Idea for Learning Skills in ARR

Hey FFXIVers,

What do you all think of the concept of recycling the ability learning system from FFIX for some skills in ARR. For those of you unfamiliar with this system, it works like this:

• Equipment gives access to certain abilities
• Keep the item equipped for an extended period of time and gaining affinity towards it unlocks those abilities to be used whether or not the item is equipped (Spiritbond anyone?)

I think this would work well with the theme of Arcanist and Summoner using Books as their main weapon. What I propose is that once maximum spirit bond is gained with an item, you have the choice to not only turn it into materia, but learn the skills associated with the item in question. Whether or not the item is consumed in the process is up to the devs.

This might be overwhelming if this were done on large scale with all items, but maybe at first just having the books for Arcanist/Summoner and select End Game items for other classes.

I think it would be a cool addition to the game, and give more reason for players to do endgame content other than the specific stats that an item may give.

Thoughts?

I think they should simply create what works for them rather than rip every system from one of the other games.

This is an instance where I feel the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) is best. Why complicate something needlessly?

Current system is fine as is, but your suggestion does sound good.

I've always been a fan of games that used this type of system for learning skills. The only downside is, if you want to learn a lot of skills you end using gimp weapons/armor to learn the spell.

If done right, definitely awesome however.

after read OP's idea, I suddenly think of some nightmare "might" be coming... LV3 limit break only come with Relic weapon :O

nooo... please don't limit us to use a relic to do a shinny limit break. :O

Well I wasn't talking about doing it on a large scale just yet. I meant for it to start with Arcanist/Summoner weapons, and perhaps something like Primal Weapons. Wouldn't something like obtaining Fists of Wind from obtaining the Garuda weapon make sense? I'm not saying change the current way we gain our basic skills, that was just an example, but maybe gain some extra advanced skills from weapons/equipment.

I think it would add some more purpose and motivation to doing end game content. I just feel that once you get a Relic weapon or the best weapon currently, there's not reason to go after the other weapons or do any of the content in general, other than collecting items that you might never use.

I for one would like to see this idea implemented in FFXIV ARR. And I also think that this Illion fellow is an undiscovered genius of our time.;)

Good idea, gives more of a reason to get all the primal weapons other than just getting them for the sake of having a collection. It would also make doing primals more rewarding to know that you get an ability from the weapons.

Hello FF9 and no thanks.

How would you balance that? You make the skill a little too lackluster, it won't be worth obtaining. Make it good, and suddenly everyone that couldn't get their paws on said piece of gear becomes gimp. It was a good mechanic for an offline RPG, but I would be skeptical about how good it would be in this setting.

Sure, you can be skeptical, but the same can be said for equipment with skewed stats themselves. And the devs are always working to balance skills for different classes, how would this be any different? I still think this would be a great addition to this game and just to squash the idea for the sake of not having to deal with balance issues is ridiculous. All online games have this issue, but it shouldn't hold the game back.

In short, you balance it as you would any other skills. And it wouldn't necessarily need to be limited to skills but traits as well.

This system is also found in other Final Fantasy titles, so wouldn't it have a nice home in an online version where they're looking to make changes and get closer to their roots?