Test Server Findings

[Guitarman]

I'm not even getting the test server button, so I assume so.

[Kaisha]

Is the test server down for anyone else? After I hit the test server button, the game returns to the updating friends list > Play screen. I did a test server update using the windower version; idk if that fucked up the game somehow.

I and a couple others on the OF having this problem also. FFXI window doesn't even appear, just straight back to POL.

[pchan]

Hard to make true upgrades, most new stuff from now on will be sidegrades since shit like Nyzul is setting the bar for pwn lvl 99 gear. .

Nyzul gear is already a sidegrade while voidwatch is a downgrade.

[Shiyo]

Also generally speaking regarding the new expeditions, they are much tougher than the ten in the first two ranks that were added a few weeks ago, especially some of the ones in the final "Researcher" rank. That's a good thing, by the way, the first ten were really a joke, some of them would be soloable if it wasn't for the three person minimum. One of the new ones pits you against a bunch of monsters, about 10 are EM and the other 20 are IT at 99 and the goal is to kill all 30 of them within the 15 minute time limit. Another has you killing pairs of monsters and has you tasked with killing 30 PAIRS of monsters simultaneously to finish the third goal (that's 60 monsters in 15 minutes). Remember you only need the first goal done to progress, the higher goals just reward you with more research marks. But if the research marks turn out to be the main way to get items, then it might be beneficial to make full parties and go for those third goals.

This sounds like the best designed event ever, hope it's really fun ^-^! I also hope the rewards are good so other people will want to do it.

I really like this way of design, and legions. Never ending event with a time limit, so you'll always want to push yourselves to strive for a better and better kill/clear ratio. Better players/groups will gear up faster, but lesser skilled players can still complete the event. Genius.

[pchan]

I think the new found gear will come from this.

[TheDangerousDave]

The 5% DW on nin af3 hat is kind of a big deal, and the thf af3 hat has triple attack on it. Neither of these jobs have trouble capping evasion on anything you'd want to eva tank without evasion in the headslot anyway.

I dunno, my NIN doesn't like to evade much. Like fuck me, when I have to take adds on Qilin I have really poor rate even in my Evasion set.

[TheDangerousDave]

Nyzul gear is already a sidegrade while voidwatch is a downgrade.

Care to take each piece and explain what is better? I'll even make it easier for you:
Nares Cap:
Nares Saio:
Nares Cuffs:
Nares Trews:
Nares Clogs:

Phorcys Salade:
Phorcys Korazin:
Phorcys Mitts:
Phorcys Dirs:
Phorcys Schuhs:

Thaumas Hat:
Thaumas Coat:
Thaumas Gloves:
Thaumas Kecks:
Thaumas Nails:

[Byrthnoth]

I and a couple others on the OF having this problem also. FFXI window doesn't even appear, just straight back to POL.

I get the same thing.

[Slycer]

I never logged out of the test server last night and I'm still on it, so they didn't take it down, but perhaps they somehow deactivated the entry link. Actually I'm the only person on the test server, lol.

[pchan]

Thaumas Hat:
Thaumas Coat:
Thaumas Gloves:
Thaumas Kecks:
Thaumas Nails:

Only answering for the only job I care about but here we go, depending on the bonus on mustela you'll get something like

head : mustela or ocelomeh+1
body : AF3+2 or toci
gloves : anything
legs : AF3+2
feet :AF3+2 or mustela

Generally for uncapped pdif and/or acc thaumas will be behing a downgrade from a mixed of AF3+2 and mustela or other AH gear. There are situation where taumas gear wins but it's generally outside of impetus (that's already a side grade) and ignoring attack or str or dex bonus from other sources.

That's why I say it's sidegrade.

The best gear for al situations (impetus up/down, low/high pdif, low / high acc) is likely going to be

mustela head
AF3+2 body AF2+2 hands
AF3+2 legs
mustela or maybe thaumas

[Slycer]

Nares gear (except legs) is most certainly a large upgrade for nuking, and the legs have the largest cure potency bonus by far (useful for RDM and SCH) as well as the most MND of any legs (enfeebles) and refresh (gtfo subligar). The head especially is one-of-a-kind, nothing else even comes close to comparing except RDM empyrean head, but lolrdmnukes.

Is the test server button still missing btw? I'm on the test server and I'm hesitant to log off because I wanted to do some Meeble Burrows testing later today and I'm afraid the button might disappear.

[Byrthnoth]

The button is there for me, but it doesn't work. I'm not sure why. This is with or without windower.

[TheDangerousDave]

Only answering for the only job I care about but here we go, depending on the bonus on mustela you'll get something like

head : mustela or ocelomeh+1
body : AF3+2 or toci
gloves : anything
legs : AF3+2
feet :AF3+2 or mustela

Generally for uncapped pdif and/or acc thaumas will be behing a downgrade from a mixed of AF3+2 and mustela or other AH gear. There are situation where taumas gear wins but it's generally outside of impetus (that's already a side grade) and ignoring attack or str or dex bonus from other sources.

That's why I say it's sidegrade.

The best gear for al situations (impetus up/down, low/high pdif, low / high acc) is likely going to be

mustela head
AF3+2 body AF2+2 hands
AF3+2 legs
mustela or maybe thaumas

You didn't specify that it is only a sidegrade for the one job you play though, you said it objectively. Do the same for every other job that it's the best gear for if you can, if not you're wrong.

[Ophannus]

Meh even if the starlight bonus was a 10x multiplier to MP it would still be inferior to Mystic Boon which when geared properly can net you 600-800+ MP.

[CoreyX]

The Nyzul gear is nice but not everything is best-in-slot for everything. For RDM for example, AF2+2 feet are better than Nares. SCH AF3+2 body is better than Nares Saio. PUP AF3+2 legs are better than Thaumas Kecks. etc.

[Slycer]

Well, since I never logged off the test server, I might as well report that the new two-hour abilities have names and official descriptions. Mostly really cool names, in fact:

WAR: Imminent Strikes - Melee attacks are not considered physical damage. Increases accuracy.
MNK: N/A
WHM: Asylum - Grants party members a powerful resistance to enfeebling magic and Dispel effects.
BLM: Sublte (sic) Sorcery - Reduces the amount of enmity generated from magic spells.
RDM: Encomium - Increases the effects of enhancing magic.
THF: N/A
PLD: Righteous Guard - Increases chance of blocking with shield and damages target.
DRK: DRK2h - Melee atacks (sic) absorb target's TP.
BST: Feral Sacrifice - Sacrifice your pet to recover HP and remove status ailments. Absorbs a certain amount of damage from physical and magical attacks.
BRD: Malinconico - Reduces target's magic defense, magic evasion, INT and MND.
RNG: Instinctive Aim - Allows you to deliver optimally accurate and powerful shots from any distance without using ammunition.
SAM: Yaegasumi - Allows you to evade special attacks. Grants a weapon skill damage bonus that varies with the number of special attacks evaded.
NIN: Tengen - Increases the chance of parrying and reduces ninjutsu casting times. Ninjutsu may be cast without ninja tools.
DRG: Rouse Wyvern - Recovers wyvern's HP and removes status ailments. Enhances breath effects.
SMN: Astral Conduit - Reduces Blood Pact recast times.
BLU: Unbridled Wisdom - Allows certain blue magic spells to be cast.
COR: Three To One - Adds an extra Phantom Roll.
PUP: Heady Artifice - Allows automaton to perform a special ability that varies with the head used.
DNC: Grand Pas - Eliminates the cost of finishing moves.
SCH: Caper Emissarius - Transfers enmity to a party member of your choice.


edit: lol @ grandpas

[Yugl]

NEVER LOG OFF SLYCER. They won't let you back on (T_T

[Economizer]

Any word on if the WHM 2hour blocks everything or if it is useless?

I want it to block everything including Death, but knowing SE it won't even block Doom, Gradual Petrification, Zombie, or even Bard debuffs, thus making it useless trash.

[Prothescar]

Unbridled Wisdom? Really? Every single detail of this 2hr was made with 0 effort.

[CoreyX]

lmao @ Heady Artifice

And Economizer, you're forgetting that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so it's not "useless" to prevent status effects (and being dispelled) instead of curing them with Benediction. Not to mention Benediction can't cure the really annoying ones like Amnesia, etc.