Novus weapon upgrade system findings

[Ecks007]

Sheeet, I've done over 50 fates with my Wiyu Animus and have yet to see a single Alexandrite. I'd say the drop rates are beyond dismal. In fact, I'd stand a better chance farming Atmas.

As it stands currently, attempting to get Alexandrites from fate grinding is simply an inferior and completely unreliable method.

1 Alexandrite a day via quest (via map) = reliable.

800 mythology per map/alexandrite = reliable.

Fate grinding for alexandrites = unreliable waste of time and effort.

I almost wonder why it's even an option at all when it seems like you chances of actually getting one from a fate are worse than the Zenith/Atma fate grind. Hell I at least would see something after a certain number of fates. Yet so far it seems like I could spend a whole day doing nothing but fates and never see an alexandrite drop. I almost wonder if it's a hoax. Nobody I've talked to has ever gotten one from a fate so far either. To the point where, like me, they just give up doing fates. I just do fates now when I happen to see them up in an area, or if I need to do them as part of the beastman dailies. Otherwise it's just not worth the time when I could actually spend the time speed running brayflox and definitely get an alexandrite map.

And no, I no longer attempt to solo the maps because all I needed was my first loss to the biclops to teach me that lesson. (was a close fight, but still, the hardest encounter I've come across so far) Duoing or more is a garenteed win.. well, unless you have idiots for partners.

[Nekodar]

Fate grinding for alexandrites = unreliable waste of time and effort.

I almost wonder why it's even an option at all when it seems like you chances of actually getting one from a fate are worse than the Zenith/Atma fate grind.

In a FATE party you could simultaneously get lucky with alexandrite drop, work on spiritbonding for the materia you need, and gain GC seals to buy crafting material with to sell on the market board and use the proceeds to buy materia for the infusions.
You could see it as the alexandrite drops is a bonus while doing it for spiritbonding/GC seal farm.

If you only look at FATE farming as something strictly for Alexandrites, and ignore the other possibilities, then yes it sucks hard.

Best zone for this seems to be Northern Thanalan.