[dev1027] [dev1032] Status Allocation System + Damage Calculation Broken/Unbalanced

[Peregrine]

If delta rank played a part in XI, it was modest to the point where a decent number of people say your level has no effect on performance at all.

In XIV, level completely dominates every outcome in all the disciplines. Almost no other parameter significantly affects any relevant outcome parameter like HQ rate, successful synth completion rate, sp per hour. They only have very minimal effects on sub-outcomes like accuracy %, damage, completion progress, quality gain, etc. Those outcomes don't actually matter if they aren't that relevant. 45 damage really isn't better than 38 damage if it doesn't unlock higher SP/hour.

Did you mean to say a R50 with minimum INT will outperform a R35 with max int? Heck, a R40 with INT 50 will probably outperform a R37 with maximum INT. A Naked R40 smith beats a fully geared R37, that's for sure.

Once you hit level 50, almost no character progression you devote to will make that much of a difference. Even the difference between Jade Crook and Jade Crook+3 on a R50 conjurer really won't unlock any significant outcomes for you. Your nukes will functionally perform about the same.

The stat and attribute system in XIV is probably the most placebo-heavy RPG system I've ever seen. It's as if they thought we wouldn't notice the stats did anything, and continue merrily getting them as if they did. It certainly makes balancing the game easy when the stats don't really do anything valid.

[Rydin]

If delta rank played a part in XI, it was modest to the point where a decent number of people say your level has no effect on performance at all.

In XIV, level completely dominates every outcome in all the disciplines. Almost no other parameter significantly affects any relevant outcome parameter like HQ rate, successful synth completion rate, sp per hour. They only have very minimal effects on sub-outcomes like accuracy %, damage, completion progress, quality gain, etc. Those outcomes don't actually matter if they aren't that relevant. 45 damage really isn't better than 38 damage if it doesn't unlock higher SP/hour.

Did you mean to say a R50 with minimum INT will outperform a R35 with max int? Heck, a R40 with INT 50 will probably outperform a R37 with maximum INT. A Naked R40 smith beats a fully geared R37, that's for sure.

Once you hit level 50, almost no character progression you devote to will make that much of a difference. Even the difference between Jade Crook and Jade Crook+3 on a R50 conjurer really won't unlock any significant outcomes for you. Your nukes will functionally perform about the same.

The stat and attribute system in XIV is probably the most placebo-heavy RPG system I've ever seen. It's as if they thought we wouldn't notice the stats did anything, and continue merrily getting them as if they did. It certainly makes balancing the game easy when the stats don't really do anything valid.

Now this I can agree with... Rank needs to not matter so much

[Deus]

We're definitely on the same page. As far as my statement illustrating the impact of max vs min INT, I'm by no means making an empirical conclusion here as I did not complete this kind of test case. My main point should have been that INT is proven to make a difference in certain limited contexts (Phantom Dart but not so much Nukes), and being able to so widely set your INT value is just plain sloppy and useless compared to the effect of rank.

Rank obviously dominates as the most influential factor, and I suspect this was done as a quick fix to a broken system. And of course as a consequence the system is not balance-able, and there is no way to improve your performance once you are max rank.

[Crowley]

Well said Peregrine. Delta rank is over the top in XIV. I can go from doing 800 pts on a spell to 200 from raising one star >.<

I don't mind them hitting harder or having more HP, but instantly doing 25% is a little nutty. This also has something to do with the current issue with leves ... its either EZmode or a dirtnap, very few have a "fun" setting lol!

[Rentahamster]

Nice job Deus. Stats need to matter more.

[Deus]

After this patch, we can see how the mob ranks go up and get a feel for how consistent or inconsistent the change is.

The move to an 8 person party is good. 15 is just too many to develop a tight strategy. Suppose you were the only highly optimized player in a 15 person party, it wouldnt even make a difference in the fight.

All this new gear is great, but without a solid stat system underneath, it's all for show.

What is the point of making a gear class specific if it does not directly enhance the efficiency of that class?

[Belial]

After this patch, we can see how the mob ranks go up and get a feel for how consistent or inconsistent the change is.

The move to an 8 person party is good. 15 is just too many to develop a tight strategy. Suppose you were the only highly optimized player in a 15 person party, it wouldnt even make a difference in the fight.

All this new gear is great, but without a solid stat system underneath, it's all for show.

What is the point of making a gear class specific if it does not directly enhance the efficiency of that class?

Agreed, but I think it's really just more ground work while keeping people occupied & testing the system live simultaneously. Also this can give people some feel of uniqueness being that the new items carry their class/rank requirement.

[Deus]

I've completed another test case as 30 MRD wearing several new NM gears. Test 1 is wearing all the gear plus some accessories. Test 2 is completely naked except for the NM weapon. Expect the results next week. Analysis will take some time as I have to build out the parse script more.

[SolArisa]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Your research explains my personal observations.

[Cairdeas]

They need to take away stat allocation, implement a skill grants stat system like Blue Mage from FFXI, and make it so 1 point of each stat is a drastic bonus over not having that extra point.

Having no visible change for 5 to 10 points in a stat makes the game seem like you are not getting anywhere with your stats, It makes gear seem even less necessary.