Introduction of Mini-NMs

I have been thinking about how to make the basic grind more interesting. I have focused on this as it would be a simpler addition to make than adding an entire new system within the game.

I would like to see the introduction of Mini-NMs.

Allow me to explain, in Phantasy Star Online, a game built around grinding, there was a small chance that when a basic mob popped it would be a rarer variety of the same creature. This was normally illustrated by it having a slightly different appearance, i.e. a different colour. Killing these creatures was normally much more of a challenge and would potentially drop rare items.

This improved the basic grind as there was always a hope that a rare mob would pop round the next corner and when they finally did it was a heart pounding experience while you battle with a tougher opponent in the hope of acquiring some rare item. Secondly, it breaks up the monotony. If this concept was applied to FFXIV, you can grind the same old elts or doblyns but every now and again a bad-ass one will show up. Perhaps killing it would drop a rune or give more XP/SP or drop a ton of shards/crystals, it doesn't matter as long as the reward is desirable.

The important thing here is that these aren't regular NMs. They aren't part of a leve, set to appear in a particular area where they can be camped or on a timer. These pop anywhere a normal mob does. An example would be the marmots outside Ul'dah, they pop as normal but with a small chance that one will appear as a "Giant Marmot/King Marmot". This means anyone has a chance to see and claim them not only the most dedicated.

Anyways that my 2 cents.

edit: What do you guys think?

- If this was implemented what sort of drops would you like to see? maybe gear, rare loot, status affects?

- Which mobs would you most like to see a bad-ass version of most? personally I want to see a mean looking ladybug!

tl:dr - Lottery Pops

These types of mini-NMs are often referred to as "World NMs" as their spawns are somewhat unpredictable and you have a chance of running into them anywhere in the game.

I fully support this idea. FFXIV is lacking severely in NM content, and this would help spice things up a little bit in a world that is entirely bland.

I miss lottery pops. I have ~160 days on FFXI, and half that time was probably spent NM hunting.

Many lottery-spawned monsters in FFXI had specific spawn locations and were also linked to a timer.

Personally I hate world NMs that can actually be camped. Their spawns should either be very unpredictable, or force-spawned by an item.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Grit

Many lottery-spawned monsters in FFXI had specific spawn locations and were also linked to a timer.

Personally I hate world NMs that can actually be camped. Their spawns should either be very unpredictable, or force-spawned by an item.

---

I understand what a World NM is but these are different.

What's great about the concept, every mob has a corresponding mini-nm that can appear anywhere its regular mob does. Not tied to a timer or particular area. Its the random element that makes it worthwhile.

If the idea was to be implemented what sort of stuff would you like to see drop?

sounds like a fun idea, all mobs got a chance to be special means it cant be camped and casual players can get em. As this is a game for everyone and not only hardcore gamers, thats a great idea :D

I think random timed PH world NM's that can be camped, (IE FFXI), is better than the situation FFXIV is in. NM's that spawn every hour on the dot.. Same system. They get camped. Its just the economy gets a damn HUGE influx of items without control or value or worth. Sucks.