Was Ambuscade too popular?

[Stompa]

I agree with many posts here, and I particularly relate to Olor's posts.

There isn't a right/wrong way to play any game, and this is especially true of extremely complex videogames.

Olor was clearly happy notching up Hallmarks on solo, with a limited timeframe, was still enjoying the feeling of making slow-but-steady progress. They have said in the past that they would like to team up, but that it isn't always practical, and so the solo option made them happy as a default option.

This month we see the arrival of OCD "Operation Certain Death" AKA Jobmaster Battlefield. This represents compulsory high-level group content. Nobody in their right mind is going to do OCD battle with less than 6/6 players. And by its nature, it is Jobmasters only. So this represents the high-level, pro-gear only, full-party only, serious content that hardcore people wanted.

I would say that there is a place for OCD type battlefields, and a place for solo casual mid-range content too.

So there isn't a right/wrong here. It is just about a person's limited available game-time, empty LS, empty server, or their personal preference that they actually enjoy soloing mid-range content. This doesn't make that person wrong, or a bad player. It just means that this is the most realistic way for them as an individual to play the game.

So I think there should be Ambuscades at BCNM entrances, with a "Single NM" battlefield every month, with only "low-mid tier" battle option. This would allow solo players to build Hallmarks slowly, without being made to feel guilty that they are fighting low-mid range mode, and taking 25 minutes to do so.

Other entrances could be for harder mode Ambuscades, "multiple NMs" and aimed at full parties. This is the same as Jobmaster OCD battle, it is separated from other easier content, and aimed at serious hardcore groups only.

[Olor]

Thanks Stompa! I always enjoy your posts - your positive attitude really shines through. Makes me want to make a 75 lock/99 lock character on your server and play sometime ^^

[Dale]

I agree with many posts here, and I particularly relate to Olor's posts.

There isn't a right/wrong way to play any game, and this is especially true of extremely complex videogames.

Olor was clearly happy notching up Hallmarks on solo, with a limited timeframe, was still enjoying the feeling of making slow-but-steady progress. They have said in the past that they would like to team up, but that it isn't always practical, and so the solo option made them happy as a default option.

This month we see the arrival of OCD "Operation Certain Death" AKA Jobmaster Battlefield. This represents compulsory high-level group content. Nobody in their right mind is going to do OCD battle with less than 6/6 players. And by its nature, it is Jobmasters only. So this represents the high-level, pro-gear only, full-party only, serious content that hardcore people wanted.

I would say that there is a place for OCD type battlefields, and a place for solo casual mid-range content too.

So there isn't a right/wrong here. It is just about a person's limited available game-time, empty LS, empty server, or their personal preference that they actually enjoy soloing mid-range content. This doesn't make that person wrong, or a bad player. It just means that this is the most realistic way for them as an individual to play the game.

So I think there should be Ambuscades at BCNM entrances, with a "Single NM" battlefield every month, with only "low-mid tier" battle option. This would allow solo players to build Hallmarks slowly, without being made to feel guilty that they are fighting low-mid range mode, and taking 25 minutes to do so.

Other entrances could be for harder mode Ambuscades, "multiple NMs" and aimed at full parties. This is the same as Jobmaster OCD battle, it is separated from other easier content, and aimed at serious hardcore groups only.

I think we can all agree that SE has made tremendous strides in making this game more solo-friendly than it once was. So I think this debate could use some perspective.

I remember back when you couldn't do hardly anything on this game solo. The game has come a long way in that respect. So while I'm usually the first to pile on and be critical of a game and its flaws - when it comes to catering to solo players I really do believe this game has gone above and beyond and deserves some credit for that.

[Stompa]

I think we can all agree that SE has made tremendous strides in making this game more solo-friendly than it once was. So I think this debate could use some perspective.

I remember back when you couldn't do hardly anything on this game solo. The game has come a long way in that respect. So while I'm usually the first to pile on and be critical of a game and its flaws - when it comes to catering to solo players I really do believe this game has gone above and beyond and deserves some credit for that.

It isn't really about historical soloing versus the situation today.

It is about Ambuscade specifically. It allows solo entry. But it brackets the solo entry in the same zone as group entry. So the solo person gets hated on, they are made to feel guilty and unhappy when they tackle low-mid range mode, and take 25 mins to win.

The point is that allowing solo entry, should go alongside an entry system that doesn't create tension in the playerbase, or make people feel guilty for choosing that option. Solo entry is a legit option, offered by the game. But if you take it, you are made to feel bad.

Also, the multiple NMs / catastrophic attacks factor, is not solo friendly at all, and yet is designated as the solo option this month.

So it is really not about the past versus today, but the current content. I am not doing Ambuscade at all, because I don't agree with my points being ninjad every month. Maybe I have enough stress in my life already, without worrying about my points vanishing.

It would be far better if the Ambuscade entrances were multiple BCNM areas, and I would suggest putting a type of "Microcosmic Orb" / "Macrocosmic Orb" situation where there is specific BCNM zones for solo/duo Ambuscade, against single NMs, with low-end difficulty and low-end rewards. And a higher level pop, in different BCNM zones, for parties of 3 to 6 players, with multiple NMs, higher levels of rewards and difficulty.

We all want to see players enjoying the game and being happy. Nobody should be made to feel unhappy or feel guilty, just because they choose to solo a battle slowly, for whatever reason. Splitting the 1-2 / 3-6 player groups into separate Ambuscade entrances, would stop this tension and allow people to be happy playing the game in the manner that best suits them.

[Diavolo]

Escha NMs are not soloable by someone in my gear

Actually, many of them are. If your item level is 119 and you have spent at least a minimum amount of time getting merit/job points and completing quests/missions to unlock vorseals you'll have have an easy time with Tier 1 NMs in Escha Zitah using a balanced party of trusts, especially now that their stats appear to have been given a significant boost post-update (I just spent an hour soloing Apex mobs with trusts and they had higher accuracy than I did before food). You can get some decent, augmentable gear there and then use that to work your way up to Ru'Aunn NMs.

[Stompa]

Thanks Stompa! I always enjoy your posts - your positive attitude really shines through. Makes me want to make a 75 lock/99 lock character on your server and play sometime ^^

Thanks for your kind words.

To be honest, playing my level 99 character in level 99 gear is my favourite option. Its crazy I know. Level 99 player in level 99 gear, wow that is so bizarre!

The level 75 lock is popular with many players too, but it is a bit too restrictive for me.

I can't tell you how happy I am when I use my level 80~99 gear, my level 99 OA 2~4x Magian weapon, gears from Meebles etc. I find that with a couple of Trusts, and this level 80~99 gear, Abyssea is still a fun place to be, with no accuracy issues or queueing!

I get laughed at of course, but I think that making people laugh is a very noble thing to do.

[Olor]

Actually, many of them are. If your item level is 119 and you have spent at least a minimum amount of time getting merit/job points and completing quests/missions to unlock vorseals you'll have have an easy time with Tier 1 NMs in Escha Zitah using a balanced party of trusts, especially now that their stats appear to have been given a significant boost post-update (I just spent an hour soloing Apex mobs with trusts and they had higher accuracy than I did before food). You can get some decent, augmentable gear there and then use that to work your way up to Ru'Aunn NMs.

Not on my jobs. I've read up on them. I only have BLU/THF/BRD no PLD and no BLM... I have BST but I don't play it since they ruined it.

None of the NMs that drop anything useful for me look soloable on my jobs with my gear and my trusts.

I've read the BG threads - if folks there with trusts like August are struggling to solo things like Vidala my BLU is not going to cut it.

[Pixela]

Aren't there supposed to be a lot of people on Asura? A lot of those T1s in Zi'tah drop very solid gear and the only real strat is nuke the right element and don't die. The triggers can be bought from Curio Moogles..

There are a lot of people on Asura but as with most other servers, they don't want anyone they deem beneath them to join. They will complain in party that some scrub asked to join, or complain on their linkshell that some upstart in awful gear bothered them. They even shout higher Ilevel/JP requirements in shouts as standard (that are known to be pure nonsense by the chosen people) just so the unworthy masses don't send them a tell to bother them.

Actually, many of them are. If your item level is 119 and you have spent at least a minimum amount of time getting merit/job points and completing quests/missions to unlock vorseals you'll have have an easy time with Tier 1 NMs in Escha Zitah using a balanced party of trusts, especially now that their stats appear to have been given a significant boost post-update (I just spent an hour soloing Apex mobs with trusts and they had higher accuracy than I did before food). You can get some decent, augmentable gear there and then use that to work your way up to Ru'Aunn NMs.

Good luck with the Caturae, or doing anything with basic 119 aluvion gear. Vorseals do help but I think the main problem is people seem to judge others by their own playing skills / knowledge / gear / JPs. I can tell you that the difference going form higher tier 119 gear from basic stuff is crazy. They only have to look at you and you'll drop dead.

Those trusts buffs will be gone tomorow with the emergency maint, enjoy them while you can.

[OmnysValefor]

Edit: Kinda sidetracked but yeah this new Ambuscade is so much less appealing than last month's version. The fight is harder, the monthly rewards are worse, the KI farming is more annoying, and the new queuing system doesn't help matters. Also the quadav fight hasn't been figured out but is also super annoying.

And the gear, frankly, isn't all that amazing.

[OmnysValefor]

It isn't really about historical soloing versus the situation today.

It is about Ambuscade specifically. It allows solo entry. But it brackets the solo entry in the same zone as group entry. So the solo person gets hated on, they are made to feel guilty and unhappy when they tackle low-mid range mode, and take 25 mins to win.

Three instances, five instances, on content that is designed to be rushed (because it will gone/replaced soon) is a poor choice in any context. Even if it forced full six man parties, three instances isn't enough. Valefor regularly has 250-700 people online (favoring the lower end, 265 atm) and I've had 20 minute waits at the book. I can't imagine what Asura must be like. Now the 25 minute wait means that I got unlucky at clicking the book at the right time, or that there were a few groups taking a really long time.

Anyway, yeah, the content is designed to be rushed. It will be gone. I'm simultaneously glad the new Usukane gear isn't that great (I'm fine with leaving my mnk and nin in the gear they have/don't use), and frustrated because mnk/sam/nin* deserved better. Pup deserved a whole lot better.

I'll never understand why bst/pup don't share pet-centric pieces. It gets rid of the stat-weighting problem.