Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XXI

[Stef]

So the Dragonsong theme is essentially about Elezen/Dragon sex.

[Niiro]

It's immensely frustrating how much they could have done to improve the way jobs play by adjusting their current mechanics but instead they would rather layer even more stuff on top of them in an attempt to fix them instead of just fixing them directly.

ie.
-Make GL drop 1 stack at a time
-Make the duration for GL3 12s, GL2 18s, GL1 24s (54s total from GL3 before you completely lose GL)
-Adjust GL's damage bonus to balance out the increased uptime

Bam, fixed, now you don't have to deal with GL issues when designing new content and new abilities.

But they'd rather make new abilities to deal with the shitty mechanics than just fix the fucking shitty mechanics to begin with.

[Edelweiss]

It's immensely frustrating how much they could have done to improve the way jobs play by adjusting their current mechanics but instead they would rather layer even more stuff on top of them in an attempt to fix them instead of just fixing them directly.

ie.
-Make GL drop 1 stack at a time
-Make the duration for GL3 12s, GL2 18s, GL1 24s (54s total from GL3 before you completely lose GL)
-Adjust GL's damage bonus to balance out the increased uptime

Bam, fixed, now you don't have to deal with GL issues when designing new content and new abilities.

But they'd rather make new abilities to deal with the shitty mechanics than just fix the fucking shitty mechanics to begin with.

Don't forgot more positional requirements for melees! We really wanted that.

[Niiro]

Ugh, don't even fucking remind me.

I jumped onto NIN with nary a fond farewell to DRG (old DRG, before they fixed their positionals/B4B) -because- they didn't have to deal with that bullshit, because it was actually really fucking FUN to have actual freedom of movement and be able to move around as needed and have the mechanics of your job dependent on YOU doing shit right (ninjustsu) and not dependent on things completely out of your control (fight mechanics and mob positioning).

At this point if NIN gets more than 1 or 2 positionals I'm just gonna say fuck it and go back to DRG, at least they don't have to deal with Mudra lag that SE seems intent on never ever addressing (just jump animation lock which they've been "addressing" for almost 2 years now and still haven't managed to fix).

[Elcura]

Yeah, positionals just add extra work and frustration, mechanics like Megaflare or T11 tethers wouldn't be nearly as annoying for melee DPS if being at the flank meant I wasn't losing like 25% damage. Overall just a better feel without them.

I wanna like NIN because of that, but mudra lag is far too big an issue. I'm not even considering leveling NIN to 60 any time soon because the main draw to the job is generally fucked lol.

They could design boss encounters and trials that give us something to wallop at any given time, but the path of least resistance is a simple DPS surge to offset the build-up between phases; in the end, knowing the encounter will remain the best DPS increase. This also sets a precedent for GL as a resource rather than a straight buff.

It's a great idea. I'm not just looking forward to it--

Spoiler: show

I'm looking heavensward.

Knowing the encounter is fine, I was looking forward to not having every step of my DPS mapped out in a fight (and absolutely no need to deviate like that), so currently it sounds like mapping out the fight will be even more annoying but I'm being overly pessimistic. Overall I'm not expecting a huge change to MNK overall.

I definitely agree with Niiro that making GL less annoying would benefit MNK more in terms of better abilities and fight designs.

[Karbuncle]

Honestly, if you see the game as a job. Its honestly time to stop playing.

I already don't play anymore, though I have no idea how long my subscription will be active for. Doesn't mean I'm not still hoping I'll find something to be excited about when it comes to XIV, and I really do want to find reasons to pull me back in to the game. I don't want to dislike FFXIV because I do find it fascinating and its not a bad game, it drew me in long enough to get SMN/SCH, PLD and NIN to 50 and gear them up, It has Triple Triad which I enjoy, but I think thats its not really hitting the mark enjoyment wise like I feel it should be because new content is never really "new". This is why people burn out on new dungeons like almost instantly after the first run, because its the same formula you've had since level 15.

I know these are personal concerns which is why I'm not suggesting the game is a horrible abomination. But its not so much the game being a job, its me hoping they try something new and break out of the routine they've got going with these dungeons. Honestly if we get these new dungeons and they aren't the same old formula I will absolutely jump for joy, but with the information I have now(admittedly: none*, so I'm left to assume) and the copious amounts of "Circle arenas" shown in the teaser, I don't see the formula changing.

Perhaps its all just age.

Not worth stating. Karbuncle isn't going anywhere, lol.

Well, not from here. I love these forums too much ._.


(*Also because I have no information is why I'm not saying these dungeons are certainly going to be awful, i'm saying I can't be excited for them because until I know more all I have to go off of is the assumption they will be like every other dungeon in the game to date. Hopefully this clarifies it)

[Shenrien]

So the Dragonsong theme is essentially about Elezen/Dragon sex.

It will also be spliced up into 4 chunks and used as the final boss encounter for Alexander, pls look forward to it.

[Elcura]

more so that I think thats its not really hitting the mark enjoyment wise like I feel it should be because new content is never really "new". This is why people burn out on new dungeons like almost instantly after the first run, because its the same formula you've had since level 15.

I know these are personal concerns which is why I'm not suggesting the game is a horrible abomination. But its not so much the game being a job, its me hoping they try something new. Honestly if we get these new dungeons and they aren't the same old formula I will absolutely jump for joy, but with the information I have no and the copious amounts of "Circle arenas" shown in the teaser, I don't see the formula changing.

That pretty much hit the nail on the head. New dungeons aren't new just because of a facelift, even coil turns are the same, CT etc, they all have unique flavour and appeal but when you release the same concept 3-4 times in the span on 2 years there's not really any reason to do it. Well, there's keeping up to date and gearing etc.

Pretty much Heavensward is just a chance to see how much can and has changed in maybe 3-6 months, cause if it feels like it'll be the same until 4.0 (or whatever) I probably won't stick around for that.

[Neon_Sea]

Fuck yall im hype

[Niiro]

New action: Deployment Tactics
This action will extend the effect of Adloquium and Eye for an Eye that is on the target player to other party members in range.

Just occurred to me:

Adlo WAR with Defiance/Convalescence up -> make AoE -> absurdly strong shield on entire party.

For extra-absurd add in MNK Mantra.

(now imagine if the Adlo was a crit)

[Gokulo]

Pretty much Heavensward is just a chance to see how much can and has changed in maybe 3-6 months, cause if it feels like it'll be the same until 4.0 (or whatever) I probably won't stick around for that.

Yeah, I think this will be it for a lot of people. They either show that they are evolving and changing things and not just continuing the same old routine or players will start dropping this fast.

[Xanthe]

Just occurred to me:

Adlo WAR with Defiance/Convalescence up -> make AoE -> absurdly strong shield on entire party.

For extra-absurd add in MNK Mantra.

(now imagine if the Adlo was a crit)

Pretty sure will be like Succor, but Adloquium strength. Each target calculates the amount independently.

[Niiro]

Of course, it probably will be.

Silly of me for thinking it would be useful if used in a creative way, that wouldn't be baranced.

[Sho]

Fuck yall im hype

Also hype. The music score has really matured.

[Sho]

Yeah, I think this will be it for a lot of people. They either show that they are evolving and changing things and not just continuing the same old routine or players will start dropping this fast.

I doubt this will happen at all. It will more or less become like WoW, a waxing and waning player count, but a solid player base at the core.

People are expecting some sort of mass exodus like with FFXI Chains of Promathia if it stays status quo. It simply won't happen.

[Niiro]

The ARR business model is built around selling nostalgia to a casual playerbase.

Keep your expectations low.

[solracht]

a community rep responded to the "RIP BRD" thread and clarified the way the new song works. It has now been edited to the Live Letter digest:

Actually the effect from Wanderer's Minuet does not disappear when you move, this is our mistake, and we apologize for the confusion. It is as Seifa mentioned, that if you move while using your actions, then that action will be interrupted.

We have updated our post with the correct information in the digest thread here.

New song: The Wanderer’s Minuet
This is a song that is very unique as it can be used while the effects of other songs are up and it is also an action that kind of changes your stance. While under the effect of the Wanderer’s Minuet, you’ll be able to deal high amounts of damage by charging up your bow. However, casting times will be added to your actions and you won’t be able to use auto-attacks while under the effect of Wanderer’s Minuet, meaning that you won’t be able to attack while moving anymore. Different from other songs, the Wanderer’s Minuet will not consume MP.

So it's literally just a BLM-mode stance.

[Voyage1970]

Now that I think about it didn't they originally mention that MAC would have that charging mechanic? In the job ability preview for MAC I didn't see any ability that seemingly had a cast time so I wonder if they just scrapped it and gave it to BRD.

[Deathbringer]

On nin...

Other than this, we added an ability which adjust another party members enmity. Ninja’s specialty is to be able to deal large damage from the start of the battle, so this skill is in place to support the tank in a situation where the enmity becomes unstable.

So they're getting XI THF's Trick Attack.

[Lonely]

The new bard song is retarded if it's strong enough that it's required to be on in all party content, it makes you a boring caster without the flashy skills and takes away all the fun of weaving off GCDs. I hope that isn't the case.