4.1 - The emptiest patch yet.

[hydralus]

if the only thing that's missing is 1 expert dungeon

what 4.1 has that's new are
- Squadron AI
- Uznair expansion
- Ultimate Savage fight

Okay, at the risk of being wrong when the patch comes out, that doesn't seem like 'new' stuff. Ultimate savage is, what, a single arena? Which uses assets already in the game, no less? Squadrons do 5 dungeons which people have already done by the time they even get a squadron and something most of us groan about if we get them again for a leveling daily. Uznair expansion, as I recall, is simply a chance of unlocking more rooms which is a fairly minimal boost.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for it since I love my treasure hunting, but it doesn't strike me as something 'new'. Not that I require something to be new to be enjoyable, but if I'm looking at where development resources are being applied in comparison to previous patches, I just don't see what we're really getting for 1 less dungeon. Because it's not '1 expert dungeon = squad AI/Uznair expansion/Ultimate savage' it's '1 expert dungeon + entire diadem + Lord of Vermillion = squad ai/Uznair expansion/Ultimate savage' which makes it seem like a lot of the time was spent on the squad AI.

All I can really hope for is that the squads end up becoming something worthwhile.

[missybee]

yeah because suddenly everyone has cleared v4 and savage doesn't exist, please.

Wow, I didn't realize what I said was so offensive.

At this point, most mid-core statics should be pretty close to clearing Neo Eggs-D, so it exists - but barely? We'll soon be in that phase where most statics clear the entirety of Deltascape Savage on reset day and then sort of unenthusiastically do the 24-man to help gear up other jobs.

So statics will get together to likely beat Shinryu after spending a few hours familiarizing themselves with the fight, and then a fair few will forego Unending Coil altogether?

I wasn't trying to be hyperbolic. The person I responded to was insinuating that this patch has a lot to offer for raiders, and I simply disagree.

[Ayer2015]

I wouldn't call it empty. That said, the devs' refusal to create content with a high degree of replayability and long term incentive structures will only hurt the game long term with regard to retaining subs. If they are fine with people unsubbing and coming back for the next expansion that is their prerogative I suppose.

I stand by my opinion the gear system in this game needs a drastic overhaul.

[technole]

You really think two fights are going to keep people engaged for months?

Shinryu will be mid-core content, and Unending is just for bragging rights as far as I recall. If it is truly as hard as it purports to be, statics will fall apart trying to clear it since the incentive is minimal.

Savage still exists for those still cracking on O3S/O4S and to get into Ultimate.

Weekly savage clears still will happen for more free gear, we do doggie farms on another raid day since we clear all of savage in two hours every week. Who knows how long progression will last in Ultimate, but it's certainly fresh content every 3 months instead of 6. So yes, it will last and a third doggie once progression is over.

[Ziggyzapps]

Will there be new crafts and gatherables? I looked through the notes and just saw some stuff about Zoey. Was fun gathering and making hq stuff like over a year ago when it wasn't hello kitty land.

@OPs question - battlefield 1 and maybe TW:2

[Vahlnir]

Will there be new crafts and gatherables? I looked through the notes and just saw some stuff about Zoey. Was fun gathering and making hq stuff like over a year ago when it wasn't hello kitty land.

I'd imagine there will be, there always is.

[eaudaemon]

Alexander Creator Savage clear (A12S) rates in last column, this was in March before Echo. It's based on the polling all lodestones for the mount since cheeves can be hidden. It's a good estimate, but of course since only one mount drops a week for raid during lockout, there is obviously groups that don't have all 8/8.

It is also a good representation oh how disparate NA/EU vs JP is when it comes to high-end raiding.

Now this is good, at least somebody did their research and not spouting numbers.

[SendohJin]

Okay, at the risk of being wrong when the patch comes out, that doesn't seem like 'new' stuff.

new stuff is not just graphical assets. that's easy compared to the mechanics of Ultimate Savage, Squad AI and perhaps new mobs in Uznair (if all these mobs are 100% rehash, that would indeed be disappointing).

Because it's not '1 expert dungeon = squad AI/Uznair expansion/Ultimate savage' it's '1 expert dungeon + entire diadem + Lord of Vermillion = squad ai/Uznair expansion/Ultimate savage' which makes it seem like a lot of the time was spent on the squad AI.

it's a little disingenuous to lump Diadem + LoV in there and ignore Eureka and the new music playing thing. those aren't ready yet but work has been put into them. and don't forget while those 2 pieces are delayed 4.1 is a month earlier than 3.1.

I wasn't trying to be hyperbolic. The person I responded to was insinuating that this patch has a lot to offer for raiders, and I simply disagree.

it's not a lot but it's more than any odd number patch since Savage Second Coil, when this entire topic is about less less less.

[Rita1989]

Now this is good, at least somebody did their research and not spouting numbers.

Except that was taken 6 months after 3.4



This one is 3.45 and is a more realistic look at the ones who will be able to beat Ultimate

[missybee]

it's not a lot but it's more since any odd number patch after Savage Second Coil, when this entire topic is about less less less.

Yeah, I suppose I can't really argue with that. The odd patches did always tend to be the "casual / catch up" patches...

I guess I just get distracted very easily. I sort of balk at the idea of doggo farming being what carries us to 4.2, and I don't care about my FFlogs since I'm trash.