Are you for or against the addition of race-based bonuses?

[darkm0d]

So I could be wrong, but I believe most MMO's include racial-bonuses. I never played WoW or GW1/2 so I am not sure how advantageous those were, I played a bit of TERA and the racials there were not bad, just small enough to give you a little bit of individuality.

I know Yoshi P has stated many times that he wants to and has planned on streamlining FFXIV: ARR into a more "standard" MMO architecture, that being said, what are the chances of his team addressing the topic of Racial skills, stats and or passives?

I personally would not mind it. There are of course some downsides, anyone who played XI knows the few seconds you might wonder about inviting that taru paladin, or that galka whm. As a taru I did feel somewhat subconscious whenever I was playing as a DD, feeling that my low HP pool and natively higher INT just felt wrong. But, when I played a mage class I was everyone's best friend.

There in lies the biggest anti-racial's issue, A player should not feel like they have to pick a race to play a job. If you want to be a roegadyn and play a whm, you should be able to without worrying about a massively slashed MP pool that you'll inevitably need to counter with your RSE -- but, that does indeed act as a counter measure. I'm sure some people did not mind, though I'd rather the HP/MP pools be left for the most part unmodified. Maybe minor stat adjustments, or actual skills / passives.

The idea of race-specific passives or actives is something that does interest me. I feel it adds a great amount of depth when you have to give reason behind a decisions you make in a video game. I would still want them to be subtle, nothing game changing in anyway, just something quirky. Some idea's off the top of my head:

Lalafell: Natures Touch -- Soothes an aggressive monster for 15 seconds, 15 min CD.

Mi'qote Hunters Prowess -- (10%) Increased damage against all prey-type enemies.

Hyur Indomitable Spirit -- Reduces damage taken by 10% when HP critical (red).

Elezen Spiritual Attunement -- Grants 500 MP to a target unit, 30 minute CD.

Roegadyn Beast Hunger -- Able to consume raw meat's from prey for temporary buffs.

I know you can already eat some meats (I think) but this would change that a bit, or give Roegadyn's the exclusive ability to eat uncooked meat, or something to that degree. Those are of course just idea's I just got off the top of my head, if anyone else has any fun concepts or idea's you are more than welcome to post, and I will try to update this post.

Some idea's from Nakiamiie

• Can shout twice as far (everyone can hear it from twice the distance);
• Can hear shouts from twice as far (you can hear anyone's shout from twice the distance);
• Can jump 25% higher;
• Can turn anonymous temporarily (random name and appearance change -- same race, same gender though);
• Can intimidate most city NPCs (make them shake in fear when you are close to them -- can force the NPC to give away a cheap random item, like a mini-firework, a copper ore, etc. once every week);
• Can charm most city NPCs (change the dialogue for a very sweet one -- get a random useable item like a mini-firework, a cookie, etc. once every week);
• Can eat raw meat/fish and receive an enhanced bonus (visual effect for coolness while the food is in effect and/or slightly longer time, instead of 30 minutes it could be 40 minutes)
• Can track another player or NPC (click and "mark", then you can follow tracks temporarily)
• etc. (just be creative! It will make cities more lively and allows for fun things to happen spontaneously.)

[Doho]

I am not against this.

EDIT: I'd rather they all be passive traits though. No reason, just personal preference.

[Buddhsie]

I don't think they should have their own abilities... Just a difference in stats. Not being able to choose a race to suit your favourite job/type of job is lame. Not a significant advantage.. Just similar to how it was in FFXI, or FFXIV at release.

Edit: It's why I chose Mithra in FFXI - because they made the best Thieves.

[AlexNiculaie]

Against. Character choice should be about aesthetics, not game mechanics. We had enough of that nonsense in XI. "What? You're a Galka? You can't be a mage, you idiot!" No. Thanks.

[darkm0d]

Against. Character choice should be about aesthetics, not game mechanics. We had enough of that nonsense in XI. "What? You're a Galka? You can't be a mage, you idiot!" No. Thanks.

That's largely why my post talks about non-breaking traits and abilities.

[AlexNiculaie]

Except the abilities given as examples would impact actual job choices. When it comes down to it, any "racial specials" are going to do such. The only way around that would be the abilities only affected items, and even that would wind up leading to some sort of abuse.

[Jennestia]

I'm for it, every MMO I've played had a racial/clan type bonus of some kind.

[Reiterpallasch]

I'm all for it, provided they can balance it properly and not make certain race/job combos absolutely necessary over something else. It could make the races a bit more unique without affecting desirability.

Against. Character choice should be about aesthetics, not game mechanics. We had enough of that nonsense in XI. "What? You're a Galka? You can't be a mage, you idiot!" No. Thanks.

Did you ever actually play XI? Race has a minimal impact at best. Nobody cared if a taru was a tank or a galka was a mage. Obviously certain race/job combos worked better together, but not enough to ever actually matter.

[AlexNiculaie]

Did you ever actually play XI? Race has a minimal impact at best. Nobody cared if a taru was a tank or a galka was a mage. Obviously certain race/job combos worked better together, but not enough to ever actually matter.

Actually, I did, and still do, kthnks. Whether or not the effects were enough to matter, people acted like it did. And I call BS on the claim that no one cared. I have witnessed many times people being made fun of/excluded for their race/job combination. I never did, because I understood how minimal those differences really were, but claiming that it wasn't a problem in the community is an outright falsehood.

[KiriA500]

Did you ever actually play XI? Race has a minimal impact at best. Nobody cared if a taru was a tank or a galka was a mage. Obviously certain race/job combos worked better together, but not enough to ever actually matter.

HP/MP pools would like word with you.