News: PlayOnline Development News: Sep-Oct 2006 - Final Fantasy XI

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PlayOnline Development News: Sep-Oct 2006

Posted by: Cuer - Wed Sep 13th, 2006 02:45 pm EDT

From the Official FFXI Site (October 13):

The Dark Lilies

The Dark Lilies (Volume 1.)

A coven of witches that once terrorized the world have returned as spirits to haunt the living! Can the exorcists called in from far western lands succeed in banishing these fearful apparitions...?
The supernatural struggle between exorcists and witches takes place in the shadow of the bustling Harvest Festival festivities!

Click here to read The Dark Lilies (Volume 1).

Official PlayOnline Announcement

From the Official FFXI Site (October 12):

New Synthesis Recipes and Equipment

New Synthesis Recipes and Equipment

Crafters and collectors alike have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming version update. New synthesis recipes, weapons, and armor are on their way!

New Synthesis Recipes

The next version update will feature a number of new enchanted items that can be used at low levels and synthesized at a comparatively low cost using lambent cells.

Also, culinarians will soon be able to make the new item "angler stewpot," which will affect all party members within a certain radius.

New Equipment

Here is a taste of the equipment to come in the next version update:

Official PlayOnline Announcement

From the Official FFXI Site (October 10):

Besieged Adjustments

Besieged Adjustments

The next version update will bring several changes to Besieged, including level 6 forces, temporary items distributed at the outset of battle, and increased experience points and Imperial Standing credits.

Changes to Besieged

Since the July version update that strengthened the beastman forces, Besieged battles have become longer and the benefits of participating decreased. In the next version update, the following measures will be introduced to provide more balance to Besieged:

Level 6 Forces

The enemy forces will soon be able to increase to 160, and level 6 Besieged will be added. Level 6 Besieged will include notorious monsters that lead the enemy forces and other new enemies.

Temporary Items

When Besieged begins, all participating players will be given temporary items, of which there are 15 varieties. The temporary items correspond to the 15 NPCs that can be taken prisoner during Besieged.

For example, when the Skyserpent General Rughadjeen is participating in battle, the temporary item "carnal incense" will be distributed to all players in the area.

Unused temporary items will disappear when Besieged ends.

Experience Point/Imperial Standing Changes

- Rewards for Participation
The amount of experience points and Imperial Standing players receive for taking part in Besieged will increase, and a bonus will be given to all participants at the end of Besieged for defeating the notorious monsters that lead an enemy force.

The higher the level of the enemy forces, the more experience points and Imperial Standing players will receive.

- Retaking the Astral Candescence
The battlefield to retrieve the Astral Candescence became more difficult after the rate at which archaic mirrors appear increased. To encourage more players to tackle the battle, experience will no longer be lost in the event of KO in the battlefield to retake the Empire's greatest treasure.

Official PlayOnline Announcement

From the Official FFXI Site (October 5):

New Mercenary Ranks and Assault Missions

New Mercenary Ranks and Assault Missions

New Assault missions and quests to open up two new mercenary ranks will be added in the next version update!

New Mercenary Ranks

Two new quests have been added to allow players to earn the mercenary ranks "Sergeant" and "Sergeant Major." Players can expect a unique experience differing from the style of previous missions and quests.

New Assault Missions

A total of 10 new Assault missions will be added to complement the new mercenary ranks, with 5 new missions for Sergeants and 5 for Sergeant Majors.

As in the July version update, players can expect a plethora of features in the new missions. Some will require thorough battle planning, others will include no battles at all, and several will give players a unique experience that cannot be had in the course of a typical adventure.

We hope you enjoy the new content!

Official PlayOnline Announcement

From the Official FFXI Site (October 3):

Job Adjustments: Summoner

Job Adjustments: Summoner

The next version update will feature adjustments to several jobs. In this installment, we would like to describe the changes on the way for summoners.

Changes to the Summoner Job

Summoners use the Blood Pact pet command as their main way of doing battle. Both attacks and support/healing magic are included in this command and operate with a single recast time.

The development team has decided to split Blood Pact into two commands to allow players to select a strategy to fit the current situation once every minute.

[The New Blood Pacts]
The summoner pet command Blood Pact will be divided into two categories, each with its own recast time. "Blood Pact: Rage" will focus on direct damage and special attacks, while "Blood Pact: Ward" will center on support, enfeebling, and healing magic.

· Blood Pact: Rage (Recast time: 1 minute)
Orders the avatar to use special attacks.

· Blood Pact: Ward (Recast time: 1 minute)
Orders the avatar to use support abilities.

[Summoning Magic Skill]
- Effects on Blood Pact
Blood Pact will receive different effects when the value added by equipment or merit points exceeds the skill cap for that level.

For example, players can experience increased accuracy when using Blood Pact: Rage or lengthened effect durations when using Blood Pact: Ward. The length of the duration increased varies depending on which Blood Pact is used, but will not exceed 180 seconds.

A player whose summoning magic skill is lower than the skill cap will not experience any penalties, such as a decrease in accuracy or shortened effect durations.

- Skill Increases
The instances in which players can increase their skill will also be changed in accordance with the adjustments to summoning magic skill.

Originally, calling forth an avatar would sometimes improve a player's summoning magic skill. Soon players will also be able to experience increases in skill when using the Blood Pact: Rage and Blood Pact: Ward pet commands.

That wraps up the job-related changes coming in the next version update. More are scheduled for future updates, though, so keep checking the main page for the latest news!

Official PlayOnline Announcement

From the Official FFXI Site (October 2):

Job Adjustments

More Job Adjustments

The next version update will feature adjustments to several jobs. Building on the previous notice regarding the samurai job, we would like to take this opportunity to describe the changes in store for dark knights, dragoons, and ranged attacks, which are used mainly by rangers and corsairs.

Adjustments to Ranged Attacks

As a result of adjustments to make ranged attack damage differ according to the distance from the target, jobs that specialize in ranged attacks have suffered a decrease in performance. In the next version update, we plan to reassess the adjustments made to accuracy and attack power according to distance from target.

[The Distance Calculation and Added Effects]
Ranged attack damage and accuracy are currently adjusted by a calculation based on the distance of the player from the enemy target. However, we plan to decrease the values for ranged accuracy and ranged attacks used in this calculation. This will ensure that the calculation will no longer largely eliminate the enhancements given by meals and equipment. Instead, the effects will be added directly to the player's attributes.

For example, if a player eats sushi, he will be able to largely compensate for the accuracy adjustment, and if a player eats meat, he will be able to compensate for the damage adjustment.

[Changes to Distance Adjustments]
We plan to slightly widen the range in which players can deal out maximum damage using bows, crossbows, and other distance weapons, as well as ease the decrease in accuracy and attack power that comes the farther the player is from the target.

Job Adjustment: Dark Knight

Timing will soon be more important when using the Absorb-TP spell, which was added in the July version update.

[TP Absorption Amount Adjustment]
Currently, the amount of TP an enemy possesses has little effect on the amount absorbed by the Absorb-TP spell. We plan to decrease the amount of TP absorbable from enemies with few remaining TP so that players will have to consider the timing of the spell.

Job Adjustments: Dragoon

Dragoons will receive adjustments to jump abilities and will be able to copy the Stoneskin effect to their wyverns.

[Job Ability: Spirit Surge]
The recast time for the Jump, High Jump, and Super Jump job abilities will be reset when using Spirit Surge.

[Job Ability: Super Jump]
The recast time for Super Jump will change from 5 minutes to just 3 minutes. In accordance, the merit point Group 1 category "Super Jump Recast" will allow players to shorten recast time by 6 seconds instead of 10.

[Job Trait: Empathy]
Players who have acquired the Empathy job trait will be able to copy the Stoneskin effect to their wyvern when using the job ability Spirit Link.

In addition to the above adjustments, the next version update will also feature changes to the summoner job. Keep checking the main page for details in the next few days!

Official PlayOnline Announcement

From the Official FFXI Site (September 29):

Job Adjustments: Samurai

The next version update will feature adjustments to several jobs. Below is a description of the changes that will be made to the samurai job. In addition, the FINAL FANTASY XI development team plans to continue making adjustments in accordance with the announcements made at the Tokyo Game Show's Vanafesta 2006.

Adjustments to the Samurai Job

The samurai's job abilities and traits are often needed for specific situations, but tend not to stand out in experience-gaining parties. The next version update will address this issue as well as make the samurai a more viable support job for main jobs that utilize two-handed weapons.

[New Job Abilities]
Both an offensive and defensive job ability will be added. The casting intervals were made shorter than the durations so that players can use the abilities whenever they are needed. In addition, the abilities are learned at a level low enough to allow their use even when samurai is set as a support job.

· Hasso (Level 25; Recast: 1 minute; Duration: 5 minutes)
Grants a bonus to attack speed, accuracy, and Strength when using two-handed weapons.

· Seigan (Level 35; Recast: 1 minute; Duration: 5 minutes)
Grants a bonus to Third Eye when using two-handed weapons.

Seigan and Third Eye
While Seigan is in effect, the recast time for the Third Eye job ability will be decreased by half. In accordance, the duration for "Third Eye" will be adjusted.

Also, with the next version update, the player may counterattack or keep the effect of Third Eye when the player evades an attack using the Third Eye job ability. The chance that the player will keep the Third Eye effect even after evading will gradually decrease from the time the ability is used.

Points to Note:
- The effects of Hasso and Seigan do not overlap. If both abilities are used, only the most recently activated ability will take effect.
- Hasso and Seigan will only take effect when the player is equipped with a two-handed weapon.
- A penalty will be imposed on magic, song, and ninjutsu recast time while Hasso or Seigan is in effect.

[Changes to Existing Abilities]
The job trait Overwhelm will be adjusted to be more effective against high-level enemies, and the job trait Zanshin will be adjusted to increase the effectiveness of the job trait Ikishoten.

- The duration of the job ability Third Eye will be changed to 30 seconds.
- The job trait Zanshin will be acquired at level 20.
- Players will be able to use a merit point to increase weapon skill damage by 5% when the job trait Overwhelm is in effect.

As previously stated, the next version update will include several adjustments to other jobs as well.
Keep checking the main page for more information!

Official PlayOnline Announcement

From the Official FFXI Site (September 27):

Tracking the Elusive Beast

This just in: Mysterious tracks have been discovered in the lands of the Near East! Professor Clavauert, the man responsible for the find, claims that the tracks are from an unconfirmed ancient race of beastmen. His assistant Atelloune seeks to uncover the truth in her new article! Click here to read it!

From the Official FFXI Site (September 25):

Additions and Adjustments to Chocobo Raising

Additions and Adjustments to Chocobo Raising

Soon players can expect more from care plans and experience a variety of new chocobo colors and appearances. Chocobo raisers have a lot to look forward to in the next version update!

Changes to Care Plans and Direct Care

Chocobo attributes will soon increase at a greater rate when using care plans. In addition, several additions and adjustments will be made to direct care, and a measure to wake the chocobo up while sleeping will also be introduced.

New Chocobo Colors

In addition to the existing yellow, black, and blue, two new chocobo colors will be added. Players will be able to enjoy a maximum of chocobo variety in the next version update!

Changes to Chocobo Appearance

Soon, chocobo appearance will slightly change according to attributes. This will not alter the chocobo's appearance completely, but rather will reflect certain strengths that the animal has acquired during the chocobo raising process. For example, a highly intelligent chocobo's head may appear different than that of a normal chocobo, and a speedy chocobo may be distinguished by its sturdy legs.

*Please note that a chocobo that you are already raising will not suddenly change color or appearance with this version update.

Official PlayOnline Announcement

From the Official FFXI Site (September 20):

Treasures of Aht Urhgan Missions and Quests

Treasures of Aht Urhgan Missions and Quests!

Prepare to experience the continuation of the Treasures of Aht Urhgan storyline, as well as numerous exciting new quests, in the upcoming version update!

Aht Urhgan Missions

In the continuation of the Treasures of Aht Urhgan storyline, new missions will be available that will reveal new monsters, new challenges, and the machinations of a certain famous Windurstian personage.

New Quests

Several new quests will be added that focus on the areas released with the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion disc. Some of these quests will utilize the Assault system, and introduce a new series of battles aboard the Ashu Talif. These Assault-style quests will be unlocked for those who have progressed to a certain point in the Treasures of Aht Urhgan storyline (Aht Urhgan missions), regardless of mercenary rank. Gather your adventuring companions, and discover what new challenges lie ahead!

- Level Restrictions and Member Requirements
In the current Assault missions, it is possible to impose a voluntary level restriction on your mercenary party. However, the new quests based on the Assault system will all be unrestricted, with no option for setting level limits. Member requirements will remain the same, with 3 to 6 mercenaries required to undertake these quests.

- Rewards
Much like the current battlefields, a treasure chest will appear upon the completion of the quest, giving you the opportunity to obtain new and wondrous items.

Official PlayOnline Announcement

From the Official FFXI Site (September 13):

October Version Update

Version Update in October!

The next version update is currently under development and scheduled to be released in mid-October. Expect all-new Assault areas, missions, quests, and enemies, not to mention even tougher Besieged battles and a plethora of other new content!

Keep checking this site for more information as it is made available!

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