Variant & Criterion Dungeons

[Iscah]

All done now on variant routes, and didn't get any duplicates.

I have a question about a route though.

After solving the Malachite Portico puzzle, there is an optional thing to interact with in the next room, but it only became interactable on one of the two runs I took through that route.

Is it connected to whether or not you interact with the culvert switch early in the level, or does the optional door not get triggered if you go to the exit first?

Also I had a blind run at the Criterion version and it definitely feels like a step too far up from the basic version. I think we could have had a medium difficulty level with a few more attacks and faster-paced versions of the variant mechanics. Interestingly I seem to have seen more mechanics than some of the other players in the group, whether it's because I was running solo or I'm just a slower DPS than some. (Someone else said that the normal version only uses the blue tail, and they didn't recognise the green.)

Anyway, I might watch a guide and take another shot at it, but it's only at an "if I remember and get around to it" level of urgency.

[Absimiliard]

Also I had a blind run at the Criterion version and it definitely feels like a step too far up from the basic version. I think we could have had a medium difficulty level with a few more attacks and faster-paced versions of the variant mechanics. Interestingly I seem to have seen more mechanics than some of the other players in the group, whether it's because I was running solo or I'm just a slower DPS than some. (Someone else said that the normal version only uses the blue tail, and they didn't recognise the green.)

Have to agree here. The jump from Variant to Criterion is nuts. While Criterion is meant to be challenging, it's not something the average player is going to be able to complete until they outgear it. Their aim, I believe, was for Criterion to be Extreme-adjacent, but it is in fact much closer to Savage difficulty. Criterion Savage, on the other hand, isn't a big step up from Criterion at all.

I believe Criterion should've utilized the same mechanics as Variant, but probably without markers and with higher numbers across the board. Maybe have the attacks come out a bit faster. You know, roughly on par with an EX trial. Something the average player can do with a bit of practice. Criterion Savage should've been what Criterion is currently but maybe with the numbers tuned a bit higher, or maybe not.

On the subject of rewards: As the content poses zero challenge, Variant level rewards don't need to be anything other than cosmetics. Criterion as it is presently really ought to be giving us upgrade material for the tomestone gear at the very least, with Criterion Savage providing the same and perhaps some special emotes, minions, mounts, whatever on top of that. As for why I feel upgrade materials shouldn't be limited to Criterion Savage? Like I said before, it's not that different from Criterion. Besides, having two opportunities to get an upgrade material (one from Criterion, one from Criterion Savage) would maintain whatever advantage SE feels non-casuals should have over casuals while simultaneously giving casuals a worthwhile reward. This would also get around the issue of SE needing to design (or more likely reuse) additional equipment.

[einschwartz]

I have a question about a route though.

After solving the Malachite Portico puzzle, there is an optional thing to interact with in the next room, but it only became interactable on one of the two runs I took through that route.

Is it connected to whether or not you interact with the culvert switch early in the level, or does the optional door not get triggered if you go to the exit first?

The optional door won't be triggered if you immediately follow Nanamo to the exit, correct.

Also I had a blind run at the Criterion version and it definitely feels like a step too far up from the basic version. I think we could have had a medium difficulty level with a few more attacks and faster-paced versions of the variant mechanics.

It appears that SE, yet again, is unable to deliver a medium difficulty content just right. As I've said in another thread, the boss on criterion could be tone down a notch. An idea that I have is they could increase the pacing and mechanical difficulty for each boss the further in you progress. For example Boss #1 would be like Hydaelyn, Boss #2 like Endsinger, Boss #3 like Barbariccia. This way, a more casual player can farm silver at the first boss if they find next ones too hard; instead of abandoning the content altogether. Of course, to incentivize people clearing the entire dungeon, each subsequent boss drops more Silver. So people who just farm the 1st boss will take longer time to get enough for the rewards.

On the subject of rewards: As the content poses zero challenge, Variant level rewards don't need to be anything other than cosmetics. Criterion as it is presently really ought to be giving us upgrade material for the tomestone gear at the very least...

Agreed. I don't do Savage and most people would say normal tome gear is sufficient for what I do. But gear progression is still something enjoyable for me. I'm sure some people would be open to form a 4-man static for Criterion since it's more accessible and easier to manage compared to 8-man static.
For those who do savage raiding, it's a good alternative to gear alt jobs or mains that have no luck in PF loot.