Job/Merit points? (Idea)

[Tracewood]

Okay, before people get irritated that I'm bringing up FFXI hear me out.

Among the complaints of "ded gaem" (dead game) between patches, would it be a good idea to put in a way to earn points to enhance our jobs?

Even after hitting level 60, you could still earn exp and say 1,500,000 exp = 1 merit point.

You could then allot it to improve the jobs skills by a small percentage. For example:

For MNK, each merit point into "Greased lightning" will increase the duration by one second for a total of five seconds maximum.
Or say MCH, each merit point into "Turret Damage" will increase damage dealt by turrets by 5% for a total of 25% when upgraded fully.

It doesn't have to be related to skills for job, but can affect stats as well like "Curing potency" for healers, Defense for tanks, STR, DEX, MND, Critical Hit, etc.

This way there would be something for players to work on between patches who complain that there is nothing to do. It would also breathe life into dungeons (in theory), beast tribe dailies, fates, etc.

[Darkstride]

Only if it were implemented in a way that actually promotes choice and diversity with enhancements rather than just a set, clear path.

However, SE doesn't seem to like integrating any real choice into FFXIV and would rather have more homogenized jobs. I think with the current game design, we would just end up with everyone allocating merit points identically for every job, the same way we do with stats (for the most part).

[Welsper59]

Only if it were implemented in a way that actually promotes choice and diversity with enhancements rather than just a set, clear path.

However, SE doesn't seem to like integrating any real choice into FFXIV and would rather have more homogenized jobs. I think with the current game design, we would just end up with everyone allocating merit points identically for every job, the same way we do with stats (for the most part).

Choice doesn't exactly exist when it comes to making your character stronger for your own goals. A clear and essentially set path is always going to exist when it comes to the numbers game. The only actual choice that does exist, however, is which set path you want to take. Math destroys the idea of "choice" when it comes to MMORPGs and picking what would be considered the "best" option. Would you rather put points into things that help you solo? PvP? Raid? Those are your choices. From my own experience with these things, the only one that tends to have the most freedom is the solo, and occasionally PvP, approach.

Plus, unless it were purely aesthetic benefits, bonuses to a character must have some sort of appeal to even bother with. The options

- It's having nothing of noteworthy value, e.g. Slightly increases resistance to petrification (the path that has the most freedom of equal choice without imbalance)
- Having some useless options and some decent/good options to choose from (obvious path is obvious)
- Having all decent/good options that would likely end up making the job OP, e.g. reduce GCD/CD, haste effects, stat boosts, etc (parsers will determine which is most worthwhile, so again a set path)

So unless you'd rather they included something generally pointless, you're going to follow some cookie cutter to perform optimally. It's inevitable in every game that involves output performance with customization options.

Having said all that though, I am for the idea of merits. While the choice thing that you're talking about and wanting is not a realistic possibility, the idea that we're not wasting our time doing things along the way (like killing mobs in a dungeon of any level), at least becomes rewarding in its own way.

[Tracewood]

Math destroys the idea of "choice" when it comes to MMORPGs and picking what would be considered the "best" option.

Well I suppose I was naive enough to forget about that detail. Then also remembered how FFXI endgame became that "Must have XXX job with this setup". It's a shame though, I think even for a while people only bought BRDs, BLM, and PLDs to ARR endgame for before SE fixed that now that I had all day to think about this.

Still though, could there be something we could do with our mains? Maybe instead of merit points some kind of spendable token we could spend on something like glamour items, furnishings, minions, mounts, etc. Something to work for at least.

[Khalithar]

Math destroys the idea of "choice" when it comes to MMORPGs and picking what would be considered the "best" option.

This statement is absolutely true and bears repeating. I think a lot people asking for more options forget this.

[Delily]

Only if it were implemented in a way that actually promotes choice and diversity with enhancements rather than just a set, clear path.

However, SE doesn't seem to like integrating any real choice into FFXIV and would rather have more homogenized jobs. I think with the current game design, we would just end up with everyone allocating merit points identically for every job, the same way we do with stats (for the most part).

Which is what happens in FFXI. Anyone doing Alluvion skirmishes will have the same gear and job point setup as described on FFXIAH. People always go towards the optimal build.

[AlphaFox]

Then we get into the whole PF of "Must have maxed merit points!"

[Reynhart]

Then we get into the whole PF of "Must have maxed merit points!"

Do you see "Must have BiS to join" in every PF ? It's basically the same.

For Merits points, I'd like a Paragon system like Diablo 3. In the end, you could max everything, but the order at which you do it would all be yours.

[Blitzace]

Then we get into the whole PF of "Must have maxed merit points!"

And that is the community at fault. not SE.
This community is spoiled with rotten apples at times, Like every game.

FFXIV Just takes it to a whole new level, Often the idiotic people that make clear parties/farm groups with - KNOW ALL PHASES 100% 1FAIL=KICK.
Fail themselfs, And at the same time they fail to kick themselfs.

[Duelle]

And that is the community at fault. not SE.

Design always influences player behavior (so yes, it is SE's fault).

---------------------------------------

The problem with merits was, as mentioned earlier, the fact that it padded out FFXI's lifespan due to being stack at specific level caps. The other part is that they were the epitome of false choices in terms of design (see: Dark Knights being given the choice to merit useless abilities like Arcane Circle or useful abilities like Soul Eater).

As I've said before, something to consider would be using merits to cosmetically affect your character rather than affect performance. Maybe allow you to purchase the option to glamour gear your job can't equip (a BLM meriting the ability to glamour Of Striking gear), alter visual effects of abilities/spells (maybe change the explosion effect for Fire III into a burning rock falling on the target), or possibly some extra cosmetic abilities (a DRG meriting the ability to super jump around instead of using a mount). The potential is there, the devs simply need to devote time to it.