Suggestions to improve Ambuscade

[Sicycre]

Greetings, everyone!

I’d like to pass on some comments from the development team in response to the suggestions in this thread.

• Key items
  Currently no plans to change the way key items are obtained, and system-wise it would not be possible to make it so the monster targets change each day. Also, in regards to preparing various ways to obtain the key item, when repeating runs as a party, you’ll ultimately all be doing the same method to obtain it, and would likely choose the most efficient option. We'd like to hear additional feedback on what everyone feels would be an appropriate method to obtaining the key item.
  
  
• Area appearance
  Unfortunately we aren’t able to change the maps for Ambuscade. While it might be possible for us to place objects or add some variation inside of the instance, this would not be a proper solution. If you feel you are getting worn out while doing it, we recommend taking a break from Ambuscade to do something else, then come back when you are reinvigorated!
  
  
• Adding a reward NPC to other areas
  Since it’s not as simple as using the same exact NPC data, it would take a bit of work to do, but this might just be possible. We’ll take a look and see if we can accomplish this!
  
  
• Method to swap in differently augments capes
  Unfortunately from a technical perspective, renaming capes so that they can be macroed in is not possible. While it may be possible to create the same exact item with a different name, which can then be augmented, this would reduce the amount of space available for other new items. However, if you use your inventory and wardrobes, you can actually successfully swap in different types of capes.
  
  
• Purchasing Abdhaljs Seals with login points
  We can look into this; however, it would not be possible to transfer these between characters under the same account.

We’re happy to see all the feedback on Ambuscade and hope you continue to suggest ways to improve this content moving forward!

[OmnysValefor]

Key items
Currently no plans to change the way key items are obtained, and system-wise it would not be possible to make it so the monster targets change each day. Also, in regards to preparing various ways to obtain the key item, when repeating runs as a party, you’ll ultimately all be doing the same method to obtain it, and would likely choose the most efficient option. We'd like to hear additional feedback on what everyone feels would be an appropriate method to obtaining the key item.

[...]

We’re happy to see all the feedback on Ambuscade and hope you continue to suggest ways to improve this content moving forward!

I don't understand this. The constant need to go reacquire the key item is part of the drain on the fun. This is one of the parts that really needs to be improved. As I've said before, it takes longer to get the key item than to lose it.

You're right that whatever you make the most efficient option is the method we're going to use because beating up 10 mobs that are no danger in the slightest isn't any sort of fun.

Right now it's Set HP in Mhaura > Zone to obscure location noone would otherwise be in > Fight other groups for the same mobs (which admittedly isn't as bad this month since Ru'aun has so many arcana > kill 10 of these > zone back > zone in > prep for fight > kill in two minutes > zone back to mhaura. Repeat.

Each and every time.

[Mithlas]

Is there any way we could have an expiring KI?
You do the RoE to get the KI, then have it until JP Midnight or something.

I don't know if that would work.

[Jin_Uzuki]

I don't understand this. The constant need to go reacquire the key item is part of the drain on the fun. This is one of the parts that really needs to be improved. As I've said before, it takes longer to get the key item than to lose it.

You're right that whatever you make the most efficient option is the method we're going to use because beating up 10 mobs that are no danger in the slightest isn't any sort of fun.

Right now it's Set HP in Mhaura > Zone to obscure location noone would otherwise be in > Fight other groups for the same mobs (which admittedly isn't as bad this month since Ru'aun has so many arcana > kill 10 of these > zone back > zone in > prep for fight > kill in two minutes > zone back to mhaura. Repeat.

Each and every time.

My guess, to ease congestion? To make the content last longer?

I mean, Abmu feel intentionally designed to make long-lasting content with least efforts.

[elqplau]

ambuscade should be more user freindly(solo wise) i won one battle and have not won again everytime ive tried ive failed on top of that i lost the HR i did get because of reset....i have not been a party player for a very long time sence b4 75 cap was lifted and 50 cap fights where lifted so i dont play party im old gaurde rdm and tend to do my own thing while helping new players or returning players.... acc gear for rdm is almost nonexistant .... trusts take cues from my Igear and hit accordingly unfortunatley they hit harder than i do and for everything to work right i shouldnt have to over work to get hate from trusts and then not able to survive hate once i get it... was once told "you cant get hate from me" my responce was "you called a timeout to apply Utesenmi?"

[Zeldar]

The system to get the KI intentionally draws you away from Mhaura for a time to free up congestion. It was a well planned mechanic of the battle system . More time getting the KI = less people trying to enter at once. It serves a needed purpose

As for intense ambuscade, like you said people don't do it because it is inefficient. That is why they are looking into raising the reward for it. if you can do intense on normal as easily as regular on VD and get more rewards, its wort it to do both. It will be much more efficient to do intense then regular every time . Intense is not un-winnable at all. There are plenty of people willing to do it for the challenge and to break the monotony of spamming regular.

[OmnysValefor]

The system to get the KI intentionally draws you away from Mhaura for a time to free up congestion. It was a well planned mechanic of the battle system . More time getting the KI = less people trying to enter at once. It serves a needed purpose

As for intense ambuscade, like you said people don't do it because it is inefficient. That is why they are looking into raising the reward for it. if you can do intense on normal as easily as regular on VD and get more rewards, its wort it to do both. It will be much more efficient to do intense then regular every time . Intense is not un-winnable at all. There are plenty of people willing to do it for the challenge and to break the monotony of spamming regular.

See, if they're worried about the "content" itself being the bottleneck, then improve the variety of the content. There's no defense for all the needless zoning and fighting with other groups over the same mobs (which is not as terrible this month, being arcana).

IMO, since Intense takes place in the same battlefield, longer fights = more waiting at book for other groups, especially slow/solo/lowman/inefficient groups.

I would like to see them improve the limit points reward to something like 5 merits per run (50k exp) so that groups were encouraged to bounce between content. ("Merits are full, let's go hit xxx HTBF"). I also think Ambuscade should give a full JP per run, regardless of bonuses or anything.

[Nyarlko]

I know it has been said before, but it is still a problem. The very event that the zone being used for Ambuscade is named for has become nearly inaccessible, namely Legion.

Can you please PLEASE reserve just one zone instance for the event that the zone was created for? I actually enjoyed farming in Legion before Ambuscade was released.
I enjoyed teaching others the tricks that I'd learned inside to deal with certain bosses.
I had enough fun soloing it that I actually bought a second account so that I could try my hand at dual-boxing inside of Legion using my 2nd laptop.
.... So, why is it that I can't get in anymore? T_T

It seems that the Ambuscade queue system is simply locking me out if there is ANYONE in the Ambuscade queue. I'm not sure if the actual number of zone instances are being used up, or if it is just an issue of the way the Legion entry system works, or some detail I'm not seeing the devil in, but something is wrong here. I somehow luckily managed to sneak in a LS group into Hall of Mul a few days ago after ~15-20min of Legion entrance Enter-key spamming and everything worked fine inside, so it's not the event itself that is causing the problem.
(It was the the first time 7 out of the 10 of us had ever stepped inside, they all got shiny new vorseals, and everyone had a blast. I promised everyone {fun} and {death} and maybe {money}, and we all had plenty of the first two and a few payouts from pricey drops. ^^)

Had a LS member asking about Cerberus and Behemoth spawn conditions yesterday for learning Blue Magic, and I suggested Legion since the mob types are set with no 21-24hr windows or expensive pop items, and we simply couldn't get in.. I tried spamming entry as a test and gave up after ~1.5hrs... Please fix this. Legion was my "fun" event for when I got tired of killing endless trash mobs for merits, job points, or Ambuscade entry... It makes no sense that it's essentially shut down for the first 3 weeks each month.

Please fix this.

[Rooj]

I saw the word "solo" and cried a little.

I'm not gonna say that Ambuscade couldn't be a bit more convenient in certain ways, but on the other hand... you're not required to cap anything from it... I didn't get the 10th dye last month, and I don't give any sort of poop about it either. Cause I knew I'd get it next month. To be fair the dye cap was lower last month, I'm definitely glad it was raised this month. I kinda had a feeling it would be eventually, but it was done way sooner than I expected

Don't let the megagrind ruin the game for you ;\

[Zeldar]

Honestly though Stompa, while I can definately see where you are coming from, I know you read the reddit AMA and saw when Matsui said that the game is built around playing with others. If you had the group to go with as a party, alll your time, zoning, killing, etc would be cut to about one third. It really isn't THAT much of a grind considering you have a month to do it. 20,000 total hallmarks at 300 per run is only 67 runs: 65 since you will have 2 seals to increase rewards. Even in a short month, thats between 2 and 3 runs per day, much closer to 2. So do a very easy and manageable 5 runs each time you join a group. It will take an hour tops with a good group. In 2 weeks, you have the entire gear set, want it or not, and what, about 2 capes? Not to mention the millions in upgrade materials you could get. The system is very rewarding if you utilize it in its full capacity. If you don't, thats fine, but its right that you dont get the full reward.