Trust Suggestions

[Mustakrakish]

I would like to see Semih Lafihna (the Sibyl guard) added as a Trust. I think a ranger would be awesome and there is clearly no programming issue in making an npc use ranged attack for their auto attack (Joachim).

[evanwimbish]

I think that trust currently is destroying npcs quest..
I'm aware npcs can be used in pt but trust can't, however they commented this is being looked into... Revamp npc would be nice...
While trust is great for solo players who need the extra help, perhaps making a trust-skill up system could balance this, it's a bit unethical that you gain access to this much power so quickly.

maybe an armor system kinda like pup could be nice, like each trust can equip 1-8 armors depending on npc and as for the armor types either use attachments system in the same respects as pup, or maybe make it so you can equip personal items to one of 3 npcs or something cool

But it would be cool to see trust use a more Indepth system in the future for the npcs

[Rifaran]

idk if anyone has mentioned this but, please let us summon trusts in burning circle areas, and during battle. also could you add Prishe as a trust?

[Bladesyphon]

Just want to put in my two cents for Trust (or three cents, as it were), starting with how happy I am with the system. I used to play waaay back when the game first came out up until Chains of Promathia consistently, than on and off until Wings of the Goddess released before quitting entirely until just last month, with Trust and RoE being the two drawing back in points. It's a whole different ball game now with FFXI, and I'm enjoying it so much more now that I have the ability to essentially play whenever, and where ever, I want in the game, as opposed to how it was back in the ye olde times, when full groups if six parties were a requirement, most DDs need not apply, and you were restricted to only a handful of leveling areas (Valkurm Dunes, Quifm Island, Kazham, etc.).

But with all that said, I do think there a number of improvements that could be made to Trust, and by default, smaller parties because of it, so let's get those laid out on the table, shall we?

* Point the First: Allow Trust Alter-Egos to be summoned in a party
I'm pretty sure this has been echoed more than enough times in this topic, but I'll echo it again. Allowing us, the players, to group with two friends and three Alter Egos in lieu of a full party would be just plain amazing, because let's be frank: Right now most Book Burn parties are dead, Abbyssea is best done at 75 so you're not just leeching EXP, and it's quicker to level with your Alter-Egos than it is to look around, form a party of one or two people in the area you're leveling with right now, and make a mini-book burn party. With the ability to have Alter-Egos in a PC party, you'll giving many players a reason to play with others, as well as fill in those empty slots that you might not be able to fill otherwise with Job rolls you might not have on hand.

I can see a few complications with this, such as what level the Alter-Egos scale to when summoned, but this could be easily remedied by making it so that they simply scale to the party leader's level, or scale down to what the party's level is when level synched. There's also the possibility of simply making it so that Alter-Egos can't be summoned in groups at all unless they're level-synched, but that might cause issues for those wanting to group up in small groups to tackle Mission and Quest content with high level help and high level alter-ego help, so the former choice is probably the better.

* Point the Second: Reduce/Remove small group EXP Penalties
This isn't directly related to Trust, but is one of the reasons people would be hesitant to group in small groups even with them. While the majority of a players EXP these days comes Grounds and Tomes of Valor rewards, people still like getting Experience from Monsters as well. And as it stands right now, soloing with trust NPCs removes any and all EXP penalties from the formula, since you're still technically soloing. The easy fix for this is, obviously, making it so that groups of 2 and 3 parties don't take an EXP cut, and since EXP penalties aren't an issue in Abyssea, you wouldn't need to worry about people complaining about EXP cuts at the four-member and higher party groups, as those people will likely be leveling in Abbyssea anyways. A small point, but an important one none the less.

*Point the Third: Allow Trust to be used Mission Battlefields
Note that I said Mission Battlefields, not all Battlefields. At the end of the day, alot of people are still playing Final Fantasy XI for the storyline, and making said storyline easier to complete, at level or otherwise, without having to shout in the main cities for assistance is a great boon to those interested in it. Allowing Players to use their Alter Egos inside Mission Battlefields will allow them to at the very least attempt the missions at level if they'd like, and give them an easier time in the latter Chains of Promathia missions and onwards, even at level 99, to finish them solo.

That said, I don't really feel that Alter Egos should be allowed to be summoned into optional Battlefields (BCNMs and the like), as that should still be something players want to seek out other players, friends, and LS mates to complete, but I suppose I couldn't see the harm in them being allowed to be used in places like Dynamis and older content where it's already easy enough to solo at level 99.

So yeah, off the top of my head those are the three major points I feel should be addressed with the Trust system. Two directly related, one slightly un-related but still affected by them. There's other things I'd like to see too, such as more customization, quests, characters, and the like, but for now I'd rather focus on making the Trust System better than it already is, and working it a bit to encourage players to both use it AND group with others at the same time. But as it stands right now, it's a lovely feature and has made me become an active player once again.

[Glamdring]

Just want to put in my two cents for Trust (or three cents, as it were), starting with how happy I am with the system. I used to play waaay back when the game first came out up until Chains of Promathia consistently, than on and off until Wings of the Goddess released before quitting entirely until just last month, with Trust and RoE being the two drawing back in points. It's a whole different ball game now with FFXI, and I'm enjoying it so much more now that I have the ability to essentially play whenever, and where ever, I want in the game, as opposed to how it was back in the ye olde times, when full groups if six parties were a requirement, most DDs need not apply, and you were restricted to only a handful of leveling areas (Valkurm Dunes, Quifm Island, Kazham, etc.).

But with all that said, I do think there a number of improvements that could be made to Trust, and by default, smaller parties because of it, so let's get those laid out on the table, shall we?

* Point the First: Allow Trust Alter-Egos to be summoned in a party
I'm pretty sure this has been echoed more than enough times in this topic, but I'll echo it again. Allowing us, the players, to group with two friends and three Alter Egos in lieu of a full party would be just plain amazing, because let's be frank: Right now most Book Burn parties are dead, Abbyssea is best done at 75 so you're not just leeching EXP, and it's quicker to level with your Alter-Egos than it is to look around, form a party of one or two people in the area you're leveling with right now, and make a mini-book burn party. With the ability to have Alter-Egos in a PC party, you'll giving many players a reason to play with others, as well as fill in those empty slots that you might not be able to fill otherwise with Job rolls you might not have on hand.

I can see a few complications with this, such as what level the Alter-Egos scale to when summoned, but this could be easily remedied by making it so that they simply scale to the party leader's level, or scale down to what the party's level is when level synched. There's also the possibility of simply making it so that Alter-Egos can't be summoned in groups at all unless they're level-synched, but that might cause issues for those wanting to group up in small groups to tackle Mission and Quest content with high level help and high level alter-ego help, so the former choice is probably the better.

* Point the Second: Reduce/Remove small group EXP Penalties
This isn't directly related to Trust, but is one of the reasons people would be hesitant to group in small groups even with them. While the majority of a players EXP these days comes Grounds and Tomes of Valor rewards, people still like getting Experience from Monsters as well. And as it stands right now, soloing with trust NPCs removes any and all EXP penalties from the formula, since you're still technically soloing. The easy fix for this is, obviously, making it so that groups of 2 and 3 parties don't take an EXP cut, and since EXP penalties aren't an issue in Abyssea, you wouldn't need to worry about people complaining about EXP cuts at the four-member and higher party groups, as those people will likely be leveling in Abbyssea anyways. A small point, but an important one none the less.

*Point the Third: Allow Trust to be used Mission Battlefields
Note that I said Mission Battlefields, not all Battlefields. At the end of the day, alot of people are still playing Final Fantasy XI for the storyline, and making said storyline easier to complete, at level or otherwise, without having to shout in the main cities for assistance is a great boon to those interested in it. Allowing Players to use their Alter Egos inside Mission Battlefields will allow them to at the very least attempt the missions at level if they'd like, and give them an easier time in the latter Chains of Promathia missions and onwards, even at level 99, to finish them solo.

That said, I don't really feel that Alter Egos should be allowed to be summoned into optional Battlefields (BCNMs and the like), as that should still be something players want to seek out other players, friends, and LS mates to complete, but I suppose I couldn't see the harm in them being allowed to be used in places like Dynamis and older content where it's already easy enough to solo at level 99.

So yeah, off the top of my head those are the three major points I feel should be addressed with the Trust system. Two directly related, one slightly un-related but still affected by them. There's other things I'd like to see too, such as more customization, quests, characters, and the like, but for now I'd rather focus on making the Trust System better than it already is, and working it a bit to encourage players to both use it AND group with others at the same time. But as it stands right now, it's a lovely feature and has made me become an active player once again.

I believe your 1st point was listed as being in the works within like 2 days of the roll-out, but yes, keep working on it; I have a friend I like to duo with but with trust things have been faster solo so we haven't duo'd in awhile. The second I can see as being a legitimate issue once we get parties. The third, AMEN, tell it like it is! BUT we need some intelligent AI since some of the stuff you would want to do-say solo VW for HMP-needs a proc and I'm almost positive Royal Bash isn't going to get that done, etc. Also, can we get the whms and Ajido to silence mobs? seriously, I'd boot a whm that didn't from a real party-unless I had a rdm tasked with it. and is there anything wrong with Dia? or Bio? and why doesn't Shantotto have a sub-besides her being crazy as a bed-bug I mean? or a weap, since spirittaker would be awesome for her (I forget, isn't she the one we get the quested WS from for staff?)

[Mefuki]

* Point the First: Allow Trust Alter-Egos to be summoned in a party

Agreed. So glad they're working on this but it doesn't hurt to remind them how much it's wanted.

* Point the Second: Reduce/Remove small group EXP Penalties

Frankly, I don't understand why there's an EXP penalty for having more people in a party to begin with. If anything, there should be a EXP bonus as an incentive to party up.

*Point the Third: Allow Trust to be used Mission Battlefields

I'd like to be able to use them everywhere, honestly. As far as incentives for partying with people go, the incentive is that you'll likely be able do higher difficulties and, therefore, get more rewards and get them faster with people than with a bunch of uncontrollable NPCs. To me, that's what the whole of Trust magic is for. It's to facilitate immediate play and to help make progress on your goals while not being as effective as human controlled party members.

[mattkoko]

Alright, I am not sure how well received this suggestion is going to be, and I doubt it will happen anyway, but here it goes.

How about trust NPCs of character's from different Final Fantasy. Make BC type battles against say which ever character it is. Doesn't just have to be main characters. It could be back up characters or bad guys as well. Or you have to fight the main antagonist at a chance of some of the ciphers from which ever game. For example, Fight sepheroth and have a chance to get, cloud, tifa, vincent, red XIII ciphers. Or which ever ones they want to add. I have always liked the idea of putting characters from other final fantasies in an online game. whether they be involved in quest lines, main story etc. But since we have this trust system, it would be one hell of a treat to have characters from other final fantasies as trust NPC's. of course it does not have to go down in BC battles to get these ciphers, however, if they do add these ciphers, I would think they wouldn't just hand them to us like they have done with the others.

On a side note, and this one may be more likely due to the character appearing in multiple titles, but how about gilgamesh. We already have a Big Bridge in the adoulin area. Now all we need is Gilgamesh. "Battle on the big Bridge" fight for a Gilgamesh Cipher would be awesome. An he appears in different realms of final fantasy, which is why I say he may be more likely then other characters.

This would be a huge treat for long time final fantasy fans like myself and I am sure, many others as well.

[Renaissance2K]

How about trust NPCs of character's from different Final Fantasy. Make BC type battles against say which ever character it is. Doesn't just have to be main characters. It could be back up characters or bad guys as well. Or you have to fight the main antagonist at a chance of some of the ciphers from which ever game. For example, Fight sepheroth and have a chance to get, cloud, tifa, vincent, red XIII ciphers. Or which ever ones they want to add. I have always liked the idea of putting characters from other final fantasies in an online game. whether they be involved in quest lines, main story etc. But since we have this trust system, it would be one hell of a treat to have characters from other final fantasies as trust NPC's. of course it does not have to go down in BC battles to get these ciphers, however, if they do add these ciphers, I would think they wouldn't just hand them to us like they have done with the others.

...

On a side note, and this one may be more likely due to the character appearing in multiple titles, but how about gilgamesh. We already have a Big Bridge in the adoulin area. Now all we need is Gilgamesh. "Battle on the big Bridge" fight for a Gilgamesh Cipher would be awesome. An he appears in different realms of final fantasy, which is why I say he may be more likely then other characters.

There already is a Gilgamesh in this game. He's in Norg. If you haven't encountered him yet, I'd curb your expectations now because he's nothing like the Gilgamesh you're picturing.

[mattkoko]

...


There already is a Gilgamesh in this game. He's in Norg. If you haven't encountered him yet, I'd curb your expectations now because he's nothing like the Gilgamesh you're picturing.

Oh dammit I forgot about that guy in Norg. Well hey some people have the same name as others lol. But either way, ya got me there. I completely forgot about him. It has been years since I have been to norg