Petition Against Ifrit Weapon Designs

[Hulan]

I apologize straight off for rehashing a sentiment that has already been mentioned a few times here; but I will attempt to phrase it in a slightly different way. I would absolutely love these weapons if they did not look, to a weapon, like they would cause anyone but a professional weight lifter to fall flat on their face trying to use them (pardon the hyperbole).

Before someone posts yet another picture of Cloud, there is something to be said for internal consistency. Cloud was a first-generation 3D model made with less than 500 polys and styled after a character straight out of an anime; a sword as big as he was made complete sense in the context of the game. On the other hand, here we have a game where you can make Poleyns for boots modeled after authentic medieval greaves. I have a friend in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism [A group somewhere between Renaissance fairs, larp (though not a comparison they appreciate), and honest to god modern-day knights]) who, when shown a screenshot of FFXIV said "Oh my god that's awesome, that's a perfect period English lancer" (actually he used several historical terms I cannot recall at the moment, it's not my strong suite).

The point is, the game has a pre-established style. Shifting that style is going to be extremely jarring to anyone who cares about such things, and that is an important consideration. Jarred players may very well translate into leaving players, which is something SE very much should be made aware of.

[Buddhsie]

That's very true Hulan, the basic style of FFXIV was modelled after real life medieval weaponry and armour. However we aren't on Earth, we're on Eorzea, and while these weapons serve as a very solid basis for design and realism on a stock-standard character, it only makes sense that once you transcend the power of something like a primal, you would obtain such an item that befits a warrior strong enough to actually take one down.

I highly doubt that people who play MMOs play them for the life-like realism of medieval England, or at least any substantial portion of them. It's important to always consider the fact that we're dealing with massive monsters, interdimensional creatures and magic here, it's bound to separate itself from Earth history at some point.

[Hulan]

That's very true Hulan, the basic style of FFXIV was modelled after real life medieval weaponry and armour. However we aren't on Earth, we're on Eorzea, and while these weapons serve as a very solid basis for design and realism on a stock-standard character, it only makes sense that once you transcend the power of something like a primal, you would obtain such an item that befits a warrior strong enough to actually take one down.

I completely agree with this point. Which is why I said I would love these weapons with caveats. I would contend, however, that you do not have to break your already established style in order to make gear and weapons more fanciful.

The fact that it has more than it's share of detractors and arguments aside, a great counter-example (although I know I'm going to regret bringing it up) is actually the dreaded Bow-Harp. For all of the fact that it is weird, borderline silly, the bow-harp is an great example precisely because it is weird, borderline silly. Ignoring for now any problem that may or may not exist with the idea fundamentally, it is an example of a fanciful item that is in keeping with the world's style and physics (at least from the little we know about it visually from the teaser). Although, to be fair, it has it's share of design... oddities... as well.

[Celtodeno]

Oh yeah, cause final fantasy sure isn't known for it's unrealistically over-sized weapons....

Im sorry OP, but final fantasy weapon design wasn't made to look like WoW, WoW weapons were made to look like Final Fantasy.

I reject the OP's Thesis.

[Moonbringer]

One of the most pointless threads ever! Cant you just be happy that were getting some amazing content tomorrow? Also if you dont like them use the weapons from the rank 45 Raid or perhaps the new craftable weapons available in patch. They are making great progress with this game and threads like these just seem like a silly attempt to knock the game even more.

There is a lot of variety in the rank 50 weapons these have a completely different look and i actually think the point of them is for some people to like and some not to like. I dont think they are designed to suit everyones taste which is why there are other options like the company seal rank 50 weapons the NM craftable weapons and the rank 50 weapons from the 45 raid.

If you dont like them it does not mean you cant enjoy the quest and i dont think everything that is on offer from the Ifrit fight has been showed yet anyhow. They have mentioned armor as well.

I will be doing my best to get hold of the Axe and the Bow from this fight i think i will skip some of the others and obtain high rank weapons from other content.

[Anapingofness]

hmm...

To be perfectly honest... I think the only two designs that work are for the Axe and the Spear. The rest need more love ...badly.

I can see where they are going with them and I love the use of color in homage to Ifrit but the design itself needs more love.

- The sword: It looks... very heavy and somewhat clunky looking, especially near the hilt.

- H2H: They look... very dull looking because they are so thick. For example FFXI's verethragna h2h weapons had a similar design but looked a lot better. http://snd-ls.net/ss/ever.png Also, SE may wanna look into where they place the glowy bits... right now it works against them and they kind of look like bugs.

-The Bow: Good start but looks very ... thick in the worst way possible. If the top and bottom of the bow were symmetrical then it wouldn't look as weird.

-The Wand: ... I don't even know where to start? It just looks very silly and inconsistent. Add to that the glowy blue ball at the end and it looks downright comical.

and lastly...

-The Staff- Out of all of the weapons that need TLC from SE this one needs it the least. It has a lot of potential but it looks very imbalanced.

I don't have a problem with the glowing weapons because if done right they can fit the game style (a la axe and spear)... but again, the key phrase... "if done right".

[zaviermhigo]

I'm still just saying, you can't pick every weapon that goes into a game, not everyone hates these weapons, some people like them. So just because we don't like a weapon in the game we're going to say "hey take it out it sucks", that sounds egotistical to me. If the XIV forums had that kind of power I probably would reconsider playing this game, because tyranny of the people in the video game really doesn't sound fun. You guys are rekilling Madison.

[Frein]

I'd just like to point out that the "it's fantasy" argument isn't very good. You don't give someone a miniature windmill and try to pass it off as an axe just because it's fantasy. A windmill doesn't look like a weapon and some of this Ifrit stuff don't look like weapons.

I don't mind unusual materials, ornaments or magical effects (within reason), but when the designs are so impractical they no longer resemble weapons, we have a problem. The knuckles, as pointed out by previous posters, look more dangerous to the wielder than the enemy (a problem to a lesser extent shared by many previous FFXIV and FFXI fist weapons), the sword is so thick you'd almost mistake it for a blunt weapon or tool of some sort and the lance likewise doesn't look like a piercing weapon at all as it's head is super thick. The worst offender, though, is the bow that looks more like an artillery piece, and as if that wasn't enough, it's asymmetrical in a way that places its center of mass above the grip, which makes it extra unwieldy just in case it wasn't crappy enough.

[Sephrick]

I'd just like to point out that the "it's fantasy" argument isn't very good. You don't give someone a miniature windmill and try to pass it off as an axe just because it's fantasy. A windmill doesn't look like a weapon and some of this Ifrit stuff don't look like weapons.

Well then, it's a good thing they gave us an axe and not a windmill.

Again, the weapons are fine. They look exactly like weapons.

[Frein]

Well then, it's a good thing they gave us an axe and not a windmill.

Again, the weapons are fine. They look exactly like weapons.

Yes, the axe is quite fine. I'm glad we agree about that even though the second part of your post makes me think you have an extremely broad definition for the word weapon.