[dev1012] Monster Level Adjustments

[Windblade]

I just had to throw in my two cents about today's coming monster level adjustments. There are certain things I have liked about the levels of monsters in the past, meaning... there are some very nice places to obtain certain items. For example, in Ordelle's Caves, near the back of the cave, the malboros reliably drop lots and lots of malboro vines. And the Mushushu (sp) scorpions in The Crawler's Nest drop two scorpion claws on every kill. When I need venom potions, that's where I go to the claws I need. No other scorpions I know of drop them like that.

I know there's no chance of stopping or reversing the changes being made. I don't see why they're necessary, anyway. All the most recent add-ons and expansions have "catered to high level players", and the changes coming today leave lower level players with less room to spread their wings and explore without being terrorized by new high level monsters....but I do have a suggestion to even things out and make it easier to get those malboro vines from monsters that will probably become impossible for me to defeat on my Lv.65 THF, and here it is:

Suppose you make available, for a not-too-great amount of guild points, a key item (or maybe an equippable ring or earring) could significantly improve the drop rate for items used in the associated craft. That would mean that alchemists could get a better drop rate on things like malboro vines and beehive chips. I'm just trying to think of a way to replace the scorpions which I could kill on my RDM75 (now 77), but I don't what their levels are going to become after this update.

If that is not possible, how about simply changing the way the monster's level relates to the character? If you start a Grounds of Valor training session, the monsters will be higher level for the one in training, but will remain at the old level relative to players who are not trying to train, but are just trying to collect items to craft with!

Thanks for reading,
Windblade

[RAIST]

I like this line of thinking...maybe even something like the synthesis image support, but something that would give a sort of TH effect for the materials related to the craft for around 2 hours or something. Might be tricky programmaticly though--they would have to have the drops categorized by guild, which I don't think they had a reason to do with the original design. Could possibly require them to create a table based on what the guild merchants sell or something to reference against when a mob dies.

Unfortunately, I don't see them willing to put the time in for such a feature....so won't hold my breath on it at this point in time. It's a real shame too, because this could have a HUGE impact on making things available again to get crafting kick-started once more. /sigh

[Windblade]

I think crafting is dying because of the time it takes to level it up, and because of item loss, and because the materials are not readily available in the quantities once enjoyed. Perhaps an easier solution would be to raise the drop rates across the board.... Maybe make non-thief jobs get Treasure Hunter II drop rates, and double Treasure Hunter II.

Low level players who cannot farm certain items themselves depend on high level players to farm and sell items on the auction house. That doesn't really seem to be happening like it used to. I wonder if it's because so much gear is available through quests and missions, leaving people spending their time questing and fighting, not farming for the gil needed to buy equipment off the AH. If that's the case, it's a situation that should be corrected. Talk about game balance! lol

[Tsukino_Kaji]

Site Feedback [Please check it.]

[RAIST]

Site Feedback [Please check it.]

LOL... the forum layout has caused this confusion from day one--I've already lobbied for them to put a seperate section for game feedback and suggestions because there is so much chatter in the General section. The mods have it in the sticky that game related feedback here will get moved to the appropriate section, so a lot of people just kept posting it in here.

At least the OP included the Dev Tag so they will pick it up when they search the tags.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

I know. lol
They should just do what I said and move the SITE FEEBACK away from the game discussion. Just put it up above the jobs at least.

[Kazemusha]

I am sad to say that I will be leaving Final Fantasy XI again. My family played FFXI back in 04-07 before moving to World of Warcrap. Then we all decided to play FFXIV together…we all know what happened there. Now we have returned to FFXI with great expectations. But now with the adjustment to the monster levels I am afraid that I will be leaving once again…for where I do not know. I may end up giving up MMORPGs all together.

Putting such high level monsters in low level areas is a terrible mistake. I do understand the game has been around for awhile and there are tons of Lv90s running around desperately looking for places to EXP, but there has to be a better option than this. Either they remove the high Lv monsters and replace them with the appropriate Lv ones, or move the quests into an area where "normal" people can actually complete them.

As an example, today I tried to complete my THF AF2 quest and was dismayed to find IT++ mobs roaming around in Dangruf Wadi. I could not even get to the room where I do the quest without Spectral Jig and the moment it came off, I got 2-shotted. This is an absolute mistake on SquareEnix's part and shows a total lack of concern for lower level players, anyone returning to FFXI or anyone that is just starting out in the game.

I'm sure there are those of you that will scoff at this post, but don't forget you were lower level too once. Hopefully you can remember how difficult it was trying to find help with your AFs. Imagine how tough it will be to get help now that the person's assisting you are actually in danger of being killed themselves…

Hopefully SquareEnix will repair the damage they have caused before it is too late, by moving the monsters, moving the quests or by giving the Lv90s some other area to exp in. Maybe they could "instance" the zone for high level players so they can run around and grind exp without lower Lv players getting pwned.

I have already canceled my content ID, but stand ready to reactivate it should SquareEnix hear my plea. If not…oh well. Sayonara!

[Bersty]

I just wanted to say a few things with regards to this level adjustment that I hope gets passed on to the development team.

In recent months it has become quite apparent that there has been an increase in the "ease" of completing missions for the original nation missions (via the removal of level cap, party size, etc.). If this is the goal, this most recent update has actually caused this attempt to ease the completion of mission to reverse. Some zones that are directly related to the original story line now have mobs that check VT to a level 90 character. My question in this regard is: If its difficult now for a level 90 character to run through these zones (unknowing that mobs would now become aggressive) how is a new player expected to fast track through these missions? Is this what was intended in making the first set of changes, to now this set?

From an experienced player's perspective, I understand the need to adjust mob levels in various areas throughout Vana'Diel; however, where my first issue lies, in the areas that are directly related to the nation missions. After the update, I went to work on Mission 7-1, The Sixth Ministry, for the Windurstian story line. This mission requires you to run through Toraimarai Canal to kill 4 NMs. Where up until the update, I would have been able to breeze through this entire zone, literally untouched, I now have found that after taking 15 minutes to get here in the first place, I get killed in a matter of moments by a surprise "Very Tough" skeleton. Again, personally, I don't have a problem with having to make the trek back, subbing Ninja and bringing sneak and invisible tools; however, how is a new or lower level player supposed to accommodate to this without seeking the help of others (again, just going on what I thought was the new direction, being that it was seemingly becoming easier to complete this).

Just my 2 cents, hopefully this is treated as something useful, as I am not trying to flame or anything, I'm actually just stating these facts in hopes they may reconsider certain mobs which have been adjusted in the vicinity of mission points.

~Bersty

[Kazemusha]

I am still of the opinion that this was all a huge mistake. It would have been better if they had "instanced" these mobs. Maybe let the high levels get some sort of buff at the book that allows them to see and engage these new monsters. Without the buff all the lower level players would see and have to deal with would be the normal lower level monsters. That way all the lower level people could still make use of the zone as it was originally intended. Wouldn't that satisfy both parties wouldn't it?

[RAIST]

Or put them in the past areas where people already expect to find 60+ mobs.....