Could we get "mid-level" relic gear added for newer jobs?

[Iscah]

Cross-posting from the Items forum because I was hoping to spark a discussion.

Generally speaking, jobs of course get relic gear at the end of each expansion's job quest - but jobs newly introduced in the following expansion miss out on an equivalent. AST/DRK/MCH only get generic Lv50 gear, RDM/SAM get nothing at Lv60 and GNB/DNC get nothing at Lv70.

While it's understandable that the gear designers might not want to make an extra set of unique gear each time, I would love to see a similar approach to the starter gear where an existing design is repurposed so that someone playing one of these jobs can get an equivalent "ready for endgame" gear set at the point where older jobs would receive their relic set.

This also means that the new jobs have one more dedicated glamour set available to them, especially where their individual costume design is at odds with the usual direction of gear design for their role.

I wouldn't expect special starter gear for the Heavensward jobs since none of the ARR jobs have individual equipment at that point, but I would like to see the Lv50 gear coffers altered to give something unique.


So this is part request to the devs, part speculation for the forum: if this approach was implemented, what existing gear do you think would suit each job?


From current starter gear we can assume the rules:

• it has to be a gear model that already exists in the game

• it doesn't need to be for the same role (e.g. SAM has Asuran mage gear; GNB has Wrangler aiming gear)

• sets can be mixed and matched (e.g. RDM has Maelstrom Elite gloves, striking boots)

[Iscah]

For my own thoughts:

Lv50 AST
Something in black with gold or silver trim.
Perhaps the Lv60 Star Velvet mage set? Make the main tunic black and the sash over it in an ornate star pattern.

Lv50 DRK
A version of Fray's armour (Lv60 Chivalric set) would be poetic.

Lv50 MCH
Maybe the set that Hilda wears? The model does exist for other classes of course, but a dedicated version for MCH would be nice. (And would retroactively explain why Hilda is dressed so fancily for someone from the Brume, I suppose.)

Lv60 RDM
An excellent chance to make some of the more ornate DoW-locked gear available to RDM.
The Orthodox/Dravanian DPS set would be a great choice with its tricorne hat, fitted tunic and long boots.

LV60 SAM
Perhaps one of the Genji (Deltascape) or Ryumyaku sets other than the striking model?

Lv70 GNB
Something lightweight and non-tanky.
Maybe the Alliance aiming jacket, or one of the Filibuster/Royal Volunteer designs?
If they're willing to use it, the Swallowskin Coat for gatherers would be excellent.

Lv70 DNC
The Demon (World of Darkness) striking/scouting set was one of the things that I was expecting to make use of when I thought DNC might get scouting gear.
The Lv60 Prophet/Panegyrist/Bloodhempen mage gear with the feathered skirt would work well too, and the sandals, wristlets and mask would be good pieces for combining with other sets.
The Conqueror/[whatever-NIN-gets] melee gear from the same series could also work. (Both sets have been used for other classes, but not for aiming.)

[linayar]

A counterpoint: The relic gear is basically the lowest item level for that level, and while it's a good starting point for current max level, jobs at previous max level should just move on from that, especially with how easy it is to get poetics.

[Iscah]

A counterpoint: The relic gear is basically the lowest item level for that level, and while it's a good starting point for current max level, jobs at previous max level should just move on from that, especially with how easy it is to get poetics.

As you say, it's not gear to be used for the long term, but it does create that starting point "minimum expected gear level" as you reach the final dungeon and trial for the expansion.

It's also entirely viable for someone to now pick up one of those expansion classes as their main job and not have access to poetics at that point. If someone picks up gunbreaker or dancer at Lv60 and plays it exclusively as they make their way through Stormblood, they're not going to have access to the Lv70 poetics vendor at the point where they're ready to tackle the Ala Mhigo dungeon and fight Shinryu. Players of other classes are automatically gifted a set of level-appropriate gear at that point, so why should they miss out?

It's essentially the approach they went with for the Heavensward jobs at Lv50, although they didn't get exclusive gear, but they did get a coffer of gear at an equivalent item level to what the ARR jobs receive for completing their job quest.

You also can't gear up entirely with poetics straight away, even if you arrived at endgame with a full pocket, so relic gear plugs the gaps while you save up.

Also, to push the logic that "it's easy to get poetics anyway" to its extreme conclusion, then why give starter gear either? Just give them the weapon and let the player figure out their own gear... but of course they don't do that. The starter gear is equal parts convenience so you can get straight into content without sidetracking for gear, miminum recommended level ready to face that section of the MSQ, and job-appropriate glamour.

Providing a relic-equivalent set at the point where other jobs receive relics just seems like keeping everyone treated equally. Even a free set of crafted or early tome gear would be better than nothing - but as I said, it's also an opportunity to give new glamour, especially for classes that don't fit their role's usual gear asethetic and would suit a design from a role they can't normally access, like RDM and GNB both suiting physical DPS gear.

[TheMightyMollusk]

A counterpoint: The relic gear is basically the lowest item level for that level, and while it's a good starting point for current max level, jobs at previous max level should just move on from that, especially with how easy it is to get poetics.

It should be pointed out that the Stormblood poetics vendor doesn't open until after fighting Shinryu, so anyone who picked up dancer or gunbreaker at 60 and then leveled it as their main can't use tomes to get over that hump.

[Iscah]

It should be pointed out that the Stormblood poetics vendor doesn't open until after fighting Shinryu, so anyone who picked up dancer or gunbreaker at 60 and then leveled it as their main can't use tomes to get over that hump.

Indeed, and Eulmore is likely to be in the same position once 6.0 releases - although it would be nice if they took an overall look at that situation and realise that there's a good opportunity to logically open up both of those places late in the main game. Rhalgr's Reach could open up at Lv68 when we return from Othard and the Reach reverts from its "ruined state with sad music" back to normal, and Eulmore could open up at Lv78 when we drive Vauthry out.

Even if they stay locked while they are the current endgame and only opened up once they shift to poetics, that would be great. I'm taking a few alts through the story and always seem to reach a point where I'm capped on poetics, have no need for any more Lv60 gear and I'm ready to buy Lv70 gear but I can't. I had hoped that was what they were bringing in Rowena's Representatives for, but it seems that they're locked to endgame as well.

[BokoToloko]

I think just giving some white gear like the initial gear handed down in initial quest would be just fine, since that's recolord gear at only 15 ilvl below highest in level (115 ilvl from quest vs 130 augmented ironworks for example).

I don't think they have to go too much into designing sets of relics to avoid locking new players out of MSQ duties. Though, as far I recall, you can still overcome the minimum ilvl requirements by buying gear from the merchants final areas (Azys Lla, Lochs,....), with MSQ providing the gear for the following duties.

[linayar]

Also, to push the logic that "it's easy to get poetics anyway" to its extreme conclusion, then why give starter gear either? Just give them the weapon and let the player figure out their own gear... but of course they don't do that. The starter gear is equal parts convenience so you can get straight into content without sidetracking for gear, miminum recommended level ready to face that section of the MSQ, and job-appropriate glamour.

Because it's the starter gear. You're not expected to be wearing any gear, so they give you one to start with. By the time you're leveling, you should already be wearing gears for your job.

It should be pointed out that the Stormblood poetics vendor doesn't open until after fighting Shinryu, so anyone who picked up dancer or gunbreaker at 60 and then leveled it as their main can't use tomes to get over that hump.

That's a fair point for consideration, but I don't think that's enough as you don't need to have the antiquated gears to enter Shinryu and chances are there will be people with better gears carrying you through the fight.

I think just giving some white gear like the initial gear handed down in initial quest would be just fine, since that's recolord gear at only 15 ilvl below highest in level (115 ilvl from quest vs 130 augmented ironworks for example).

I don't think they have to go too much into designing sets of relics to avoid locking new players out of MSQ duties. Though, as far I recall, you can still overcome the minimum ilvl requirements by buying gear from the merchants final areas (Azys Lla, Lochs,....), with MSQ providing the gear for the following duties.

That's a good point as well.

[SavishSalacious]

Cross-posting from the Items forum because I was hoping to spark a discussion.

Generally speaking, jobs of course get relic gear at the end of each expansion's job quest - but jobs newly introduced in the following expansion miss out on an equivalent. AST/DRK/MCH only get generic Lv50 gear, RDM/SAM get nothing at Lv60 and GNB/DNC get nothing at Lv70.

While it's understandable that the gear designers might not want to make an extra set of unique gear each time, I would love to see a similar approach to the starter gear where an existing design is repurposed so that someone playing one of these jobs can get an equivalent "ready for endgame" gear set at the point where older jobs would receive their relic set.

This also means that the new jobs have one more dedicated glamour set available to them, especially where their individual costume design is at odds with the usual direction of gear design for their role.

I wouldn't expect special starter gear for the Heavensward jobs since none of the ARR jobs have individual equipment at that point, but I would like to see the Lv50 gear coffers altered to give something unique.


So this is part request to the devs, part speculation for the forum: if this approach was implemented, what existing gear do you think would suit each job?


From current starter gear we can assume the rules:

• it has to be a gear model that already exists in the game

• it doesn't need to be for the same role (e.g. SAM has Asuran mage gear; GNB has Wrangler aiming gear)

• sets can be mixed and matched (e.g. RDM has Maelstrom Elite gloves, striking boots)

You do realize if you have the tomes, and you switch to one of those classes you can go buy their gear right? Like we arn't this daft are we?

[Eloah]

It is a good/interesting concept, but ultimately the tomestone gear for that specific level range fits the niche you are requesting. And most experienced players would prefer those anyway. That's why for the newer jobs, they add a weapon for that level range as well; though DNC and GNB still got shafted, lol. Anyways, what you are proposing sounds more along the lines of a glamour request instead of a "relic" gear request, since you are using older sets anyway. If thats the case, I would rather them do something similar to what they did with the Sky Pirates sets, in unrestricted the gear.