new melding system. more casual? no thanks!

[Valmonte]

Risk vs Reward. Something all new MMOs fail to grasp in concept. It's not being a "sadist", you're taking the risk to pimp yourself out, you should not be handed things so easily. It was very high up there in the RNG factor, but the risk vs reward was in the right place: Very risky for the best reward in that system possible.

If you buy 5 high tier materia and can slap it on with no risk..sure the general gamer will like that because they get something good with no work or risk, but in terms of gameplay balance? SE will have a whole world of problems to deal with.

On the plus side though, this is exactly why they said melded gear won't matter as much as it did in 1.0.

just think of the uproar the Elite & Rich would cause once they hit the PvP field, if the melding system were to remain unchanged. SE is thinking ahead for a change.

[NoloeTazier]

Let's not forget with the lower inventory caps we can't afford to have so many different grades of materia within tiers of materia. The system had to be changed to go along with new change in stats. People who still have the money and time to blow up gear for melds will still be rewarded while people who don't can either take the gil they do have and have a good chance of succeeding in double melds or simply buy a double/triple meld from the AH because there will be more of an abundance.

[Elexia]

Less risk

Harder goals

Losing because of luck is far more frustrating than losing because of ineptitude.

Winning because of luck is far less satisfying than winning because of skill.

I want to earn my rewards through skill, not endless grinding with luck being the deciding factor.

In terms of Materia melding, it's not a skill based system for it's gear, which is exactly why I said the risk vs reward is in the right place, it was just extremely reliant on the RNG.

However, SE did say they're not having a huge reliance on it (they are with your stat allocation) so gimping this system to make it casual doesn't mean much when the outcome won't matter like it used to since hopefully they were wise enough to make dropped gear better.

[Colvin]

I'm hating this. Materia customization is what could really put your character aside from others.

I think the problem is that noone really ever DID customize. Just like everything there was a single right way to do it and pretty much everyone melded the same way.

Perhaps that is what they are trying to fix?

I'd rather have easy melding and be able to make lots of different types of weapons with various melds for various situations than work forever through breaks to get one semi-decent melded weapon

[NoloeTazier]

I think the problem is that noone really ever DID customize. Just like everything there was a single right way to do it and pretty much everyone melded the same way.

Perhaps that is what they are trying to fix?

I'd rather have easy melding and be able to make lots of different types of weapons with various melds for various situations than work forever through breaks to get one semi-decent melded weapon

A big problem with the materia system is it's an Armor system onry. Face it no one used melded weapons because DPS is all that matters, it's tied in with your Weapon Skills. Sure some people used enmity swords to kite mobs, but that's certain situations like you noted. Hopefully the new system isn't just 'casual' with melding. Hopefully it takes in account Spiritbond converting and more types of materia for different slots of equipment.

[Warlock]

How do you feel about the new melding system?
Apparently all tiers will have the same stats and it will be easier to make multi melds.
Also the stats bonuses that come from materia will be lowered and be made more casual.

I'm hating this. Materia customization is what could really put your character aside from others.

I don't think anyone ever complained about this. If its not broken, don't fix it, I'd say.

HAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! oh god you just made my day ...melding can't get any more casual than it is ...you just click yes and that's it like using a coin machine at a casino you either not win or hit jackpot first try or 200 mil later I WELCOME THE CHANGE!!!

[KiriA500]

Melding was just RNG...so making that suck less is a good thing. Stop hating things that are clearly better.

[Wyyote]

With the higher success rate though, wouldn't people who wanted to gear up as much as possible just work towards high level triples and quads? I understand they'll be reducing the impact of stats and all, but the way I looked at it was it just opened up the ability to make unique and multiclassed gear.

Overall, as much as I don't mind the current system, I'm sure they'll be enough of a need to still create some pretty amazing gear. An HP and intel build for a BLM for example with tier IV quads. It just might be more of a niche, rather than a basic requirement to top the parser. Outfitting a MNK with a relic weapon required triples of intel and strength just to get remotely close to the cap. If I could reallocate some of that into crit attack for blindside and dragon kick, I'm all for it.

[Psykotsu]

This is a huge plus for players who don't have 8 hours to spend on waiting for a spirit bond party and then spirit bonding to only find out that all their lvl 40+ gear formed into tier III and lower materia, and of lame materia at that. Yea, tier III and II were good if you were trying to get certain melds but even then, it was all luck.

Hardcore should equal skill not time consumption and/or pure luck.

[Rhomagus]

Is there a post form a dev or community rep detailing the changes.

I know they were making it easier but I don't remember hearing about them changing the tiers.

I'm curious as to how they're going to balance that out. Are they going to make certain types of materia more difficult to get rather than certain tiers or is it just going to be easier all around.

Personally I like the idea of being able to make my own really special super gear. I like the materia system. I think to balance out the materia system with the drop system they should drop armor that enhances and focuses on ability enhancement while materia can focus on stat enhancement.