A Complete NM Experience.

[Roaran]

From start to finish, I would like to outline my ideal experience of a NM hunt. Some of the ideas I will draw from have come from other games or other posters on these forums. I will then organize the ideas from start to finish from a player's perspective. I feel that a hypothetical monster is needed to fully establish what a perfect hunt could be. For this I will use a Giant Turtle.

Suppose Square-Enix just implemented this Giant Turtle, which I will name Gargantoise... He makes his home not far from Camp Blood Shore, down on the beaches. After discovering this massive beast, an adventurer would quickly discover this is a task better suited for a group of players.

Gargantoise migrated from the far east, across the Sea of Jade, and has some experience in dispatching adventurers to an early grave. As a result Gargantoise has developed an arsenal of deadly techniques.

As the adventurers engage Gargantoise, they soon learn this to be true. Gargantoise quickly retreats into his shell blocking himself from all damage physical and magical. He stores up his stamina until he is ready to go on his rampage. Suddenly his legs sprout out and his head emerges. Although his attention has been drawn to the shiny man wearing a bucket on his head, he periodically lashes out at those trying to damage his limbs and soft underbelly.

After a few minutes Gargantoise exhausts himself and retreats into his shell, pondering his next move. The adventurer's seem ready to handle his next rampage, but Gargantoise is clever. He makes a break for the ocean. Despite the Adventurers' efforts Gargantoise makes it into the water and dives. After a few moments, Gargantoise appears once again. This time an entire party of Sahagin have come to aid Gargantoise. An archer sits upon his shell striking any who seek to harm their friend, and a group of warriors stand ready to aid in Gargantoise's defense. The adventurer's must quickly adapt and deal with all their new foes in addition to Gargantoise. Once the Sahagin are defeated, the adventurers seek to take down Gargantoise once and for all.

Luckily for Gargantoise, his journey to the deeps of the ocean was not only for aid. Gargantoise stored an enourmous amount of water deep within his belly. Using his throat and powerful muscles he begins to shoot the water out at extremely high pressure. The adventurers try to avoid the spray, but not all are successful. Once again exhausted Gargantoise senses one more trip to the ocean will finish off these adventurers. He scuttles along the beach as quickly as he can, but the adventurer's are on to him. They quickly group together and incapacitate his hind legs, preventing Gargantoise from advancing. Gargantoise flinching in pain retreates once again to his shell, yet the adventurer's are persistent. They break through his shell and start damaging his soft insides.

Gargantoise in his weakened state senses fear for the first time. He emerges from his shell and lashes out on one final rampage. Adrenaline begins flooding his veins and his speed and stamina are increased two fold. No longer will he retreat to his shell. Gargantoise, in his fury, beings attacking in ways no rational turtle could imagine. He begins raising his forelegs up and stomps, sending a shockwave in front of him. He spins out of control, damaging and knocking back anyone within range. But the adventurers continue to persist, and eventually incapacitate his forelegs and cutting off his tail. After a few minutes, Gargantoise is completely exhausted, unable to return to the safety of his shell, he staggers about and limps along the beach. Finally an adventurer swiftly deals the final blow. Ending Gargantoise's dominance.

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After the battle, the adventurers take account of the spoils. A tail, hides, a thick shell and a smooth sample of his underbelly. From these the adventurers craft an interesting set of Tortoise-esque armor and a shield capable of withstanding even an onslaught of a dragon.

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My point in writing this was hopefully to attract some attention from S-E. Right now the battles are to put it bluntly, boring. And all the game needs is some coding, maybe it's already in the engine, to allow for some scripted sequences. But FFXIV is 100% capable of this kind of content.