[dev1244] Accessory Reform, discussion

[KumaAkuma]

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/31781

The arguement used to justify this change is that it will improve usability and balance. Players will have more freedom equipping accessories.

I found this very confusing when you consider the actual measures taken:

Yes slot costs are being removed, but the number of slots goes down from 9 to 5. This basically means that there hasn't really been changed anything at all when it comes to the amount of stats.
When it comes to picking the stats, freedom is actually taken away from us! It's pretty obvious that certain item slot types will get certain stats (not much different from the materia system), but with the slots going down from 9-5 you can't focus on your favourite stat. Tanks, for example, can't focus on taking double wristlets anymore for a health, defense boost

Focussing a bit more on the balance part: The effects of stats on gear with the exception of mp and hp are hardly noticeable at all. SE is worried that melee doing one more damage from extra Strenght will bring the game out of balance?

I can understand the simplification though. It's less data to worry about, but from a players point of view: it's a loss.

[Estellios]

Why do you think certain slots will only get certain stats just from those examples?

Those examples looked very appealing to me, stat-wise. Actual gathering/crafting stats on accessories has been a long time coming, and the new pearl ring is pretty sweet. And with more slots I'll be able to wear more stuff compared to my 3 rings (which barely helped at all).

[KumaAkuma]

Why do you think certain slots will only get certain stats just from those examples?

Because it's the case already for our current situation.

[Elexia]

Considering earrings and wrist armor will appear on BOTH even with 1 slot, that was the 2nd purpose for having 2 wrist/2 ear slots, for the visual appeal.

Now that materia can be attached to them, do we really need 9 slots?

[NoctisUmbra]

Why do you think certain slots will only get certain stats just from those examples?

Because it's the case already for our current situation.

... Yes, because it is completely logical to presume that the new system, which they are implementing by drastically changing the current system, will abide by a constraint set in the current system. lolwot?

When 1.21 hits and you go see rings, earrings, and accessories for every other slot with a wider range of stats for customization please take a picture of your reaction and post it here. I'd love to see the expression.

With slot cost, it made sense to classify certain accessory slots with certain stats. You wouldnt be able to equip for every slot anyway, so your freedom came in the form of choice of slot, not stat. Essentially slot = stat.

With slot cost removed, everyone will be equipping 5 accessories freely all the time. It would make absolutely no sense to keep each slot limited to a certain stat-type. They simply need to give variety to the slots in terms of stats so players have freedom in selecting which accessory they want, rather than which slot they want to fill. I don't know about you, but the examples given definitely show new stat types in existent slots.

[Silversnow]

I really hope they add a graphical toggle for Left, Right or Both to gear that's being combined into one slot.

[KumaAkuma]

... Yes, because it is completely logical to presume that the new system, which they are implementing by drastically changing the current system, will abide by a constraint set in the current system. lolwot?

When 1.21 hits and you go see rings, earrings, and accessories for every other slot with a wider range of stats for customization please take a picture of your reaction and post it here. I'd love to see the expression.

With slot cost, it made sense to classify certain accessory slots with certain stats. You wouldnt be able to equip for every slot anyway, so your freedom came in the form of choice of slot, not stat. Essentially slot = stat.

With slot cost removed, everyone will be equipping 5 accessories freely all the time. It would make absolutely no sense to keep each slot limited to a certain stat-type. They simply need to give variety to the slots in terms of stats so players have freedom in selecting which accessory they want, rather than which slot they want to fill. I don't know about you, but the examples given definitely show new stat types in existent slots.

They did it in FFXI, they are doing it now, the new materia system is doing the same, heck even the emnity earring is a reference back to FFXI. It's not so hard to follow SE's trends.

[NoctisUmbra]

They did it in FFXI, they are doing it now, the new materia system is doing the same, heck even the emnity earring is a reference back to FFXI. It's not so hard to follow SE's trends.

This game is not FFXI.
They are changing what is being done now into something different. Same faulty argument.
The materia system is something else, and offers much more variety and customization than the current accessory system.
They showed an enmity ring, not an enmity earring.

You're just grasping for straws at this point. It's one thing to be worried. It's a whole 'nother thing to blindly presume you know exactly what they're going to do, and then complain about it.

Should you turn out to be right, nobody's gonna care they'll just complain then if it sucks. If you turn out to be wrong though, please oblige us with that reaction headshot

[Acretia]

SE is slowly turning this game into XI...

Mages not being able to move and cast, which is nonsense.

Accessory slots reform, like many people stated above, limiting peoples choices of stats. True you can equip more pieces at a time 5 items vs 3 (i.e. three mind rings, or two HP bracelets and Vit ring) but the actual useful stats are diminished. Unless the new items that are being released give useful stats to neck/ears (which you can only have 1 of) you really lose out.

[Chrees]

For me personally, I will be able to go from wearing 3 accessories (3 Dated Aquamarine Rings) to 5 accessories.

5 > 3

That seems like a gain to me, not a loss. Chrees is satisfied.

EDIT: And as Estellios said, we don't even know which stats will be on which accessories. They gave us two examples, which is hardly enough to form any of the conclusions you did.