Early Thoughts on 1.18 - THANK YOU Yoshida-san! :)

[DexteraDomini]

When I first started playing my CON after the patch I was angry and frustrated. I thought they had ruined my class. Then I realized I had been ridiculously spoiled before the patch and just hadn't learned how to do my job very well. I never used to use any abilities just nuke, nuke, cure, rinse and repeat. This way is harder yes but so much more enjoyable. As for the other parts of the patch A+ definitely, SP is a little harder to come by but it should be, was too easy before. I'm finally starting to get hooked on this game, not sure if that's a good thing or not!

[tachikoma]

this ^ Exactly how I felt, now playing con and thm feels strategic. I am constantly trying to manage MP, do I need to cast curaga? can I get away with casting sac2 2x instead? What is the best mob to siphon MP from? I am talking a lot more in combat, communicating my MP to the other casters so I can take a short break to rest MP while they takeover main healing duty.

[Alexis_Arteme]

When you consider the immensity of this patch, I have to say I'm very impressed it wasn't a total disaster. I have my qualms just like everyone else (I agree with many about the "sliding across the ground while drawing weapon" problem).

Also, I heard there's new stuff, but nothing in the game really directs me to it, at least not that I've seen.

[Embers]

I have to agree, 1.18 has been a win in my book.
I love the what has happened with Con and Thm, i now have a challenge to play against, I agree with DexteraDomini's feeling of being ridiculously spoilt before the patch being able to use MP without giving it a second thought, for me was no fun. Although saying that being able to nuke on con has given me a crazzy desire to level our BLM equivilant when it comes out: )
I havent dd'd since the patch but i have been watching my BF's screen, it looks much more fluid. Being able to switch betwwen active/passive while moving is great - the ice skating does need to be addressed thou.
I love the new Black Shroud music its totaly correct for the area! but i am disapointed that Misbeard's Cove's music is in Thanalan. I would of loved a new melody.
I love the new look action bar, the new timer animations make it very easy to read, i'm looking forward to the future steps regarding the auto allocation by job to the bar of actions - The fact it no longer disappears when you have a target is great however it still dispears when a gnat warps - i was hoping this would be changed.
I love the Grand C's quests, thumbs up!! really looking forward to Hamlet defence too!
The amendment to the SP gained in gathering is great - cant wait to spend a whole afternoon on my Botanist.

Yeahp for me 1.18 is a great step in the right direction, I was starting to get very dispondant with the game it was going to causual/solo friendly for me but this patch for me feels like the start of some very strong foundations to a great game!
I am disapointed with some people on this forum, i seems to me many people have forgotten this is the satrt of the changes there are more to come many many tweeks and ajustments too, what we have at the momment are the bare bones to be grown on, and i really hope SE can see there are many of us very happy with the new dirrcetion of the game and completly support them,

Thank you FFXIV DEV team you are all doing an amazing job, please keep up the great work!!

[SyntheticSyndicate]

can't resist...... the urge......to fight off......the patrick swayze.

I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE, NO I'VE NEVER FELT THIS WAY BEFORE, AND I SWEAR.... IT'S THE TRUTH....AND I OWE IT TO YOU...

Dirty Bit! Mmmst Mmmst Mmmst.

Not going to lie, I quit for a bit, came back and find the improvements the best patch so far. I really hope Yoshi-P keeps up the amazing work. No matter what patch there is, there will always be naysayers so remember that.

[Kiara]

Me too. I think just because of that, it's my new favorite zone—and I used to hate it. It reminds me of music from Secret of Mana I.

Great point! Definitely a little bit of Seiken Densetsu (Secret of Mana) in there. The Black Shroud's music is lovely.

[Kiara]

this ^ Exactly how I felt, now playing con and thm feels strategic. I am constantly trying to manage MP, do I need to cast curaga? can I get away with casting sac2 2x instead? What is the best mob to siphon MP from? I am talking a lot more in combat, communicating my MP to the other casters so I can take a short break to rest MP while they takeover main healing duty.

Well said, Dextera and tachikoma.

I love playing Conjurer and Thaumaturge now. Before 1.18, it was AOE Sacrifice III, AOE Cure II... rinse and repeat. AOE Siphon MP II and you have a full MP Bar back (especially on what were supposed to be the big challenges in the game (Dodore, Haughtpox, Open World High Rank NMs). You drew almost no hate, and it was super simple and easy.

Right now it really feels strategic and challenging. You have to learn to let people build hate. Watch the hate meter yourself. Think before you drop a Curaga II bomb on the whole party, etc. Rest MP a bit (where MP is a commodity with some value again).

I can't wait to see where 1.19 and the final Job System goes, but it's a step in the right direction.

[Tinydog]

coming back after about 5 months of inactivity i must say the gameplay has improved a ton. my client is not crashing anymore the city lag has dropped down. all the new guild tasks, side quests give more things to do instead of just leves spam. the lack of low rank equips has given me a chance to make good gilz since people are buying them out faster than i can make them. keep up the great work SE.

[Rentahamster]

Yeah, 1.18 is a pretty decent start. There are a few bumps, but I think 1.19 and 1.20 will refine things to a nice level.

[Kiara]

Yeah, 1.18 is a pretty decent start. There are a few bumps, but I think 1.19 and 1.20 will refine things to a nice level.

Yah, are you enjoying Dzemael Darkhold?

Hopefully in 1.19, 1.20 we'll see the rest of the Combat System Core Changes, and the Job System finalized (1.21?). And maybe the Skillchain 2.0 / More Active Combo System replacement for Battle Regimens (hopefully taking a cue from your thread Renta).

It's getting a lot better and it's fun to log in and play again.