Tips for buying against Plot not yet available for purchase. 4.2 housing

[Frizze]

Unfortunately, I don't expect Ishgard Housing to come with 5.3. From looking at the map for the Firmament and what we've completed (or almost completed depending on world) versus what's not yet uncovered, we've got at least 2 if not 3 patch phases left for the Restoration. Maybe we'll get lucky and SE will include all 3 of the remaining sections in 5.3 if the Restoration content is effectively ready to go and they want players to have something more to do while they work on developing 5.4 under the lockdown limitations.

So i chanced to talk to Augiebert(the NPC next to the skybuilders board) while our server was waiting out the final construction events. He said that the work was roughly 1/4 done. A quick tour of the completed work shows 7 houses are now completed in the New Nest area. Which is basically 1/4 of the 30 you would find in a housing district zone(division or subdivision). So if i were betting on it, id say we have restoration work to do for patches 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 before we're done. That could put open housing into 5.55. The fact that Ishgardian Restoration, rather then Ishgardian Housing, was listed as an expansion feature leads the cynic in me to think the work gets done roughly at the end of the 5.x cycle, and housing actually happens sometime in the 6.0 timeframe(that way they can advertise it for the next expack - if this is the case, id be betting 6.01 when the first savage tier and first real tomes arrive). All of which is to say, if my guess is correct then i really hope this is more then just a 5th city with 21+ wards that will fill up in a flash and not solve the housing problems we have.

[Jojoya]

So i chanced to talk to Augiebert(the NPC next to the skybuilders board) while our server was waiting out the final construction events. He said that the work was roughly 1/4 done. A quick tour of the completed work shows 7 houses are now completed in the New Nest area. Which is basically 1/4 of the 30 you would find in a housing district zone(division or subdivision). So if i were betting on it, id say we have restoration work to do for patches 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 before we're done. That could put open housing into 5.55. The fact that Ishgardian Restoration, rather then Ishgardian Housing, was listed as an expansion feature leads the cynic in me to think the work gets done roughly at the end of the 5.x cycle, and housing actually happens sometime in the 6.0 timeframe(that way they can advertise it for the next expack - if this is the case, id be betting 6.01 when the first savage tier and first real tomes arrive). All of which is to say, if my guess is correct then i really hope this is more then just a 5th city with 21+ wards that will fill up in a flash and not solve the housing problems we have.

I'd agree that they likely set the original plan to have the sections completed one per patch with the final one in 5.5x.

With the virus situation disrupting the development schedule, that could always change. The Firmament likely exists in a completed state on their internal servers already, and they seem to have a good system for the FATEs set up. It might be easier for them to release more Firmament content than originally planned in 5.3 to cover gaps caused by content that's going to be delayed.

Not trying to say they're likely to do this but it's a possibility.

As for waiting until 6.0 to open Ishgard housing, that would be a bad decision. Housing in general might be a selling point but it's not a major one for a game that's focused around story based combat. Saying "we're adding a new housing district" wouldn't mean anymore to a new player than just saying "we have housing".

Releasing it in 5.55 (if not sooner) would relieve some of the housing concerns sooner. It would give players something to do to fill the inevitable content drought that happens at the end of an expansion (seems like I'm always redecorating an apartment on one of my alts if not my house on my main). It would also be a reward for those players who have been here this expansion helping to build the Firmament in the first place. It would look bad if those players who put in the work to build the Firmament were stuck fighting over housing with new players who had contributed nothing.

[Frizze]

Its entirely possible that im wrong too. The after-quests from the firmament clearly set up a way that the rest of the work could be completed more quickly. Extra artisans, engineers, foreign tools, and the buy in from all 4 major houses? If they wanted, thats enough of an excuse to finish it in 5.3 or 5.4. The housing opening up before this cycle ends would be for the best. But i have my doubts. And if it isnt an instanced/hybrid system, youre still going to be competing with people who contributed nothing - theyll just be current players rather then potentially new ones. I have my house(in my 2nd favorite plot), and as of now im not sold on relocating it to ishgard. So im not planning on competing with anyone. Subject to change.

[Thee_Freshness]

I'd agree that they likely set the original plan to have the sections completed one per patch with the final one in 5.5x.

With the virus situation disrupting the development schedule, that could always change. The Firmament likely exists in a completed state on their internal servers already, and they seem to have a good system for the FATEs set up. It might be easier for them to release more Firmament content than originally planned in 5.3 to cover gaps caused by content that's going to be delayed.

Not trying to say they're likely to do this but it's a possibility.

As for waiting until 6.0 to open Ishgard housing, that would be a bad decision. Housing in general might be a selling point but it's not a major one for a game that's focused around story based combat. Saying "we're adding a new housing district" wouldn't mean anymore to a new player than just saying "we have housing".

Releasing it in 5.55 (if not sooner) would relieve some of the housing concerns sooner. It would give players something to do to fill the inevitable content drought that happens at the end of an expansion (seems like I'm always redecorating an apartment on one of my alts if not my house on my main). It would also be a reward for those players who have been here this expansion helping to build the Firmament in the first place. It would look bad if those players who put in the work to build the Firmament were stuck fighting over housing with new players who had contributed nothing.

I think you're exactly right regarding the timing. My hope is that they'll see the gap between supply and demand and just open up 3 more wards or something to ease the pressure until Ishgard is ready. I can dream that they'll implement a better system for selling the plots (a real estate office where available plots are listed and you can put down the amount to buy one and, when the devaluation timer ends, the "winner" is chosen randomly from all of the people who put money down. If no one does, then the devaluation happens and the process starts anew). I guess I can dream of getting a free pony too because that's not going to happen either.

[Lolli282]

So I relocated, and then of course got heaps of abuse for ninja-ing there plot. I tried to explain to them they could have been waiting days for this plot as it just came up, also apologized and told them it did suck, but that is the nature of the beast. They also accused me of exploiting and I explained, no , this is just how the system works....

If I could do ever again I suppose I would have waited maybe until they gave up. Though this was beach front in Shirogane (small) so I'm sure someone else would have come by to snatch it up....

So what should have been a happy time is a sucky time.

I once relocated to the same plot (for neighbors) and two people were waiting. I made sure to tell them the plot, ward and area that I came from so they could go to it.

One went right away and the other followed me in the house. They obviously weren't too happy, in response I stayed neutral and friendly. Then they tried asking for gil to help them buy the other plot and I simply said the plot was the same price so they should be fine. I told them I was rooting for them and to let me know when they got a plot. I never saw them again.

I wouldn’t say never do it again but I think telling people where you came from is a nice way to save them even a little grief. You are right that someone else would have taken that prime plot.

[Thee_Freshness]

I once relocated to the same plot (for neighbors) and two people were waiting. I made sure to tell them the plot, ward and area that I came from so they could go to it.

One went right away and the other followed me in the house. They obviously weren't too happy, in response I stayed neutral and friendly. Then they tried asking for gil to help them buy the other plot and I simply said the plot was the same price so they should be fine. I told them I was rooting for them and to let me know when they got a plot. I never saw them again.

I wouldn’t say never do it again but I think telling people where you came from is a nice way to save them even a little grief. You are right that someone else would have taken that prime plot.

This literally happened to me a little while ago, and while their intentions were good, they honestly just made it worse. I'd been waiting next to what I felt was an absolutely top plot in the ward for 10 hours along with one other person. Someone appeared out of nowhere at the exact moment the plot became available for sale, bought it, said "sorry" and that was that. They later offered the location of their old plot in another city I wasn't interested in and had 30 people already camping it. Again, I get that the intention is good, but in my case, it wasn't much solace.

The problem isn't really the ninja; it's the system that rewards fortunate timing over time and effort. There are much better ways to do this that don't require people to spend so much time camping these plots which still prevent direct, black-market sales. There are cheap and easy ways to ease the housing shortage. This is an SE problem and until they address it, it's just going to be a source of frustration.

[EthanXdeath]

This literally happened to me a little while ago, and while their intentions were good, they honestly just made it worse. I'd been waiting next to what I felt was an absolutely top plot in the ward for 10 hours along with one other person. Someone appeared out of nowhere at the exact moment the plot became available for sale, bought it, said "sorry" and that was that. They later offered the location of their old plot in another city I wasn't interested in and had 30 people already camping it. Again, I get that the intention is good, but in my case, it wasn't much solace.

The problem isn't really the ninja; it's the system that rewards fortunate timing over time and effort. There are much better ways to do this that don't require people to spend so much time camping these plots which still prevent direct, black-market sales. There are cheap and easy ways to ease the housing shortage. This is an SE problem and until they address it, it's just going to be a source of frustration.

I think there are two things that need to happen first and foremost. 1. there should be separate FC and personal housing wards period, the amount of houses would double from this period. 2. Those with multiple "FC houses" should be demolished, no if and's or but's IDC if they were grandfathered in and gotten legit, this kinda stuff shouldn't be allowed to happen. Sure maybe there still aren't enough for personal plots at this point, but at least every FC that's legit will have a house, though likely there will be far more empty houses in the FC wards.

[Drkdays]

This literally happened to me a little while ago, and while their intentions were good, they honestly just made it worse. I'd been waiting next to what I felt was an absolutely top plot in the ward for 10 hours along with one other person. Someone appeared out of nowhere at the exact moment the plot became available for sale, bought it, said "sorry" and that was that. They later offered the location of their old plot in another city I wasn't interested in and had 30 people already camping it. Again, I get that the intention is good, but in my case, it wasn't much solace.

The problem isn't really the ninja; it's the system that rewards fortunate timing over time and effort. There are much better ways to do this that don't require people to spend so much time camping these plots which still prevent direct, black-market sales. There are cheap and easy ways to ease the housing shortage. This is an SE problem and until they address it, it's just going to be a source of frustration.

If they were relocating then the plot hadn't just became available and they coincidently managed to get it. Relocation totally bypasses the hidden timer. It still sucks for campers, but they weren't just fantastically lucky.

[Thee_Freshness]

If they were relocating then the plot hadn't just became available and they coincidently managed to get it. Relocation totally bypasses the hidden timer. It still sucks for campers, but they weren't just fantastically lucky.

I did not know that-thank you. That...is a curious design choice. Good to know. Thanks again.

[Lolli282]

I did not know that-thank you. That...is a curious design choice. Good to know. Thanks again.

Yeah that’s what I did. I relocated. The reason that relocation doesn’t wait for the timer is relocating does not take away an available plot, it just changes which plot is available for sale. You may not get the location you want but you could still get a house if someone relocated to a plot you were hoping to buy.