Squadron Expanded?

[Renmir]

I have been slowly sifting through threads, but does anyone have any direct information if squadrons would ever see an update?

Think about the possibilities: Up the squadron cap to something like 16, have additional special slots for your MSQ party per expansion, allow squad members to choose advanced jobs at level 60 (the current cap). I personally find squadron missions and the thrill of finding the right recruits or special recruits to be really fun.

It feels as the Grand Companies hold less and less weight as the story moves on. This could perhaps establish some additional questlines where you help the Grand Company with various elite tasks, seeing as you are capped on your rank eventually anyways.

The squadrons and Trust system could be combined even, and perhaps have more 8-person dungeons and the ability for you to run them with your squadron. This could even introduce the chance to bring back the Gambit system from XII, allowing players to fine-tune and learn new ways for their party's tactics in combat.

Please, if anyone has any relevant information or thoughts, share them below

[Renmir]

Would anyone else have interest in the Gambit system making a return in XIV? I feel like it would really enhance the solo player experience

[TaleraRistain]

Would anyone else have interest in the Gambit system making a return in XIV? I feel like it would really enhance the solo player experience

Yes. I loved that system in XII. People complained that it played the game for you, but all it really did was streamline random encounters and save your hands/wrists a bit on the harder fights that still required a lot of manual input. Plus they ignored the strategy required to figure out how to set things up to get that type of play experience. Most griping about that I later found out had just grabbed the "right" Gambit set-ups from some walkthrough, so of course you're going to feel like it's too easy and simplifying the game too much if you don't do any of that trial and error work.

They would have to give XIV a more intuitive interface, though. That was my one gripe with XII's system.

[ReynTime]

Yes. I loved that system in XII. People complained that it played the game for you, but all it really did was streamline random encounters and save your hands/wrists a bit on the harder fights that still required a lot of manual input. Plus they ignored the strategy required to figure out how to set things up to get that type of play experience. Most griping about that I later found out had just grabbed the "right" Gambit set-ups from some walkthrough, so of course you're going to feel like it's too easy and simplifying the game too much if you don't do any of that trial and error work.

They would have to give XIV a more intuitive interface, though. That was my one gripe with XII's system.

It did play every encounter for you, aside from some optional bosses. However it would be very welcome in XIV given playing as a non tank with Squadrons you can basically clear dungeons while only using the controller to move and DPS with Trusts is the same thing. I'd very much prefer a customizable AI as complete as the gambit.

[TaleraRistain]

It did play every encounter for you, aside from some optional bosses. However it would be very welcome in XIV given playing as a non tank with Squadrons you can basically clear dungeons while only using the controller to move and DPS with Trusts is the same thing. I'd very much prefer a customizable AI as complete as the gambit.

It did do the actions but people act like you just turned it on and off you went. You had to organize your Gambits in the right order under the right conditions. So it wasn't just like flip a switch and win. And there was strategy involved in figuring that out and trying out different combinations. I would welcome a system like that in XIV that had some flexibility and let me think outside the box.

[AvenoMatt]

I definitely think that squadrons should be updated and they should be able to take on jobs. That said I don't think they should have access to all jobs abilities just key skills to help you get through content. Though the main issue I see with squadrons is AI especially tank AI. Healer AI is also pretty bad but not as bad a tanks imo.

[Renmir]

I definitely think that squadrons should be updated and they should be able to take on jobs. That said I don't think they should have access to all jobs abilities just key skills to help you get through content. Though the main issue I see with squadrons is AI especially tank AI. Healer AI is also pretty bad but not as bad a tanks imo.

The AI is not great, but combine the Squadron and Trust AI, and introduce more complex customizable tactics through Gambits and I think this would solve it!

Your healers would know to stop fighting and swiftcast > rez something, you can set your tank to care more for aggro vs damage, etc.

And since they already have "Tactics" for your squadron, perhaps Gambits would be unlocked in a similar, somewhat random fashion to keep players interested. Aside from Gambits, add new units for the Hrothgar and Viera, expand the job system, and perhaps let the PC create a massive Adventurer Grand Company, perhaps revive the Crystal Braves as a shared Grand Company and give Alphinaud a little redemption arc for it.

[Krotoan]

The whole squadrons thing feels like they were kinda forgotten after that last little push and even that was "token" feeling.

I really REALLY would like more to do with my GC/squadrons. I spent a lot of time developing them and dressing them and stuff. Now I just go make them do squats occasionally for S&G.

[Renmir]

The whole squadrons thing feels like they were kinda forgotten after that last little push and even that was "token" feeling.

I really REALLY would like more to do with my GC/squadrons. I spent a lot of time developing them and dressing them and stuff. Now I just go make them do squats occasionally for S&G.

Same! I'm currently working on getting my favorite units in each slot and getting their looks to feel unique

[Soge01]

I would really like this. In particular, being allowed to have a second or thread Squadron depending on your rank.