Letter from the Producer LIVE Part LVII Digest (02/14/2020)

[Voltenyne]

Upcoming Content and Features in Patch 5.2



(00:51:07)

This time, the main scenario is quite lengthy and includes a very shocking revelation.
Therefore, if you’re thinking of progressing through the main scenario first, we recommend that you take your time to do so and focus on it instead of doing it in between other content.

The new dungeon, Anamnesis Anyder, is unlocked towards the latter half of the main scenario quests due to how the story unfolds, so please keep that in mind if you want to unlock Duty Roulette: Expert as soon as possible.

The new quest series for upgradeable equipment is named Save the Queen: Blades of Gunnhildr. The size of the content is too large to be played alongside other content in Patch 5.2, so it will be implemented in Patch 5.25.

Aside from Ruby Weapon, there is another trial related to the Save the Queen storyline, which we’ll be keeping a secret until then. You’ll be challenging it solo during the storyline, but there’s also a version that’s about the same difficulty as Extreme trials which you’ll be challenging with a full party.



We showed a screenshot of the interior of Anamnesis Anyder. Its appearance changes drastically from the beginning, middle, and end of the dungeon, so please look forward to it. You’ll also perceive it quite differently when you visit it after completing the main scenario.



With these updates, we’ll really be diving into the key aspects of the Ishgardian Restoration content. There are many stages this time around, and the Diadem will be returning as a gathering area. As there’s a lot to do in Patch 5.2, we plan to implement this in Patch 5.21, which is estimated to be about three weeks after the release of Patch 5.2.

We will also be adding Expert Recipes for hardcore crafters. With Expert Recipes, the condition of materials will frequently change with each step, so you’ll be constantly planning out your next action as you craft. With this, we’ll also be implementing a simulator that will show you how much progress/quality an action will increase.

Your rank in the ranking system is based on the restoration points you’ve earned, and items from the Expert Recipes will yield higher points. Crafting items from these Expert Recipes could be quite a challenge, so we’ve prepared some less expensive recipes to practice on.

We’re also currently developing a new feature aimed for Patch 5.3, which will allow you to practice a recipe without consuming any materials.

For the ranking system, the rankings will begin with the release of Patch 5.21 and will be limited to a 10-day period. We’ve prepared special titles as a reward for making it into the rankings.



The crafting system update in Patch 5.2 won’t be as drastic as the changes implemented in Patch 5.1; however, a number of actions will be removed or have their effects adjusted.

For fishing, it’ll be easier to notice when you’ve hooked a fish.

Two major changes will be made to the materia system, the first being the removal of class requirements that differ per gear for melding materia. With this change, for example, you’ll be able be meld materia onto any equipment even if you only have culinarian at level 80. Secondly, the spiritbonding system will be changed. Materia can now be extracted from fully spiritbound gear without losing the original item, and instead will now only reset your spiritbond.

New chapters, such as Chronicles of a New Era quests, will be added to New Game+.

The maximum rank for free companies will be increased to 30. The main benefit of these higher ranks will be an increased company chest capacity.

Cinder Drift



(01:06:57)

We showed gameplay footage for the beginning of the trial, which you can watch in the video. Something we weren’t supposed to show may have been revealed onscreen...

The battle against Ruby Weapon is part of The Sorrow of Werlyt, which includes stories pertaining to Gaius’s past. The Sorrow of Werlyt series will continue in the future so please look forward to it.

Job-Related Adjustments



(01:11:41)

There aren’t very many adjustments to jobs this time around. The main one is probably red mage. Its damage is somewhat lacking compared to other magic ranged DPS, so we’ll be giving it a straightforward damage increase. Both single-target and AoE damage will be improved.

Next up is summoner. We apologize for having to do this, but summoner was doing too much damage so its DoT potencies will be slightly lowered. We considered increasing black mage’s damage to balance things out, but that would’ve required rebalancing samurai and other melee jobs as well, so this time we decided to adjust summoner.

Regarding samurai, we received feedback that Meditation stacks were hard to keep track of, so Meditation stacks will now be displayed on the job gauge.

Aside from those, we also made a minor adjustment to warrior.

On the other hand, we made a large number of changes in PvP. Some additional actions were clearly weaker or harder to use, so we’ve improved the actions that were rarely being used. As for Medical Kit, we adjusted its minimum cure potency as it is difficult to use due to its low values.

Regarding tanks, dark knight is currently quite powerful with The Blackest Night, so we’ll be adjusting the capabilities of other tanks to be similarly effective. We’ll also be making adjustments to warrior to bring them in line with other tanks in the Feast. On the other hand, Holmgang is an extremely powerful action in Frontline, and the adjustments will affect that as little as possible.

Next, regarding melee jobs. Monk is powerful in the Feast, but is lackluster in Frontline, so we’ll be making adjustments to balance the melee jobs. Dragoon and ninja are extremely powerful in Frontline, so we’re considering making their effectiveness vary between single-target and AoE.

Next up are physical and magical ranged DPS. Dancer was too powerful, so we’ll be adjusting its buffs. In terms of balance with other roles, we’re adjusting their damage to be relatively close to melee jobs. We’re thinking summoner is a good standard and will be referencing it as we make various changes.

The matchmaking algorithm was reconstructed to group teams more equally, and testing has also been completed. It’ll be implemented in Patch 5.2, so please wait until then.

Qitari Tribe Quests



(01:17:17)

We showed gameplay, which you can see in the video.

The Qitari tribe quests will take place in the Rak’tika Greatwood and are focused on gathering. You’ll be able to accept them starting at level 70.

You may have noticed that the Qitari didn’t appear during the Patch 5.0 main scenario. The tribe quest storyline will explain why they weren’t seen, as well as why they’ve chosen to appear now. At first, they lack a settlement, which will progress as the story moves forward. The story itself will also be quite interesting, so please look forward to it.

There were actually plans to implement Qiqirn tribe quests in the 4.0 series, and this is why the Ziggurat is in the game. However, World Lore Creator/Main Scenario Writer Oda became completely enthralled by the Namazu, and so the tribe quests became about them. Why aren’t there any Namazu on the First? The answer to that could be revealed in these quests. The storyline of the Qitari tribe quests will split off at a certain point. The story is about uncovering the history of the Ronka, a civilization that previously resided in Rak’tika. There will be a point in the story where interpretations of their history will split, and players will be asked to decide what kind of history they had. While this won’t affect any rewards, the storyline will vary depending on what you pick, and we hope it’ll be something you can share and discuss with other players.

We also showed a new mount related to the tribe quests, which can be seen in the video.

New Courses in Leap of Faith



(01:26:18)

We attempted the course during the stream, so be sure to take a look at the video!

Eden’s Verse



(01:47:17)

Eden is about returning the elements to a barren land and restoring it to its lush state, as well as a story of Ryne’s growth. Still having much to learn about the outside world, Ryne is beginning to take her first steps forward when Gaia appears. How these two will resonate with each other is something to look out for.

We showed gameplay footage of one of the raids, which can be seen in the video.

When Eden’s Gate (Savage) was released in 5.0, major changes had been made to each job. As the changes took some getting used to, the difficulty of the raids were set lower than the usual Savage difficulty with moderate DPS requirements, among other things. In contrast, Eden’s Verse is balanced to the usual Savage difficulty, so in the beginning you may struggle to clear the fights before time runs out.

As a side note, the members tasked with developing Eden’s Verse are different from those who worked on Eden’s Gate. This means there will be many new mechanics, and we hope you’ll enjoy them.