Quote Originally Posted by zeopower6 View Post
But wouldn't they use the same sort of algorithms to roll for the chance of a success/failure when the percentage is below 100%? I figure that each FATE/synth that is 99% and below/etc. is treated as an individual event and there's always a chance of 'failure' and that doing more synths or FATEs or whatever don't really make your chances any better.
No actually they wouldn't. Synthesis results need to take into account the different percentages involved. As such they algorithm will be modified depending on what the percentage for success actually is. FATE's involved in the search for Atma's on the other hand only have 2 relevant variables: 1.) Is a Zenith Weapon equipped? If yes, then proceed to variable 2, if no, then don't proceed. 2.) If yes, then is condition met that determines that Atma should be dropped? If yes, then drop Atma, if not, then don't. That is really all they needed to do in order to program the Atma hunt other than installing the conditions that would result in Atma's being dropped. And again, those conditions could be nearly anything.

Quote Originally Posted by zeopower6 View Post
That was a bit uncalled for. There is an in-game counter since there is an achievement for 3000 FATEs. You just need to check that every so often to know where you are at FATE-wise and since most people usually don't get to that achievement, it's an easy way to figure out how many FATEs you have done.
I honestly forgot about that counter. That said, I still think it rather odd for someone to purposely go out and perform 1000+ FATE's in a single weekend (or whatever that individuals time frame was) and not do anything else. So the question stands, though the reasoning behind it should probably changed to....

"You performed 1,000 FATE's in a 48 hour period? Do you have a life?"