Our passive characters and why the 2.55 story fails (BIG SPOILERS) (rant warning)

[Fyce]

The player character is a soulless puppet devoid of will.

You are a Warrior of Light. Not a politician, not a war leader.
You are just here to fight bad stuff and keep Crystal Mom happy. Being naive, clueless and overly passive is a sign of purity of heart.

That's a bit why Midgardsormr seal your connection with Hydaelyn. He wants you to stop being a Pawn of Light and start doing stuff by yourself.

Regarding your character not doing anything while being arrested... well, first, you were weaponless. Then, your powers are still sealed by Midgardsormr. So, no, you are not going to fight an endless flow of guards with your fists only (even if you are a Monk. Punching metal armors barehands hurt a lot).
Besides, your character had no clue what was going on. Risking a diplomatic incident by attacking Teledji and compromising the position of the Scions by doing that would have been a terrible move. Not resisting your arrest was actually the best political move to do.

(I'll also not speak about "you being your avatar" thing because others pointed it out. It's obvious game design.)

Alphinaud is really stupid

Yes, and he admits that himself. He was way to naive and wasn't careful enough.
But, let's be fair here, there's no way he would have known how big this rebelion was. Nobody would.

Raubahn is the only character in the entire plot with a functioning brain

Speak with others NPC in the world. Especially guild masters and GC leaders. Nobody believes this coup d'etat to be your doing. Besides, Raubahn and Nanamo already knew that Teledji was up to bad things and wanted to take the place of the Sultana by any means. Teledji just showed up and basically said "'sup, I killed her"... Maybe you call that "having a functioning brain", but it was actually very obvious.
Everyone knew that a conspiracy was happening. They just didn't know it would happen that way and that fast, with such magnitude.

Every Scion except Thancred is completely useless

"Smirking Dummy" was completly dominating one of the best 1v1 fighter of this world, Raubahn, who was on a complete rampage, kicking stone columns like it was nothing. I think you underestimate the true power of "Smirking Dummy". Y'shtola barely managed to block the blow that killed a lot of people.
Again, regarding your character, you were still weaponless and with your power sealed.
Besides, even if you, the Scions and Raubahn were maybe able to deal with "Smirking Dummy", you would have been surrounded by an endless wave of guards and Crystal Brave. Good job, everyone is now in jail or dead.
Also, since Minfillia can't do sh*t, protecting her (and you) was a priority. You really can't complain about the Scions escape.

Let's shoe-horn Cid in, in a really bad way

Cid comes directly to save you outside Ul'dah, not the Shroud.
That aside, again, speak to NPCs. You'll see that, for example, Limsa Lominsa is only safe because the Admiral will not allow Ul'dah to actively search for you in the city... But you are still considered a fugitive and a Crystal Brave traitor. Limsa, nor Gridania can prevent undercover searches for you... besides, if you would hide in a capital city like that, you would draw a risk of war between said city and Ul'dah, which is now under control of the Monetarists.
The Coertas is the most "neutral" place for you to hide, and the safest (considering the climate and the bad reputation of Ishgard to cooperate).

Now please understand this is not me nitpicking. If I wanted to nitpick I'd point out that Yugiri with her mask off apparently walked around Coerthas in the middle of a dragon invasion without comment.

She's a freaking ninja! Besides, we don't even know how the Au Ra story will fit in.

[Risvertasashi]

Yeah but again I would maybe, MAYBE buy that Ul'dah could have people extradited if they had actually shown the Alliance cooperating in that manner.

Well, they could refuse. But there would be a political angle to it they might not (well, apparently do not) want to deal with. Think Snowden and Russia. Serves Russia's cause, but nations friendlier with the US might not want to harbor such a person even if they couldn't/wouldn't extradite... because of the political consequences.

You know the worst part? Alphinaud says right at the end that you can likely go back to Ul'dah because nobody believes you're guilty and nobody will support any action against you.
So this exile is entirely unnecessary because it's canon that Ul'dah is too lazy and lacks any backing to go after you.

Let's be honest. This is purely a plot device so they can do meaningful things, but don't have to lock you out of an area (Easy in single player, problematic in an MMO environment). They even try to play it up a bit with that one Braves guy in Ul'Dah telling you he hasn't seen you, but to not to stick around lest the Blades/other Braves come.

But, again, MMO. I'm willing to give them leeway here to work under the constraints an MMO environment creates.

[Velia]

Blah blah blah

Okay, I'll ask you like I asked 3 others with no response.
Why, if what you say is so damn impossible, does Thancred do exactly that? "Screw the rules! Ima kill these scumbags!" He does it.


Long story short: If you defend the indefensible, you'll completely ignore any point that's inconvenient.

[Addicted]

text

Yes, seeking refuge in the other 2 cities would have more dire political ramifications, ones we could even use in our favor, like you said. I understand why Ishgard, I just think the urgency could have been better conveyed, which also ties into this:

You know the worst part? Alphinaud says right at the end that you can likely go back to Ul'dah because nobody believes you're guilty and nobody will support any action against you.
So this exile is entirely unnecessary because it's canon that Ul'dah is too lazy and lacks any backing to go after you.

I admire them for trying to make such drastic changes in the storyline, as poorly executed I think they may have been. I'd admire them even more if they tried to reflect that change in the actual world, especially since this is an MMO. Something as simple as having a hooded model while in Ul'dah or your face obscured while in Revenant's Toll. You may say that the story shouldn't impact the gameplay and I'd agree but it'd be a temporary change foreshadowing the expansion. It'd make it seem more living and less static. The writers try to justify why everything remains the same and it just falls flat because a change of this magnitude can't be hand waved with NPC dialogue.

[KaedrianLiang]

My replies are embedded in the spoiler tag.

The player character is a soulless puppet devoid of will.

The player character is a hero with untold potential in combat prowess. Exercising restraint, especially when you don't 100% know whats going on and who's behind it, who are innocent and just following orders and who are the true villains, this is the power of a true hero. With great power comes great responsibility (yeah i took that from spiderman). Taking action in the feasting hall would have been too soon and by the time we realize whats really at work it's too late and the best option is to escape. The other main story chars understand who you are and your extreme importance in Eorzea's future. They are willing to lay down their lives so you may go on to fight and rip the darkness to shreds another day. Not all of the brass blades were villains if you try to go back to the rising stones talk to the brass blade guarding the door, you will not be disappointed, you know there are good people stuck in a trap of evil that want to see you succeed. If the player character were to unleash like Rauban did, who knows you may have killed this innocent Brass Blade.

Gotta remember nearly everything was planned and they most likely have countermeasures to any hasty actions you may take and they may have even wanted you to revolt violently.


Alphinaud is really stupid

What happened to that guy with the eyepatch who was on the trail of the corruption? did i miss something? Why didnt the player character or the MIA eye patch guy report this to Alphinaud. I knew there was something wrong with our method of recruiting for the Crystal Braves. I wouldnt say Alphinaud is really stupid, just inexperienced and we as an organization failed to communicate potential internal conflict.


Raubahn is the only character in the entire plot with a functioning brain

I agree his actions are very satisfying, but the actions cost him way too much, he could have walked out of there and struck another time with the player character and Yugiri's "people." I can see untold badassness incoming from Yugiri and her shadow conglomerate.


Every Scion except Thancred is completely useless
No really, thanks for your support lady!

It's a fight where the enemy has breached friendly lines and you cant tell who's friend or foe. Again, Exercising restraint is the most logical option. Raubahn's rage was putting everyone inthe vicinity in danger, this enforces that restraint was the best option. Had the player character unleashed your friends may have perished as well, friendly fire in the heat of battle, it happens and it would have happened had Y'shtola had not been there to stop the debris.


Let's shoe-horn Cid in, in a really bad way
So really. Me and Alphinaud flee to the Black Shroud and then get on the Enterprise for shelter in Coerthas?

Given on what transpired in the feasting hall, the evil lalafells did not want Ishgard high military witnessing what was about to unfold. They obviously fear the status and power of Ishgard and most of all your recently glorified relationship with Ishgard. During the mess, Gridania and Limsa high command pretty much just walked out of there leaving you to your devices. How can you possibly trust them more than Ishgard at this point.

Different views is different.

[KerenRhys]

Long story short: If you expect the developers to please you every step of the way, you're only setting yourself up for disappointment. Might want to lower your expectations.

We don't expect developers to do anything, we expect storywriters (you know, the guys whose job it is to write stories) to write something coherent and to take care that their story makes sense. For a MMO that prides itself with the quality of its story, it should the least they do, don't you think?

Well, at least, I expect them to. A lot in my FC have given up on the story, which is boring, anti-climatic, or with characters that would prefer to punch than to help (Minfilia being the biggest offender here), just to take a few of their opinions.

[Velia]

You are a Warrior of Light. Not a politician, not a war leader.
You are just here to fight bad stuff and keep Cristal Mom happy. Being naive, clueless and overly passive is a sign of purity of heart.

That's a bit why Midgardsormr seal your connection with Hydaelyn. He wants you to stop being a Pawn of Light and start doing stuff by yourself.

Okay. Great. Nice plot device. So when are we going to do that?

Regarding your character not doing anything while being arrested... well, first, you were weaponless. Then, your powers are still sealed by Midgardsormr. So, no, you are not going to fight an endless flow of guards with your fists only (even if you are a Monk. Punching metal armors barehands hurt a lot).

5 guards plus a non-combatant = endless flow? Club them over the head and get away!

Besides, your character had no clue what was going on. Risking a diplomatic incident by attacking Teledji and compromising the position of the Scions by doing that would have been a terrible move. Not resisting your arrest was actually the best political move to do.

Teledi is openly corrupt and hostile. It's obvious things are as bad as they'll get and once again, Thancred does exactly that by attacking the guards.

Yes, and he admits that himself. He was way to naive and wasn't careful enough.
But, let's be fair here, there's no way he would have known how big this rebelion was. Nobody would.

He knew enough to not walk alone into an obvious trap.

Speak with others NPC in the world. Especially guild masters and GC leaders. Nobody believes this coup d'etat to be your doing. Besides, Raubahn and Nanamo already knew that Teledji was up to bad things and wanted to take the place of the Sultana by any means. Teledji just showed up and basically said "'sup, I killed her"... Maybe you call that "having a functioning brain", but it was actually very obvious.
Everyone knew that a conspiracy was happening. They just didn't know it would happen that way and that fast, with such magnitude.

But Raubahn is the only one who acts by removing Teledji, clearly guilty of treason and regicide from the picture and moving on to handle the other traitors. He would've succeeded with support, instead Senna and Merlwyb flee and the Scions freeze up.

"Smirking Dummy" was completly dominating one of the best 1v1 fighter of this world, Raubahn, who was on a complete rampage, kicking stone columns like it was nothing. I think you underestimate the true power of "Smirking Dummy". Y'shtola barely managed to block the blow that killed a lot of people.
Again, regarding your character, you were still weaponless and with your power sealed.

You're kidding right? The dummy took Raubahn by surprise, because he was his best friend, and even with one arm he matched Ilberd blow for blow.

Besides, even if you, the Scions and Raubahn were maybe able to deal with "Smirking Dummy", you would have been surrounded by an endless wave of guards and Cristal Brave. Good job, everyone is now in jail or dead.
Also, since Minfillia can't do sh*t, protecting her (and you) was a priority. You really can't complain about the Scions escape.

So? Minfilia can hide while the WoL, Raubahn, and several accomplished mages and fighters go to town. Ilberd would've been easily dispatched 2 v 1 and the rest could've escaped WITH Raubahn and be in a far better position. You are pumping up Ilberd, a man who couldn't defeat a 1 armed man he just betrayed in anything resembling a short time a massive amount to prove your paper thin point.

Cid comes directly to save you outside Ul'dah, not the Shroud.

Pay attention. The guy from the player intro takes you to the Shroud border where Cid picks you up.

That aside, again, speak to NPCs. You'll see that, for example, Limsa Lominsa is only safe because the Admiral will not allow Ul'dah to actively search for you in the city... But you are still considered a fugitive and a Cristal Brave traitor. Limsa, nor Gridania can prevent undercover searches for you... besides, if you would hide in a capital city like that, you would draw a risk of war between said city and Ul'dah, which is now under control of the Monetarists.
The Coertas is the most "neutral" place for you to hide, and the safest (considering the climate and the bad reputation of Ishgard to cooperate).

You really think an army from a foreign nation can openly search a sovereign territory? Also, open war with two or potentially 3 other city-states? You think the monetarists are that stupid?

She's a freaking ninja! Besides, we don't even know how the Au Ra story will fit in.

She also LOOKS LIKE A DRAGON. During a dragon invasion. Derp.

[Risvertasashi]

I admire them for trying to make such drastic changes in the storyline, as poorly executed I think they may have been. I'd admire them even more if they tried to reflect that change in the actual world, especially since this is an MMO. Something as simple as having a hooded model while in Ul'dah or your face obscured while in Revenant's Toll. You may say that the story shouldn't impact the gameplay and I'd agree but it'd be a temporary change foreshadowing the expansion. It'd make it seem more living and less static. The writers try to justify why everything remains the same and it just falls flat because a change of this magnitude can't be hand waved with NPC dialogue.

I don't think the execution was horrible. Room for improvement, sure, there's a few sore points...

...But the alternative, a road many MMOs take, is "We don't write anything that actually impacts the world very much." GW2's "living story" is another way around it, but then there's no way to revisit past events for new or just busy players.

All in all, despite my criticisms... I will say thanks to SE for writing something this meaningful. I'd rather seem them try than not have it. And maybe next time, they'll take our feedback and there will be a "resist arrest" option.

[Wournsfeik_Untawhasyn]

Okay, I'll ask you like I asked 3 others with no response.
Why, if what you say is so damn impossible, does Thancred do exactly that? "Screw the rules! Ima kill these scumbags!" He does it.


Long story short: If you defend the indefensible, you'll completely ignore any point that's inconvenient.

I'm gonna go ahead and step in here.

Scene ends on a fade to black. No character just walks up to you and slaps cuffs on you and is like 'there ya go, all captured'. The fade is a moment for you to fill in the blanks, since SE can't tell you how you would've reacted. Instead they leave the scene before that decision point had to be made and hoped you'd fill it in. For some of us, yes, we'd have stood there and let it happen, for others even with being disarmed they would've broken a chair and sword and boarded at the them or picked up a candlestick and lanced.But in the end the event plays out that you got captured, so you need to fill in the why of it.

Oh no, SE is asking us to think about our characters because if they made our character too active they'd be getting the opposite complaint. There's actually at least one instance where they fade to black and let you imagine the outcome as you then proceed to knock someone straight out because that was the forgone conclusion. For me it was a dude I likely just knocked to the ground with my shield, for my wife with a well placed Dragon Kick. But the point stands that they didn't want to risk telling you 'And then you start struggling, potentially damaging Nanamo's body (because yes, some people care) and creating a massive political sink hole out of your plight.

As for the running away, that was respect and understanding that all the fighting in the world wouldn't matter if you got overrun. Sure we can take a few brass blades. One or two, but eventually Conjuror MP runs out, eventually Monks run out of TP, eventually a warrior can be wittled down by too many rocks. And if we did take down the entirety of Ul'dah, what next? Are we going to stand singlehandedly and face the Garlean Empire when it shows up as soon as it hears that the WoL took out an entire City-State's Standing forces? Maybe we can handle their airships with their own well placed mortars, but our allies would be dried up after that much bloodshed.

[Risvertasashi]

I'm gonna go ahead and step in here.

It's a fair point. I think, however... FTBs can imply passivity (no visual cues like us taking up a fighting stance to counter that), especially when you add in that a few scenes after when, instead of helping our liberator, we did outright flee. On camera.