Bozjan story locked behind Extreme-level Rank 10 Castrum critical engagement

[MilitaryVet123]

In the trend to make more and more content palatable to hardcore players, casual players are left in the dust and are left out of content like Bozja because the story is increasingly locked behind difficult content like the Castrum critical engagement at Rank 10.

We already know that this critical engagement is difficult and 1. requires enough people to be at rank 10 in the first place to have a good chance of clearing and 2. have difficult enough mechanics that a random pick up group can't easily clear it. I am not against content being hardcore as a casual player as long as they're optional and detached from casual family-friendly content like Eureka or Bozja.

However, what is not talked about right now is that the rank 10 critical engagement unlocks a significant story twist in the Bozja storyline, with 10+ minutes of cutscenes and worldbuilding that will undoubtedly mean that the next tier of Bozja will have a prerequisite of Extreme-level Rank 10 Castrum critical engagement.

This hurts casual players like me who can't do Extreme content and already die repeatedly to the Red Comet, because it is unlikely that I will ever clear this content, and what's worse, I'll never be able to unlock the next tier of Bozja because I cannot complete the storyline. Please give players an option to receive 50% Echo to complete the engagement with the understanding that they will forgo the Bozjan coins. I think this is a good compromise for older gamers like me.

[Snowborn]

Replacing "exploration content" with this was an "interesting" choice.

[Stepjam]

Well i guess I'd need to see how hard it actually is first to fully comment, but so far none of the critical engagements have been that hard.

Assuming this one gives resources to everyone who completes it but gives priority to newer players, I don't think it'll be much of an issue. Being level 10 certainly won't be an issue, this is content people are expected to be playing for months. You don't need to get to rank 10 immediately (and it's not even that hard to do so, I'm already rank 8 with like 5 hours of play.)

But like I said, I can't comment on the difficulty aspect yet.

[Berteaux_Braumegain]

What fight is that supposed to be? I'm curious about how hard it is.

[MilitaryVet123]

What fight is that supposed to be? I'm curious about how hard it is.

Castrum Lacus Litore. It's harder than Red Chocobo, which is Extreme/Savage level.

[Seddrinth]

Troll game doesn't disappoint. I honestly appreciate the efforts as it brings a smile to my face.

[Mechnikov_the_Jotunn]

I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time, but I completely disagree with the notion that the game is going in a direction to cater to hardcore players. Aside from Ultimates and Savage there is seldom content in the game that pushes the limit to one's play.

That being said, I hope they do implement some way for you to witness the story content, as I agree you should not be barred from it. I believe we can make difficult content for those who want it without it gatekeeping those who cannot, or perhaps simply do not want to study fights.

I just resubbed for the Bozjan Front so I'll be curious to see how it is, but I stand by my belief that no one should be left behind.

[Curisu]

The level 10 CE is not hard at all.
You just dont have the 48 player for it ready atm.

Remember Ovni at the beginng from Hydatos when only 8ish people were level 60 and it spawned?
The fate failed so many times because they could not kill it in time.
After a few weeks when you had more level 60 player around it was no problem.

[TaleraRistain]

That being said, I hope they do implement some way for you to witness the story content, as I agree you should not be barred from it. I believe we can make difficult content for those who want it without it gatekeeping those who cannot, or perhaps simply do not want to study fights.

Not just witness. Participate. WoW did that "witness" thing by letting you touch a statue in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion to see the end cutscenes if you didn't raid, because it was all locked behind raiding. It was infuriating. EQ and EQII did the same thing. If XIV starts implementing playstyle ceilings like that era of gaming, then it will be time to make my way on after 6 years.

[Mechnikov_the_Jotunn]

Not just witness. Participate. WoW did that "witness" thing by letting you touch a statue in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion to see the end cutscenes if you didn't raid, because it was all locked behind raiding. It was infuriating. EQ and EQII did the same thing. If XIV starts implementing playstyle ceilings like that era of gaming, then it will be time to make my way on after 6 years.

I highly doubt FFXIV will become a game with content locked behind raiding. Especially since Raiding and Savages yield hardly any rewards.