Working EXP into endgame

[Nalien]

I'd like to see a Merit system used to further differentiate Jobs from the same Class. Not much of an issue seeing as we only have Summoner and Scholar at the moment, but they're all meant to get second Jobs eventually. You'd just earn Merits on a Job, and use them to alter Class skills to boost that Job.

Scholar, for example, could change Virus to a buff which prevents one negative status effect taking hold. While Summoner could turn Physkic into another offensive spell. Bard could turn a few Archer skills into Songs or a way to recover MP to keep songs up longer (give Bloodletter "Restores MP" effect would be great), while Ranger (if it comes off Archer) could turn Swiftsong into a DPS skill.

It would somewhat fix the whole "If they add second Jobs, I have 50 whatever by default" issue. Yeah you'd already have 50 Ranger, but you'd still need to grind on Ranger to fully unlock everything.

[Archadius]

The FFXI merit system was excellent. It was a timesink that didn't feel like one because you were making tangible progress with foreseeable goals that don't rely on RNG, ie. "If I gain 100k XP, I know I can increase a stat of my choosing PERMANENTLY by 1". Not only does it reward "hardcore" players for their efforts without overpowering them (you would set a cap for each stat of course), but helps reduce the complaints stemming from skipping mobs in speed runs, as well as atma/alex farming. This brings new light to SE's idea of keeping veteran players involved in old content to help out the new players (without pissing anyone off).

This should be easy to implement as well, just take a look at the upgrade system for Atma>Animus weapons, as well as the "Bonus Attributes" in the "Profile" tab for your character and the rest practically writes itself.

I like the OP's idea also, I just think more tokens and such are unnecessary.

[Astralos]

I would love a Merit Point system, even if it was something simple and along the lines of the PvP Skill/AP system we already have.

[Mcshiggs]

They have said a while back that something like a merit point system isn't in their plans for now. They want to keep the game accessible to new players, and they said that if they let your character gain power beyond the level cap and gear, then it would seem like a daunting challenge for a new player to ever get up to the level of older players. So basically they are trying not to make the current players happy, but the people that aren't even playing yet. I would like to see this change, but I guess we can only wait and hope.

[Fahzewn]

They have said a while back that something like a merit point system isn't in their plans for now. They want to keep the game accessible to new players, and they said that if they let your character gain power beyond the level cap and gear, then it would seem like a daunting challenge for a new player to ever get up to the level of older players. So basically they are trying not to make the current players happy, but the people that aren't even playing yet. I would like to see this change, but I guess we can only wait and hope.

Depends on how they implement the system. Rift's PA system or even EQPC's AA system, yes, that would leave the newer players behind a bit in comparison to someone who had lots of points spent. I think XI did pretty well where, yeah, you wouldn't be as good as the one next to you with capped merits, but you wouldn't be worthless either and it honestly didn't take that long to get what was "needed" to get you on par with them if you were prevented from joining an LS because you didn't have max Double Attack merits or the like. Rift and EQ could take a much longer time to catch up to someone who is maxed even with XP potions. But then again, XI doesn't have a "you can upgrade everything" system.

[Tashigi]

It could just convert to myth.
Problem solved.

2,000 exp = 1 myth.

Something like that.

[Gelesto]

I too find wasted EXP irritable I wouldn't mind a system where if you gain EXP on any class that is 50 to be pooled into a system that would unlock emotes, pets, mounts, hairstyles etc (non game breaking fun little additions)
Requiring perhaps 50x the amount of EXP required for the normal amount for that said level

seeing so much wasted EXP fly out the window

[Baneus]

On the note of wasted EXP after level 50, the easiest thing I could see them doing (which I'm surprised was never implemented in the first place) would be to have all that EXP get pooled in to your rested bonus for use on other classes you have not yet leveled, no?

Yes. I'd rather see this now. But what happens when you have all classes/jobs at 50?

[Welsper59]

I'd be for a bonus point system following level cap, but preferably in a manner that doesn't trivialize other aspects of the game that are found in level 50 content. Stat boosts might be a little much, items to fulfill otherwise hated tasks would certainly be too much, etc. I'd rather it be along the lines of aesthetics or vanity in general. Perhaps titles, access to certain color options, visual changes to abilities/spells, achievements, "fun" items, etc. Perhaps even gaining access to changes pertaining to your audible options (e.g. ability to change themes) or character model itself (e.g. 2D-ish remodeling of minions or the player, similar to the minion of light).

I'd suspect the visual change to abilities/spells would be a very attractive task for people to under take. I'm gonna point out a WoW example, with Warlocks wanting green flames since launch over 10yrs ago. They didn't get it until somewhat recently, and it was through a very difficult solo questline. It provided the player nothing but an aesthetic change (and a difficult challenge), yet it was very much wanted by the player base. There was a ton of QQ about how hard it was, but that's kinda the point of it all... if you want this unimportant thing, that affects absolutely nothing but your looks, you're gonna have to work for it.

Heck, even if it just went into allowing people to gain items that further bonuses to exp on other combat jobs that aren't capped would be nice. Nothing too major I guess, but yeah. Things that don't affect your endgame progression would probably be the least impacting and accepted.

[Marxam]

or you can convert all exp you gain at 50 (excluding challenge log, duties, and reward exp) and add it to to what your chocobo already gets.