Devs: Has Merrits Been Talked about?

[TheVedis]

Merits start at 75 and 99 is now the cap. So, what is the difference again?

merits were meant to be for a capped game is what the difference is

just because half a decade later the game raises the cap, doesnt mean that all of a sudden thats what the system was originaly meant for

facts are facts, and fact is, the merit system in 11 was meant for a capped game


and in the end as some pointed out above, it was about raising your stats past the max allowed for capped character(and also enhanced your non capped ones at the same time to help you level them easier since you already capped one, which in that game was a pretty big feat back in the day).


remember, you cant always compare content now to content 5 years ago for a game
game content and different things are released for a game as is, they dont release something now for a game 5 years down the line. at most they plan up to a year ahead for expansions(and even then usualy not that far)


so yeah, merits have nothing to do with a 75-99 game, they were meant for a 75 cap game, now that the cap has been raised, it doesnt apply to that specific instance anymore(the cap raising one that is)

they were still meant for a capped game

[BruceyBruceyBangBang]

There still isn't a difference between that and a advanced skill tree. Is there a reason why you want there to be? Or are we just going to leave our common sense at the door?

[TheVedis]

There still isn't a difference between that and a advanced skill tree. Is there a reason why you want there to be? Or are we just going to leave our common sense at the door?

theres a HUGE difference and i just dont get how you are not seeing it


talent trees give you specific abilities and bonus's to certain abilities
you gain points AS YOU LEVEL the job in the game

so at level 1 you have 1 point, level 3 you have 2 points etc etc


this is NOT a merit system, a merit system rewards you for going above and beyond after capping your character, and usualy doesnt "branch" off into specializations such as a talent tree does
a merit system gives you +1 str, +2 dex +1, +1 enmity and so on

it gives you the ability to raise your stats above the cap.


they are both bonus systems in their own way, but the biggest difference is of course that one you can play without(merits) and the other you cant(talent tree)

try playing a game with talent trees without ever putting points into anything and see how far you get

basicaly, talent trees are not optional and merits are by that line of thinking

[Engineer]

A merit system would be awesome, but i think some merits should be implemented at 50, 75, and 99 so everytime the level cap increases, new merits can be added, or even stat merit caps go up.

[BruceyBruceyBangBang]

I think the problem is you're referencing what you know in other games like games that use talent trees and FFXI which uses merits.

Yes, I am aware of the ways everything is acquired and know the differences you've pointed out, but what is the difference beyond that? Skill trees don't have to progress with the character. FFXI could have called it a skill tree and used the same method of gaining the points. When you take out the grindy nature of FFXI's merit system and other MMOs skill tree branch through progression, you basically have the same thing.

FFXI's merit system is their version of a skill tree for advanced characters. This is something I'd also stay away from in FFXIV. If anything, I'd like something new apart from these systems. Or you could marry the two and tweak it into something more original. You can't make two steps without someone suggesting FFXIV implement a direct cut out of a system from FFXI so why don't we make the best of it and embrace both commonly used systems. It only makes sense as they are very similar.

Blah blah blah.

Edit: Also, when would you expect this implemented if it were to be? 2.0? At that point it would not be the "ending levels" and eventually the cap would be raised after that throughout the year. So, if implemented anytime soon, by your definition, it would turn into a skill tree system since you'll be growing it as you progress.

[Jinko]

I'll use Jennesita's posts to explain why we don't need merits.

1. Lets you increase your stats beyond the level cap since they weren't raising the level cap beyond 75 at that point, kind of like point allocation here in terms of stat "customizing".

As you say we all ready have this via stat distribution.

2. Lets you increase your magic/physical skills, something lacking in this game but this basically pushed your enhancing/enfeebling/elemental/healing/etc magic another tier or two.

This can be achieved by materia and stats to a lesser degree

3. Unlocks new abilities or spells, e.g Dia/Bio III for RDM or Freeze/Tornado/etc II for BLMs.

They just removed a shit ton of spells and reduced all classes down to 15 major skills/spells.

4. Lets you enhance your weapon skill levels, which basically bumps them a letter grade (which means more accuracy/attack/unlocking weapon skills that aren't job specific etc.)

We can only equip one weapon type and don't have skill levels.

I would much rather see SE have stats and skills linked to titles which are gained through achievements.

[SniperRifle]

Only read the first page but you guys need to throw the OP a bone here. He said merits but he probably just meant a form of upgrading and unifying our characters in a way like merits.

Which of course isn't a bad thing, so I don't get why all the fuss over OP.

OP obvi wants to just discuss/get feedback on what kind of end game merit/talent tree-esque system the devs had in mind. And suppose it is too early for the devs to comment on that... But it isn't too early for us to brainstorm ideas.

The game still isn't finished but if THM got a trait like "1% of total MP back with each attack spell cast" that would be cool, and then completing tasks (whether its to grind/kill primal/clear dungeon) to acquire merit results in your ability to upgrade your trait.

I want to say that this should only take place at the level cap but WoW/Skyrim/FFX's talent tree system starts at Lvl1, and grows in variety the higher you level (Skyrim, for the most part).

Idk the algorythms for calculating what tree stats/abilities go into but say your THM had the option to choose whether you wanted +500 mp or +40magic attack or +100 magic regen when standing still. And the next level would be like +1000, +80mag attack, or +250 magic regen when standing still. Increase bind chance by 20%-100% w/ each merit on Blizzara. Or, all ice spells have a chance to bind target for 20seconds %... Highest being like 100%, or 50%... Idk it doesn't matter.

But something like this besides the typical point lollocation we've already seen. Something to make these unique abilities even more powerful and unique, but not overpowered.