Overall Battle System Adjustments for the Future

[Eri]

I agree with this sentiment as well. I'm not sure how this is a compromise at all.

What does you Current Merrit Points category tell you? 17% Per Merrit right?

17*5 = 85 .

Chances are that there its absolutly no change to a Tier 5 Merrited WS....

[Toadie-Odie]

What does you Current Merrit Points category tell you? 17% Per Merrit right?

17*5 = 85 .

Chances are that there its absolutly no change to a Tier 5 Merrited WS....

No I'm cool now, someone explained the 85% thing already so I get it now and it doesn't sound horrible to me anymore.

[SpankWustler]

I absolutely hate the suggested merit point weaponskill. So with no increase in merit cap if i keep my current three weaponskill at 5 merits each I'll get to look forward to a nerf from 100% to 85% stat modifier? Absolutely dreadful and definitely not what we have been asking for. I'd rather keep it as is then implement this change.

Whenever the Development Bros or the Community Bros talk about the merit weaponskills, they figure the alpha value for level 99 into their number.

Long story short, they use slightly different terminology and their 85% is what most players would refer to as 100%.

[Toadie-Odie]

Whenever the Development Bros or the Community Bros talk about the merit weaponskills, they figure the alpha value for level 99 into their number.

Long story short, they use slightly different terminology and their 85% is what most players would refer to as 100%.

/facepalm Okay I didn't know that. In fact I don't even know what alpha value means or represents.

I just know that when you math savvy players start posting your calculations and what-not I suddenly feel like I'm on an alien planet with no translator. To me it looks like the equations are built with variables or mathimatical symbols (like that of pi) but I have no idea what they mean.

Anywho, back on topic... so they are saying they would like to make the initial merit point placed in the weaponskill worth more than the initial merit is worth right now? Meaning that those that want a variety of weaponskill merited could do so and still be viable?

If that's the case then I can see that being a compromise and a good step in the right direction.

[saevel]

I absolutely hate the suggested merit point weaponskill. So with no increase in merit cap if i keep my current three weaponskill at 5 merits each I'll get to look forward to a nerf from 100% to 85% stat modifier? Absolutely dreadful and definitely not what we have been asking for. I'd rather keep it as is then implement this change.

You read it wrong. Our standard for WSC and SE's standard for stating WSC is different. SE is stating the final WSC given after level alpha while we use the initial prior to level alpha. We do that because level alpha changes as your level changes yet the base WSC doesn't.

Players: Ruinator = 100% STR (20% per merit) initial, level 80+ has a Level alpha of 0.85 so 100 * 0.85 = 85% final STR WSC.

SE: Ruinator = 85% WSC (17% per merit) final WSC.

So what their saying is changing the tier 1 to 65% final, so something like 75% initial.

[Elro]

You read it wrong. Our standard for WSC and SE's standard for stating WSC is different. SE is stating the final WSC given after level alpha while we use the initial prior to level alpha. We do that because level alpha changes as your level changes yet the base WSC doesn't.

Players: Ruinator = 100% STR (20% per merit) initial, level 80+ has a Level alpha of 0.85 so 100 * 0.85 = 85% final STR WSC.

SE: Ruinator = 85% WSC (17% per merit) final WSC.

So what their saying is changing the tier 1 to 65% final, so something like 75% initial.

Thanks for that explanation. I still don't like the change however since I, like most, always go all in for merits. I'm not willing to sacrifice or compromise damage to get another ws. One of the best and unique aspect of this game has always been the ability to play all jobs on one characters. Limiting us on merit weaponskill totally ruins that for me.

[Edyth]

Regarding Dark Knight
The only possible FF game where you could say DRK is overpowered is the PSP remake of FF Tactics, or perhaps X-2, but not FFXI.

Dark Knight is in need of major help because of the fact that it is perceived as slightly weaker than WAR and SAM, and therefore by elitist logic is "useless." "Loldrk" is treated like it's lightyears behind WAR and SAM by the general English-speaking FFXI community. I'm not saying this is true in terms of the jobs' actual power, but that's how the community views DRK.

Desperate Blows is a great ability, yes. It's often considered one of the only things DRK has going for it. I'm not going to list all the great things about SAM and WAR because I don't want to spend 15 more minutes on this post. This proposed Desperate Blows nerf and Last Resort buff will make DRK a more viable subjob, but it takes away one of the job's best qualities and distributes it to the ravenous WARs and SAMs that have already made DRKs into pariahs anyway.

Merit Point Weapon Skills
Yes, please. And whoever said that it's a nerf, the post states there are no changes to the max value.

[Demon6324236]

This proposed Desperate Blows nerf and Last Resort buff will make DRK a more viable subjob, but it takes away one of the job's best qualities and distributes it to the ravenous WARs and SAMs that have already made DRKs into pariahs anyway.

Aggressors Accuracy bonus with Double Attack, Warcry, and Berserk should still put it above /DRK for a SAM, while /SAM should be ahead for WARs because of the STP, Hasso already filling part of that void, Sekka, and Meditate. So while this sounds like it may be dangerous, I honestly see nothing changing from that adjustment for now.

[Edyth]

Aggressors Accuracy bonus with Double Attack, Warcry, and Berserk should still put it above /DRK for a SAM, while /SAM should be ahead for WARs because of the STP, Hasso already filling part of that void, Sekka, and Meditate. So while this sounds like it may be dangerous, I honestly see nothing changing from that adjustment for now.

I agree that this is a likely scenario. In other words, they might as well not change DRK at all.

However, because Last Resort works regardless of whether you are wielding a 2H weapon or not, this may make DRK a nice subjob for Dancers or other dualwielding small hitters, assuming 2H weapons are not made mandatory. Attack bonus + 15% haste + defense penalty when your evasion compensates anyway? Sounds like a nice deal.

[TheBarrister]

Regarding Dark Knight
Dark Knight is in need of major help because of the fact that it is perceived as slightly weaker than WAR and SAM, and therefore by elitist logic is "useless." "Loldrk" is treated like it's lightyears behind WAR and SAM by the general English-speaking FFXI community. I'm not saying this is true in terms of the jobs' actual power, but that's how the community views DRK.

Lol major help. DRK is one of the top DD in the game with arguably the best Relic weapon, if not the best weapon.

I can understand it being a barely perceptible margin behind more pure DD like War and Sam because those jobs are built for one thing - damage alone. WAR alone has no other abilities, magic, etc. that can help them do anything except damage.

You're welcome to the marginal increase from Resolution to Ukko's Fury/Upheaval/Resolution that you believe is there if you are willing to give up Stun, Spikes, and any magic.

Then again, typical blinders on FFXI poster...

...this is the reason we have to keep playing rotate the cup with top job every few years.