5.3 Preliminary Patch Note

[DPZ2]

Can no longer gain spiritbond from open world enemies. That seems like something that sorta screws over BLU, and any future limited jobs.

Spiritbond for gear is so easy these days. There's a glut of materia from multiple sources, and it doesn't really have to be gained by killing open world enemies. I doubt that there are many BLU out there (except for bots?) who really care if they get a Savage Materia I from spiritbonded level 8 hempen gaskins after killing X number of mobs in the East Shroud.

[Hasrat]

Spiritbond for gear is so easy these days. There's a glut of materia from multiple sources, and it doesn't really have to be gained by killing open world enemies. I doubt that there are many BLU out there (except for bots?) who really care if they get a Savage Materia I from spiritbonded level 8 hempen gaskins after killing X number of mobs in the East Shroud.

Perhaps. On the other hand, wouldn't their open world experience boost also translate to better spirit bond gain? Additionally, BLUs are just really good at killing open world mobs far above their level, for even greater/faster gains. And finally, there is a bit of a gap in low level materia availability, a niche BLU could potentially be fulfilling, for the sake of anyone progressing old ARR relics. Last I did one, that sphere scroll stage was kinda a pain, just for not ever gaining those materia anymore.

In short, while the impact may be minimal, it remains an option removed from the player. And, personal opinion, removing player options is always kinda unfortunate.

[linayar]

All this yacking about Aurum Vale should be a signal to the devs that if they want to make harder dungeons ...

Maybe they don't.

I, for one, would be ever grateful if that Chimera in Cutter's Cry had telegraphs. It is so difficult to read the chat windows while trying to get through a level 38 Bard rotation as it is. And don't get me started about that 'hint' window that covers up the chat window whenever I use the mouse for things on the right side of my action bar.

For chimera-type enemies, it's probably more practical if you just remember what each action does on the cast bar as those other hints don't show up anywhere else, I think.