MSQ
Is the bar really that low now or was this patch actually kinda good? I still have bruises from when they threw Koana's development under the bus last patch, but I guess the payoff was getting to stick to one location for a change.

I like the new-old-Sphene. The "classic" FF princesses have all historically been pretty awesome, so actually giving us one after the fakeout of 7.0 is better late than never, I guess. Endless Sphene was a good standalone villain, but got undermined by Simulant Sphene showing up one patch later. I kinda wish the current writing team had the confidence to bring the real one in earlier. As an apology, I want to be able to wear her shoes.

Calyx is interesting, but should have been introduced last patch at the latest. I get the feeling both he and real!Sphene were delayed on account of needing new models. He's definitely got some kind of ties to either the Ascians or some yet-unrevealed rogue splinter faction of the Milalla, though we don't have enough info yet to figure out what kind of larger endgame his current plan will work into.

I don't entirely like the way that real!Sphene keeps looking at the crown, though. Getting strong Yotsuyu vibes. I think it would be really, really bad if she put it on, and that that's probably what's going to happen.


Arcadion
I'm glad we got clarification that Brute Bomber is specifically playing the heel, as it was the one sticking point for me in the last tier. Much less thrilled that the revelation came at the cost of his life, but even as infrequent as "real" deaths are the bar is still low enough that I don't think it was worst way he could have gone out. Other than that, this series is actually doing a great job of illustrating why this game does better when it keeps the body count low. We got to check in with everyone from last tier (and we're sure to see them again by the finale), and Honey B. Lovely is now cleared to show up pretty much anywhere fanservice is called for.

I like the overall Hajime no Ippo direction they're going in with fighters retiring from injuries to take care of the next generation, but I'm hoping the "cure" is something a little less miraculous than it sounds at the moment. Not that I want the people the story is making me care about to all die horribly, I just don't want the cure to be so easy that it trivializes the issue entirely.

I have very little else to say about this one except all the fights rocked. I am glad the art team has finally caught on that male Miqo'te can double as wolf boys in a pinch. Please please please release a model kit for Howling Blade. Please.


Quote Originally Posted by SannaR View Post
Raid
Still a bit confused about the petrification attack as my co healer and I would be looking away, far away from the boss and some times not even doing anything and end up being hit by it which would cause us to die from follow up attacks.
This one is a bit of a second coil throwback:
you need to get behind the flowers. At least you have to kill the adds this time instead of keeping them alive.