Retainers, Roleplay, and Solo Content

So, there's a few things that come to mind when it comes to the topic of adjusting or adding to retainer functionality.


**Hairstyles**
So I'm sure that most of us are aware that we can obtain additional hairstyles than what's initially available through character creation. I don't know whether retainers not being able to display unlockable hairstyles is an oversight, a technical limitation, or a conscious design decision. Being able to do so, however, would be nice quality of life option to have available for our companions, who are often on display at our cottages, houses, and mansions.

**Companions**
Speaking of companions, I think this feature is long overdue for an update. As of now, players can call forth their chocobos using Gyashal Greens. I propose that the the functionality be extended to, and further expanded upon, for retainers. Retainers are already capable of leveling up and equipping gear. Having them play a more active role in our adventures makes those changes more visible and presents several possibilities. Roleplayers in need of traveling companions would be able to create new narratives. Players who level multiple jobs can have their hard work reflected in their retainers who can play supporting roles that synergize with a player's active job. Having retainers on full display also presents a monetary incentive via the Mogstation. For example, a male character with little incentive to purchase the Scion Healer Boots may be more inclined to do so if he happens to be accompanied by a female retainer.

**Dungeons**
Being able to take retainers to dungeons further expands on the concept of having them more present alongside the player character. I would imagine that a feature like this would function similarly to how squadron dungeons are implemented into the game already. Being able to take multiple retainers to a dungeon could also serve as an incentive to purchase additional retainers via the Mogstation. While we're at it, why not take this idea a step further? Trials tailored to retainers and squadron units presents an entirely new form of solo content. Players can experiment with party compositions and coordinate strategies against bosses by taking on a sort of a team manager role. Deep Dungeon runs could also gain an added layer of complexity and player choice.


I know that asking for the implementations of features like these is a tall order, especially given that they fall outside the realm of what most players consider as "core content". But I encourage those reading this thread to at least consider what this extracurricular content could do for players looking for more outlets to express their passion for the game-- and how enabling these players to do so could see potential returns both creative and monetary.

I agree with making all hairstyles available for retainers, but I'm afraid I do not agree with calling retainers as a companion fighter in battle (whether out in the field or in dungeons), for several reasons. One, is your retainers main purpose is selling items on the Market and storage space (they were basically meant to replace FFXI's player bazaars and 'mule' characters), not fighting monsters.

Two, and this is more a lore thing, is retainers actually are not, surprisingly, cut out to be actual adventurers - it's why they're retainers in the first place! (In FFXIV 1.0 the retainer vocate all but stated this bluntly, that "they are hardly the sharpest tools in the chest" and "are not adventurer material", but "they excel in the menial tasks you adventurers generally think are below you" (paraphrased), like selling items on the Market. They're basically just servants you hire.

And, given that I suspect that a lot of the items they 'find' during ventures are actually stolen from other people (like house parts from building sites!), I wouldn't trust these people in battle beside me as much as I trust an Ascian! ;)

Besides, it's clear the Grand Company Squadron system is what SE are concentrating on as far as taking npc fighters into battle, I don't see SE changing this I'm afraid.

P.S. FFXIV 1.0 did sort of have an npc fighter called a Path Companion who would show up in certain story battles and help fight along side you, and they even had their dialogue and personality in cutscenes, but they could not be called whenever you so wished, and alas, have been completely replaced by the Chocobo Companion and the GC Squadron in ARR, so sadly that is not even an alternative, as much as I would like to have my old miqo'te GLA Path Companion Imarah back. :(

I see you point. :/ From a contextual standpoint, retainers are ill-suited as field companions. That said, maybe this is just me being selfish, but I still like the idea of having a customizable traveling partner. Maybe if new type of humanoid companion wasn't called a retainer, it could see a more natural implementation. Perhaps they could be referred to as "mercenaries" or something akin to them. I imagine such NPCs would have their own vocates who would "assign" them to players. Expanding on this concept further, maybe if we have alternate characters on the same server or data center, we could summon them forth. Though, I expect that to a bit trickier in implementation ^^;

Thanks for the feedback and pointing out some of the failings of these ideas.~

The hairstyle thing I can totally get behind.

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Originally Posted by gozeppelin

**Companions**

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WoW did something similar the last couple of expacs with "bodyguards." I almost never used them because they were most often more trouble than they were worth; running around like idiots, aggroing half the map, dpsing instead of supporting, and just generally being terrible. As it stands now, chocobos fill this niche pretty well imo and the simple commands they have have are about all that I would trust to game AI. It seems like the only thing that allowing retainers to participate would add is cosmetic options. I don't know if that alone would warrant such a large overhaul of the system. As for RPers, I can't speak for others but I prefer to RP with actual people rather than just having a bunch of "prop" npcs and RPing with them; it's basically just playing with dolls if all you are doing is RPing alone.

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Originally Posted by gozeppelin

**Dungeons**

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Again, this niche is already filled by squadrons and I don't see retainers adding anything to the system that isn't already covered. Unless you mean being able to take retainers into actual DF and PF dungeons. In which case, that really feels like it's moving away from the spirit of MMO games in that you actually need to interact and work with other, living people.

As an aside, this seems like an odd choice of subforum for this topic. Is there a reason you thought it best to post in housing?

Well, it started with the lack of Aesthetician hairstyles being accessible and retainers being yard decorations. Then it kinda went other places. As for what they would have to offer that Grand Company squadron units wouldn't: pretty much just character presets.