Patch 2.2, Accessibility, Difficulty Levels, and Throwing Away Content

[Felis]

Please tell the development team that there is still a demand out there to fight Twintania under its original conditions (Maximum item level of 91 without an echo buff). You could please a lot of players by implementing these "Time Capsule" achievements. One such achievement could be "Complete the binding coil of Bahamaut Turns 1 through 5 with a maximum item level of 91 and without the use of an echo buff).

Would be still possible.
Do an own party (without DF) with everyone in gear not higher than 80 and all members remove the buff with right-clicking.

The thing with the achievement could be a good idea. "Clear coil 1-4 with all party members removed the echo buff"
Something like this was also in 1.0, like "Do hamlet defences with only DoH and DoL"

[Defmetal]

There is a thing called the Date you got the achievement on.... that's kind of reward enough.

Either way, it would be nice if the game is not a never-ending gear treadmill to get another 10 item levels every patch

[Zumi]

Greetings everyone,

To clarify specifically about dungeon difficulty, as the game progresses, we're planning to offer players the Echo buff to make themselves stronger in order to challenge older content, not necessarily just lowering the difficulty of the dungeon or encounter itself. Also, those who wish to complete the dungeon without assistance may remove the Echo buff.

While there are no plans to give bonuses to those who cleared content before the addition of the Echo buff, we did submit the feedback that some of you had for more horizontal progression on rewards.

Personally I like vertical progression it gives me something to work for. Horizontal progression and side grades or gear thats weaker then current tier like Crystal Tower was kind of useless for me because my Paladin had all 90 gear when it came out meaning I had nothing to gain from doing it.

Let Yoshi know there are us players who like vertical progression and enjoy working toward getting newer stronger gear.

[Ogun_Riastradh]

I'm not one to reward elitists or 'hardcores over casuals', but you have to consider... the many, many hours and weeks spent over farming for pieces pre-Echo/Unlock, only to have everything homogenize post-2.2, it can be disheartening for many.

I think they are speaking of older content, so those of us that have busted our butts getting that gear will likely have moved onto something better. I think its mostly for the casual that is very behind or new people trying to catch up to end-game stuff. Depending on how its implemented, I'm not sure I'm so worried about it. I'm more peeved about my White Ravens getting uber nerfed from 1.0.

[Jynx]

As long as they drop giving us the echo buff once players hit whats just a tier or two below the most "Recent" endgame I couldn't complain. Help the scrubs get by Titan hard and get them some help gearing up for coil then let them enter 1-5 with no echo buffs.

I'm all for letting players clear content but they need to keep the divide between skilled players and people who can't be bothered somewhere other than the bleeding edge.

[Colt47]

Vertical progression should match with the maximum level a player can achieve, though. The problem with the gear score boosting method of progression is that eventually it leads to huge peaks that suddenly have to be addressed when the next expansion comes out, to the point that eventually all the gear has to be recalculated down the line. Horizontal progression and challenges lets people develop multiple sets of gear as well as gear up alternate classes/jobs without suffering from content burn out and helps address the score spikes that happen at end game.

[Raeletta]

I really hope that the echo buff is left off by default, and only appears once you respawn at the entrance (Meaning you at least try to do it without once.). It's been a long time, but when I used the buff (instead of dispelling it) I was doing one of the scholar job quests (I was tired and couldn't be arsed lol) it made a rediculous difference. As in, instead of the NPCs dying and failing, I was destroying everything.

I can guarantee insta-kicks for anyone removing it, easy way or no way is what this place is all about.

[Tears-of-Death]

The future of successful MMO gaming is based around creating accessible content to all skill levels of players. There seems to be some kind of illusion that you are a special butterfly if you grinded for hours to wrack your nerves against coil for the first few months. You talk about the horizontal progression that came with 2.1 which was mostly crystal tower which was supposed to be launch content.

It wasn't intended that you progress coil with dark light/Vanya gear but just ended up being an unfortunate accident of unforeseen circumstances.

Vertical progression is an accessibility feature that makes older content easier to catch up on to begin newer content. Its a good thing for all but those entitled elitists that want everyone else to bow at their feet. Measure your life in a more meaningful way please as you're part of the reason we have this toxic community.

[Makado]

In my opinion and I believe many others is you like to have unique things based off of your accomplishments in the game. Having unique and cool rewards should not divide the community, I think it would serve to make better players and a better community. You would have people trying harder or practicing a little more to beat that tough spot they are at so they to could get that special reward.

Its also things like this that can help ease the hardcore crowds frustration with lack of things to do, because most of these players find the most enjoyment in earning tough to achieve rewards.

[Edellis]

Accessibility > Everything else


Coil is currently endgame content that you're intended to struggle on. In a few patches, it will no longer be intended for you to struggle on, because there will be more to do. And square actually wants people to DO IT, not be scared off from it.

No matter which type of progression it is, people simply enjoy progressing. Coil will simply be replaced by something else of equal difficulty.


I'm hot for super difficult content, but consistent progression is the sole reason why I give this MMO time of day over others. I hate how linear gear progression in FFXIV is looking, but I will support Square's decision to keep the progression train accessible as long as they keep doing it right.