Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XLI Update Thread

At the start of the broadcast, we'll be using this thread to post the summary from the Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XLI!

Watch the stream live on Twitch and YouTube.

As we'll be updating this thread throughout the show, make sure to reload every so often! We'll be posting the event summary exclusively in the thread and posting reminders occasionally on Twitter. However, please keep in mind that updates won't be occurring in real-time and there may be a delay.

After we create the full summary, it will be posted in the "Letter from the Producer LIVE" forum.
* Please note that all summary information presented here, including terminology, is subject to change.

See you here at 3:00 a.m. (PST) / 6:00 a.m. (EST) / 11:00 (GMT)!

Patch 4.2 - Rise of a New Sun arrives on January 30th!

Please note that there will be a 24-hour maintenance, which will begin on Monday, January 29 at 2:00 a.m. (PST) and last until Tuesday, January 30 at 2:00 a.m.
* Players will be unable to login until 2:00 a.m.

Please refer to the maintenance announcement for details.

Before Yoshida entered the Jade Stoa battlefield to see Byakko, he showed off two new mounts: the mount obtained from the Jade Stoa (Extreme), and the Deathclaw mount obtained via achievement points.

Jade Stoa
As mentioned above, Yoshida showed off some gameplay footage of the new battlefield.

The reward for completing the Jade Stoa (Extreme) is a weapon. We recommend that those who will be challenging the Omega: Sigmascape (Savage) aim for this weapon first, as it should make it that much easier. Byakko is definitely harder than Susano or Lakshmi, but we would like for everyone to give it a shot!

Job Adjustments
The policy for job adjustments are the same as usual - make adjustments while retaining the job's identity within their roles.

• Tank
  • Paladin
    Their damage output was a bit too high, so we have lowered their DPS just a bit.
    
    
  • Warrior/Dark Knight
    The DPS for both warrior and dark knight will be increased. For warriors, we will lower the effect of Storm’s Eye a little; however, will be increasing the potency of other actions. We've also made system changes to Inner Release and Berserk.
    
    For dark knight, we have increased their usability in general.
• Ranged DPS
  • Machinist
    The potency of Hypercharge will be decreased.
    
    
  • Black mage
    Potency of Fire IV will be increased.
    The proc duration for thunder-type spells and Fire III will be extended.
    The recast time for Aetherial Manipulation has been decreased.
    The recast time for Transpose has been decreased.
    
    
  • Summoner
    The potency of area of effect attack has been decreased.
• Melee DPS
  • Monk
    Riddle of Wind* will now apply Greased Lightning.
    Brotherhood’s effect will apply to the user as well. It’ll make it much easier to open a Chakra now.
    The recast time for Mantra and Perfect Balance has been decreased.
    * Update 22/01/2018: we initially wrote "Wind Tackle" but this was a mistake.
• Healer
  • Scholar
    The healing effect from Excogitation will now execute when the effect duration ends.
  We have made adjustments to the other two healers as well to increase their usability.
  
  
• Role Actions
  
  Diversion will be adjusted to further reduce enmity generation and the duration will be increased.

*Please refer to the full Patch 4.2 notes for further details on the job adjustments.

Elemental Properties
Elemental modifiers will be removed from gear and materia.
Elemental materials will no longer be obtainable from quest rewards and when converting a gear to materia.
Due to this change, consumables that provide elemental modifiers will be changed and/or no longer be obtainable.

Conditions for receiving bonuses as a miner or botanist will be adjusted.
Currently, there is a bonus which increases the number of items you can yield depending on each of the elemental properties when gathering as a miner or botanist, but this will be changed so that the bonus effect can be earned based on a character’s maximum GP. Please rest assured that this change will not affect players negatively. You will still be able to sell items with elemental modifiers to shops or exchange it with Mutamix Bubblypots.

We're planning to make use of elementals in Eureka: Anemos coming in Patch 4.25.

In Eureka, there is a unique leveling system known as the Elemental Level, and everyone will be leveling this. Furthermore, there is a unique system referred to as the Magia Board, and players will place magicite into the board to strengthen elemental properties. Players will adjust their offensive and defensive elemental properties to fight against monsters.

The experience points earned inside Eureka will be retained even when you leave, and you can continue the next time you enter. If your Elemental Level is higher than 6, there will be a death penalty. (The penalty will not apply if you are raised.)

This content can be played solo, or in parties up to eight players.

* Please note that terms are subject to change. We'll cover more details on Eureka: Anemos in the next Letter from the Producer LIVE.

Housing Updates
Additional plots will be added.
We'll be adding 6 additional wards, along with their subdivisions, to each housing area (Mist, Goblet, Lavender Beds, Shirogane).

Plots will be added one week following the release of Patch 4.2.

Requirements for plot purchase
In order to allow free companies without housing to purchase a plot, we’ll be applying the following conditions.

• Plots designated for free company use will be limited to purchases by free companies with at least four members.
  You are required to have four members to form a free company, so we have set it so that housing purchases also require four or more members.
  
  
• Individuals will be restricted from purchasing plots for personal use for a limited time. You'll still be able to relocate. We’ll be observing the situation and remove this restriction later. When new plots are added in the future, we’ll apply the same measures.
  
  
• Players will be permitted to own only one private and one free company estate per World per service account.
  
  For example:
  If you have two characters (character A and B) on one World, and A is enlisted in a free company which owns an estate, then B will not be able to purchase a free company estate.
  
  Further details will be announced on a special site which will be released later.
  Owning a room in an apartment won't be considered as owning an estate, so you may purchase without any concerns.

Restrictions on Plot Resale
Plots relinquished by owners will be unavailable for purchase for a limited time.
The time when the plot becomes available is set at random, and will not be displayed anywhere.

Q&A

• Q: Can you relocate if you already own several free company estates?
  A: Relocating and purchasing are processed differently, so you are able to relocate.
  
  
• Q: If you already own an estate, would I be restricted in purchasing one on a different World?
  A: The restrictions are not by data centers, but per Worlds. Characters on other Worlds will be able to purchase an estate.

Omega: Sigmascape
*We showcased brief looks of Sigmascape V1.0 and V2.0.

V1.0 will have adventurers face off against Phantom Train.

We received a few requests to delay the implementation of the Savage mode; however, we chose to release them at the same time. Even if you haven't completed the main scenario, you’ll only need to have completed the normal version of Omega: Deltascape to later challenge Sigmascape (Savage). Deltascape (Savage) completion is not a requirement.

If we were to release the Savage mode two weeks later, everyone’s item level will be increased during that time. Balancing was done based on release at Patch 4.2 timing, so we would have to re-adjust the overall balancing if we pushed back the release timing on the Savage mode. Also, doing this will make it more difficult to retain the value of the new crafted battle gear with higher item level unless we make it stronger.

For those looking to defeat it quickly. we would like players to use the new crafted battle gear. We believe the difficulty of the Savage mode is harder than Alte Roite from Deltascape. For those that consider the Savage mode as their main end game content, we believe that they feel it’s good to have the Savage mode released with the patch. We would like to continue to hear players feedback regarding this.

Jade Stoa
Jade Stoa will be released as the first in a new series of trials. The Four Lords sidestory quests are tied in with the main scenario, and some parts will be separated. The new instanced dungeon, Hells' Lid ties in with the story of the Four Lords as well.

Performance Action Updates

• The following instruments will be added to the Performances.
  • Harp
  • Grand Piano
  • Steel Guitar
  • Pizzicato
• A volume setting specific to the performance actions will be added
  Currently the volume of performance actions is adjusted together; but we’re planning to make it so you can adjust the volume of you and other players’ performances separately.
  
  
• In this update, we made changes to the controls, from here on out we’re aiming to improving the animations, and introduce a system to perform music with other players when in a party.
  
  
• You can apply specific key bindings for performance actions for both keyboard and gamepad.

Fashion Report
We showed live gameplay of the new Fashion Report feature.

• This is done on a weekly base, and the theme will change once a week.
• The theme will be updated on Tuesdays, and checks will begin on Friday.
• By participating in these Fashion Reports, the items available from the store will increase.
• There are items which can only be obtained from this.

How Fashion Report works
Talk to the NPC to learn about that week’s theme. For example, if the theme is summer, it will mention specific keywords like “summer,” “natural,” “near eastern style” for each gear part. If nothing is mentioned for a specific gear part, you may wear any equipment. During the week, the NPC will only check out your fashion up to four times. The “correct answer” won't be disclosed anywhere, so players will need to exchange information to complete it.

Please note that when you undergo an evaluation, any items you're wearing will be bound to your character.

By participating in the Fashion Report, players can earn 10,000 MGP. If you can earn higher than 80 points, you will receive more MGP.

As for the content in which you coordinate NPC’s fashion is scheduled to be implemented in the next installment of the custom deliveries.

Also, for Wondrous Tails, we’re planning to update it by adding a new point system, where players will earn points when they successfully complete a line, and can use these points to exchange for items.

Some of the winning entries from the Furnishing Design Contest will be implemented.

* We showed a few entries and some of the screenshots along with them.

The Feast Updates

• New map: Crystal Tower Training Grounds
  We created this with a very FINAL FANTASY-feeling featuring chocobos and moogles in order to showcase what FFXIV is for those who are unfamiliar with the game that may be watching a tournament.
  
  There are several patterns for the wall placement, and they will appear at random when the match begins.
  
  The crest created by the PvP Teams will be reflected on the field map.
  
  
• Pre-season
  The pre-season will begin along with the release of Patch 4.2, and PvP Team feature will implemented at this time as well. We have made as much adjustments possible for PvP actions as well.
  
  We’re currently working on the rules for the official tournament. We would like the PvP Teams to challenge each other to earn the right to participate in official tournaments.
  
  For now, we look forward to hearing your feedback from the pre-season.

Glamour Updates
* We showcased gameplay of the glamour updates.

• Calamity Salvager
  You’ll be able to repurchase a wide variety of items from the Calamity Salvager, so be sure to take advantage of this.
  
  
• Armoire
  We have made it so items such as the maid and butler outfits can be stored in the armoire. We recommend storing any items that can be stored in armoire.
  
  
• Glamour Dressers
  These new dressers will be placed inside inn rooms. Players will select items from their inventory and Armoury chest, and use glamour prisms to convert and store them into the glamour dresser. These items will become unavailable as a normal item to equip, but can be used for glamour.
  
  
• Glamour Ensembles
  Players are able to edit 10 glamour ensembles freely. By selecting the body section, any body gear item which has been converted to glamour will be displayed. By selecting the armoire option, players will be able to select items from the armoire to be added to the glamour ensembles. By leaving the weapon part blank, the ensemble can be applied to any job, or you can set a weapon to make it job specific. Items that cannot be glamoured onto a specific part will display an error message. Selecting the apply button will apply the glamour assigned to the ensemble to your character. In the future, we’re thinking of a system where you can assign glamour ensemble number to a gear set. *You can use macros in Patch 4.2 to accomplish this.
  
  Glamour ensembles can be used in city-states, Gold Saucer, Inn rooms, and the Ivory Chapel.
  
  You can also apply different color dyes to the 10 glamour ensembles.
  
  In the future, we’re also planning to be able to apply the glamour ensembles to members of your adventurer squadron.
  
  For Fashion Report, the equipment you have on at the time will be checked, so it can be checked based on the glamour you have applied.

Chocobo Saddlebags
The chocobo saddlebags menu will be added to the main command menu. Chocobo saddlebags can be accessed even if you don’t call your companion out. You may also access the chocobo saddlebags when you have your retainers out and transfer items between the retainers inventory and saddlebag as well.

Q&A
Q: I’d like to see which items can be stored in the armoire, or can be purchased from the Calamity Salvager on the item description by default.

A: This has been mentioned before, and we’re looking into this so that it can be implemented.

Subaquatic Voyages
You can partake in subaquatic voyages even if you haven’t built any airships for use in airship voyages. There are items and minions which can only be obtained from the subaquatic voyages as well.

Rival Wings
We're planning to make adjustments to things like the effects that claiming the center area has, mammets, and range of the steam cannons.

Updates on Disciples of Hand/Land Gear
We’re planning to do this in the next patch. New exchangeable items will be added, but there won’t be any gear update for those currently using the melded Ala Mhigan gear.