Patch 3.3 (Trailer) Discussion (2.x - 3.2 Spoilers)

[CyrilLucifer]

Because I enjoy his character I wouldn't mind seeing more of him - but I have nothing to do with your argument up there, I'm not sure why you're even bringing me into it? I just made a light-hearted comment and you're going all condescending on me. What? Seriously man.

Hell, I've never hidden the fact that he's my favorite character.

[Rocl]

Let us not forget we watch Nael van Darnus die in 1.0. Literally watched his body explode into aether and absorbed into Dalamud. I remember being quite against any interpretation that he might return in 2.0 because, well, he was deader than a doornail at Rivenroad.

He still came back. He still featured. We're still dealing with repercussions of his actions. Either unfortunately or fortunately, based on your point of view, even a body doesn't prevent a dead character from returning. We're dealing with magic and dragons here, people.

(In fact, there was an interview with Yoshida not long after Dalamud fell where he stated that Nael was unequivocally absolutely no question about it dead. And this was true, Nael was dead. Still came back. Still featured. If the latter 1.0 antagonist can return I see no reason why the 2.0 antagonist won't)

[Fenral]

It's okay, Cyril. My favorite character will never come back either, and Yoshida will never confirm his permanent departure because that would require acknowledging he existed to begin with.

But really, if Nael van Darnus and Louisoix can be resurrected by not-quite-dead Bahamut, and if Nanamo can visibly and animatedly asphyxiate on screen (in FMV!) only to shrug it off one patch later like it was just a sleeping pill, there's really no point in trying to gather evidence supporting whether or not someone is really, truly dead, because that's just not how this universe works.

Hell, maybe we stop Nidhogg for realsies and Lahabrea runs off with Estinien's body instead? Gotta leave room for a sequel!

[CyrilLucifer]

Ha! I'm okay with that. I'm okay with basically anything Lahabrea you could throw at me, though. Even a flashback!
I'd say don't give up hope for G'raha, because they said we're getting Nero back, but, uh. Yeah. I can't even be that optimistic for you. I'm sorry, I tried. And poor Unukalhai is probably headed for the same fate. So we can go be together in sorrow for forgotten characters.

Unrelated, but on the subject of 3.3 Ozma -
It's not really a huge deal, considering she's a 24-man raid boss now, but I'm really happy that they kept Ozma's battle the sky; that's an incredibly important part of the original reference that I'm glad wasn't lost in the transition over, because it's obscure enough that most people don't realize the reference at all.

Ozma from FFIX (and thus XIV) is a strange amalgamation of the characters Ozma and Polychrome from the Oz book series. Polychrome is, as her name suggests, a daughter of the rainbow who lives on a sky island. She wears a dress of swirling colors that merge together without distinct beginning and end - and she gives one of those dresses to Ozma and Dorothy.

[Ekimmak]

I think the way Lahabrea went out was actually very satisfying.

First Ascian we killed was right after a big speech on how he's immortal, and will never stop hounding you for that magic stick.

Next one was Lahabrea's girlfriend (?) after she was boasting that they at least still had the power to escape.

Lahabrea boasts on how you only had one shot, so he'll be free to leave, only for King Thordan to come in looking for a snack.

Honestly, it feels like the greatest weakness of the Ascians is tempting fate, not white auricite.

But I want an actual fight against the Warrior of Darkness. Cutscenes never show really cut it for me, especially when people keep jumping in just as I draw my weapon.

[Fenral]

The concept art for FFIX's Ozma showed its name styled in English as O.Z.M.A., fitting with its existence as some kind of U.F.O. in FFIX's world.

Here's hoping Ferne has used his powers of localization to bless us with something suitably punny.

[Cilia]

I don't think the Ozma(?) battle is going to be in the sky. Rather, based on the platform and pieces of architecture in place of a horizon, it looks like a projection - possibly of Nym. Visually it's the same, but the fact it's a projection is just really cool.

I'm more interested in how Ozma(?) is apparently changing form reminiscent of Ramiel from Rebuild of Evangelion. It didn't display this ability back in IX (where it was, like the base form, just a swirling white/black sphere), and aside from attack and defense I'm curious what that kind of function could be for.

[Fenral]

Well, it's Rebuild of Ozma now. The creator's on his meds, there are actual computers in the art department (not just intricate drawings of them), and just for the hell of it the heroine has a different last name. We even have the same guy playing a mysterious figure in white who acts nice but may just be using you.

Jokes aside, I think they're trying to stay true to the original concept of Ozma, which is a deceptively simplistic bonus boss with a complicated graphical implementation. In 2000 that meant a (seemingly) perfect sphere with an evolving texture, in 2016 that means a sphere that morphs into geometry that would make Lovecraft proud. FFIX was a technical marvel considering it was on the original PlayStation, but it takes more now to achieve that same level of "did they really just do that?"

[Belhi]

Honestly, I think the way Lahabrea went out was very satisfying.

First Ascian we killed was right after a big speech on how he's immortal, and will never stop hounding you for that magic stick.

Next one was Lahabrea's girlfriend (?) after she was boasting that they at least still had the power to escape.

Lahabrea boasts on how you only had one shot, so he'll be free to leave, only for King Thordan to come in looking for a snack.

Honestly, it feels like the greatest weakness of the Ascians is tempting fate, not white auricite.

Honestly I would have preferred to take Lahabrea out. Thordan Kill Stealed. I mean he has been the WoL's main opponent since early 2.0. I kind of feel cheated that I didn't get the killing blow.

[Morningstar1337]

The concept art for FFIX's Ozma showed its name styled in English as O.Z.M.A., fitting with its existence as some kind of U.F.O. in FFIX's world.

Maybe they have Ozma become an acronym in the Raid, like how they are using the Concept art names for the Triad. But for what? Original Zero-Magic Artifact? Onmiscient Zenith - Master of Aether?