Add a unique stat to the new Relics, so they are worth obtaining. Enough is enough.

[Dyvid]

Just read an interesting article comparing defining Vertical Progress and Horizontal Progress. It was brief but spot on. The key paragraph I thought pertain to the current complaint with a few FFXIV players was this:

"Horizontal mechanics, normally equated with sandbox MMOs, faced a decline when WoW's phenomenal success caused an explosion of clones to wash across the genre. The vertical progression mechanics offered by Blizzard presented players with a popular lower barrier to entry and the company's competitors adopted a formulaic approach to themepark MMO creation. However, vertical progression can also create an all-too linear experience that makes progress feel compulsory and one-dimensional. The choices presented to players don't ultimately matter, and characters will be equipped with whichever items best boost their key stats."

[Velhart]

snip

Its fine if you like horizontal more, but don't believe it doesn't come with it's fair share of problems. It is a much more unbalanced system to work with. I used a Haubergeon+1 on my Samurai in FFXI for years and the only thing that outdated it was a level cap increase. Vertical may be a safe and linear method, but the developers don't have to go over every piece of gear in the past to make sure things don't get out of hand or what they are releasing is crap.

Despite if people believe it or not, this game does somewhat have slight horizontal like options for gear. You can either obtain esoteric gear to upgrade to 210 or you can get raid gear drops. You can do Diadem or raiding. You can do dungeons or Alexander(Normal). You can do Void Ark. If you want to bring up the BiS argument, just to let you know BiS is just as relevant for horizontal as it is vertical. That won't change at all.

That 3-4 month wait for patches will definitely be longer if developers have to put more work into gear structure with a horizontal system. Pick your poison.

[Kaurie]

Despite if people believe it or not, this game does somewhat have slight horizontal like options for gear. You can either obtain esoteric gear to upgrade to 210 or you can get raid gear drops. You can do Diadem or raiding. You can do dungeons or Alexander(Normal). You can do Void Ark. If you want to bring up the BiS argument, just to let you know BiS is just as relevant for horizontal as it is vertical. That won't change at all.

The difference between the three 210 summoner weapons is a variation of around the equivalent of 2.5 INT. That isn't much choice, it just matters which one I get first (Relic) for which I'll use.

[Velhart]

The difference between the three 210 summoner weapons is a variation of around the equivalent of 2.5 INT. That isn't much choice, it just matters which one I get first (Relic) for which I'll use.

Exactly what choices are you looking for? You are going to use the best choice regardless of the three. There is no elemental wheel to this game.

[Kaurie]

Exactly what choices are you looking for? You are going to use the best choice regardless of the three. There is no elemental wheel to this game.

My point is there is no choice. They are the same thing. As long as I have a 210 weapon, I don't care which of the three it is, because that 2.5 INT won't make a noticeable difference. I'll have greater variation in my output from latency changes.

I want choices that are actually choices. I've actually posted a suggestion on another thread:

1. Eso upgraded Weapon: Receives 1 extra Aetherflow stack when using Aetherflow
2. Gordian Savage Weapon: Reduces cooldowns of abilities by 15%
3. Relic Weapon: Increases duration of Dreadwyrm Trance by 9 seconds

Another idea:

1. Eso upgraded: Has a 10% Chance to Summon a Thordan Egi for 10 seconds on the use of Fester
2. Gordian Savage Weapon: Has a 30% chance to summon all 3 Egi's when entering Dreadwyrm Trance (or Maybe just Garuda/Ifrit, as Titan may cause enmity issues) for duration of Dreadwyrm Trance.
3. Relic Weapon: Rouse's damage modifier is doubled and adds a spell speed buff to the pet as well


DISCLAIMER: All numbers and stuff are made up and would obviously be adjusted for balancing.

I'd personally love to have all Egi's summon when entering dreadwyrm trance. Even if this was like say a 50 dps loss, I may even use it, just because that'd be cool. - Further to that, it would fundamentally change my rotation, because I'd time my rouse/spur enkindle to be used while in Dreadwyrm trance IF the egi's all proced (I wouldn't if they didn't as I'd be spamming in as much other stuff with the Ruin III MP reduction + damage bonus)

[Kallera]

Despite if people believe it or not, this game does somewhat have slight horizontal like options for gear. You can either obtain esoteric gear to upgrade to 210 or you can get raid gear drops. You can do Diadem or raiding. You can do dungeons or Alexander(Normal). You can do Void Ark. If you want to bring up the BiS argument, just to let you know BiS is just as relevant for horizontal as it is vertical. That won't change at all.

That 3-4 month wait for patches will definitely be longer if developers have to put more work into gear structure with a horizontal system. Pick your poison.

So...
Eso or raiding
Diadem or raiding
Dungeons or raiding(normal mode)
Void ark(24 man raiding)...(or raiding)

The way you put it doesn't make our current choices very...appealing.

[Jonnycbad]

1.0 Relics were badass.



Thyrus boosted Holy Damage, Stardust Rod boosted Flare, etc..

[Maero]

I expect the further steps of the Relic to possibly have custom stats, the very first step of the Relic does not and never has.
The +1 Relic (later on Zenith) never had this, only once we reached Novus could we add our own stats. The current state of the Relics yes it is true that they are bad, like for example the blm Relic, but some are ok like Dk, War as example.
But there is an over abundance of weapon options anyhow at the moment.
The first step (getting crystals) is so easy.The real pain is the HQ crafted items as was previous Relic. Something different would have been nice instead of using the same resources already in place.
There has to be something more creative then always involving fates...
The HQ crafted items in a way makes sense but is a bit annoying.
Also was rather sad to see my 2 Zetas both which cost over 4 mil each, were like tossed out, but i got over it i guess

[Kallera]

I really don't like where this is going. From both standpoints.

[Dante_V]

The relic is worth getting to me. The grind really isn't that much and I'm about 2/3 of the way complete with the weapon so far. It can easily be achieved in 2 or 3 weeks to a month of casual play which is pretty standard for any relic quest.