New Notorious Monsters (06/04/2008)
[spoiler]
New Notorious Monsters (NMs) will be added to areas introduced in the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion pack in the forthcoming version update, with simplified access to their battlefields.
A Word from the Development Team
NM battles have been one of the most popular elements of FFXI since its
launch. Nothing stirs the adventurer's soul quite the same way as cooperating with dependable comrades to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, with rare equipment drops being the very tasty icing on the cake.
Thus far, however, getting the chance to battle NMs has been almost as difficult a task as fighting the creatures themselves. One often needed a lot of time and plenty more luck to successfully arrange an encounter with the creatures. In light of the ever-increasing number of fan requests for more opportunities to do battle against powerful monsters and reap the rewards, the development team has decided to implement some changes to make the excitement of NMs—even those of the same caliber as particularly infamous varieties inhabiting Tu'Lia and Al'Taieu—more accessible to all.
Overview of the New System
Carrying out requests from a certain NPC will earn you points which, when accumulated, can be exchanged for NM trigger items. The cost of these triggers will fluctuate based on the corresponding NM's difficulty level and popularity among adventurers. A limit will also be imposed on the number of points that can be earned in one Vana'dielian day (one Earth hour). Even with the above conditions in place, obtaining triggers under this new system should be relatively pain-free, especially when compared to fulfilling the elaborate requirements of some existing NM battles.
*Please note that this point system is applicable only to select new NMs scheduled to appear from the June version update.
In order to maximize flexibility in participant numbers, in most cases the target to which you trade triggers in order to gain entry into battlefields will be located in field areas.
Rewards
Over fifty new types of equipment will be made available as exclusive drops for defeating these new NMs. Here are just a few samples to whet your ravenous adventurer's appetite:
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Adjustments to Einherjar (06/02/2008)[spoiler]The next version update will contain a number of changes to the Einherjar venue.
A recent increase in the number of player suggestions and concerns received regarding Einherjar has led the development and operations teams to reconsider a number of that system's features.
Particularly, many players are of the opinion that the efforts demanded by Einherjar yield too little return, that the structure of layered challenges makes it difficult to introduce new members midway into a progressing group, and that players who may miss out on even a single chamber may find themselves unable to participate in subsequent runs with their group.
All of this constructive feedback has led to a series of changes whose implementation will begin in the next version update.
Ampoules of Therion Ichor
Until now, the acquisition of ampoules of therion ichor has been contingent upon successful clearing of an entire chamber. However, this will no longer be the case. Instead, regardless of whether the chamber is cleared or not, players will receive ampoules in proportion to the total number of monsters they have slain. In addition, the amount of ampoules available per chamber will be increased. Defeating the final bosses, the so-called Guardians of Asgarth, will not yield additional ampoules.
Entry into Wings
Entry into all wings of Einherjar will be made less demanding for the majority of participants. The organizing player who obtains the Smouldering Lamp and reserves an Einherjar chamber will still need to fulfill all of the same requirements as before. All other players, however, will now be able to enter any of the chambers in Wings I, II, and III regardless of previous clears or valkyrie feathers in their possession.
Entry into Valgrind
At present, entry into Valgrind, the most remote chamber in the Hazhalm Testing Grounds, requires that all participants have cleared all chambers in Wings I, II, and III, and have the appropriate key item in their possession.
This requirement of clearing all nine wings will now apply only to the player making the reservation for Odin's Chamber. All other participating members now need only have cleared one chamber from each wing, and thus be in possession of a total of at least three valkyrie feathers.
Entry into Valgrind will still result in the loss of any and all related key items in all player inventories.
Rewards
Though we are still looking into ways to increase compensation and rewards, players can expect to see a number of new items added to the Einherjar lineup. More detailed information regarding how to obtain these new items will be released in the Topics post on the day of the version update![/spoiler]
Merit Points Group 2: Maximum Raised for Ability Increases
[spoiler]Adjustments to the Group 2 section of the merit point job categories will be implemented in the upcoming version update. The current total maximum ability increase of 6 and the individual maximum ability increase of 3 will be raised to match the Group 1 values of 10 and 5, respectively.[/spoiler]
New Job Abilities and Spells
[spoiler]In conjunction with the scheduled job adjustments, the monk, paladin, and bard jobs will be receiving new abilities and spells.
For monks, we will be adding a new job ability that allows them to restrict their attacks to kicks only. In exchange for a penalty to attack delay, the monk receives an increase to damage and attack power, as well as a bonus to the amount of TP gained per kick.
Paladins will be receiving a new spell that increases the rate of shield blocks, as well as reflecting blocked damage back to an attacker. As with "Blaze Spikes" and "Dread Spikes," this spell will only affect the caster.
Lastly, bards will gain a job ability that allows them to limit the area effect of a song to a single target. For example, if a bard casts "Mage's Ballad" after activating this new ability, only the selected target will receive the effect of the song.[/spoiler]
New Additions and Changes to Campaign (05/22/2008)
[spoiler]The next version up date will usher in a number of new additions to the Campaign system, as well as several changes to existing elements.
Physicians
A new group of NPCs known as physicians will be introduced to both sides of the Campaign lineup, serving dutifully to heal and tend to their battle-wounded allies. Various oaths of non-violence prevent the physicians from engaging in open combat, and they will resort to fighting only as a means of self-defense when attacked directly. Otherwise, they will patrol the field of battle, seeing to the needs of combatants by bestowing upon them various spells of healing and enhancement.
Medals
Currently, the most distinguished medal available in commendation of a character's meritorious service in the name of Altana is the "Emblem of the Holy Knight." The next version update however, will see an expansion of the medal system, and with it a total of four new medals to recognize even greater prestige. Accordingly, new and more difficult Campaign Ops will also be introduced, as well as several new items obtainable through exchange for Allied Notes.
Exchanging Points for Wares from Other Nations
Until now, players have only been capable of exchanging their Allied Notes to procure items offered by the nation with which they are aligned. A modification to this system, in the same vein as that made previously to the Conquest system, will now allow for the acquisition of wares from any nation. Players can, however, expect a slight markup in price when dealing with a nation other than their own.
In addition to the changes outlined above, a number of other features will be implemented, including new quests involving Campaign freelance NPCs, technical adjustments to the army units of both the Allied Forces and Beastman Confederate, and the addressing of various other minor issues.[/spoiler]
Nomad Moogles in Selbina and Mhaura[spoiler]After considering the continuing influx of new players, the changes made to the offer requirements for several quests, and the special task force's efforts in maintaining a fair and balanced playing environment, we have decided that the inclusion of nomad moogles and delivery NPCs in Selbina and Mhaura will prove to be a beneficial addition to the game.
Look forward to these new arrivals in the next version update![/spoiler]
Supply Quest Records
[spoiler]As you are no doubt aware, in order to make use of the regional teleport services, it is first necessary to complete a supply quest to the outpost in question. We will be implementing a change wherein along with your mission rank and conquest points, a record of completed supply quests will now be retained even after transferring your allegiance to another nation.[/spoiler]
Item Autosort Function[spoiler]This particular function has been requested many times by the community, and is scheduled to be implemented along with the various other adjustments introduced in recent Topics.
As well as the difficulties encountered in preventing potential misuse, we have avoided the implementation of this function in the past in order to prevent confusion for crafters—items carefully separated for synthesis would have been forcibly stacked.
However, with the same consideration given to the placement of nomad moogles in Selbina and Mhaura, we believe that the current stability of FINAL FANTASY XI allows for this feature to be introduced without adversely affecting gameplay.
Players will be provided with the option to deactivate automatic sorting as part of the new function we have planned.[/spoiler]
fellows
[spoiler]- A new limit break quest will be added, making it possible to increase your adventuring fellow's level cap to 70. There are currently no plans to increase the level cap to 75. However, the possibility will be considered should the need arise.
- Extra fellow personalities will be added.
- It will become possible to summon fellows in certain areas of past Vana'diel. Please note, though, that fellows cannot be summoned while marked with an Allied Tag.[/spoiler]
Synthesis
[spoiler]Our fans often describe HQ item synthesis as a fulfilling yet occasionally frustrating process. Taking such voices to heart, following lengthy deliberation, the developers have decided to add new synthesis enhancement items as the reward for guild contract quests. While using these items, you will not be able to create an HQ item, but you will receive an overall success rate bonus for synthesis.
The positive effects of these items are expected to span beyond merely improving your success rate in synthesis. The raising of synthesis skills should become that much more enjoyable an experience, and certain items should become more affordable than before.
These synthesis enhancement items are a must-have for masters and apprentices alike![/spoiler]
Armor Storage
[spoiler]The release of the Wings of the Goddess expansion saw the addition of several new sets of armor. To accommodate this increase, the following armor sets will become storable by talking to specific NPCs:
Pahluwan / Yigit / Amir[/spoiler]
Furnishings
[spoiler]Since it became possible to invite friends over to your Mog House, we've been seeing more and more adventurers taking an active interest in their furnishings in a friendly contest of affluence with neighbors. Amidst this recent trend, it has come to our attention that the function of some furnishings was not proportional to cost, resulting in them being largely ignored by players.
To rectify this issue, and ultimately improve the living standard for adventurers, a number of furnishings will receive adjustments to attributes such as storage capacity and effects. Detailed information on these changes will be announced upon the release of the next version update.[/spoiler]
The Wings of the Goddess missions
[spoiler]Ominous statues known as "cavernous maws" have suddenly appeared all across Vana'diel.
After passing through these mysterious portals, adventurers meet with the talkative catlike being known as Cait Sith. After accepting her request to help lessen the "tidal wave of tragedy" bearing down on Vana'diel, Altana's champions are sent directly into the chaos of the Crystal War.
But what excitement do these missions promise from this point onwards?
Let us delve into the upcoming events...
Troupe Mayakov Cometh!
The kingdom of San d'Oria is astir with the news of the arrival of Troupe Mayakov. Adventurers encounter the dashing Sir Ragelise as they search for a ticket to attend the performance...
Is This the End!?
Adventurers once more chance across the enigmatic Cait Sith. However, the conversation is interrupted at a vital juncture by the unexpected appearance of the dancer Lilisette...
What is the true nature of Troupe Mayakov?
What is Lilisette's ultimate purpose?
What secrets does this tumultuous age conceal?
Discover the answers to these questions and more in the continuing Wings of the Goddess missions![/spoiler]
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