Grand Company squadrons

So they are only going to be mission based npcs?

http://i.imgur.com/HVYKQCK.jpg

I was hoping in addition to that, that npcs would be more like path companions with their own personalities, fears, hopes, demeanor, companion quests, and banter. Similar to other Final Fantasy companions like Auron or Khimari.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbdEtHsXGa8

Maybe some dialogue choices to interact with them or open up companion specific quests.

The idea of venturing with them in open zones, solo/duo dungeon content, and other stuff is more interesting to me than chocobo. The chocobo is fine if you are just getting the job done. I find it easier to care about humanoid companions who can speak and share their feelings.

I hope it is not just a menu thing or they are an extension of only being battle based with no opinions on matters.

What I was hoping platoons would be is something akin to a mercenary system where you can take them into dungeons with you. This would remove the horrid DF that people have to endure now.
There would still be plenty of people tht use DF/PF, don't worry, though with the quality of people I have encountered....no AI can be worse.

For now, I remain neutral until we get more information about this. I try not to look forward to it because every time I did (Diadem/PotD), I was horribly disappointed. If you can take them into dungeons with you, it will be the feature that makes me pick up the game again. If not, well....i guess a small dip of roulettes every 2 weeks is bearable.

You guys do know they've been testing this idea out since the start of Heavensward, right?

Remember the trial by combat with you and Alphinaud? Remember going into Halatali with Alphinaud (as your healer) and Yugiri (as a DPS)?

The moment I saw these instances, I thought "they're testing out the whole GC party members idea with this. . ." I'm excited to see how it would be fully fleshed out, not to mention I imagine it will be closely tied to promotion within the new ranks. After all, we ARE officers.

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Originally Posted by ThirdChild_ZKI

You guys do know they've been testing this idea out since the start of Heavensward, right?

Remember the trial by combat with you and Alphinaud? Remember going into Halatali with Alphinaud (as your healer) and Yugiri (as a DPS)?

The moment I saw these instances, I thought "they're testing out the whole GC party members idea with this. . ." I'm excited to see how it would be fully fleshed out, not to mention I imagine it will be closely tied to promotion within the new ranks. After all, we ARE officers.

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I'm a bit curious how will it work consider in those instance the NPC had to leave our group to perform their own mechanics so our character didn't have to deal with those tasks.

On another topic:
If there is no use for them in Dungeons yet, I am guessing we may not have use for them in dungeons until sometime during 4.X or in 5.0 once we begin the push towards the Garlean Empire.

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Originally Posted by Nalien

It's been implied;

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...st-(2016-04-12)



Seems like a "Please look forward to it!" kinda deal, whether that sits in the same pile as FC Primal Summoning or not though... I believe the initial concept came up as "Crystal Tower is dead, what if you had a group of NPCs to get you through it?", then it was "You can take them in dungeons maybe", and now it's devolved to Garrisons...

I'd hope squads are just going to be built upon over time... SE really needs to put Hamlet Defense back in the game... These squads could have some amazing synergy with Hamlet Defense... You send them off to do stuff in the preparation phase, and that impacts the enemy strength, defense strength, NPC levels, etc., during the actual fight... Heck, if they keep Hamlet Defense as an instance instead of going full Besieged, they can even have the parties squad actually show up in the battle...

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That would be interesting if they later add/return Hamlet Defense but with it focus on our character using and commanding their GC Squadron to defend the place. They may even bring in two ways to buff them while the Hamlet Defense is happening from DoW/DoM being with them in battle and boosting morale (stat buff to GC Squadron NPCs) by kill enemies or go DoH/DoL to perform equipment upgrade and repair/set up defenses to boost the GC Squadron's gear or add in new Unqiue or Hero type NPCs to help with the fight since you can't fight as a DoH/DoL character.

I really hope to be able to fully customize each Squad member like our Retainers

Also, are we going to be able to bring out maybe a light party of squad members in the open world? for things like leveling, fates and hunts?

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Originally Posted by Laerune

I realy hope we can do contents with these characters not some menu-based feature like the airship.

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Based on this it will be more than just a menu based feature.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...=1#post3831754

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Squadrons will be a type of simulation content that can be enjoyed solo, and it will involve assembling volunteers and creating a squad. We’ll gradually be adding content that you can enjoy by bringing along your squadron.

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Originally Posted by Legion88

I hope not, because if you can take them to AV or raids and clear it, you can take it to almost every dungeon and clear it. This will be the end of DF and PF...

I hope it will become more like it's complete seperated from DF and they get their own instances for the porpous of "player can join their tasks".

It seems like you need the new GC rank to command your squad, so no new player could use it to clear dungeons, but all "veterans of the game" who can use them for every dungeon will probably use them. DF and PF is doomed this way and queues will explode for new chars.

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After watching Mr Happy video on this it looks like you can go into all dungeons and trails using it.

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Originally Posted by AstreaTrinity

I really hope to be able to fully customize each Squad member like our Retainers.

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I doubt it. Going by the screenshot.

http://i.imgur.com/lPlfILa.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HVYKQCK.jpg

It looks like all the NPC's are preset in appearance and class.

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Originally Posted by Khalithar

It looks like all the NPC's are preset in appearance and class.

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Which sucks, since it means I can't have a squad based on characters from the first Suikoden. It also means I saved up a bunch of character creation templates for nothing. =/

I'm hoping that we start edging closer to something like this.

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Originally Posted by Duelle

Which sucks, since it means I can't have a squad based on characters from the first Suikoden. It also means I saved up a bunch of character creation templates for nothing. =/

I'm hoping that we start edging closer to something like this.

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I can definitely see your point with this. But a part of me is wondering if making the NPC's unique is actually the better choice because if they create the various NPC for us (and maybe change them up based on your Grand Company affilitation) it gives them a chance to create characters with interesting backstories and such. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic.