage's latest SP abortion has been eliminated and Encomium returned with double duration and potency.

Anything less is unacceptable.

[Keyln]

Still waiting to hear Red Mage's latest SP abortion has been eliminated and Encomium returned with double duration and potency.

Anything less is unacceptable.

Does everything need to be about RDM? I know you're enthusiastic about Red Mage and all, but do realize that there are 19 other jobs, and nearly all of them need adjustments of one sort or another.

[saevel]

Does everything need to be about RDM? I know you're enthusiastic about Red Mage and all, but do realize that there are 19 other jobs, and nearly all of them need adjustments of one sort or another.

RDM it beyond broken, there are 19 total jobs in FFXI right now as RDM basically doesn't exist. This is a direct result of "over-balancing" coupled with inattention over a period of years. RDM was a zombie long before the 80 cap, it completely died after then and SE has refused to do anything about it.

Seriously did you read the RDM "SP" ability? It's Elemental Seal -1 on a 60 min timer. It's by far the absolute worst ability they've ever come up with. A RDM/BLM can use something better then the "SP" ability six times for every use of the ES-1. That is how bad it is. It would be like giving THF the SP that steals beastcoins but it can miss and is on a 60m timer.