Exotics in XIV: A Possible Answer for Gear that Lasts

[Thayos]

A constant issue in this game is the concern that our gear is so quickly "obsoleted" by newer content and rising iLevels. Many have expressed a desire for more horizontal paths of character progression, though this is understandably difficult in a game built to be very much vertical.

One of the big obstacles is the lack of mid-battle gear swapping. I'm personally thankful that's not a part of this game. However, gear swapping in FFXI was a big reason why the horizontal progression was so successful -- players could literally spend years chasing different pieces of gear for each spell and ability.

Here's a way to bring that element of gameplay into FFXIV (to a lesser degree) without reverting to mid-battle gear swaps:

Introduce exotic armor pieces.

In the game Destiny, you can only equip one exotic gear piece at a time. I think this is how it should work in FFXIV, too -- or perhaps two at a time (one left side, one right side). And each job could have exotic armor pieces available for each slot.

The exotic armor piece could be either +5 or +10 above the current iLevel cap. It would have amazing stats. Each piece could also offer a unique bonus that would be great in specific situations (+20 det in Diadem, +10 physical resistance vs. Primals, etc.)

Even though players could only equip one or two pieces at a time (which would keep them from breaking the game), the concept is that players would still pursue them because a) each piece would be helpful in different types of endgame content, and b) with better stats/iLevels, these pieces could essentially have double the lifespan of a normal piece of upgraded tome gear.

And to please the hardcore raiders (and I'm totally not a hardcore raider), exotics could have a fairly high drop rate from the final bosses of the most currently difficult raid boss. These would also be available in other ways, though, such as through NMs spawned by pop items farmed in Diadem. Lots of options here.

If we wanted to borrow a page from FFXI, then these exotic pieces could also be upgradable in future patches through "Trial of the Magians"-style content. It could be a grind-heavy path that would essentially allow anyone the chance to keep at least one exotic piece up-to-date in the same way that relic weapons are enhanced between patches.

Anyway, that's my idea. Seems like exotic gear could bring some much needed persistent gear into the game without making existing options for obtaining gear any less desirable.

Plus, the methods for getting that gear could be a lot of fun.

[RiceisNice]

It'd be fine, if it weren't for the fact that armor pieces have different stat budgetting based on the slot. A body piece has the most stats compared to any other left side (excluding weapon of course).

They could do sort of a relic/quest chain for something that isn't a weapon. That in concept could work, espesically if they give something better than your typical fare aside from stats (such as the legendary cloaks in WoW).

It's not nesescarly something that's needed in the game (equipment that lasts through vertical), though more options for horizontal gearing would be nice for each cycle that ends up being a pinnacle, provided that it's well executed.

[LandricFrey]

I would love to see this. The same old gear/patch cycle does get old fast. I always liked the legendary Item/Weapon system in LotRO. (Weapon and item has own levels, stats, and bonus to skills; which can also be leveled up. I think it would be an awesome way to do relics.

Anything new would be nice. I don't even feel the need to grind gear since 2.2-2.3 somewhere I just got tired of it. I know gear will be replaced next cycle and I know that old gear will get much easier to get, so I just wait it out :/

Let's not compare mechanics from games of the previous decade.

Mine was just an example. It doesn't matter if it's been done before, the important thing is if it's fun/interesting. Right now we get vertical progression every 3 months with gear that has 1 main stat, and each new piece just increases that number a little. If you're talking about old ideas; the gear in this game is in the Stone Age.

[Skivvy]

The gear system in this game is dull and repetitious. :/
Anything that adds some horizontal progression would be great in my book.

[Iromi]

Well, in 1.x we didn't have ilvl...and we had a vertical/horizontal mix that worked pretty well. I could use different gear sets for different things, like for CC I had a fire AoE set, for Garuda I had a thunder set...and so forth.

It was when they released the ilvl that it got extremely vertical.

[Skivvy]

Well, in 1.x we didn't have ilvl...and we had a vertical/horizontal mix that worked pretty well. I could use different gear sets for different things, like for CC I had a fire AoE set, for Garuda I had a thunder set...and so forth.

It was when they released the ilvl that it got extremely vertical.

Ahh, I didn't stick around 1.0 long enough to figure that out. For that to work, they'd have to do a major overhaul to the mobs as well (which I would welcome). Seems to only variables when it comes to damaging mobs is melee vs. magic. Adding some actual weaknesses to mob families would add a nice level of depth.

[Riardon]

Let's not compare mechanics from games of the previous decade. Things changed a lot since then. We can do some more horizontal gear progressing though. I would like to see something that will last half a year or a year let's say. But there is a problem with that. It will be really hard or super grindy to get them. Casuals will be upset there is a cool gear they can't get. And people who can they will go for this and leave all the rest out which means fewer people in dungeons / raids and this is pretty bad except if it involves farming dungeons and roulette in order to keep those players playing the same content as casuals. Yes it's super grindy but ensures both sides stay together. I don't think something like this will come soon though. For now the armour sets like ESO lasts about 2 patches before it get's really outdated. Relic stay with us for 1 year but needs constant evolving and updating top keep it relevant. We just need a Relic armour set too I think.

[Thayos]

I'm just glad my idea has been on the front page for two hours so far without getting completely shot down.

We'll see if it survives prime time.

[Queezy]

Ahh, I didn't stick around 1.0 long enough to figure that out. For that to work, they'd have to do a major overhaul to the mobs as well (which I would welcome). Seems to only variables when it comes to damaging mobs is melee vs. magic. Adding some actual weaknesses to mob families would add a nice level of depth.

For that to work they would have to re-do the whole game and change it back to 1.0. Black mage doesn't even work the same so to say the least it would be better off for them at this point making a whole new game. Couldn't add weaknesses because elements are simply in the game for show not actual thought or depthness. Ice magic for BLM is just for refresh, fist of fire and earth are for damage and defense not because you would actually do less damage to Ifrit while using Fist of fire. ( which should be the case, cuz of well common fantasy world sense)

[Skivvy]

For that to work they would have to re-do the whole game and change it back to 1.0. Black mage doesn't even work the same so to say the least it would be better off for them at this point making a whole new game. Couldn't add weaknesses because elements are simply in the game for show not actual thought or depthness. Ice magic for BLM is just for refresh, fist of fire and earth are for damage and defense not because you would actually do less damage to Ifrit while using Fist of fire. ( which should be the case, cuz of well common fantasy world sense)

Oh yeah, it's definitely just wishful thinking as it would be a major overhaul. It would really spice combat up though