Squadron Expanded?

[Brightamethyst]

Squadrons were probably always just a prototype for Trusts. I doubt we'll see command missions expanded in any meaningful way.

[ReynTime]

They're good enough for leveling at your own pace, and way faster/more efficient than trusts too. It would be nice if they went all the way to lv70 content but 61~70 feels like it goes way faster than 51~60 IMO that I don't miss them that much.

Squadrons were probably always just a prototype for Trusts. I doubt we'll see command missions expanded in any meaningful way.

I can't believe the prototype is better designed than the complete product!

[GeminiReed]

I can't believe the prototype is better designed than the complete product!

Trust AI is definitely superior to squadrons but they were intentionally detuned (no AoE) to make running instances with live humans more attractive.

[ReynTime]

Trust AI is definitely superior to squadrons but they were intentionally detuned (no AoE) to make running instances with live humans more attractive.

Trust AI stops doing absolutely anything to avoid AoEs and mechanics.
Squadron don't even need to dodge majority of the mechanics.

Trusts only have 1 glamour option, which isn't even great.
Squadron can glamour anything in your dresser.

Trusts take an eternity to kill trash and even with Y'shtola around they rarely AoE at all.
Squadron also don't aoe properly unless they're ACN, who contribute a lot more to AoEing trashes than any Trust, but not only kill faster by default but also let you configure their damage vs survivality output.

Trusts take no orders from you. You have to hope they don't let you take too much damage from the coming pack because "tank" sometimes reacts slowly. A certain trust is crazy about wasting LB.
Squadron will use LB, engage and disengage in advance/anytime you order them to. Also their LB increases the target's vulnerability for a short time afterwards.

Trusts can't be customized at all beyond the crappy 2 choices glamour, no matter how much you use them.
Squadron unlocks higher levels for their tactics so you can increase their resistance or damage even further.

The only things Trusts are efficient at:
-Help you learn boss mechanics... but it's only MSQ dungeons, which are the easiest duties of the game.
-Fanservice.
-Make dungeon design significantly more shallow.

[Brightamethyst]

They're good enough for leveling at your own pace, and way faster/more efficient than trusts too.

Only sort of. There's a reason you can only use squadrons in specific dungeons. Trusts are hand crafted for each dungeon, which is why they can do mechanics and such. Squadrons are just generic NPCs. Some dungeons would be much harder, or even impossible with only the brain dead squadron AI. Can you imagine a squadron doing Qarn, or Cutter's Cry? How about the turtle boss in Stone Vigil hard? Even Brayflox is kind of terrible having to micromanage positioning on the last boss. Squadrons are great for the dungeons with no mechanics beyond "kill everything" but relatively few dungeons fall into that category.

[Shougun]

In general I think all the companion-like systems should receive a relook, ensuring each has a satisfyingly position. I would think it neat if you could for example bring your chocobo along in a dungeon (as a member if empowered to fit as such).

I do like that the trusts have banter, and would love to encourage deepening the player connection to npcs, could potentially do that with squadrons but because there are so many potential members that sounds quite daunting (meanwhile trusts are obviously more narrowed down). Was part of another thread but could be a fun time to add back your 1.0 companions, perhaps literally under the companion system, give the chocobo and companion different progression systems and some slightly different pros and cons (maybe companions are easier to quickly strengthen due to gear, meanwhile chocobos take more time and particularly mini games and such, though neither in the end designed to be useless over the other).

Might note though that I think trusts, strongly feel, need a new progression system, and hopefully also can capture some of that value at some point that squadrons had. Squadrons are way stronger than trusts lol. It's honestly weird to go from my OP squadrons that destroy things faster than most groups can, and then go to trusts, these epic heroes, who tickle the toes of monsters and do warm bath and massages before gently tucking the enemies to sleep. I think perhaps more of a merit system or something where you can unlock boosts in power (perhaps with limited amount of active nodes if SE wanted to add a level of customization, which could include nodes beyond new abilities and stat boosts to different AI patterns, yet they're always the level that they need to be for the content you're doing).

If trusts were to take over from the start, which may be cool in some ways, like if you got to do your MSQ level 50 dungeon with cid and other story npcs - that would probably offer a more narrative driven experience over some quiet squadrons. Which lead me to think perhaps squadrons should be moved then to ... well more squadron / military focused concepts, like you can go out to do expeditions to strengthen your garrison, add trading routes, chocobo caravan set up, outposts, perhaps in some ways grow a sense of army, one might build an outpost in a lava cave unlocking some unique crafting bonuses or opportunities (forged in the fires of mount doom! lol), squadrons trailing behind trusts on purpose but focused entirely on a different content concept. Maybe even add some Dynasty Warrior like vibe opportunities (like there are HUGE fields of enemies, and like dynasty warrior, you'd kind of get this swarm like mosh fighting vibe). Had mentioned for a different content these hamlet defense being brought in for FC content (make a hamlet, defend a hamelt, assault beastmen strongholds), and maybe use some of that here too taking your squadron to assault a stronghold maybe akin feeling to taking on a stronghold in Shadow Of War (lord of the rings game). Certainly some marrige could be done with FC and GC, in terms of systems as they're both companies - some of your assets earned from your conquests for your GC may add value to your FC (and I think adding relationship value to your FC would be a cool new progression opportunity, especially in context of building a hamlet- since currently that relationship info is kind of meaningless "yay Immortal Flames like us.. ya...y....? doesn't matter". Another thought was squadrons might open up into owning your own airship, and these members being part of your crew.

Again, though ensuring as much as possible that each piece feels like it's a piece that isn't awkwardly overlapping and stealing from another and should fit into that other.

[Raikai]

I do like that the trusts have banter, and would love to encourage deepening the player connection to npcs, could potentially do that with squadrons but because there are so many potential members that sounds quite daunting

I actually think that would be amazing, if all of the Squadron member options had their own personality, adding to the banter mid-dungeon, maybe different combinations could react between each other. Yeah, it's a big scripting writing project, tho.

[Renmir]

I actually think that would be amazing, if all of the Squadron member options had their own personality, adding to the banter mid-dungeon, maybe different combinations could react between each other. Yeah, it's a big scripting writing project, tho.

The most efficient thing would be to tie the banter to personality types, which have already been established through things like Retainers. My thought for a squadron would be basically to have customizable recruits for the first slots, a la FFTactics, and party and special recruits that maybe are available for certain missions or expansions.

[Allegor]

Add Hroth and Viera squadron members, please and thank you uwu

[XabyTimberwolf]

This is where being a new player gets super confusing. You guys going on about squadrons and I have visions of buzzing the towers despite being denied a fly by and instead it's about some kinda AI thing....