June Version Update (04/27/2007)

[sleekmotorwurkz]

Our CoP static was NIN PLD~THF RDM RDM BRD WHM

How in the bloody hell did you kill snoll?

[cassiraa]

Our CoP static was NIN PLD~THF RDM RDM BRD WHM

How in the bloody hell did you kill snoll?

We did Snoll with 2xSMN RNG RDM WHM PLD. He's really overrated if you have salts and a strategy other than 'zerg&pray'

[Allundaria]

Oh I enjoyed CoP too, mainly because I had a static of highly capable friends that had lots of jobs leveled. It was a very memorable experience that we even documented with videos and what not, and it was always interesting researching the missions and coming up with strategies.

CoP was much less enjoyable, however, for friends that had only one job less-than-desirable job leveled or were committed to a normally balanced static that had difficulty overcoming some inherent limitations built into the design of some missions.

Like their group was PLD THF BST WHM WHM RDM, all good RL friends that had no real alternate jobs leveled. They slugged it out through mammets, ouryu, and so forth all the way up to Snoll Tzar without breaking rank, often having to redo missions well into the teens of tries. This was the team that had to have their mage line melee Diabolos so they could stun using Flat Blade/Brainshaker. They finally had to seek outside help on Snoll when they realized that every failed try (they had at least 10+) resulted in 1.) 2 hours waiting for SPs to recharge and 2.) however much time it took to farm up more cores for salt.

So maybe it's not so much of a "Level-capped missions suck" sort of thing but more of a "This is extremely restrictive game design" issue that goes all the way to the core the FFXI experience. Cue all the issues regarding exping and BRDs/RDMs, useless jobs in endgame, etc.

[Viq]

Our CoP static was NIN PLD~THF RDM RDM BRD WHM

How in the bloody hell did you kill snoll?

Chainspell's a helluva drug.

[Machazareel]

"I can't help I don't have gear for that level" means " I don't care and I am too lazy to dig shit up, I'm not helping stfu and go away".

CoP BCs were great. People are lazy in nature and they required work. Mayba I'm biased because my group simply owned the BCs and didn't have to try like 10x each. (except that stupid pots BC...) The story was great although TAU really caught fire in the last couple CSs and hopefully will continue to do so. I think like 500 people predicted earth/hole and all that shit way back when, it's funny people think they were the first though.

Hopefully they aren't stupid and made any time requirements for HTG if it is the final area though. Instanced would be ok as long as you can have multiple groups inside. (and I mean 50!) Never had a problem with Limbus until last week when the one zone we need for Omega has been jacked by 2 groups and one of the nights every Apollyon zone was jacked.(wtf @JPs doing Limbus at like 9am Friday?)

My group 1/1'd every BC in the storyline, but I still hated it, too much running around. I just want to kill shit and get a blowjob from Ulmia.

I vote we call the new zone 'Fraggle Rock' (*'-')b

[Sagacious Sundi]

I liked CoP.

There, I said it.

Going in there with friends [woe to you people who did pickup CoP] was fun, And when I was done I felt like accomplished something. I felt like I had done something difficult and that I really earned my reward, fighting through CoP with a PLD tank pre-PLD updates.

That's a feeling that I never got from manaburning Zilart, or killing my ten billionth Decorative Weapon and casting Refresh for the (hyper(3,n+2,3) = 3→3→n)'th time.

Now, I know that a lot of people have experienced this and my time wasn't 'special' or 'unique' but the storyline made me feel that way. I tried doing the ToAU missions and was simply bored.


EDIT: Also on ToAU Dynamis, I said it before and I'll say it again.
Nightmare Chigoe. And Lots of them.

I agree wholely with this post.

Anyway, watch how easy it is to make Dynamis areas: (Shrunken for convenience)
Dynamis - Wajaom (Tier I)
Boss: Nightmare Hydra or Nightmare Autarch
Enemies:
-Nightmare Zenist
-Nightmare Savant
-Nightmare Sophist
-Nightmare Bounder
-Nightmare Strapper
-Nightmare Spearman
-Nightmare Mimicker
-Nightmare Puk
-Nightmare Lindwurm
-Nightmare Ziz
-Nightmare Bugard

Dynamis - Zhayolm (Tier I)
Boss: Nightmare Watchdog (?) or Nightmare Mercenary Captain
Enemies:
-Nightmare Cameist
-Nightmare Engraver
-Nightmare Gemologist
-Nightmare Ironworker
-Nightmare Lapidarist
-Nightmare Smelter
-Nightmare Stoneworker
-Nightmare Eruca
-Nightmare Wamouracampa
-Nightmare Cluster
-Nightmare Bomb

Dynamis - Caedarva
Boss: Nightmare Khimaira or Nightmare Gorgon
Enemies:
-Nightmare Graverobber
-Nightmare Dartist
-Nightmare Dancer
-Nightmare Fatedealer
-Nightmare Shadowdancer
-Nightmare Chantress
-Nightmare Bogy
-Nightmare Draugar (BLM/THF/DRG/DRK)
-Nightmare Bhoot
-Nightmare Skeleton (WAR)
-Nightmare Mage (Skele BLM)

Dynamis - Bhaflau (Tier II)
Boss: Nightmare Captain
Enemies:
-Nightmare Paladin
-Nightmare Bard
-Nightmare Thief
-Nightmare Beastmaster
-Nightmare Chigoe
-Nightmare Jody
-Nightmare Karakul
-Nightmare Apkallu
-Nightmare Marid
-Nightmare Orobon
-Nightmare Colibri
-Nightmare Archaeologist
-Nightmare Mosstrooper

Dynamis - Mamook (Tier III)
Boss: Nightmare Hydra or Nightmare Autarch
Enemies:
-Nightmare Infiltrator
-Nightmare Blusterer
-Nightmare Philosopher
-Nightmare Lurker
-Nightmare Stabler
-Nightmare Pikeman
-Nightmare Mimer
-Nightmare Hussar
-Nightmare Charmer
-Nightmare Vouivre
-Nightmare Wivre
-Nightmare Diver
-Nightmare Frogman

Dynamis - Halvung (Tier III)
Boss: Nightmare Watchdog (?) or Nightmare Mercenary Captain
Enemies:
-Nightmare Artilleryman
-Nightmare Combatant
-Nightmare Cuirasser
-Nightmare Grenadier
-Nightmare Machinist
-Nightmare Scrimer
-Nightmare Targeteer
-Nightmare Destroyer
-Nightmare Flan
-Nightmare Scorpion
-Nightmare Wamoura
-Nightmare Dahak
-Nightmare Millionaire
-Nightmare Billionaire

Dynamis - Arrapago (Tier III)
Boss: Nightmare Khimaira or Nightmare Gorgon
Enemies:
-Nightmare Necromancer
-Nightmare Toxophilite
-Nightmare Bellydancer
-Nightmare Deathdancer
-Nightmare Bladedancer
-Nightmare Songstress
-Nightmare Typhoondancer
-Nightmare Siren (New Lamia-type mob)
-Nightmare Soulflayer
-Nightmare Toad
-Nightmare Acrolith
-Nightmare Volunteer/Imperial Trooper/Imperial Wizard
-Nightmare Extortionist
-Nightmare Wastrel

Dynamis - Aydeewa (Tier IV)
Boss: Dream Rider (Dark Rider)
Enemies:
-Nightmare Crew (Hume RNG)
-Nightmare Crew (Hume MNK)
-Nightmare Crew (Elvaan COR)
-Nightmare Crew (Mithran RDM)
-Nightmare Imp
-Nightmare Astrologer
-Nightmare Treasure Hunter
-Nightmare Trailer
-Nightmare Devilet
-Nightmare Madame
-Nightmare Custard
-Nightmare Psycheflayer
-Nightmare Gear
-Nightmare Gears
-Nightmare Chariot
-Nightmare Rampart (Reinforcements: nightmare mobs from Dreamworld Dynamis)
Stuff that need to be killed in order to defeat/spawn/something the dream rider:
-Shielded Nightmare
-Battledressed Nightmare
-Long-Gunned Nightmare
-Long-Horned Nightmare

Other:
-Maybe instead of tiers, it could be like Wajaom unlocks Mamook, Zhayolm unlocks Halvung, Caedarva unlocks Arrapago, and Bhaflau+Mamook+Halvung+Arrapago unlocks Aydeewa.
-Possible story: the dark rider/a fraction of Odin/something enters Dynamis and fucks things up.

P.S. I only made this out of boredom and it is very unlikely that SE adds new ToAU areas (besides HTG which is already enterable and searchable).

P.P.S. I won snoll with PLD SAM RDM RDM WHM SMN, with the SAM being the greatest thing. Ever

[Allundaria]

P.P.S. I won snoll with PLD SAM RDM RDM WHM SMN, with the SAM being the greatest thing. Ever

That's a really strong setup with chainspelling Fire 2 RDMs, SAM craziness, SMN aerial blasting > salt > blasting and a PLD to anchor it down with invincible. My group took in a similar line, PLD SAM SAM WAR RDM SMN.

[Avé]

I liked CoP, but it would have been much better as a traditional style RPG. Once I finished CoP, everything else in the game felt empty, so I quit. I guess that's my only complaint, it killed the game for me.

[BRP]

I rather deal with stuff like level caps than missions you can do while jerking off.

It would be best if SE did what I said... and made everything at least hard(fun) as Promathia for an entire mission line. Now that would be cool. Otherwise, cap60 please. The game is actually balanced at that level.

[Kuya]

rather deal with stuff like level caps than missions you can do while jerking off.

Are you insane? I demand you use a better example.

[fantasticdan]

I don't think that many people can argue that TOAU is at least pointed in the right direction in comparison to COP, despite its rather CS-heavy mission set so far.

In the sense that's it's virtually impossible to lose any of the missions with 2+ people, and there is no thinking required? The ToAU missions so far might as well have been one big cutscene.

[Spira]

I was thinking if they add an endgame area.. is it possible to use the same dat as another zone but have it be a different area?

like.. dynamis for example.. is the dat for dynamis area the same as the usual one? cos if that were the case, SE could easily add a new area by taking the Nyzul Isle dat and choosing not to randomize it, making it appear like a whole different zone altho sharing the same dat.. after all, the socketing plinth in Nyzul Isle (as viewed in its dats) is not used at all in Nyzul Isle assault

[BRP]

rather deal with stuff like level caps than missions you can do while jerking off.

Are you insane? I demand you use a better example.

/Taj

My bad, I meant fights. Unless we get to fight along side Aphmau in the future.

[quannum]

I don't think that many people can argue that TOAU is at least pointed in the right direction in comparison to COP, despite its rather CS-heavy mission set so far.

In the sense that's it's virtually impossible to lose any of the missions with 2+ people, and there is no thinking required? The ToAU missions so far might as well have been one big cutscene.

It's fairly obvious that the fighting and "runnin around then cutscene" parts of tau have been separated. Level caps are optional and there are decent drops. Having them separate stops ppl from whining about missions being too hard, but still provides a challenge to someone looking for that.

requirements for tau's "sky" access could easily be top merc rank and done with story.

[Sagacious Sundi]

I don't think that many people can argue that TOAU is at least pointed in the right direction in comparison to COP, despite its rather CS-heavy mission set so far.

In the sense that's it's virtually impossible to lose any of the missions with 2+ people, and there is no thinking required? The ToAU missions so far might as well have been one big cutscene.

ToAU should've been a movie.
CoP should've been a console RPG.
RotZ... is that that thing a Qufim party member of mine once said he needed to buy?

Oh, and HTG should have one major requirement: finish all Assault missions including Lebros Supplies (!) in addition to having to take "An All About Aphmau" quiz everytime you enter.

[Lordwafik]

I was thinking if they add an endgame area.. is it possible to use the same dat as another zone but have it be a different area?

like.. dynamis for example.. is the dat for dynamis area the same as the usual one? cos if that were the case, SE could easily add a new area by taking the Nyzul Isle dat and choosing not to randomize it, making it appear like a whole different zone altho sharing the same dat.. after all, the socketing plinth in Nyzul Isle (as viewed in its dats) is not used at all in Nyzul Isle assault

Dynamis counts as a different zone. Sky box is different, there's no doors/npcs, etc.

[Sagacious Sundi]

I still bet the Nyzul plinth is going to be used for the final ToAU battle.

[Pacha]

requirements for tau's "sky" access could easily be top merc rank and done with story.

I certainly hope so. I've been hugely disappointed with the TOA missions. Hopefully, they stick with the traditional approach and make it so that there is a reward at the end of the assaults and missions that only can be accessed upon completion.

[Spira]

hmm i went to check back in the area dats..

dynamis areas are indeed seperate dats from the original zones..
(i've no idea what sky box means..)

and it seems that for old areas that were duplicated, that is the case as well..

there is a 2nd fort Ghelsba dat for Diorama Abdhaljs, but incidentally there is only 1 Purgonorgo Isle.. which would mean that Bibiki Bay and Abdhaljs- Purgonorgo use the same dat. Purgonorgo would also be a good instance of how the 'same zone' can encompass 2 different map dats...

Also, theres only 1 map dat for Carpenters Landing and Phanaet Channel.

moving on to ToA areas, it seems like Wajaom and Bhaflau are contained in the same area dat cos i only found 1 of that terrain type.. Also all the assault/salvage areas are a seperate dat by themselves.. but they're instanceable. To what i can tell they used different coding for the ToA expansion instanced areas because in the old BC areas, instances are possible due to them have multiple copies of the same area in 1 dat, but theres only 1 copy in the new area .dats, so instead of pretending to instance people by placing them in the different copys of the same map, they're actually really instancing the zones... (i think >_>)

And since Nyzul's .dat is actually very huge.. (and the ingame version is randomized in some way), theres a huge possibility that they can decide to reuse the .dat to make a 'new zone' or at least a new BC zone.. at least so that they end up using the plinth area in that area dat...

[Rentwokay]

Our CoP static was NIN PLD~THF RDM RDM BRD WHM

How in the bloody hell did you kill snoll?

Chainspell's a helluva drug.

Indeed it is.