[Spoiler] Isn't Dark Knight using Akasa ?

[Ryaz]

I'd say that a lot of what we do is a combination of Aether and Dynamis. The whole point of us being sundered is that as whole beings of such strong Aether, we drowned out Dynamis. Once sundered, we are better able to manipulate the latter, though it's done unconsciously. Something like the Warrior's Berserk state to me is an example of us combining Aether and Dynamis into a form we can use. Which is why we're so strong-- we're not limited to just one form or the other, but combine the two for something greater.

[h-alpha]

I'd say that a lot of what we do is a combination of Aether and Dynamis. The whole point of us being sundered is that as whole beings of such strong Aether, we drowned out Dynamis. Once sundered, we are better able to manipulate the latter, though it's done unconsciously. Something like the Warrior's Berserk state to me is an example of us combining Aether and Dynamis into a form we can use. Which is why we're so strong-- we're not limited to just one form or the other, but combine the two for something greater.

Right, and to add to this - the fact that it's an unconscious thing isn't to say also that it's not a thing that we tap into regularly, either. Maybe it's not as intentional as manipulating aether in order to cast a spell, or something that we can do so easily. But I'd argue that if dynamis is influenced by strong emotions, if it's something that aids us in our hour of need but not something we can harness directly at will, would not a dark night opening the flood gates to the dark, strong emotions within them and unleashing power that transcends what they'd normally be capable of due to the sheer intensity of their emotions be an example of an extreme circumstance? Would it not be a situation where, while we're not directly able to control dynamis, we're doing something that allows us to be more susceptible to its influence?

I've always wondered "but wait, how exactly are we doing this?" for things like that, so I rather like that dynamis can help fill in those gaps.

[Lucke]

Aren't Limit Breaks Dynamis? I thought I read that somewhere.

[leezard]

Aren't Limit Breaks Dynamis? I thought I read that somewhere.

Yep, when you use the LB3 in the Endsinger fight she exclaims 'Dynamis?' so it's implied that Dynamis has something to do with it.

[Denishia]

I don't really understand the backlash against dynamis, but maybe it's the physics analogy, or that even in the fantasy I read with hard magic systems (Brandon Sanderson comes to mind), they don't tie every single magical element to one system or force, even if that's the one that gets the most detail- but having everything in XIV being handwaved as 'aether' was deeply unsatisfying and came across as lackluster undeveloped writing. Having a second named magical force that operates in ways that can be both opposing and complimentary, and isn't a complete handwave mystery but has some room for the writers to flesh it out - and that it is regulated to being weaker except in very specific circumstances- only comes across as a bonus to me. Sure, I understand the fear that everything and every enemy going forward is going to be explained via dynamis instead of aether because here's our new hot plot macguffin - but it's yet to be a factor in the Pandaemonion raids, and it feels like a useful additive retcon instead of subtractive.

It certainly made Omega Raid less cheesy.

[Ryaz]

I don't really understand the backlash against dynamis, but maybe it's the physics analogy, or that even in the fantasy I read with hard magic systems (Brandon Sanderson comes to mind), they don't tie every single magical element to one system or force, even if that's the one that gets the most detail- but having everything in XIV being handwaved as 'aether' was deeply unsatisfying and came across as lackluster undeveloped writing. Having a second named magical force that operates in ways that can be both opposing and complimentary, and isn't a complete handwave mystery but has some room for the writers to flesh it out - and that it is regulated to being weaker except in very specific circumstances- only comes across as a bonus to me. Sure, I understand the fear that everything and every enemy going forward is going to be explained via dynamis instead of aether because here's our new hot plot macguffin - but it's yet to be a factor in the Pandaemonion raids, and it feels like a useful additive retcon instead of subtractive.

It certainly made Omega Raid less cheesy.

When it comes to Lore some people just are very attached to the old ways. Adding something new, even if it IS an additive retcon and can fit into the lore, is still a retcon to them. So, if they've been told for 8 years that everything we do is through aether, then by god, that's it. Nothing else. It breaks their head canon and some people don't adapt to it too well. Trust me, it took me some time to grasp dynamis as well, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt it made sense and could fit very well into the lore and I'm excited to see it explored more in the future. We find new discoveries of how things work every day in real life, so it makes sense that people can find it in a fantasy world as well.

Any long running story is going to have some inconsistencies here and there. FFXIV has kept those to a minimum in my opinion, though some people treat this stuff like WoW levels of retcon. I feel as a society we tend to overanalyze everything these days. People freak out if everything isn't spelled out for them in movies, for example, and expect it all the make perfectly logical sense and can't just enjoy stories for what they are. As a scientifically, logically minded person myself, there are times I get frustrated at the stupidity of certain things I've watched. But I've learned how to turn my brain off during those moments and just enjoy the spectacle.

[Denishia]

I've always been amazed and amused at how from the beginning that XIV has worked to explain with in-game lore elements that I was willing to accept as genre or gameplay conventions, elements I was perfectly able to turn my brain off for, be it the Echo to explain wipes in dungeons, the various explanations for Extreme and Savage versions of fights, that at least some of the Duty Finder has canon moments, and now dynamis for some of the 'heroic willpower' like in Omega and at least partially or some of the Limit Breaks.

[Veloran]

I don't really understand the backlash against dynamis, but maybe it's the physics analogy, or that even in the fantasy I read with hard magic systems (Brandon Sanderson comes to mind),

A very pertinent lecture.
And more.
And more.

Timestamped for your convenience, though I suggest you watch the whole thing. But basically people are given to dissatisfaction with Dynamis because it is effectively a new magic power invented to solve a problem at the 95% mark of the story. It's not as grounded as aether, which is already like midway on that scale there, but neither does it have much in the way of a sense of mystery because they basically explained how it works - sort of - with the caveat that it can effectively do anything. So it is neither "magic as science" where the reader is impressed by how the writer cleverly solved a problem using well-established rules, but neither is it "magic as wonder" because it's fairly understood and directly viewed to the point of carrying the plot via powerscaling.

So if Endwalker is "the final chapter in the Hydaelyn and Zodiark Saga", Dynamis is the deus ex machina brought out in the last chapter of the book to wrap up all the problems. Hence unsatisfying.

[Denishia]

Sure, I understand the fear that everything and every enemy going forward is going to be explained via dynamis instead of aether because here's our new hot plot macguffin - but it's yet to be a factor in the Pandaemonion raids, and it feels like a useful additive retcon instead of subtractive.

When 7.0 comes out and all the new added skills for all of the jobs have in their tool tips dynamis instead of aether, feel free to say 'I Told You So'.

The point about new zones and areas in the map are a good one; FFXIV is generally very good about revisiting old lore and places instead of abandoning them for the new thing. Like the primals, they will often re-contextualize and add to with additive retcons, but that's in part because this is a MMO.