Quote Originally Posted by Anonymoose View Post
I was confused by this at first because I thought I went deeper into it here than I did, lol.
Ahh, so it's a curious sidestep(by the writers) of an old point in the lore. It's intriguing to me, as I am a big fan of anything related to Magitek.

Do you have examples of where the game has expounded on aetherochemical technology? I know there's the entire Aetherochemical Research Facility in Azys Lla, but to a laymen like me, the distinction seems superfluous. The results seem the same.

I can definitely get behind the idea that Magitek is superior to normal Magicks in a lot of ways. It provides anyone with designed magic. Though it's also true that if you don't have access to every type of magitek machine, then it's not as readily versatile. And you have to design a new machine, any time a new magic you want to copy comes up. Though you can also make your own unique homebrewed stuff. I'm quite interested in Annia and Julia's power suits. They brimmed with fiery auras the whole fight, let them do raidwides called Artificial Plasma and such.

From what I can see in game, it seems like the only distinction apparent via gameplay is that Aetherochemistry involves bionics, whereas Magitek does not... or didn't until a certain point. Everything in the ARF, once you're past Regula anyway, is some sort of test tube creature. From Precultured Biomass, to the assessment creature, Harmachis(an alt form of the god Horus, represented as a Sphinx, and a Sphinx in game as well).

I think if Garlemald overcame the Aetherochemical hurdle, it would be from the knowledge and resources they gained at Azys Lla, because while their flagship is grounded, their dropships aren't, and as we saw with Alphinaud's short sojourn aboard one, those are capable of flying on back home. We also have seen in the Werlyt quests that scientists employed on the Weapons projects were non-Garleans, capable of manipulating aether. Elezens and Hyurs and others.

I really am curious. Does the lorebook or old lore give us a definition for Aetherochemistry? Please fill me in, if possible, Mr. Moose!