An idea to improve Squadron feature.

Right now the squadron system is looking quite dull and boring with "click and forget" mentality. I was thinking about the ways to improve that and i found a possible solution that is unique to FF14.

Squadron can provide an opportunity to add an old school turn based FF battle system to our game. Instead of waiting 18 hours, we can select the mission, enter an instance and play as our squadron members (or us leading them) with a similar gameplay as FF12 for example (strategic thinking of using attacks and skills). Although its quite hard to make a battle system as deep as old FF games, it should be close to that.

Also adding more depth to our squadron members stats would be nice. Trait trees (similar to our companion chocobo skill tree or better), more stats to work with like in old FF games. There are so much ideas that you can add. Maybe even facing bosses from trials in a turn based mode.

You do relise yoshi has said theres more to be added to squadrons right?

Current squadron feature is more than likely to give ppl a chance to recruit n lvl thier squads b4 they inplement whatever else they have planned

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Originally Posted by Spawnie

You do relise yoshi has said theres more to be added to squadrons right?

Current squadron feature is more than likely to give ppl a chance to recruit n lvl thier squads b4 they inplement whatever else they have planned

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This is what devs gave us as a first taste, that means this is their main direction towards this squadron feature, a facebook game, no one likes it. World of Warcraft has the same thing and its more detailed yet people still don't like it.

they have already said we will be able to take our squads into dungeons later so how is that a fb game??

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Originally Posted by Spawnie

they have already said we will be able to take our squads into dungeons later so how is that a fb game??

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With a current dull system of managing squadron members (you use calculator, manage some numbers and wait 18 hours) whats the point of bringing npc's to dungeons? It's already boring to do dungeons with real people. There is nothing new and fun in that.

Squadrons are optional they arent forcing you to use them.. your "changes" sound more like a fb game or something that belongs in gold saucer.. im actually excited to see what they add to squadrons later.. made nice amount of money from them already :3

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Originally Posted by Spawnie

Squadrons are optional they arent forcing you to use them.. your "changes" sound more like a fb game or something that belongs in gold saucer.. im actually excited to see what they add to squadrons later.. made nice amount of money from them already :3

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I don't want half assed optional features (Diadem, Vermillion, PvP etc.), they need to be developed, played by a community and be a real part of the game. Not everything that involves different gameplay is a fb game. You might not care about the execution of new features and just use them for your own reason, i care about their quality and game in general.

Oh, turn-based sounds neat

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Originally Posted by Demkristo

I don't want half assed optional features (Diadem, Vermillion, PvP etc.), they need to be developed, played by a community and be a real part of the game. Not everything that involves different gameplay is a fb game. You might not care about the execution of new features and just use them for your own reason, i care about their quality and game in general.

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The system you suggested sounds interesting but unless they are already developing a system like it, the earliest we would see for such a system as you describe would be likely at least a year away if they started right now, probably longer. They first mentioned they were working on Squadrons around HW's launch and that was a year and a half ago.

For now what they have said is they are working on the tech to allow us to run content with our squadron. That is almost certainly what we are getting next in regards to Squadrons.

So instead since it wasnt designed how you wanted it to be its dull n boring correct?? How bout waiting to see what direction they take squadrons before complaining o.o??

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Originally Posted by Belhi

The system you suggested sounds interesting but unless they are already developing a system like it, the earliest we would see for such a system as you describe would be likely at least a year away if they started right now, probably longer. They first mentioned they were working on Squadrons around HW's launch and that was a year and a half ago.

For now what they have said is they are working on the tech to allow us to run content with our squadron. That is almost certainly what we are getting next in regards to Squadrons.

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Year and a half of development...and we got this. I know it will take a lot of time, but it will be worth in the end, FF14 is still a young MMO with only 2nd expansion coming up next summer, they can take their time developing new features. There are lots of things devs left undeveloped and they are adding more to the pile, which is alarming.

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Originally Posted by Spawnie

So instead since it wasnt designed how you wanted it to be its dull n boring correct?? How bout waiting to see what direction they take squadrons before complaining o.o??

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This is not about my desires, as i said, its just my suggestion, maybe there are different solutions, but right now, the lack of creativity of current squadron system is disturbing. Most of people dont like it, some people don't care, some people like it because there is no effort involved, negativity no matter how you look at it. It can be more than that.

I prefer wait till we get the full feature instead of get a conclusion.

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Originally Posted by Xlantaa

I prefer wait till we get the full feature instead of get a conclusion.

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Nothing interesting will come out from this, judging by past experience and what we see right now, i doubt they will revamp the whole "click and forget and wait 18h" squadron system. Giving us npc's to clear dungeons will not change it. Adding decent rewards (pretty sure they will) to force players do squadrons is a cheap move.

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Originally Posted by Demkristo

Nothing interesting will come out from this, judging by past experience and what we see right now, i doubt they will revamp the whole "click and forget and wait 18h" squadron system. Giving us npc's to clear dungeons will not change it. Adding decent rewards (pretty sure they will) to force players do squadrons is a cheap move.

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If you have already decided that they are going to do nothing to change it, why bother with the OP to begin with?

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Originally Posted by joannaluttrell

If you have already decided that they are going to do nothing to change it, why bother with the OP to begin with?

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OP? You mean me? :D But its not like im decided about it, although there is a high chance it ill end up like this. This game deserves more high quality content and not some filler stuff that ppl will be forced to do or forget about it in a couple of weeks/months. So im tossing some possible ideas to make it better

There's no point in throwing ideas now when the devs already have things planned faaaaaaaaar in advance. They're probably still working out what they had planned for squads now and any new ideas would set back the feature. Just ask everyone still waiting on Egi glamours.

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Originally Posted by Spawnie

How bout waiting to see what direction they take squadrons before complaining o.o??

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Can you tell at least one feature in the game that was not good when introduced, but then it had improvements and became great, and now we have it?

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Originally Posted by Spawnie

Squadrons are optional they arent forcing you to use them.. your "changes" sound more like a fb game or something that belongs in gold saucer.. im actually excited to see what they add to squadrons later.. made nice amount of money from them already :3

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Did you really just call OP's feature, a mini game with a turn based battle system, a facebook game? Guess you must be new to the Final Fantasy series then, since that's the battle system used by the majority of the games in the series.

To me, a feature like that would be more interesting than simply being able to bring 3 NPCs with me to a select number of dungeons, as they already stated that the first set of dungeons would be ones with the more simple mechanics.

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Originally Posted by vp_cmc

Can you tell at least one feature in the game that was not good when introduced, but then it had improvements and became great, and now we have it?

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depends on your definition of Not Good and Great.
- Hunts would be the biggest one.
- Treasure Maps and Duty Finder are vastly improved from their initial release.

they all can still use work though

How to improve the Squadron System? Take a fucking fire axe to it and then burn it with napalm. There's a lot of annoying things in this game, but having your GC promotion tied to a bullshit timer system where it takes about a day to get 2 level-ups and you need to get the squad to fucking level 40-something? Fuck.

I want something like FFVII's Fort Condor.

The Squadrons-in-dungeons thing I don't think is going to happen. That was a long time ago they made that comment and it was wish-washy then, having a group of NPCs in dungeons will assist with trash mobs, but it will not let you clear bosses unless they code unique AI scripts to handle boss mechanics that when failed wipe the party (there's quite a lot over 2.0 to 3.4!), that's a lot of work I don't think they are going to do.

They can't even get Choco companion AI improved. I'm just being realistic.

I'll be surprised if they actually get that in dungeon thing to work. (It was probably their originally idea, but when they hit boss fights said forget it)

If instead Squadrons could provide the player with the choice of any Limit Break while solo: any heal/caster/tank/single target/gunner LB regardless of player's job. It's not a squad party, but having GC Signit buff while solo (or with Choco) gives the player a solo LB meter, that when full, gives you a unique GC LB. Which LB you execute depends on your squad comp, what you assign, and the stats of the squad.. ? (and it's the squad that performs the LB animation, you summon them or something so they can perform it)

But again bosses with wipe mechanics that require group coordination, there's nothing for solo to be done about that unless they simply remove those mechanics or rebalance the entire encounter, which I'm not sure I want them to do or they're probably willing to do.

I like the OP's idea. Fort Condor too

I just made 1st Lieutenant. They should've given us more slots for more recruits to train at the promotion. I could use an extra tank and healer on some of the quests without giving up a DPS. Also, bring back the original coat Maelstrom was suppose to get. Talk about a cocktease!

Make it turn-based mission like FF Tactics.

@Xenosan: Obviously like anyone else I don't know if using Squadrons inside dungeons will happen, but I would like it. But I don't think it would be a problem for many of the simple tank and spank dungeons. Even having squadrons not dodging AOE or special boss attacks could be worked around the same way the game currently work around them for the Arcanist's egis. The egis are less vulnerable than players to boss special attacks.

And on top of that there is now Unsync dungeons where one can steamroll thru it, but bringing your squadron might make it faster. Or easier if you're not that much overleveled while unsync, the squadron could bring the muscle bonus you might need.

I think a cool idea would be to make Ala Mhigo a "contested" area, after its liberation. Make it a blend of conquest and campaign from FFXI, where you and your squads/fc members with their squads complete objectives to fight for control of the region. Have certain perks and detriment when a GC or beastmen/garlean force occupying bunkers down.

Just my thoughts.

I definitely like the idea of a turn based additional game for the squads. A tactical type of system like final fantasy tactics would be great too.

Have you ever played Atlantica Online? I feel that would be an even more optimal addition.

All I am doing right is trying to get First Lieutenant in order to get my Storm Jacket, beyond that, this feature is pretty damn underwhelming.