Frontlines FAQs Guide.

[Vivi_Bushido]

In the following, I have comprised a list of frequently asked questions for Frontlines.

It is possible that not all of the answers here are correct. If you feel an answer is incorrect please leave a reply so that I may correct it asap.

I have separated the questions into categories since there're different types of FAQs being asked.

Lets begin:



Section I: New Player FAQs

Q1: What do I do in Frontlines?

A: The objective of Frontlines is to achieve a score of 1600 points to win. You can earn score by capturing flags, killing your opponents, and by destroying the drones that spawn in center of the map.



Q2: How do I know what team I am on, and what my team in the alliance should be doing?

A: There're 24 players to an alliance. Form there, they're broken into 3 smaller teams of 8. (It is exactly like Crystal Tower).

Each team is given an alphabetical letter for their team name. These letters are A, B and C. You can figure out which team you're on by looking at the party members list on your screen.

Regardless if your're Twin Adders, Immortal Flames, or Maelstrom; it has become traditional for Team A to always head and hold the flag left of the spawn; Team B to head and hold the outpost as well as conquer the Helio, and finally Team C to head and hold the flag right of the spawn.



Q3: I know a team should head to these 3 flags, but what about the other 3 flags?

A: Those 3 original flags are top priority when it comes to capturing the flags. However, if your team is doing well, you can try to take some of the other flags to boost your score. Just don't leave your flags undefended.

It is not recommended to attempt capturing the flag across from your spawn on the other side of the map; as it's right in between the two enemy spawns and just not really worth the effort.



Q4: My team just secured Manors/Markets/Sun Temple, when should we head to the Helio?

A: Regardless if your're Twin Adders/Immortal Flames/Maelstrom, you should never head to the Helio for any reason if your on teams A or C. Only Team B should ever head to the Helio.

The only time it is truly acceptable, (providing your team is okay with it), is if you send one of your melees up there to limit break the node. After which, they should quickly reunite with the rest of the team on the proper flag.



Q5: What scoring based objective offers the most points?

A: The Helio's drone/node offer the most immediate points, however holding the flags will offer score over time which stacks the more flags you have under your control.



Q6: That enemy is almost dead. I'm pretty sure I can kill him. Shall I chase him? (In the event the enemy is trying to escape).

A: That depends on a few things.

-If the class is a healer, then no you shouldn't chase them.

-If your almost dead your self, then no you shouldn't chase them.

-Are they running into reinforcements? Then no you shouldn't chase them.

-Did they jump off a cliff? Then no you shouldn't chase them.

-Are you at the Helio and the target is running downward on the ramp? Then no you shouldn't chase them.

Doing any of the above is considered being "baited".

Being baited is when the enemy is able to lore you away form your teammates. Usually into a trap.



Q6-2: In regards to the above question, when is it okay to chase them?

A: Again, that depends on a few things.

-Is there more then one person chasing the same target? If so then you should chase them.

-Is the target running away to a point of interest? Such as your OP or their OP, (assuming you were headed there anyway). Then yes you can chase them.

-Is the target running into another one of your teammates? If so, you can chase them.

-Are you positive the target is alone? If so, you can chase them.

-Is the target still on the ramp to a flag? If so, you can chase them; but stay close to your team.

-Is the target mounted? If so, you can chase them. (assuming they're alone).



Q7: What exactly is Team B suppose to be doing?

A: Team B has a very hard and difficult job, because things for them can roll down hill faster then anything that could happen for either of the two other teams.

So to start off, Team B's primary objectives are to protect the Outpost and to keep control of the Helio; and with any luck, they're to push forward into enemy territory.

Because of this, Team B will likely be all over the map, and may often lose control of the outpost as such.



Q7-2: Why doesn't Team B just stay at the Outpost just like A and C stay at their flags?

A: Contrary to popular belief, the Helio Drones/Node are essential key components to victory. While Team B may leave a few people at the Outpost from time to time. It is never a good idea to leave the entire team there as it doesn't often get attacked.

As such, ignoring the drones is lost points,and could actually cost your alliance the game.



Q7-3: Which is more important for Team B to secure? The Helio or the Outpost?

A: Long story short, the Helio is more important. However, this doesn't mean the outpost can be fully ingored. When the drone/nodes spawn, that is a lot of immediate points; and can make the differences between being in 3rd place or 1st place.

When the drones appear, they're the top priority. The reason for this is simple. If you lose your home Outpost, there is the possibility that the enemy may have only sent one player to ninja it. (Ninja meaning that a single player came in and stole the flag without bringing attention to themselves). If that is the case, then players who respawn from Team A or C should be able to easily reclaim it while Team B focuses on the Helio.

If the Outpost happens to have been Zerged, (zerg meaning one or more parties showed up); and respawns cannot reclaim it, then Team B should return to assist the Outpost as soon as they're done with the Helio.



Q8: When should I use the Limit Break?

A: This one is actually a strong personal preference, but don't be fooled into thinking that you can just go around using the LB to increase your kill count.

How the LB should be used differs between the teams, and the classes that you have on them.

For Team B, the Limit Break SHOULD ALWAYS be saved for the Node. Preferably a Melee Limit Break if available. If Team B has no Melee on them, then it should fall to a Caster to use it on the Node. If no caster or melee is available, (which is highly unlikely), then the Limit Break no longer serves a purpose for the team.

As for both Teams A and C. The LB should be used in such a way to clear out the flag. For them, a caster LB is the more optimal one since it can hit multiple targets.

When using the Limit Breaks to inflict damage, it should ALWAYS be targeted on a Healer.



Q8-2: I used the Limit Break, but it missed?

A: Believe it or not, yes, Limit Breaks can miss, but only under certain conditions.

-If the enemy is under the Feather Foot affect, then the Limit Break has a chance to miss.

-If the enemy healer is under the Attunement affect, then the Limit Break has a chance to miss.

It is uncertain if having more Accuracy will prevent the Limit Break from missing when the enemy is using one of those buffs.



Q9: As a Caster/Healer, why does my spell keep being interrupted and how do I keep this from happening?

A: Unfortunately, every damage dealing attack, (including auto attacks), causes, a spell to be interrupted unless you're under the affect of Surecast or Equanimity.

Please note that Surecast and Equanimity do not prevent Status conditions from interrupting your spells.



Q10: If I change Grand Companies, will my PvP rank be reset?

A: Yes.



Q11: Do I have to have the proper PvP rank to glamour PvP armor?

A: Yes.



Q12: Why don't they allow us to use glamours in PvP?

A: I don't really know for sure, but I think it has more to do with making it harder to tell what type of classes your enemies are.



Q12-2: But they have the classes names above our heads, so doesn't that defeat your argument?

A: Yes it does, although since you can't examine your enemies gear sets, I would assume its set up like this to tell what type of build they have.

You can tell alot about your enemies play style by the outfit they're wearing.



Q13: Why do I become heavy randomly?

A: You become heavy because you took damage while mounted. When you are on a mount, you're inflicted with the heavy stat when your're attacked.

Section II: Scoring and Rewards

Victory is achieve when you reach a score of 1600/1600.

When playing frontlines with 48 players, (two teams), the score is reduced to 1200/1200.



This is how scoring works in frontlines:

Immediate Points: (These points are earn as soon as you complete the objective).

-Capturing a flag: 10 points.
-Killing an enemy: 5 points.
-Killing a Drone: 20 ponts.
-Killing a Node: 200 points. (please note that there will only be one Node in a match).

Points over Time: [PoT] (These points are earned every 3 seconds per flag under your alliance's control).

-Holding one flag under control yields 1 points every 3 seconds.
-Holding two flags under control yields 2 points every 3 seconds.
-Holding three flags under control yields 4 points every 3 seconds.
-Holding four flags under control yields 8 points every 3 seconds.
-Holding five flags under control yields 16 points every 3 seconds.
-Holding six flags under control yields 32 points every 3 seconds.


The first set of Drones always spawn at 27:00. The next set of Drones will always spawn 3mins after the last Drone dies. This cycle will contine for every set.

It is uncertain what actually triggers the Node's timer and it's spawn, but I can say with certainty that it will always spawn in this time frame. 23:00-20:00.

Please note that it takes about 40secs-1min to get to the Helio from any of the corner flags, (Manors/Markets/Sun Temple).



Rewards:

When you play Frontlines, you will earn PvP Exp, Wolf Marks, and both Myth & Soldiery Tombs as your rewards. The amount earned varies based off of what place you ended the match with.

1st Place earns: 400 PvP Exp, 600 Wolf Marks, 50 Mythology Tomes, and 25 Soldiery Tombs.
2nd Place earns: 300 PvP Exp, 450 wolf Marks, 50 Mythology Tomes, and 25 Soldiery Tombs.
3rd Place earns: 200 PvP Exp, 300 Wolf Marks, 50 Mythology Tomes, and 25 Soldiery Tombs.

Yes, you will earn the same about of Mythology and Soldiery regardless if you finish in first or last.


Also:

Maelstrom just wins wins wins no matter what, it’s sea swallows all and I can never get enough…

*Ahem*...Apologies for that outburst of totally biased Grand Company patriotism!

Speaking of wins and losses during PvP matches, have you ever received a bit more PvP experience points or Wolf Marks than usual after a Frontline battle concludes?

Well, if the Grand Company you belong to continues to rank at third place, a multiplier will be added to both PvP experience points and Wolf Marks and this will build up to a certain amount for each player.

So if you weren’t sure why sometimes you were receiving higher amounts of these than normal, it’s because of this multiplier. Once your Grand Company ranks at first place the multiplier will reset, but the bonus will be applied for that round.

I wanna thank Kinseykinz for reminding me of that quote. He also has some pointers posted below that you should check out!


Special Mounts:

Storm Warsteed, Flame Warsteed, Serpent Warsteed can be earned by completing the Line in the Storm IV, Line in the Sand IV, and/or Line in the Glade IV achievements (100 wins with the respective Grand Company).

Q: If I change my Grand Company, can I ride one Warsteed in a Grand Company that it doesn't belong to?

A: Yes you can.

You have to be that respective Grand Company to earn the Warsteed, but riding it in another Grand Company is not restricted.

Section III: Morale & PvP Armor, PvP Actions & Skills, and BiS Armor.

[PvP Actions & Skills]:

For a full list of PvP actions and skills, please refer to this link.

http://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/PvP_Actions



[Morale & PvP Armor FAQs]:

Q1: Does Morale work in Frontlines?

A: No, it doesn't work in Frontlines?



Q2: Is Morale replaced with anything else for Frontlines?

A: No, Morale is not replaced with another stat.



Q3: So PvP armor is useless in Frontlines then?

A: Yes and No, believe it or not.

While Morale indeed doesn't work in frontlines, PvP armor isn't "100%" useless cause of it. However, PvP armor will never be BiS in Frontlines.



Q3-2: So if Morale doesn't work, how is PvP armor useful?

A: While PvP armor may not be useful to you, it may be useful to someone else.

People need to remember that players can enter Frontlines by just being Level 50. This means that they could have a terrible item level when entering Frontlines.

If a player is indeed a Fresh Level 50, then any of the PvP armor will be better for them then what they currently have. This is also important because the Limit Break is based off of the team's average combine item level. So if this player is fresh, your Limit Break will be weak.

(IMO: I would personally rather have someone in full PvP gear, then someone who is wearing armor below the item level limit).



Q3-3: Why don't they just farm better PvE armor?

A: Unfortunately that's not a question I can really anwser without asking them personally.

There can be many reasons for why they don't have decent and easily obtainable PvE gear.

On a side note; there is also a rumor that Accuracy and Parry don't play major roles in Frontlines. If this indeed true, (not saying it is), then PvP tank gear would be better then the PvE versions since it comes with Det, Crit, and SS rather then Accuracy and Parry.

With that said, if your using Tank accessories on your Healer, the PvP tank accessories are most definitely better since they come with Vit and Crit or Det rather then Vit with Accuracy and or Parry which are useless to a Healer.

(Despite if raw Accuracy makes a differences or not, the extra Accuracy is definitely useful if your Blinded).



Q4: I really don't believe PvP gear serves a purpose in Frontline. Will Square make any changes to the PvP gear?

A: With the current gear probably not. Althought I do expect to see some changes on newly added PvP gear in the future.



Q5: Will Morale ever be included into Frontlines?

A: So far, Squares answer to this has been no.



Q6: Whats the point for getting PvP gear then?

A: Glamour.

Also the PvP gear is still BiS for the Wolf's Den.



Q7: So materia doesn't work in frontlines?

A: No, materia on armor above ilv80 doesn't work. (although, but not tested by me; I've been told materia on gear below ilv80 such as i70 accessories do work).



Q8: Is PvP materia useful in Frontlines?

A: I don't think it has ever been tested on ilv70 accessories.

Although even if it did, I would image that it wouldn't be worth it since you would be missing stats by using anything below the item sync.



[BiS Armor for Frontlines]

Believe it or not, it is possible to have BiS gear for frontlines even though there is an Item sync in place.

Not much is currently known about the BiS gears for frontlines since most of it is personal preference.

Here is a link to a thread that has a general idea for some BiS suggestions for Frontlines.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...king-gear-sets

Section IV: Myth Busted FAQs

Q1: Is there any kind of defense at all in Frontlines?

A: There is no defense at all in Frontlines; however, elemental resistances does still work.

Proof: Phantom Dart and Focalization are PvP skills that effect elemental resistances.



Q1-2: So does defensive based skills such as Protect and Foresight work in Frontlines?

A: No, they don't.

Proof:

For both Frontline and the Wolves’ Den, physical defense and magical defense are nullified, and battle balance was adjusted based on this. Due to this, Foresight, Protect, and other actions that boost your defense will not have an effect during battle.

I will be compiling your feedback and forwarding it to the devs regarding having this information appear in-game.

Q2: Does holding a flag for a long time increase the amount of points it yields?

A: No, it does not. Only holding multiple flags at the same time increases the amount of points earned per every 3 seconds. (See my scoring section for point value worth per flag).

Proof:
I don't really have evidence to show on this. But seriously, keep a close eye on the score. It should be easy to figure this one out for your self.



Q3: Is MRD better then WAR in Frontlines?

A: Personal preferences really.

Proof:
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...RD-WAR-for-PvP
http://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/commen..._marauder_pvp/
http://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/commen...or_lvl_50_pvp/



Q4: Are healers really OP in Frontlines?

A: Personal perferences really.

Proof:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCC7mnxC26w



Q5: What Spells are effected by magic resistences?

A:
-Fire 1-3
-Thunder 1-3
-Blizzard 1-3
-Stone 1-2
-Aero 1-2
-Fluid Aura
-Flare
-Freeze
-Garuda -Egi's attacks/Enkindle
-Ifrit -Egi's Enkindle
-Titan -Egi's Enkindle

Unaffected are:
-Windbite (this is not a magic attack).
-Scathe
-Holy
-Ruin 1-2
-Miasma 1-2
-Bio 1-2
-Energy Drain
-Fester
-PvP Spells such as Aetheric Brust are also unaffected.

Proof:
There is no magic resistance stat for non elemental magic besides magic defense which doesn't work in Frontlines.

Magic resistance does not function in the same manor as magic defense.

As for now, that is all I currently have.

If there is something that you feel should be added in here, please leave a reply!

If any of the information is incorrect, please leave a message so I can correct it! I want this to be full of factual information only!



Thank you!

[Vivi_Bushido]

I ran out of characters to use in the above thread.

Continuing the Myth Busted Thread:


Q6: Does the different mounts affect how long it takes to dismount?

A: Yes.

Proof:

This is latest JP CM respond to a discussion thread in regard to the difference of dismount timer for each mount:

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...って降りる時の硬直時間が違う



It looks the size of the mount has actul difference, for exmaple, it takes much longer to dismount a Behemoth mount than a Chocobo mount. Bigger you are, slower you are.

JP GM has responded that they will look into to adjust the dismount timer.

[Yukonjack]

So what are the rewards like? I hear this can be a great way to farm tomes but I have never tried it.

[Divinemight]

Of all the things, I can't believe I didn't add that. lmao.

I will be sure to add that now.

I think a lot of players still unware about defensive actions. I would recommand you list it too, but great works.

[Kinseykinz]

So what are the rewards like? I hear this can be a great way to farm tomes but I have never tried it.

I believe it's 50 myth per battle (win or lose) and 25 Solidary per battle (win or lose)
Then, depending on if you win, 200,300, 400 PvP exp, and I forget exactly How many marks, but I want to say 300,400, 600 wolf marks for 3,2,1st place respectively (wolf marks you can raise though by using the FC wolf mark buffs)

Also, if you keep losing (coming in 3rd), there is a 'pity' multiplier that starts to happen where you will gain more PvP exp/wolf marks than you should expect. It gradually increases. And will keep applying to your character until you place 2nd or 1st in a match.

Maelstrom just wins wins wins no matter what, it’s sea swallows all and I can never get enough…

*Ahem*...Apologies for that outburst of totally biased Grand Company patriotism!

Speaking of wins and losses during PvP matches, have you ever received a bit more PvP experience points or Wolf Marks than usual after a Frontline battle concludes?

Well, if the Grand Company you belong to continues to rank at third place, a multiplier will be added to both PvP experience points and Wolf Marks and this will build up to a certain amount for each player.

So if you weren’t sure why sometimes you were receiving higher amounts of these than normal, it’s because of this multiplier. Once your Grand Company ranks at first place the multiplier will reset, but the bonus will be applied for that round.

Also, a couple other 'advice' notes:

1. Even though skills like Protect do NOT work, they do allow for 'buff' padding, meaning when someone like a monk tries to remove your buffs, it works as an extra buff they have to remove, potentially 'protecting' (get it :P) your 'good' buffs like regens, SS's and the like.
2. On this note, know what your PvP skills do, equip them on your action bars and use your PvP action points to level the ones you like/want to boost. So many people forget to use their PvP skills and it can be not only the difference between win/loss but life/death for your character.
-Note: If you change 'jobs' you can reset your PvP actions and traits...for that job, by going into your PvP menu, hitting 'default' and reassigning the points. THEN go into your Actions/Attributes menu, and under 'PvP' Re-select all the appropriate actions and make sure you have them in your bar....nothing is more frustrating than forgetting to do this by the way in the middle of a battle.... (Might, Might have personally switched from SMN>WHM mid battle and forgot I had to re-set Attunement :/)
-If you find yourself swapping between 1-3 roles often, then it might be more prudent to select in your 'PvP' actions an traits menu your 'fave 10' from those said roles, and then buff the ones you use the most, and just live w/o 1-3 skills on each class. (Just so you know, you can set typically 2 roles w/o a problem...it's 3+ that become dicey). I often have SCH/WHM skills set so I can freely change between them as needed w/o worry...it's only when I decide 'I don't feel like getting punched non-stop today' and roll SMN instead I have to be mindful if I decide/need to swap to healer for any reason once in battle.

[Atreus]

Neatly organized and not up its own bunghole with subjectivity! Well done. ^^

[Wahou]

Nice post

I believe that the materias on Ilvl < 80 item is a myth. I have been using Ilvl70 crafted accessories + melds for my healer. When I enter Frontlines, I lose HP, most likely due to the +vita Materias losing their effects.

I will make some tests this evening or this week end to check this point.

[SeraviEdalborez]

Non-elemental magic like Scathe, Ruin, Bio etc is still affected by "magic resistance" like by Foe Requiem and Focalization. I would strongly assume any DoM-equipped PvP action with potency (Aetheric, Aura Blast, Phantom Dart) is also affected. Magic resistance isn't Elemental resistance.

[Wahou]

Q8: Is PvP materia useful in Frontlines?

A: I don't think it has ever been tested on ilv70 accessories.

Although even if it did, I would image that it wouldn't be worth it since you would be missing stats by using anything below the item sync.

After testing, regular materias are not taken into account, wether on ilvl 90 or ilvl 70, in frontline. I did not test PVP materias.

[SeraviEdalborez]

I can actually confirm that Protect does in fact boost your Defense in Frontlines. After a WHM kept telling me it does not, I removed his Protect buff and my Defense went from 338 down to 294. I was on BLM and no other buff/food/icons were removed when I canceled my Protect. The icon even states "Defense is enhanced" which leads me to believe that your physical defense is, but not your magical? (it actually might have been the Scholar Protect now that I think of it)

Protect boosts your defense but defense doesn't DO ANYTHING in FL. Or any PvP match type.