Just a thought..

[Calypso_Atlas]

Let me start off by saying that I really enjoy this MMO, having been playing since phase 2 of the Beta. Normally, I try to justify things in the game and defend it against people who nit-pick every little detail that may be considered strenuous or unnecessary, but does anyone else feel like having to unlock dungeons is a contrived method to make players go through the story?

[Calypso_Atlas]

I understand that this is a Final Fantasy game in its essence and the solo-story experience has been a staple in 95% of the series, but why can't the main scenario be something separate that simply takes you through the dungeons because of the story?

With all the various ways to hit level 50 without so much as touching the main scenario, I feel like there wouldn't be any real loss in the fun of the game if dungeons were solely based on class level and gear score. That way, players who enjoy a good story with 3 other friends can play their way while others who just want to kill stuff, grind levels, and run dungeons in the world of Final Fantasy can play their way as well.

In short, I feel like this would benefit from removing the story unlock feature all together: Dungeons, Guildhests, Raids, Primals, ect.

[Leowilde]

I don't know, it hasn't really bothered me. But I wouldn't mind having some dungeons hat are not tied to the story arch as well. Why not have both?

[AlexionSkylark]

The main scenario is still the core of the game, however you may see it. Even Coil is intertwined with the main story in a way that it's not possible to separate the two. Same with Crystal Tower. The only way to do what you want is to strip away all the story from the game and tur it from a RPG into a simple dungeon runner.

That is not possible and will never be done. The "story" card trumps the "dungeon" card. That's what makes this game a Final Fantasy, and a Unique MMO. Take that away, you just have another WoW clone with a few different mechanics.

I don't know, it hasn't really bothered me. But I wouldn't mind having some dungeons hat are not tied to the story arch as well. Why not have both?

You do have that. Halatali, Cutter's Cry, Dzemael, Aurum Vale are all completely sidestory dungeons. Not to mention ALL of the hard mode dungeons, and some of the post-2.0 ones too, like Pharos Sirius and Lost City of Amdapor. Don't know what you mean...

[Leowilde]

The main scenario is still the core of the game, however you may see it. Even Coil is intertwined with the main story in a way that it's not possible to separate the two. Same with Crystal Tower. The only way to do what you want is to strip away all the story from the game and tur it from a RPG into a simple dungeon runner.

That is not possible and will never be done. The "story" card trumps the "dungeon" card. That's what makes this game a Final Fantasy, and a Unique MMO. Take that away, you just have another WoW clone with a few different mechanics.



You do have that. Halatali, Cutter's Cry, Dzemael, Aurum Vale are all completely sidestory dungeons. Not to mention ALL of the hard mode dungeons, and some of the post-2.0 ones too, like Pharos Sirius and Lost City of Amdapor. Don't know what you mean...

I completely agree with you. But they could create some dungeons or raids down the line that are separate as well.

[AlexionSkylark]

Well, as I said, you do have non-leveling dungeons that are not tied to the main scenario. They are:

- Wanderer's Palace
- Amdapor Keep
- Pharos Sirius
- Lost City of Amdapor
- Hullbreaker Isle
- All the hard mode dungeons

Now, if you're talking about full party content (raids), then you might have a point. But I take that the Alexander raid on 3.0 will be a complete sidestory about goblins...

[ColorOfSakura]

Basically every dungeon once you hit Level 50 is not part of the main story. In fact, it wasn't until 2.4 where they even brought back story dungeons for level 50 players (Snowcloak and then Keeper of the Lake in 2.5)

Everything else has been optional. Full party content also has both optional and required story bits - Castrum & Praetorium are obviously required, as are the Hard Modes for King Mog, Leviathan, Ramuh, and Shiva.

But Odin, the various Gilgamesh/Hildibrand fights, all of the Extreme mode Primals, and both the Crystal Tower and Binding Coil raids are all optional.

I feel they've struck a fair balance.

I don't really think the dungeons are the "main draw" of the Main Scenario. They just exist there to get players used to party-based play during low levels alongside stuff like Guildhests. Honestly, dungeons originally gave almost no experience and very little gil. There wasn't really any "rewards" for doing them until you hit Level 50 and were earning Tomestones.

[SekhmetM]

To prevent spoilers.

It doesn't make sense to do a duty of "defeating the bad guy" when you perhaps haven't met the bad guy.

[Leowilde]

Aye, but they're all lvl 50. :/ There should be some for lower lvls as well, if they're doing it for 50. At least a couple.

[ColorOfSakura]

Aye, but they're all lvl 50. :/ There should be some for lower lvls as well, if they're doing it for 50. At least a couple.

Except there are.

There are 5 optional dungeons pre-50:

- Halatali (Level 20)
- The Sunken Temple of Qarn (Level 35)
- Cutter's Cry (Level 38)
- Dzemael Darkhold (Level 44)
- Aurum Vale (Level 47)

Absolutely none of these are attached to the Main Scenario at all. They're not required to complete anything in the main story, although a couple of them are now required to do *if* you want to run other optional dungeons later in the game (requiring you complete Halatali and Sunken Temple to access their Hard Modes, and having to clear Aurum Vale in order to access Amdapor Keep)