Expansion speculation...

So, we've heard that the "theme" of the Expansion is going to have something to do with the Sky. Final Fantasy is no stranger to floating continents, and having recently been playing Final Fantasy III -- a game which has clearly been a large inspiration for FFXIV -- I think I might have a couple of ideas what might be happening.

In a recent trailer, we saw what appeared to be a "Crystal of Darkness". In FFIII, it was commonly stated that the Crystals would choose Warriors of Light when the powers of Darkness began to grow too powerful; another fairly common theme in the series. However, there is a single line of text in FFIII that indicated that, long ago, the Crystals actually chose a group of "Warriors of Darkness", for when the powers of Light were beginning to flourish, indicating that Crystals were neither good nor evil, but would maintain a balance at any cost.

So, my thinking is that, because of our "Warriors of Light" are kicking too much ass, Hydaelyn (or another Crystal) is forced to manifest "Warriors of Darkness" in order to maintain the balance. This, I believe, will be our first encounter with any sort of "Dark Knight" characters.

Now, how a floating continent might play into this, I simply don't know. My knowledge of the world surrounding Eorzea is fairly limited, and I would've suspected Ishgard would be our next Expansion, but that hardly meshes with the "Sky" theme we've been told of the Expansion.

My thinking? We will encounter these "Warriors of Darkness" in Patch 2.4 or 2.5, just as we, the players, earn the right to visit Ishgard. Just as we show up, we'll find the Warriors of Darkness manipulating the Archbishop of the Holy See, playing to his paranoia and convincing him that we're a threat to them, ushering in a direct conflict with Ishgard's religious institution.

While we're battling the forces of Ishgard, I assume the Warriors of Darkness will travel the expansion's floating continent, for one reason or another, and begin establishing it as a seat of power.

Now, as for how the Ascians might play into that... I'm not quite sure. They're clearly at odds with Hydaelyn, which leads me to question if *they* might be the supposed "Warriors of Darkness". And if so, perhaps their "god" is actually a Dark-counterpart to Hydaelyn? Or perhaps they'll simply sit this one, and the Warriors of Darkness will be an entirely separate group of villains?

Of course, in seeking balance of all things, I'm thinking this might herald the addition of playable Dark Knights, but then maybe I'm just being overly optimistic.

Keep in mind, *THIS IS ALL JUST SPECULATION*!!! I'm interested in hearing what you guys think might happen, though :)

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Originally Posted by Saren

No John you are the darkness. And then John was a warrior.

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I HAVE TO KILL FAST BUT BULLETS TOO SLOW

Oh sure... You can have your Dark Knight ^_^

...BUT FIRST YOU MUST FACE THESE BADDIES!!!

http://zam.zamimg.com/images/6/c/6c0...712c04d3f2.jpg

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Originally Posted by Archadius

Oh sure... You can have your Dark Knight ^_^

...BUT FIRST YOU MUST FACE THESE BADDIES!!!

http://zam.zamimg.com/images/6/c/6c0...712c04d3f2.jpg

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Or we can face these baddies during the Dark Knight Job Quest where for each Quest we defeat one of them and work our way to their Leader. Becoming stronger for each member of the Evil Dark Knight group we kill and absorb their powers.

Well, if ARR is going to throw a floating continent at us, I'm all for it.
I've heard rumors that the Ixali are building a ship right now that would take them to a floating continent......

From what we have heard, the theme is something along the lines of the 1000 year war, which I hope will take us into Ishguard, and bring in a lot of new zones for us to explore.

As for other wishes that I would share. I'd love to see us take the fight to the empire. Al-Mingo has been held under captivity for a very long time, so I'd like to see more zones in the black shroud, and have us push up to eventually take that city back from the empire.

I'd also hope that we would see [at least] three new classes and 6+ new jobs, with a level cap raise to 60. I'd like for when we are at cap for experience to matter more then it does currently, be it some type of merit system or dare I dream "Paragon" system that would allow us to buff all of our classes ;) (the balance of this would be tricky, but if done right might be fun).

As far as end game, I'd like to see a lot more options in terms of verity. I have enjoyed the game thus far for over a year now, but with an expansion, I hope that the options open up even more. This is a short hand example of an end game matrix:

Solo Small Party (Less then 4 players) Light Party Full Party Alliance
Instance: (DR/Treasure, new) DR/Treasure/new, pvp, DR/Dungons/New, pvp Dungons, Raids, New, PvP Raids, pvp, new
Open World: Dungeons, Cards, explore Dungeons, explore, bounties Dungeons, explore, bounties Dungeons, explore, bounties world bosses

This is in no way complete for each line, however to illustrate that I hope that content is designed for Solo, Small Party, Light Party, Full Party, and Alliance groups, for both instance content and open world content.

The other thing I really would like to see, is having what I'm doing in an area matter. I'd like there to be a world fate system, where there would be this world event of "kill 1000 wolfs", harvest 10000 logs, etc... that everyone is taking part in, and the effects have an effect on everyone. That the world fate if passed could have other chapters, and unlock quests, and different story content, but perhaps also a global buff for a short time. Reduced teleport costs, increased xp gain, etc are just some examples. If failed, perhaps there could be a cost there as well. increased costs to teleport, etc.

I'm really excited for FFXIV and have enjoyed the game very much, and am looking forward to the future. Can't wait to find out what they have in store for us.

It's hard to say that the floating continent will be a new zone. It could just be a raid.

I think that Zodiark and Omega weapon will each get their own expansions. I lean towards Omega for this first one.

I still want to see where the Crystal story is going now that we've collected all six. >_>

Actually, having done some research, I'm thinking perhaps Ishgard may, in fact, comprise the entirety of the expansion. We know that "Sky" is the theme, and apparently, the Ishgard banner has thw written text "Of the Sky, From the Sky, For the Sky". It could still serve as a prelude to the expansion -- perhaps the religious leaders of Ishard "summon" a floating continent somehow -- but actually, not I'm thinking perhaps Ishgard is going to be more expansive than originally believed, making up a full Expansion's worth of environments.

Although, I still dig the idea of a flying continent! ^_^

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Originally Posted by Terin

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Yoshi-P mentioned long ago that Ishgard will be part of the expansion but the Ishgard zone will not be enough to fit into 1st expansion.

The plan is to make 1st expansion big as 2.0 and the Main Storyline of 3.0 Main Scenario big as 2.0 Main Scenario.

This means they will need a lot more than just Ishgard for 3.0 storyline. Ishgard may be the focus of the beginning of 3.0 Main Scenario and after Ishgard we move on to a new location that they have not yet revealed to us currently.

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Originally Posted by EdwinLi

Yoshi-P mentioned long ago that Ishgard will be part of the expansion but the Ishgard zone will not be enough to fit into 1st expansion.

The plan is to make 1st expansion big as 2.0 and the Main Storyline of 3.0 Main Scenario big as 2.0 Main Scenario.

This means they will need a lot more than just Ishgard for 3.0 storyline. Ishgard may be the focus of the beginning of 3.0 Main Scenario and after Ishgard we move on to a new location that they have not yet revealed to us currently.

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Ah, didn't know that! Well... that makes a lot more sense, then!

I still wonder if they'll introduce a separate "Warriors of Darkness" faction, though, or just stick with the Ascian threat. Either way, I just *REALLY* hope we get a Dark Knight job, wielding either two-handed swords or scythes! :D (I'm a sucker for anything similar to Death Knights in Warcraft, and Dark Knights have been around for even longer).

I just hope the expansion isn't a bunch of snow zones. A floating continent would be awesome, as long as it's not covered in snow.

I kind of expect 3.0 to coincide with adjustments to the Armory/Class/Job systems. It seems like they used Arcanist as a test bed for classes with multiple jobs and weren't entirely happy with the results? Otherwise, it seems they have laid some solid ground work for future developments and hope to see a variety of deep, engaging content pieces.

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Originally Posted by rwyan

I kind of expect 3.0 to coincide with adjustments to the Armory/Class/Job systems. It seems like they used Arcanist as a test bed for classes with multiple jobs and weren't entirely happy with the results? Otherwise, it seems they have laid some solid ground work for future developments and hope to see a variety of deep, engaging content pieces.

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There was a discussion back during 2.0 timeframe that the plan for future Jobs is to make them affect the classes more than current Jobs we have now.

The common example Yoshi-P provided this was IF Gladiator was given Dark Knight the Gladiator tank skill would be changed into DPS Skills being potency increased and removal of enmity generation while some will also obtain a type of DPS Style effect and some of GLA skills changed into new skills to suit Dark Knight such as Flash (Enmity AoE skill) turns into Darkness (Damage AoE Skill) by simply equipping the Dark Knight Soulstone

This could also mean future Jobs may even change the Stat Bonus Passives as well considering now Arcanist still keep the INT Passive as a Scholar but adding this new system may result in Scholar finally having INT Passive turned into Mind Passive simple by equiping a Scholar stone.

**SPOILERS**

In regards to the dark crystal we saw, i believe that is hydelan, in a state of being near death. Minifilia states that after you defeat ultima your character hasnt heard from her.

I want them to do the same thing they did with Cecil Harvey.

Go to the room full of mirrors and face yourself in a battle to unlock dark knight.

Except you will be facing your good side to become a little bad.

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Originally Posted by HeroSamson

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While Dark knights are commonly depicted as evil some concepts of Dark Knight follow more towards them being people with good intension but dark methods to get things done.

The Evil idea of Dark Knights is commonly due to the class/job using Darkness as a Weapon and basic generic stereotype idea is Darkness = Evil and it often leads to them going evil due to this belief. These Dark Knights are often depicted as people who are controlled by the Darkness and have willing giving into the Darkness resulting in their insanity. Thus resulting in the stereotypical Evil Dark Knight commonly in fantasy series.

Dark Knight that follow a good path, however, have a slightly different concept of darkness (depending on the lore in different series) being that Darkness is simple another side of Light. Due to this these types of Dark Knight remain good but their methods can sometime be a bit extreme. However, Good Dark Knights train more towards controlling the Darkness instead rather than giving into and letting the Darkness control them. Due to their power to control the Darkness and Dark methods on dealing with Evil people they are often misunderstood as evil people.

If we obtain Dark Knight most liekly we will follow the Good Dark knight concept.

Well in the recent event, there was a talk about a floating city (I mean the rising event) however, i think the next expansion will still focus on Eorzea. Look at the map, the region of Dravania, Ala Migo are still away from us, and there is much more unexplorable areas. Dont think we will leave it yet.

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Originally Posted by EdwinLi

While Dark knights are commonly depicted as evil some concepts of Dark Knight follow more towards them being people with good intension but dark methods to get things done.

The Evil idea of Dark Knights is commonly due to the class/job using Darkness as a Weapon and basic generic stereotype idea is Darkness = Evil and it often leads to them going evil due to this belief.

However, Dark Knight that follow a good path have a slightly different concept of darkness being that Darkness is simple another side of Light. Due to this these types of Dark Knight remain good but their methods can sometime be a bit extreme.

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Its why I said to fight my good side to turn a little evil but keeping my sanity.

I do hope the dark knight armor is really cool looking.

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Oh sure... You can have your Dark Knight ^_^

...BUT FIRST YOU MUST FACE THESE BADDIES!!!

http://zam.zamimg.com/images/6/c/6c0...712c04d3f2.jpg

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I'm inclined to believe those guys together would obliterate us in a fight as things currently stand...

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Originally Posted by Viridiana

I still want to see where the Crystal story is going now that we've collected all six. >_>

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Well they could throw us for a loop and have us collect the Dark Crystals like in FF4, being 12 all together. Though FF4 only had 8 total so meh iunno lol.

Next people are going suggest factions so that people can choose the dark team or the light team when they make their characters, lol.

And yes, the ixali are building a ship with the goal of reaching their homeland, if i'm understanding the story correctly, their original home was in the sky.

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Originally Posted by HaelseMikiro

Well, if ARR is going to throw a floating continent at us, I'm all for it.
I've heard rumors that the Ixali are building a ship right now that would take them to a floating continent......

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I guess nobody pays attention to this sort of thing

Calling it...

Patch 3.3 Musketeer=Redmage (Will probably be last class/job to be included to the main game after ninja) Weapon: Gunblade Area: Upper Limsa
3.0 ????=Dark Knight, Weapon: Greatsword Area: Doma
3.0 ????=Samurai, Weapon: Great Katana Area: Doma

Those are some bold bets to take, but I'm down for all of them! Although, I believe the Devs have already stated the Ninja will be the only and final job added during ARR, prior to the expansion. Still, I could totally see a Musketeer/Corsair working, too! I also really like the idea of a Red Mage who wields a Gunblade; is that something that's ever happened in the series before? The only times I ever remember seeing a Red Mage was in FF1, and my recent playthrough of FF3; I like the concept of the Job, but it needs something to really spice it up, and a Gunblade sounds about perfect :D

Something I just thought about, though, is what type of armor would a Dark Knight use? What I mean is, the Dragoon's Artifact gear seems awfully similar to Cecil's original Dark Knight sprite, so they'd kind of have to go with a whole different "look". Maybe they could draw inspiration from Odin or the Garleans instead?

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Originally Posted by Beetle

Calling it...

Patch 3.3 Musketeer=Redmage (Will probably be last class/job to be included to the main game after ninja) Weapon: Gunblade Area: Upper Limsa
3.0 ????=Dark Knight, Weapon: Greatsword Area: Doma
3.0 ????=Samurai, Weapon: Great Katana Area: Doma

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I might be wrong, but wasn't Doma destroyed in a failed resistance attempt?

In any case, I expect the expansion will deal largely with Ishgard, at least for the first part of it, giving us Ishgard (city zone) and perhaps some of the missing Coerthas zones. Later in the story I'd like to see Ala Mihgo and some surrounding areas (Xelphatol), but we could just as easily be headed north west through Dravania and Sharlavan. There are also some named islands in the Sea of Jade to the east of Thanalan, though I don't feel like those are ever mentioned in the lore. I don't want to expect too much and be disappointed, but Yoshi has said that they're aiming to include just as much (Main Scenario) content as was present in the 2.0 launch, so that could mean a lot of new zones, or perhaps a lot of quests packed into a few new and existing zones.

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Originally Posted by Dude

It's hard to say that the floating continent will be a new zone. It could just be a raid.

I think that Zodiark and Omega weapon will each get their own expansions. I lean towards Omega for this first one.

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I will second you on this, especially since in the dark crystal cut-scene the Zodiark has similarities to its XII counterpart, but yeah Omega is most likely first since it was mentioned also...

Too many things point to Ishgard being the theme of 3.0. Reasoning:

1) We have known for some time that Ishgard is destined to be Eorzea's 4th grand Company. naturally the implementation of a new GC would require surrounding zones. Perfect for an expansion.

2) Choco raising is a precursor to choco breeding which we were told isn't far away. Ishgard is the home of choco breeding.

3) In a Q&A video, Yoshi-P was asked about wyvern mounts for DRGs. He said they were coming and upcoming turns in the story would make it make sense.

4) Any reference of sky is likely reference to Ishgard's motto; "Of the sky. From the sky. For the sky."

5) The teaser at the end of 2.3.

I would be highly surprised if it wasn't Ishgard.

I still want them to bring back the dancer class, but I doubt we will ever see dancer in ARR.

I'm going to sound very naive here by saying this: but I honestly thought we'd get access to Ishgard in 2.4, and not the upcoming expansion. Call it impatience on my part, but I'd really love to explore Ishgard finally. :(

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Originally Posted by Soulscar

1) We have known for some time that Ishgard is destined to be Eorzea's 4th grand Company. naturally the implementation of a new GC would require surrounding zones. Perfect for an expansion.

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If this is the case, unless the characters from this Ishgard GC are horribly unlikeable, I'll drop the flames like a bad habit and make my way to Coerthas.

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Originally Posted by HeroSamson

Its why I said to fight my good side to turn a little evil but keeping my sanity.

I do hope the dark knight armor is really cool looking.

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Well that the thing about Good Dark Knights.

Rather than fighting a Good part of themselves like a Evil Dark Knight, the Good Dark Knight Trial is commonly a battle against a dark side of themselves that they have refused to accept which is commonlly the Dark Side that makes them question if they can truely do what is necessary to save people.

I still think we have a big surprise waiting for us in the bridge between 2.0 and 3.0
I'm still convinced Alexander is involved due to the designs on the throne in Ishgard cutscene, and on the walls.
They said their would be a big event going into 3.0 and I'm convinced that the Ascians will get Ishgard to summon alex to take out bahamut once and for all (since in the past they have gone up against each other)
And then expansion will deal with its fall out, sky zone could be shattered lands from the fall out

So what beef do the Ascians have with Bahumut?

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Originally Posted by melflomil

So what beef do the Ascians have with Bahumut?

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Apart from having zero control if he ever got unleashed again?
If they control Ishgard and alex is involved it would give them some control over alex,
Where with bahamut he would hold no allegiance and wouldn't care less if it's Ascians or lalafell

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Originally Posted by Gerolan

Apart from having zero control if he ever got unleashed again?
If they control Ishgard and alex is involved it would give them some control over alex,
Where with bahamut he would hold no allegiance and wouldn't care less if it's Ascians or lalafell

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We do know the Holy See of Ishgard is under Ascian manipulation. How the Ascians view Bahamut we don't know as they don't seem to have any involvement in the coil storyline. TBH, I don't think the main scenario going onwards and CT/Coil will intertwine due to main scenarion being new and coil and CT pretty much closing the story of the nature af the calamaty from 1.x. So I'm not expecting any kind of closure to those to bleed into other things.

http://i.imgur.com/6Q7Lv.jpg Please take a look at the image, it shows how little of Eorzea we know andwhy i think theres gonna be no new continent on the first expansion.

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Originally Posted by Sapphic

We do know the Holy See of Ishgard is under Ascian manipulation. How the Ascians view Bahamut we don't know as they don't seem to have any involvement in the coil storyline. TBH, I don't think the main scenario going onwards and CT/Coil will intertwine due to main scenarion being new and coil and CT pretty much closing the story of the nature af the calamaty from 1.x. So I'm not expecting any kind of closure to those to bleed into other things.

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Actually CT and Coil do tie into the Main Scenario a bit but only as Side-story Prologues to a future Main Scenario plot.

CT focus on revealing what lead to the destruction of the Allagan Civilization and what purpose of Dalamud creation thus gaining knowledge on why the Coils were created.

This ties into....

Coil focusing on Bahamut where the Warrior of Light and Alisaie tries to stop Bahamut from returning.

Now bring these together, these events serve as prelude to Bahamut's awakening. Once he is awakened there is 2 possible path the story can take from here being

1) The story become tied into ther Main Scenario focusing on Eorzea finding a way to stop Bahamut for good and ultimately defeating him using the knowledge gained from what they can salvage in the CT.

or

2) This leads to a new 8 member Endgame dungeon to replace Coil in 3.0 era, leading players through challenges and ending with a final battle with Bahamut.

While we are almost definitely going to Ishgard in 3.0, I am also of the sneaking suspicion that we will also be investigating the whereabouts of the Isle of Val, where the Students of Baldesion were studying before the entire island disappeared. Heck, that could end up being what 3.0's CT is. Technically original story content, it would have some heavy FFV themes.

Some backstory on Val Castle from FFV for reference: http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Castle_of_Bal