Ideas on how to improve Ala Mhigo

I believe it's a general consensus that Ala Mhigo isn't the prettiest looking city-state, and some argue that it barely qualifies as a city-state (myself included) due to the Ala Mhigan Quarter looking the way it is. Compared to what we see in the dungeon, I would love to see SE give it the Ishgard treatment in the way of a new district/housing ward especially with how better their map designers have gotten.

Ala Mhigo used to serve as an important trading hub for trade with the Near and Far East, and given the general sense of unity between these sides of the world, a new hub would serve as an excellent and visible indicator of progress.

And it'd be a great way of introducing actual Ala Mhigan furnishing items into the game. Seriously, there's jack for Ala Mhigans! Sans Ananta stuff, of course.

I would loooooooove for them to do this and I think many people would have liked them to do this as well, but now that we're about to float off to other regions of the world entirely, and the scion focus seems to be in helping rebuild a new Garlemald it doesn't really seem like they're going to give anything the Ishgard treatment again. Hopefully they will at least upgrade it and find use and function for it in the future.

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Originally Posted by Tatiana

I would loooooooove for them to do this and I think many people would have liked them to do this as well, but now that we're about to float off to other regions of the world entirely, and the scion focus seems to be in helping rebuild a new Garlemald it doesn't really seem like they're going to give anything the Ishgard treatment again. Hopefully they will at least upgrade it and find use and function for it in the future.

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Here's hoping that they have it be some type of open port. Maybe turning it into a "United Nations" type of area with Thavnair, Far East, and Eorzean ambassadors. Ala Mhigo is the closest to Garlemald while being in Eorzea, closest to Thavnair and the Far East. There's plenty you can do with the geographical location. Besides, the story seems set on having Ala Mhigo be nothing more than a glorified war room so may as well expand on that with an actual proper city-state instance.

People already dislike the goblet. This will be like that, but even worse as it’s more forgotten than Ul’Dah. It should become a city with market boards and a hotel like Kugane though.

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Originally Posted by Ath192

People already dislike the goblet. This will be like that, but even worse as it’s more forgotten than Ul’Dah. It should become a city with market boards and a hotel like Kugane though.

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Ala Mhigo and Ul'dah have distinct visual styles and borrow from different real world cultures. With how much experience the map designers have under their belts now, I trust them to actually make a city-state that isn't just empty roads and a few littered market stalls. Taking after Kugane would be great, but given the need for housing will never go away, it's a great candidate for a housing district especially for it's geographical location.

Eh, don't like Ala Mhigo and their salty people. Don't want to have anything to do with them. If it is just furnishing items or glam, sure. But a whole restoration project? I rather help the Garlemald settling on the moon.

It would be nice going forward if we got restorations every expac for cities that need it, Ala Mhigo, then to Ilsabard to fix up Detroit.

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Originally Posted by Momo_Kozuki

Eh, don't like Ala Mhigo and their salty people. Don't want to have anything to do with them. If it is just furnishing items or glam, sure. But a whole restoration project? I rather help the Garlemald settling on the moon.

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Isn't that a bit unfair? Ala Mhigo came first and undoubtedly got the short end of the stick with what was supposed to be it's own expansion. I'm not saying no Garlean restoration, but in the grand scheme of things would Ala Mhigo not serve as a good nexus point between the two areas? And it should really look like a diplomatic city instead of a single war room?

I never know if I’m inside or outside when I’m in Ala Mhigo. Maybe it’s both simultaneously?

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Originally Posted by Ath192

I never know if I’m inside or outside when I’m in Ala Mhigo. Maybe it’s both simultaneously?

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I tend to know by the "duty commenced" sound. Which really isn't how it should be, but the devs refuse to give this place an actual instance city ;;

I'm sorry to see people respond negatively, but that's the forums for people. Some people lie to complain instead of giving constructive feedback, and sometimes if they don't like you, they mob on you, and get their friends to join on the pressure to not have your opinion.

Don't take it to heart, and may we see Ala Mhigo restored someday. Long live Ala Mhigo! :3

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Originally Posted by DamianFatale

I'm sorry to see people respond negatively, but that's the forums for people. Some people lie to complain instead of giving constructive feedback, and sometimes if they don't like you, they mob on you, and get their friends to join on the pressure to not have your opinion.

Don't take it to heart, and may we see Ala Mhigo restored someday. Long live Ala Mhigo! :3

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Honestly any publicity for this matter works for me, I just want more people to see there's an actual push for an expanded Ala Mhigo. I want the community to see there's someone out there willing to actually advertise and push for this sort of thing. Devs will listen but they need more than just a few voices.

I would love even a small-scale Ala Mhigan Restoration instanced zone similar to the Fae Dream World, especially if it unlocked some Ala Mhigan themed housing items and maybe an exterior.

It definitely feels like it's totally stagnated, as though they've made no progress in rebuilding their lives and city state since liberation so from a world building perspective I would really like to see it made into a full fledged city-state and yeah I agree housing would be cool to have there as well, even though I think island sanctuaries are going to end up being SE's answer to the housing problem in the long run.

Housing district? I mean...look how long it took for us to get Ish housing. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

As far as a restoration type of thing implemented there...that I think would be a nice addition.

The thing I really don’t get is why people are actively opposed to getting more content of it. They say that it’s because it’s “boring” but when presented with the possibility to flesh it out more through side content, that’s a bad idea? Whenever I discuss wanting Ala Mhigo restoration the response is usually negative, not that it changes my mind or anything, but I just don’t get why that’s so horrible to people. Anyways, we should get restoration for the purpose of building a hub city out of it. Housing isn’t something I’m particularly desperate for but it would be a nice bonus. Mainly I just want a nice midpoint between Eorzea and Ilsabard, it would become the closest market board to Garlemald and Thavnair. Also an airship landing for lore purposes. Also, if housing does end up being possible, this opens up the plausibility of Sharlayan housing in the future on account of the originally making 6 starting cities thing.

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Originally Posted by Momo_Kozuki

Eh, don't like Ala Mhigo and their salty people. Don't want to have anything to do with them. If it is just furnishing items or glam, sure. But a whole restoration project? I rather help the Garlemald settling on the moon.

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Yeah the Ala Mhigans are so unbearable right? I’d much rather restore the homelands of people who destroyed themselves and blamed it on us because we didn’t let them colonize us. They’re so much nicer right?

Agree. Ala mhigo out of all the cities feels a bit sidelined. We get a small corner of the city to explore, with very little in it. I think it has a lot of potential. I like the tight alleys and stuff.

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Originally Posted by anhaato

The thing I really don’t get is why people are actively opposed to getting more content of it. They say that it’s because it’s “boring” but when presented with the possibility to flesh it out more through side content, that’s a bad idea? Whenever I discuss wanting Ala Mhigo restoration the response is usually negative, not that it changes my mind or anything, but I just don’t get why that’s so horrible to people. Anyways, we should get restoration for the purpose of building a hub city out of it. Housing isn’t something I’m particularly desperate for but it would be a nice bonus. Mainly I just want a nice midpoint between Eorzea and Ilsabard, it would become the closest market board to Garlemald and Thavnair. Also an airship landing for lore purposes. Also, if housing does end up being possible, this opens up the plausibility of Sharlayan housing in the future on account of the originally making 6 starting cities thing.

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Because there's many other aspects of the game that are bordering on decrepit that have been around before Ala Mhigo even existed and I'd rather fix those things than have some other throwaway Mor Dhona, which at least can be justified by something interesting happening.

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Originally Posted by anhaato

Yeah the Ala Mhigans are so unbearable right? I’d much rather restore the homelands of people who destroyed themselves and blamed it on us because we didn’t let them colonize us. They’re so much nicer right?

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They're not real. Calm down.

And honestly, if I had to pick between a tragic country that was destroyed because of their deceptive leaders and some random folk who's entire personality devolves into "resist is good, empire is bad. this is very new and not typical rehashed story trope #5829454", I think I made my choice obvious by presentation alone.

I'm not joking or exaggerating when I say this: I'd rather see Ala Mhigo torched and we pretend it was never around. It was the least interesting part of Stormblood and potentially ruined many storylines just so it could exist for no other reason than just because we needed an expansion where we stroked off Lyse's ego.

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Originally Posted by BrokentoothMarch

Because there's many other aspects of the game that are bordering on decrepit that have been around before Ala Mhigo even existed and I'd rather fix those things than have some other throwaway Mor Dhona, which at least can be justified by something interesting happening.

They're not real. Calm down.

And honestly, if I had to pick between a tragic country that was destroyed because of their deceptive leaders and some random folk who's entire personality devolves into "resist is good, empire is bad. this is very new and not typical rehashed story trope #5829454", I think I made my choice obvious by presentation alone.

I'm not joking or exaggerating when I say this: I'd rather see Ala Mhigo torched and we pretend it was never around. It was the least interesting part of Stormblood and potentially ruined many storylines just so it could exist for no other reason than just because we needed an expansion where we stroked off Lyse's ego.

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In Ala Mhigos defense it is pretty OG and cannon to the ARR story line and Uldah. I don’t like city aesthetically but the general of the immortal flames and all the refugee camps come from Ala Mhigans fleeing the disaster.

In a world with infinite resources yeah it deserves more. But if I had to choose like you then other places seem cooler as well.

Literally nuke it. I hate that place so much, just as 98% of its people...

I think Ala Mhigo has been left in its current state for so long because of the Garlean threat right at their doorstep. Now that they are gone, I can see a restoration effort finally being implemented at some point in the game.

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Originally Posted by Kuroka

Literally nuke it. I hate that place so much, just as 98% of its people...

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Bruh. We spent 50% of an expansion liberating it and you want it wiped off the map? I'm guessing one of the 2% of Ala Mhigans you like is Raubahn, and he's suffered enough.

I truly like the aesthetic because it reminds me alot of Dantooine which having a stronghold in swtor the instant housing in that game, the area truly looks very beautiful especially at night. The architecture is unique but seeing some of the later things shares much with one of the later areas in the game in endwalker. They both have an Arabian, Persian, Egyptian type of feel. The huge problem I have with them and this may change later, but they seem to have forgotten much of their heritage unlike the domans, who even through subjugation from the empire still kept much of their culture. There is alot of nationalistic type of vibes from them, that could be justified if the writing was a bit better.

I would understand if they were more Klingon in nature, where their motives and culture made sense that they value combat and you need to earn respect through battle and strength. Even the sith make sense, but Ala Mihgo at least to me feel like throughout the story they are just being jerks to be jerks and vindictive because they are treated poorly. They will let you know they are treated poorly save for some by trying to kill you, spit on you, and obsess over getting their land back. I know they wanted their home back, but it was to the point at times in the story they were too willing to die without planning ahead. You can't get your home back if there are none of you left? It was strange writing to me. They kept throwing themselves at the wall to die instead of planning something concrete to take back their homes. It was very unga bunga and much of the facial structures no offense did not help with them acting in such a weird way.

Now that they have their home I would like to see more development. Rekindling of their fighting style, we go around at the start of stormblood to speak to everyone about the history of the place, so someone has the information. This may be address in post shadowbringer, endwalker, or post endwalker. I want to see the things Lyse described spread, the whole history not forgotten. Also I would like Lyse to be herself instead of Minfilia make bad decisions 2.0. Like letting a bunch of corrupted beast serpents into a meeting. It was always my thought she was just acting ditzy to throw people off, and when it really came down to it she could outthink people with simple solutions. I would imagine this being the case for many ala mihgans as well. They cut right to the point, seem like they are simple, but have technology and advancements that would leave you wondering wait they made that, cool. At least that was my thought originally. They had hydroponics and terraforming technology in the past didn't they? Or was this forgotten and never spoken about. Can we get more of this?

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Originally Posted by BrokentoothMarch

I'm not joking or exaggerating when I say this: I'd rather see Ala Mhigo torched and we pretend it was never around. It was the least interesting part of Stormblood and potentially ruined many storylines just so it could exist for no other reason than just because we needed an expansion where we stroked off Lyse's ego.

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Indeed, compared to myself you are the image of calm and rational right now.

The problem is SB is terribly written for Ala Mhigo and gaining it back was all said in done in 2 hours and Lyse turned lame.
It felt so poor that I literally just didn't care. Serious pacing issues is one. I barely remember that small half of the story as Doma was WAY more entertaining.
I'd forgot anything about Ala Mhigo once we stepped foot there. Think the devs didn't care that much about 'em either
and wanted to expand their own story of Doma just to wrap up Ala Mhigo just like they did with Garlemeld here in EW.
Just a 1.0 thing they wanted to hurry and be done with I'm guessing.

It was always strange to me how viciously people hated Ala Mhigo. I agree, it was the weakest part of Stormblood, but it's because they deserved better that I want them to get more content relevant to the location and their culture. Just another chance to flesh it out, even if it's locked in side content. But, as witnessed, people hate it so much that they don't even want it to have that opportunity in side content. But now that we have Garlemald being put in the exact same position - being teased since 1.0, ending up being boiled down to a shitty arc that was the weakest part of its expansion, now only existing to stroke the twins' egos, overall deserving better - the reaction is completely different. Now I think I know why!

Ala Mhigan culture/heritage is all over the place depending on who you ask. Cause some remember the "good old days" and how things work, but some don't? I'd imagine for people who are extremely proud of their heritage they'd be championing it all over the place but instead it's thrown half-assed. Stormblood Ala Mhigans offer us the groundbreaking insight that "damn, being occupied and experimented on kinda sucks" and barely anything else about them. What stuck with me is Arenvald in the EW role quests saying "This isn't the Ala Mhigo we know" or something along those lines. So, WHAT IS?

Current writing aside, rebuilding/revamping the actual city could be a great time to actually show community leaders/government reestablishing their culture and show how devout they are to Rhalgr or what have you.

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Originally Posted by Momo_Kozuki

Eh, don't like Ala Mhigo and their salty people. Don't want to have anything to do with them. If it is just furnishing items or glam, sure. But a whole restoration project? I rather help the Garlemald settling on the moon.

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So true, Ala Mhigan people suck and their salt is saltier than all other city states. I am for helping Garlemald and have Gridinia take over Ala Mhigo and teach them some humbleness.

I agree with this.

Since the trading routes must be "online" again, the place could receive some influence from other places "helping them rebuilt" creating something mixed between the "old days" of Ala Mihgo and a new Era of prosperity. The people there changed since the death of their leader and during and after the Garlean invasions. I don't think they would go exactly as they were before the war, but instead, they'd try to build something new but using the archtecture of their past as a starting point.

I think this new place could be very surprising if SE really rework it! :)

I'd love to see Ala Mhigo get some love and turn into a zone like the Old City districts of Jerusalem, Marrakesh, or Cairo with all sorts of back alleys, open squares, and a huge market.

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Originally Posted by Soge01

I think Ala Mhigo has been left in its current state for so long because of the Garlean threat right at their doorstep. Now that they are gone, I can see a restoration effort finally being implemented at some point in the game.

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There's no restoration because the castle area itself was never destroyed. That's where Zenos lived, they let us up to the Royal Menagerie, it's nice up there, no restoration necessary.

They're just choosing not to let us access it.

Also housing and restoration can be tied together but it doesn't have to be.

I'd like to see more of the moon or a crazy idea would be a small Corvos map tied to Radz-at-Han.

It needs some trees...its too dry

I think at this point they can't really change the Ala Mhigan Quarter, since it's been relevant in too much story after Stormblood.

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Originally Posted by CaptainLagbeard

I think at this point they can't really change the Ala Mhigan Quarter, since it's been relevant in too much story after Stormblood.

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That's not an issue. The Ala Mhigan Quarter can always host an instance entrance area a la Brume with Firmament. I don't think they can edit it much given it's still in an open world zone with mobs and stuff taking up data/resources in the Lochs.

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Originally Posted by Ath192

People already dislike the goblet. This will be like that, but even worse as it’s more forgotten than Ul’Dah. It should become a city with market boards and a hotel like Kugane though.

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Isn't it messed up The Goblet is a housing area and not a tiny goblin?


But for real give us an actual city-state for Ala Mhigo.
Even if we have to Firmament-style rebuild it.