Dev Tracker: Discussion (Old)

[Slycer]

As far as that slew of content goes, there's no way they're going to put that all in one update (nor should they, really). I would imagine some of the stuff gets delayed for a follow-up update which will happen about a month after the next major update. I mean I'm sure they have some of this stuff ready (they've been working on play-as-a-monster and Mog Gardens forever), but from their point of view it would make the most sense to space out content so that they are releasing new stuff regularly to keep people interested rather than slamming us with a boatload of content and then having people complain about the lack of updates two months later.

I think the most likely candidate for delay is probably Skirmish II. New areas/Naakuals/missions all go hand-in-hand, and I think it's pretty important to get the GEO/RUN stuff in the game so people feel those jobs are progressing as well.

[Slycer]

Oh, by the way, I don't think I posted this last week - they mentioned in passing that they would be doing a test server update (!!) for players to test the elemental magic changes before the version update. This will be around the beginning of next month, which probably means we'll be getting the next version update in late June.

[Tymon]

The language used in RMEC changes is interesting.

Is he implying that anyone with a 99 weapon is going to log on to top-tier weapons?

That is a little bit excessive if true, as it greatly reduces the longevity of killing the bosses as an event if people are only going to want the few pieces of gear that they drop and not the weapons or some kind of upgrade material at all.

In a way, it's a double edged sword. It will make killing the bosses much easier, but reduce interest in them greatly after a certain point.

[arus2001]

No, I took it as you won't have like 5 trials to go from present to Delve tier, it'll just be 1. And probably a bitch in its own right.

[Yugl]

The language used in RMEC changes is interesting.

Is he implying that anyone with a 99 weapon is going to log on to top-tier weapons?

That is a little bit excessive if true, as it greatly reduces the longevity of killing the bosses as an event if people are only going to want the few pieces of gear that they drop and not the weapons or some kind of upgrade material at all.

In a way, it's a double edged sword. It will make killing the bosses much easier, but reduce interest in them greatly after a certain point.

I think they just meant any 99 weapon can gain the new stats. I'm disappointed by this quite honestly. When SoA first arrived, I was curious how they would continue to improve weapons since there's very little point to releasing new weapons if they create an "easily" achievable cap (REM, less so Mythic). So if the new upgrade is easily achievable, we're back to pre-SoA motions where the release of any other weapon is pointless. If they make the new upgrades difficult, that justifies new weapon releases (As was the case pre-Abyssea), but then misses the point of the complaints since the bitching about Delve weapons were about past work (In other words, they weren't founded upon work they would potentially have to do, but instead, because of the fact that they had placed so much work into the weapons they currently own).

[Rehn]

I really hope it's not the Adoulin's version of umbral marrows...

[Malithar]

If they make the new upgrades difficult, that justifies new weapon releases (As was the case pre-Abyssea), but then misses the point of the complaints since the bitching about Delve weapons were about past work (i.e. they weren't founded upon work they would potentially have to do, but instead, because of the fact that they had placed so much work into the weapons they currently own).

Think that would be the best way to balance it all out.

I'm more curious if they'll boost RMEs (each time higher content comes out maybe?) far enough beyond the other options for RME to be the only choice. I liked what Matsui posted awhile back concerning choice among weapons. As long as RME remains competitive (and even at times better) than the current highest tier weapon, then it gives people with them currently a reason to continue using them, until they get that weapon thats 1% better, just like we've done with gear for over a decade. If they're far and away better then the highest tier or dropped/crafted weapons though, then we're back to the point of RME or bust.

Catch 22 really. Make them too weak compared to current dropped/crafted, and you lay waste to an entire part of the game (currency market, and reason/will to create RMEs) where as if you make them too strong compared to current best, you create a situation like we've had for the previous years where no one gives a rats ass about new weapons, time is better spent buying currency and working towards 99ing your RME to take advantage of the new upgrade mechanic.

[Guitarman]

I really hope it's not the Adoulin's version of umbral marrows...

"Obtain 5 Bztavian Stingers and trade them to the nomad moogle to upgrade your Ragnarok".

I'm going to pop a blood vessel if shit like this happens.

[Jem]

"Obtain 5 Bztavian Stingers and trade them to the nomad moogle to upgrade your Ragnarok".

I'm going to pop a blood vessel if shit like this happens.

I seriously hope it is something like this tbh. Would make Delve End Boss rewards pointless if R/E/M surpass them whilst requiring less effort/difficulty.

[Slycer]

Requiring you to get the three boss key items seems like a good solution (you need to beat the bosses to have access to the Delve weapons, so you'd have proven that you're capable of beating content for that "content level"). Having everyone burning ultra-rare craft materials needed for a vast array of new equipment on RME upgrades would be terrible.

[Byrthnoth]

Requiring you to get the three boss key items seems like a good solution (you need to beat the bosses to have access to the Delve weapons, so you'd have proven that you're capable of beating content for that "content level"). Having everyone burning ultra-rare craft materials needed for a vast array of new equipment on RME upgrades would be terrible.

Seconding this, it'd be stupid for them to make it turning in crafting items. Then you're pushing RMEs up to the top tier while reducing the supply of middle-upper tier alternatives.

That, or they'll add a R/Ex drop to the final monster that will be used exclusively for upgrading RMEs. This would be the most Marrow-ish "solution", I think. However, it would be a waste of time for them to add all these weapons and then make them unobtainable... except that they're totally "in to that" if you look at their history.

[macross]

Just a kill or title to show you have earned a weapon of that calibur. Then some bayld and plasma on top should be how it should be done.
The weapons are obtainable, only to the people strong enough to get them. They are on par with the weapons the bosses drop. Why bother killing bosses if not for the super weapons? The masses will surely riot once they see this will be the case though. But hey you want the best you should fight and earn the best, not just spend 300M gils.

[Jem]

Well yeah, maybe not the synth mats themselves but at a bare minimum you should have to beat the content.

Like people have suggested in the past, make it so someone at the Inventors Coalition recognizes your R/E/M and tell you if you bring them X, Y, and Z then they can improve it. Have 1 item be buyable with Bayld from Dimmian after beating all the Wildkeepers. Have 1 item be buyable with the Skirmish shard thingys after getting the titles or something. Have the third item come from the Anomaly Mithra after obtaining the 3 KI's.

Keeps all the new content relevant that way.

[Byrthnoth]

Making the item come from the final boss would continue SE's planned progression, though. Like, if you want to have DDs that can kill the 7th Delve boss, they're going to need "high level" weapons. So you'll have to work through their hierarchy anyway instead of leaning on your RME. I would love it if it was some kind of alliance-wide key item that let you upgrade one RME.

I don't want to be in a situation where I have to compete against friends for drops that we all really want.

[macross]

That's why just allow you to buy the upgrade items once you've killed a megaboss. Make the cost high like 500k plasma if they want to gate it somewhat. Or 1m baylds. That would get peeps reiving again!

[Byrthnoth]

I'd rather have it be a "congrats brah, you suffered through our content. Here is your RME back again." pat on the back.

[ccl]

Need to be marrow like so only the best group can make profit for a while!

[Damane]

Need to be marrow like so only the best group can make profit for a while!

uh wut? marrow isnt/wasnt hard, it just required more then 3 people to do it, which many people dont have at hand to organize with.

[Shenrien]

I really hope it's not the Adoulin's version of umbral marrows...

What, you wouldn't want to fight a 70ft tall Umbral? I think that would be hilarious only because of the joke we have in our LS.

[Toth]

Correct me if I am wrong but even with the REM changes, aren't the delve boss weapons still more powerful DMG wise? The sword delve weapon is 130 DMG for example with huge STR, ACC, and Attack bonuses. I think the Almace new 99 version was quoted as 115?

Yeah, just checked:

New Almace was 114, New Excalibur was 120, and the New Burtgang was 131. Considering the vast amount of work a mythic takes, I see this as a fair system. Empy weapons are much easier to get to 99, so lower stats. Relics are somewhat harder and expensive, just slightly below the new delve weapons. Mythics take a loooooooooooooong time to complete, best possible DMG but without the huge stat bonuses of the new delve weapons.