Thread: Patch 3.4 - Soul Surrender

Originally Posted by SuperFlorinjin

Speaking of patch cycles does anyone remember when Heavensward was announced? Assuming Heavensward follows the same cycle as ARR we only have 3.5 and 3.55 left, yet I don't think they've said anything about the next expansion beyond vague generalities.

Assuming Heavensward goes like A Realm Reborn did yeah, after 3.4 we've got 3.5 and possibly 3.55 to go 'till 4.0. Where the story was going didn't start getting hints until very late 2.3, with 2.4 and 2.5 setting it up in earnest - since we've been dealing with the Dragonsong War for the entirety of 3.x, it looks like they skipped that tiny bit of setup in 3.3 for resolving the arc that started in 2.3. 3.4 is, from what we've seen, obviously going to start setting up 4.0.

... which is totally in development, by the way. It's ahead of schedule from what I heard (they're already recording voices for it). They just haven't put out any information yet, like where the story is going, what jobs are going to be added, if there's going to be a new race, etc.

Originally Posted by ToppeHatte

While everyone is curious as to the MSQ's significance, has it been brought up at all that Alexander looks totally different when he's first encountered in A12 (assuming that's Alexander at all, of course)?



I'm not entirely sure what this would imply (again, assuming that this indeed Alex in some degree) but I thought it was an interesting observation at least.

That form makes it look like it's based on his original Final Fantasy VI sprite the game he first appeared in.

New patch notes have been posted and we get to see the name for the next Alexander floors.

The Eyes of the Creator
The Breath of the Creator
The Heart of the Creator
The Soul of the Creator

Interesting that this time there's no name like Gordias for the Father or Midas for the Son.

The last floor's name, The Soul of the Creator, also reinforces the theory that we'll be facing Alex like we face Bahamut; inside of its soul.

Sigh...

Doesn't look like there is much in the way of story quests to go with new Grand Company Ranks... I really miss XIs formula of "Here is a quest to raise you Rank, it has an actual story", Nation Ranks provided some nice insight into the nations themselves, while Mercenary Ranks were kind of humorous... Still, anything is better than the "Bring me some Seals!" XIV has been offering so far... Had to do some dungeons at some point, but that was less "Here is some lore on your city and Grand Company" and more "Here's the backstory for this dungeon". Can we please get some Grand Company based quests at some point? Why is it that I know more about various beast tribes, than I do my own Grand Company...

Squadrons themselves could make for some organic player generated stories (I'll be recruiting an army of cats, for example), but given they're effectively just glorified Retainer Ventures for now? Meh... I'd care about these guys a whole lot more if I could be a terrible leader and end up working them to death... Would have been perfect with something like Hamlet Defense... Imagine defending against the Ixali and Garuda, only to lose one of your squad in battle, then see them fighting for the enemy next time because they've been tempered... That's the kind of thing I don't think cutscenes or dialog can really replicate... We can be told tempering is an issue, but until it actually impacts us directly it isn't really going to hit home...

I really wonder if they put Grand Companies in just to tick the "Must have Factions" box on the list of generic MMO things... I just don't get the feeling that they were added with any purpose in mind... PvP is the only place they matter, and that's more of a burden than a boon, that restriction cripples Frontlines more than it enhances it... Is, as with the rest of this games progression, it really all just about glamours? With 4.0 can we have less Hildibrand quests, and more Grand Company quests, pretty please?

Originally Posted by Nalien

Sigh...

Doesn't look like there is much in the way of story quests to go with new Grand Company Ranks... I really miss XIs formula of...

See, there's your problem: pining for the glory days of XI and hoping or expecting things from that game to be added is a recipe for disappointment.

... and no amount of "Sigh"ing or ellipsis-filled ranting is gonna change that.

Originally Posted by zferolie

How big exactly is this buff, and before I was readion the regen stance was best, but with all those buffs to nocturn, will it be better? What else should I really be excited for for these Astro buffs

The buffs are mainly to improve nocturnal stance, since it was kinda lacking compared to diurnal. Astro should be a pretty good off-healer now, not as good as sch (that's a lofty goal) but still better than it was.

As for your personal situation keep playing regen astro in dungeons, and use shields when you're paired with a white Mage or a diurnal astro in 8 man content. If you join a static then I guess the stance you use is dependant on what job the other healer is.

Also the cards get some significant buffs. The new balance gives a 20% damage up buff to single target and 10% aoe. With a Royal Roaded Spear or Arrow and time dilation, you can give someone a 75 seconds long Raging Strikes. That's hot.