Yoshida-san - Please KEEP +1, +2, +3 Levels of HQ Weapons + Armor + Tools

[Kiara]

I actually think that the +1+2+3 system propagates too much redundancy in the system, so I don't mind it going away. If it resolves some server issues at the same time, then all the better.

Hi Renta,

If I may ask, how does +1, +2, +3 add too much redundancy to the game? I guess if you mean in terms of a having a Sword +1 (so, 5% Boost) vs. Sword +2 (10% Boost) vs. Sword +3 (15% Boost), sure there's some overlap, but it's also different tiers of augmentation right?

But with this morning's Lodestone Update on Materia, I think this whole situation might go away...

Since if all Materia has IV "Tiers" of Potency, then *that* right there is going to be the new "+1, +2, +3, +4" then.

So if it turns out that

* Heaven's Eye Materia I = +2% Accuracy
* Heaven's Eye Materia II = +3% Accuracy
* Heaven's Eye Materia III = +4% Accuracy
* Heaven's Eye Materia IV = +5% Accuracy

Then, I understand and am fine with them reducing the base weapon to just NQ and HQ (since getting "HQ" (IV) Materia would be rare in and of itself (I hope)).

If the Materia I - IV is just a matter of converting a higher rank Weapon (so a R12 Sword gives you Heaven's Eye I, and a R50 Sword gives you Heaven's Eye Materia IV), then I'd still like to see +1, +2, +3 Weapons again.

[Rentahamster]

Hi Renta,

If I may ask, how does +1, +2, +3 add too much redundancy to the game? I guess if you mean in terms of a having a Sword +1 (so, 5% Boost) vs. Sword +2 (10% Boost) vs. Sword +3 (15% Boost), sure there's some overlap, but it's also different tiers of augmentation right?

Yes, there are different tiers of augmentation, which isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but does it really add more depth into the gameplay? FF11 had only NQ and HQ items, and when compared to FF14, there really doesn't seem to be any significant improvement in any kind of gameplay that would justify those extra tiers' (+1, +2, +3) existence in the first place. One can argue that it adds complexity to the crafting system, but complexity doesn't always necessarily equate to depth.

I just want to make it clear that I don't really feel that strongly on the issue of HQ finished items. If it was up to me, I'd definitely remove +1,+2,+3 on all materials, and change it to NQ or +3 only, like they did for monster drops. I'm indifferent on making that same change to finished items, but if the devs think that it's a good idea to remove those too, then I don't have a problem with it. Besides, like I had mentioned earlier, it still has the side benefit of reducing item database strain as well as inventory glut.

As far as the issue of "redundancy", it just seems redundant to have a separate version of all finished items for such a small difference in stats. Besides, people are going to grind until they achieve their +3, so it doesn't matter how many tiers of quality there are since anything that is not a +3 is no different than if it were a NQ. There's is just not enough justification in the gameplay to warrant those extra tiers.

Since if all Materia has IV "Tiers" of Potency, then *that* right there is going to be the new "+1, +2, +3, +4" then.

Indeed, but it makes a little more sense for materia since they are not as "permanent" as the gear itself.