Revelations from Patch 5.5 (Part 1)

[Vyrerus]

The answer is quite simple:

Passing strange from my perspective.

Well, to be fair, normal mode doesn't showcase its "just explosions" mechanics very well. Also to be fair, all of the other weapon fights featured mechanics we've seen before with mildly different aesthetics.

The two platforms are put to more work in Extreme. Diamond Rain aka "just explosions" deals damage and vuln stacks proportional to the number of players on each platform. This means without shields, having too many people on one, even if they are dead, will kill everyone on that platform.

The knockbacks in Extreme also have to be used to be knocked across the gap, sometimes due to the teleporter debuff being 10x longer.

The teleporter debuff is increased to 20 seconds, so that the teleporter can't be used by the same people, such that everyone has to use it at some point, people have to adjust.

I found it really interesting that Auri Arts plays out while Diamond is armored off in Ifrit-speed form. Creating stable aether bubbles to use as jump and pivot points is something we've never seen anything do, though obviously it's a retake on Ifrit's Charges from days of yore, except instead making clones of himself, he just does all of the charges in a zigzag by himself.

The unfortunate metafactor of all .5 Trials is the fact that they will be used to give out weapons intended to increase below average or late to start raider's chances of defeating the 3rd fight in a Savage Tier with their weapons always being 5 iLvls below Ester augmented weapons. They never have the same impact as trials before them. Shiva was easier than Ramuh or Leviathan. Zurvan was easier than Sophia and Sephirot. Seiryu was an absolute joke compared to Byakko, Tsukuyomi, and Suzaku. They are intended to be easier though, and so their mechanics are never as complex or as devastating.

Though, tbh, mechanically none of the weapon fights have really been that difficult to pick up. I find Diamond to be the most interesting, as some of them are actually new. Gonna rattle some comparisons off, after the edit.

Ruby Weapon's Reused Techniques
Quicksand = Sunken Temple of Qarn HM, first boss.
Red Orbs = Stationary versions of orange orbs from Burden of the Father
Dashes with half cleave = Retake on divebombs/ifrit charges mixed with half arena cleave
Group Stack markers w/ donut aoe = reuse of general aoes combined
Nael Adds = Reused Turn 9 mechs
Hide behind comets = reused LoTA mech
Catch comets = reused clash catch mech from Stormblood, seen in Susano, Orbonne, and a couple other places
General raidwide

Emerald Weapons Reused Techs
Colored Orbs = Orbs from Ultima hard mode mixed with orbs from Chrysalis
Donut/proximity aoes = general aoes
Knockback with upper body
Shared tank buster = double rocket punch from BJ
Spread explosions in phase 1 = spread explosions from T11/anywhere else
Cleave spread in phase 2 = Protean wave, except easier
Blue Sword Cross AOEs = Scarlet Price Cross Explosions from Nidhogg Ex/Midgardsormr
Sky Armor bombs = exaflares
Formation volley or whatever = staggered line AOEs in many fights with a much cooler tell
General raid wide

Diamond Weapon's Reused Techs
Laser stack = line stack from Phantom Train
Claw cleave = half room cleave with a twist
Diamond Rain = new to me, maybe something from deeper in an Ultimate than I've been
Line laser autos that hit two highest enmity targets/tanks = Ozma Cube/Leviathan/etc.
Proximity Tethers = Exact purple tether in Chardarnook
Proximity Flares = Lots of fights
Proximity knockback = used in lots of fights, but PK used to cross a gap you can fall off of = new afaik
Quadrant cleaves with alternating party members = First Limit Cut from Cruise Chaser with a different aesthetic

If you've played the game a long time and delved into most of the battle content, you see recycled mechanics with new paint a lot. The most similar thing to have two sides that have a unique method of traversal is probably the Antigravity Limbal vs. getting down with 100Gs in Deltascape. I like seeing a new twist on the battlefield, rather than new paint.

[RobinMalvin]

Okay, here's my theory with the towers (specifically the big one in Garlemald)

As Urianger pointed out, being tempered to a nation instead of a primal is something we've never seen before. And then, we learned that the towers are summoning primals. My theory is Fandaniel and Zenos are trying to, or already have, use the biggest tower in the capital to summon the concept of Garlemald itself as a primal. A primal embodying the idea of Garlemald and what it stands for, explaining how people could become tempered by a nation. And then the beams coming from the smaller towers are broadcasting its tempering to other locations beyond its immediate vicinity.

I don't know how the Lunar Primals fit in, but that's what I think is going on in the imperial capital.

Remember Fandaniel's rant that he wants to recreate the Final Days. Primalss running amok was among many things that happened so I assumed it is one of the reasons. Still, the latest attack makes me wonder, considering Zenos' dissatifying comments about losing Lunar Bahamut and thus losing Meracydia's support (way to erase Meracydia from possible place we visit!).

[manamoppet]

Main Scenario Quest:

Questions:
- Hmmm... that incident with Arenvald may be the reason Alphinaud switches to Sage?
- Are the swords from the collection Zenos pick out from easter eggs from other FF games, or are they FFXIV originals? Are they swords from extreme/savage trials and raids or made specifically for that scene?

Not questions:
The scene with Allisae and Estinien made me chuckle and feel sorry for her. Same with the node where we set Tiamat free. The new dungeon (I forget the name) was really atmospheric and the music was really good and creepy.

Nier:

Nice Drakengard 3 reference! Also, the Red Lady was really unsettling and horror-like with her face flashing on our screen and that Cheshire smile. Really liked the rhythm game, and was surprised by the minigame in one of the fights. Overall much chaos and challenging content which is a big plus. Not quite sure, but I think I saw Emil's face flash on the screen a few times in the last fight. The story made me cry several times.

Question: Who were those sphere mechanoids on the elevator? (I forget their names)

Sorrow of Werlyt:

Very fun fight and not too challenging. Cried several times from the story, both sad tears and happy tears. Also, pop goes the weasel (god that guy creeped me out, glad he got what he deserved by one of his victims).

[EirolOcarrol]

Main Scenario:

I guess it was too much to hope we'd see the being of light at Silvertear Lake in this part of this patch. I was really wanting to, though.

I'm glad, after so long, we're finally hearing more about Hydaelyn. I've been attached to Hydaelyn since 1.0. And not hearing from Hydaelyn feels like a gigantic elephant in the room that for some reason, no one was bringing up at all. I really want this to be a redemption arc of sorts of Hydaelyn after essentially being slandered by so many people during Shadowbringers at the revelation that she is a Primal. It really hurt when the news happened, it was a little heartbreaking for me. She's been such a supportive figure since the earliest. A comfort. And I really miss her. Say what you may about the shortcomings of A Ream Reborn. But they established our home, Eorzea, the leaders of the Grand Companies, and Hydaelyn as a supportive Motherland and home. Whether the prone to cheer and laughter, yet greatly troubled and exploited Nanamo, the stern and pragmatic, perhaps even harsh, yet reliable and strong Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn, or the serene and pure Kan-E Senna. To the Goddess we are introduced to at the earliest of Final Fantasy XIV's outset, to Minfilia, leader of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.

Eorzea was not wanting for any kind of maternal comfort. Which is a thing of personal taste, but something I personally really liked, and made me feel comfortable in Eorzea in 1.0 and A Realm Reborn. We already lost one of them in Minfilia. I personally don't want to lose another. It's already felt much lonelier without her on our journey. What felt like a backbone of support has been shaken and shaded. I'd rather her return be a triumphant one, and her character played "straight" and earnestly, and not the trope of betrayal and "your closest ally was your enemy all along". Hydaelyn has been a face of comfort from the beginning, and it's been sad enough to see her gone for so long, only to learn that she's the thing we've been fighting all along, a Primal.

This has personally been the highlight of the Patch MSQ for me so far. As she's been strangely absent for far too long. And it's nice and long overdue for characters to be addressing what has been for long a very very important figure. "The silence is deafening", as they say.

I'm still on edge and worried, as there's been a lot of bad news, so far. And she hasn't returned to voice the theme of Endwalker. Not yet, at least.


While Arenvald hasn't been one of my favourite characters, I'm sad to see him injured. Though giving him time in the infirmary looks positive, at least. I'm hopeful that he's okay. I can't really remove myself from myself to talk about these people like they're not real, or what's good or interesting for the sake of storytelling. When anyone good dies, it hurts. A lot of people are good at analyzing storytelling, or say "if this person dies, it would be interesting", but I'm not that kind of person and don't look forward to anyone dying. I've no taste and no idea what makes for good storytelling. So while he isn't a favourite of mine, or anything, I am always sad when Scions and other good people die.

There's a lot of places that are in expansions without being confirmed beforehand. The fact that Krile is going back to Old Sharlayan, or the Sharlayan homeland, gives the feeling that visiting Sharlayan may yet play a part in Endwalker. Which would be nice, but I don't know how much attention they can give to both Sharlayan and Thavnair. I'm honestly happy with Thavnair getting plenty of attention. And am super sad to see Krile go. I like having Lalafells by my side, and am sad I'll be without her for presumably a while. With very good and exciting reason, of course! More Sharlayan! I just hope she isn't absent for most of Endwalker.

Krile is adorable and has a great personality. And I want more Lalafells, not less, in my MSQ interactions. We already lost Papalymo.

And on that note, onto my true favourite part of the Patch. Namamo, my favourite character in all of Final Fantasy XIV, played a huge role in this page! More than I dared to hope! I saw the various leaders in the teaser, but never did I expect I would see so much of her Grace again! It was wonderful! It was serious times, but it made me so happy to see so much of Nanamo! Honestly, I want to watch the cutscenes many more times again, just because it has so much of her!

Did I mention she's my favourite character?

Thanks Square! This feels like personal fanservice to me and all other Nanamo fans out there.❤️
She was really cool and a great leader, too! I guess I should have expected her to get some time, since we're dealing with saving/untempering Beast Tribes. Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn was last time. Does this mean that Kan-E-Senna will get her turn, next? I can only assume so. This feels like a trend of wrapping up each nation state with the conflict with their Beast Tribes. I would be extremely surprised if we're not going to Gridania next to speak much with Kan-E Senna and deal with Ixal as a beast tribe. Though from the preview, it seems we're also going to Ala Mhigo, as Lyse is already dealing with tempered. Poor Gridania may get skipped over, and we may just get Lyse instead. Lord Hien will presumably show up as well eventually. He is in the banner, after all.

And may I just say that the inside of those towers are super creepy and organic looking!? The look gross! Demonic, even! It was really grotesque, and almost reminded me of Exdeath's Lair in some ways! Also known as Castle Exdeath, you know, once the facade spell is over, and you find out it's made out of the thousands of people he's killed! Fandaniel does seem a bit like Exdeath. Bizarre and bent on destruction for destruction's sake.

I would like some answers. Where Hydaelyn is and why we haven't heard from her. Is Fandaniel really that one dimensional? What are those towers? And we didn't really get any answers. We didn't even get to see Zenos' weapon! In terms of answers, it does feel like both this and the last chapter have been more just a tease of Endwalker, and given us questions. I only hope that we get a least a little more hints and clues before Shadowbringers post-game is all over. May can't get here soon enough.

[Vyrerus]

- Are the swords from the collection Zenos pick out from easter eggs from other FF games, or are they FFXIV originals? Are they swords from extreme/savage trials and raids or made specifically for that scene?

A lot of them are weapons from extremes and savage fights from Stormblood. I haven't closely scrutinized the scene, but off the top of my head:

Genji Greataxe
Diamond Katana
Seiryu's Spine (Great Sword)
Seiryu's War Axe
Suzaku's "Longsword"
Cryptlurker's Greatsword
Ironworks Claymore
Horde Greatsword
Odenta (this is the one he picks up in the trailer, and the one he

Throws at Fandaniel as a sign of his anger.

Seiryu's Rippled Longsword
Ifrit's Blade
Sophia's Longsword
Zurvanite Greataxe
Byakko's Longsword
Ifrit's Harpoon
Suzaku's Spear
Shinryu's Katana

I believe I also eyed a couple of the Bluespirit weapons, but I'd have to rewatch the cutscene.

[Alleo]

@EirolOcarrol about the MSQ

I fully agree with your post. FF seemingly likes to go the route that anything god like is bad and needs to be destroyed at the end. I just hope that they dont do that or if she somehow needs to be destroyed that its not because she betrayed us but because its necessary for world and that she wants it too.

Honestly for me it makes no sense if she is suddenly a bad guy. Answers is still partly from her view, which shows her as loving her children. She shields us which weakended her greatly and she gives up Minfilia to help the first. The only thing that hints at her being "bad" is the fact that she is a primal but doesnt that fully depend on what the summoners wanted? Maybe she might even be a special case.

I also dont like the thought that we are somehow tempered and other than the one remark from Ifrit nobody noticed anything. Ysthola is able to see tempering, wouldnt she have noticed that our soul is different? Middy was able to restrict our use of the blessing of light and yet we did not change with that either.

Tiamat may have kept most of her own self because she is a high dragon but we are not similiar to that. We are still only parts of a whole soul thus nowhere near in power of her or the other Ascians. We kinda shouldnt have been able to keep our own self. And on top of that Tiamat herself would have lost it if she would have been near Lunar Bahamut too. We visited Hydealyn quite a few times, so we should have been utterly tempered by just that.

Her words that we heard first were Hear, think feel. She basically told us to behave like a normal living being. (And we only got the blessing much later with the first crystal)

But of course I also want to know more about her and Venat. I just hope that they dont go the predictable way and make her into something that needs to be destroyed too.

[Jandor]

On tempering:

Tiamat is worried that if she goes near Bahamut she'll get fully tempered, so we set about curing her of her partial tempering. Then in the next cutscene we learn Lunar Bahamut can't or won't temper people anyway.

I guess it was worthwhile doing it regardless, better safe than sorry I suppose. Still though, I did think it was kinda funny.

[RyuDragnier]

Nier:

Nice Drakengard 3 reference! Also, the Red Lady was really unsettling and horror-like with her face flashing on our screen and that Cheshire smile. Really liked the rhythm game, and was surprised by the minigame in one of the fights. Overall much chaos and challenging content which is a big plus. Not quite sure, but I think I saw Emil's face flash on the screen a few times in the last fight. The story made me cry several times.

Question: Who were those sphere mechanoids on the elevator? (I forget their names)

Answer to the question.

Those two are the bosses fought at the end of Nier: Automata before the final bosses. You ride an elevator just like that and fight each one with a different character.

[Erendis]

Can Y'shtola really see

tempering? Was this stated somewhere? She did not see that Emet-Selch was tempered.

[Bright-Flower]

It was still worthwhile

to remove her tempering just on the merits of putting her soul back to normal but yeah, seems it may not have been neccisary to fight Lunar Bahamut.