The Heavensward raid: Alexander

[Zumi]

The new raid is Alexander. Has normal mode and hard mode. Normal mode is like playing with echo/nerfs accessible to more players. Hard mode is like coil is now.

[Gardes]

Who wants to bet people will be begging for echo for normal mode?!

[BigPapaSmurf]

Astrologist Job CONFIRMED!

I always wanted to play T.G. Cid's son in FFT (Orran or Olan).

[Ulathskullsplitter]

Who wants to bet people will be begging for echo for normal mode?!

It'll be needed if normal mode is like coil with buffs and nerfs. There's still alot of people who can't even get past turn 5. So unless there is an even easier story mode then normal mode won't be enough and there will be lots of threads about how normal mode is too hard.

[Garlyle]

I'm so ready for this you don't even know

[Airget]

I was kinda hoping they would reveal how rewards would differ from Normal and Hard Mode.

I feel like if they plan to make them the same then they run into two issues.
Raid groups can easily build their gear up through normal mode and then tackle hard mode once they are properly geared rather than spending time challenging hard mode

However they can easily prevent that through two means

Either
-Normal mode won't drop gear and can be done freely much like the 8 man story mode dungeons
-Hard mode offers double the reward drops but this can be exploited in terms of people paying gil to have a larger loot pool from hard mode

I do just hope they consider the idea of making Normal mode a "Story mode" for those to enjoy since if they don't decide how to properly differ the rewards from both options even though people want a challenge, they will just do the easier one to gear up quicker.

[Prototype909]

Now that there are normal and hard modes I just hope that hard mode has actually unique (or exclusive) rewards and that it won't be subject to nerfs. Otherwise what's the point.

[Da_Hero]

for the challenge? people really play a game with a weekly lockout just for the gear?

[Shinun]

The way it came off to me is their making entry for raiding easier then it is now, Alexander coming out day 1 is already at the nerf stage for more people to have access, while HM is like the current brutal. I wouldn't be suprised if they share drops just with HM giving titles, extra difficulty for people who want it

[Zumi]

I think they would have either better drops higher ilvl ect, or more drops in hard mode over normal otherwise everyone will just do normal because it is easier. SE wouldn't make that mistake again. Because very few did savage second coil because it was the same drops.