5.3 Trailer (Spoilers, Obviously)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jmALV5kDVw


So, bad news: the Exarch appears to be dying.

Good news: We get a gundam.

Thoughts?



(Seriously, how is there not already a thread for this here? Get hype, people!)

Due to a restricted schedule right now I'm too busy to stay caught up. . so I'm still have stuff to do from this content cycle lol, but the LL(s) and trailer for 5.3 has me pretty happy. I appreciate they've tried to improve on some concepts for Eureka and also include relief options if it's just not your 'thing', might be some new potential pitfalls but we'll see. Loads of things coming, for all sorts of players- undoubtedly i'll find something interesting to do :).

Besides that one thing that isn't even really a 5.0 thing, released in 4.5 . . . >.> */tosses azul colored salt around like a child*, the whole ShB thing has been a pretty buttery smooth experience to me. It helps for some of the stuff I can't really do it as I need to anyways, like Ishgard FATE was never a problem because I was never on when it was on anyways lol, but it's been nice so far (besides I technically did get a whole zone to myself with the Pixie, and the elemental stuff lol). So long as they keep improving, adjusting, and trying new things- cool cool, fun game, nice job to the team :). 'Fighting!'

Still hoping for some size-able, very present and personal (not just UI or one off MSQ like stuff), chocobo or airship content, maybe some day, maybe another FF mmo, but I dream of recapturing the classic FF airship vibe and progression of transportation, stuff that sort of culminated in FFIX (but were always present in pieces of the other FFs). Something about travel is fun sometimes, like I enjoyed driving around in FFXV just because I could lol.

Anyway back onto patch one thing that I was shocked by was the huge change to the trial edition, all the way up to stormblood- that is A LOT of content for free. Pretty easy to get people to try the game now. Hopefully with the new sand tickets for easy returning, reduced fetching, and streamlined quests that the ARR experience is going to be really tight- I might give it a try again sometime just because. I still believe they could do something really cute at the end of an expansion, right before the next one, where they give some sort of bonus item for doing the story content again (like a free fantasia, or some other item, could be mogshop, or perhaps if they add in a cosmetic merit system giving the exp from the MSQ into their merit board, making it a viable way to get some exp at least once).

That track that starts about halfway through (guessing it's for the next Weapon trial?) is amazing. I'm on the hype train now. It's also nice to see that the Nier raids might be going their own way with the story so it might not be a copy/continuation of Automata itself. And Gundams? Yes please. Everything about this trailer was great and I can't wait.

I'm so excited for this.
And with the free trial stretching through Heavensward I'm gonna be getting more of my friends into this game~

It looks like Elidibus does shenanigans and causes chaos throughout Norvrandt, and that's the dungeon.

Why does alot of the things i see remind me of watching Big O and gundum

Looks great can't wait for the story :)

"I would ask a favor of you".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alleluia

the Exarch appears to be dying.[/SIZE]

---

Good riddance and can I have your stuff?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alleluia

So, bad news: the Exarch appears to be dying.

---

I think you mean the best news since ShB dropped.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vahlnir

That track that starts about halfway through (guessing it's for the next Weapon trial?) is amazing.

---

It's a rock remix of the Tempest theme, so its probs for our Final Trial .

If the exarch dies, its sad but I can finally have his cool looking staff.

I won't touch anything that is isn't a Zaku. I won't even breathe in that mobile suit's direction.

Oh and Exarch dying. Mhm. Ok. I mean, sucks for the Crystarium people but we all knew the rules of canon.

Exarch just take a small stab, he is a big boy, he can survive !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SenorPatty

I won't touch anything that is isn't a Zaku. I won't even breathe in that mobile suit's direction.

---

What about a Hyaku Shiki?

it's about time someone important die again

Geez, Exarch basically defied fate, time, and space to save your lives and you guys just want him to die so you can get his staff? Ya'll cold. lol

I love the Exarch and am very upset at the idea of him dying, personally.

On a separate note, I'm also upset that Thancred seems to be coming back with us to the Source. I don't want Ryne to be alone. (Barring random visits from the Aunt/Uncle of Darkness, of course.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alleluia

Geez, Exarch basically defied fate, time, and space to save your lives and you guys just want him to die so you can get his staff? Ya'll cold. lol

---

I'm hoping Source Graha gets the staff and SE states it will never become available for players to have, just to make these guys saltier at this point.

Y'shtola is still alive and I think we can have her new outfit and staff already. So, I'm not sure what CE's death would accomplish in that regard.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by linayar

Y'shtola is still alive and I think we can have her new outfit and staff already. So, I'm not sure what CE's death would accomplish in that regard.

---

Yeah, it wouldn't really accomplish much. It (the outfit and/or staff) will either be added to the store, or it won't. Depends on whether they see potential profit or not. I'd buy the outfit, but only if I can get that sick crystal arm he's got going on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alleluia

On a separate note, I'm also upset that Thancred seems to be coming back with us to the Source. I don't want Ryne to be alone. (Barring random visits from the Aunt/Uncle of Darkness, of course.)

---

Hopefully we can sacrifice Ryne to save the Exarch then. Or to steal her cookies. Or to spite Thancred. I’m okay with any and all of that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PondHollow

Hopefully we can sacrifice Ryne to save the Exarch then. Or to steal her cookies. Or to spite Thancred. I’m okay with any and all of that.

---

I find it *really* hard to imagine we'd be in a position to do that without making the Eden storyline really weird.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ilenya

I find it *really* hard to imagine we'd be in a position to do that without making the Eden storyline really weird.

---

Yeah. That storyline has Thancred and Ryne ready to go their separate ways as things currently stand. There's even system messages throughout saying that he's leaving the First soon.

What do you mean, "Bad news, Crystal exarch is dieing"? That's great news.

I imagine that him bonding himself to the tower was some sort of slow death sentence process that was always happening to him but now it looks like the Crystal Tower is finally going to turn him fully crystal.

On that note, some of you need some counseling.

The heck what's wrong with Graha that so many of you seemingly wanting him dying?

if they make it that much obvious then im expecting a twist on it, like for example being made to kill him ourselves cause people have been made to trust eldibus and unless we play the villain we cant save them , and cause eldibus has made him think this is the only way to send us back home or made him his pawn in some way.

Not happy about that gundam. Specifically because its in a side story, so we're not keeping it :(

Looks handy for grocery shopping.

https://i.imgur.com/uPvpCy2.png

I have this crazy hope that the mystery trial is going to end up being a reflection of the party like a mash up of FFXI's fourth spitewarden with Ark Angels. That would probably just make the spaghetti code catch on fire and the serves melt though. However, it seems kinda early to me to be killing Elidibus.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LaughingBanana

The heck what's wrong with Graha that so many of you seemingly wanting him dying?

---

He's a very, VERY old man who's not only earned his rest but wants it (as should have been apparent from the cutscene after you completed Crown of the Immaculate).

He's tired. Let him have it.

While I think he will be getting that final rest this patch, I don't think the trailer is showing us how it happens. Something seems off for him to be walking so casually (almost obliviously?) considering who was coming from the other direction. He escaped from Vauthry's attempt in the 5.0 MSQ. I think he might be using a similar trick in that scene.

Now I'm really wondering what the mystery trial is going to be, because I don't think they'd say it's "hard to predict" if it was just Elidibus and his mob of seemingly light-tainted WoLs.

As always, the trailer itself is very well done. Though I imagine there's a fair few red herrings as usual. One thing is obvious, though - things are going to get intense and I hope that lasts for more than just a single patch. I'd like to see some major, lasting consequences rather than something that is wrapped up with a neat little bow the moment the MSQ is complete.

I'm tentatively optimistic that the game is being a bit bolder this time around in regards to what ends up happening. The Dwarves losing their home and needing to relocate, for instance, is a step in the right direction.

The Crystal Exarch dying seems likely, since there's been so many death flags throughout the expansion so far and not just limited to the trailer itself. I won't lose any sleep if it happens, since I've never liked him. His obsession with the Warrior of Darkness felt forced - and he uses a variant of the worst male Miqo'te face. Doga and Unei being our companions in his place would have been so, so much better and more fitting of the references to FF3.

Sapphire Weapon being based off of Regula is what I expected, you can see the same pattern from his helmet on the construct itself. Since Regula is my favourite character overall so far, hopefully the characters acknowledge his actions and honourable nature. I'm also hoping the war for the throne in Garlemald results in someone similar to Regula stepping up and winning. The writers have done a pretty good job at keeping each Garlean Legion separate and not necessarily representative of Garlemald as a whole - so there's plenty of room for another 'Regula' to emerge and push Garlemald in a direction closer to FF12's Archadian Empire. Eorzea is also sorely in need of a strong rival to keep it in check, so although peace can be forged it'd be pleasant if Eorzea's growing influence was held in check somehow.

MSQ:

Haven't got too many comments on it just now, as it's obviously a minor fraction of a much longer MSQ, but...

It seems to me like Elidibus's plan is to give the impression that the world is tilting too far into darkness, with the Warriors of Darkness to blame. It also looks like he somehow severs control over the CT and wrests it from the Exarch. Whether the WoLs are being summoned from other worlds, moved around this world or a mixture, the light glow is interesting. I'm more convinced now that some of what we're seeing is some of these trigger-happy would-be WoLs taking on the primal forms of Vrandtic heroes past. Emet-Selch had intended to bring the WoL up to speed so that they were not thrashing about blindly... and these new WoLs seem to be fanatically doing just that.

I'm glad that Elidibus is now front and centre and I'm intrigued by that line where he says he intended to speak to you alone (the "you" is an open question), and this may tie into what he apparently says in the JP version when he first meets the WoL - that he wishes to speak to them alone one day. If they're tying that up, it'll be good, especially if it follows after the MSQ. Still think he's the original, although we will see how they end that plotline. There's no appearance of Zenos or "Asahi" this time but given that 5.3 will segue into Garlemald they may come up in the "meanwhile..." parts again. Remains to be seen if there will be a rejoining "after a fashion".

They're also making it a bit too obvious that Elidibus will be the focus of the trial, or at the least the summoned WoLs, so I am curious to see what the promised twist will be. I had thought he'd create some fused light monstrosity. We never faced the "cardinal sin" version of Ardbert, so I wonder if that's something he may do.

Elidibus - particularly in the JP dialogues - has always been a most interesting character, and I really hope they "flesh" him out and come up with something great. In particular, I hope they avoid the route of him having been some mustache-twirling villain, engineering the whole crisis to gain power or some other tripe like that, e.g. perfect Hydaelyn who can do no wrong, doesn't temper, just had to sunder their entire world because their creation magicks were killing the planet etc., and other plot lines in that vein. There's enough now to suggest he is genuine in his motivations and they can make it an earnest disagreement between two factions. It's certain, based on interviews Yoshi gave, that it will delve into the motivations of the summoners of each primal; given that they are instruments of their summoners, these are more significant in determining their nature than directly speaking to either, based on what he said.

Lastly, the bits at the end where the Exarch is speaking do seem to be addressed to his past self, which is still how I expect them to resolve his death. I also wonder if Y'shtola is addressing the Exarch, rather than the WoL (or indeed, Elidibus), when mentioning the "cacophony".


Bozja:

Bozja looks hype and I am glad to see they're using some of the XII espers, as I had hoped. Shame it's another 1.5 months away after the patch!

Werlyt:

A pity that the weapon that isn't the trial seems to be the one drawing on Regula.


Beyond that I also agree with Theodric's remarks on the trailer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lauront

A pity that the weapon that isn't the trial seems to be the one drawing on Regula.

---

Indeed. Though if we get to see what he looks like beneath his helmet, then I'll forgive it. Especially if he's handsome and covered in sticky goo in a similar fashion to the previous fight!

I am looking forward to see how it all ends and what the trial will be.

There is a high chance that the exarch will die but at the same time, would they really show it like that in a trailer? In the past any of those huge "deaths" like Ystohla were nothing but red herrings. So I still doubt that he will die.

Otherwise I hope that we can wipe Elidibus smirk from his face and hopefully him out of Ardberts body..

Good riddance to Graha, I look forward to see who replaces you as you replaced Haurcherfaunt.
I saw Adrammelech from FF12, which was my fav Esper that actually got me kinda excited-
the music later part of trailer was meh, the gundam was w/e, maybe we'll get the Nier hairstyles? I'm hoping S, M, L housing gets more item slots this update.
The only thing I didn't see are the new Hrothgar & Viera updates :c probably a few years off from those tbh

Otherwise, I'm with Theodric & Lauront

Exarch has to die...... to get round that quasality paradox of from being from essentially a terminated timeline.

Also he technically has a potential backup body.

My thoughts?


I can't wait to pilot Gundam Ironworks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Theodric

Indeed. Though if we get to see what he looks like beneath his helmet, then I'll forgive it. Especially if he's handsome and covered in sticky goo in a similar fashion to the previous fight!

---

Maybe if they go for a Vaseraga look for him. :D

The favor would be for us to take some "soul memory backup" that Exarch makes from all his memories since he waked up in the future and us to wake up his past (our present) self, kinda like migrating your save files to another computer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jazo

The favor would be for us to take some "soul memory backup" that Exarch makes from all his memories since he waked up in the future and us to wake up his past (our present) self, kinda like migrating your save files to another computer.

---

I don't know about that. Seems like memories of over 100 years would be one heck of a lot for a relatively young, sleeping and unprepared G'raha to try to absorb. He might want his younger self awoken earlier than planned so he'll get his dream of going on adventures with the WoL but I can't see him wanting to bog young G'raha down with his memories of things that no longer will happen. He'll be satisfied that the WoL knew he once existed and will remember him (shades of Emet and the Amaurotines there?).

If the favor is something other than just waking his younger self, I could see him possibly providing some sort of data storage device for the WoL to give to Cid to help out the Ironworks. There's plenty of technology in the Tower the Ironworks would find helpful that shouldn't necessarily require breaking back into the Crystal Tower to obtain.