Final Fantasy XI Then...

[Adam]

Freaky!

[C']

New Version Update Announced! (23/02/2010)



We're pleased to announce that the development team is hard at work on the next FINAL FANTASY XI version update, which is currently on track for a mid-March release!

As always, a host of new additions and enhancements are in store for you, the details of which will first be unveiled to the public at VanaFest 2010 on Sunday, February 28.

Those unable to attend the event need not despair, as extensive coverage will be provided via the VanaFest official site and Topics, including a streaming video feed and multilingual commentary from the international community teams as previously mentioned in this space. Don't miss out on the festivities!

Visit the official VanaFest 2010 site today!

They haven't forgotten about us. New version update in mid-March (which means it will likely hit when I'm off work.

I fully expect this to offer up the final set of missions for Wings of the Goddess (they can't drag this on any longer can they?) Rep/Dara I know you've both got real life stuff ongoing at the moment but any likelihood of you guys activating your accounts in March? Was really hoping to get A Shantotto Ascension cleared before next update but shouts for these are dead. Tobal has said he'd help but need a few more people I trust and go with as few pickups as possible.

[Daragon]

They haven't forgotten about us. New version update in mid-March (which means it will likely hit when I'm off work.

I fully expect this to offer up the final set of missions for Wings of the Goddess (they can't drag this on any longer can they?) Rep/Dara I know you've both got real life stuff ongoing at the moment but any likelihood of you guys activating your accounts in March? Was really hoping to get A Shantotto Ascension cleared before next update but shouts for these are dead. Tobal has said he'd help but need a few more people I trust and go with as few pickups as possible.

I can do yeah, but if you've got time off for easter then I need to know which week you'd be available. I'm in Germany from the 24th until the 31st.

[C']

I finish work on 9th March 2010 (FFXIII ) and back in on the 22nd. However, I will be away on the weekend inbetween those two weeks (12th-15th). However, nothing stopping us doing the ASA missions before then.

[Rep]

They haven't forgotten about us. New version update in mid-March (which means it will likely hit when I'm off work.

I fully expect this to offer up the final set of missions for Wings of the Goddess (they can't drag this on any longer can they?) Rep/Dara I know you've both got real life stuff ongoing at the moment but any likelihood of you guys activating your accounts in March? Was really hoping to get A Shantotto Ascension cleared before next update but shouts for these are dead. Tobal has said he'd help but need a few more people I trust and go with as few pickups as possible.

Can't make any promises, we'll see, I'd have been better if it was April~ Just the thought of how much time goes into pissing about standing in Whitegate scares me, when I have so much to do.

[C']

Awesome Dynamis-Xarcabard tonight:


Just need the body piece from Beaucedine then all I'm missing is the accessory for both my jobs.

Love my STR stat for my WS gear at night:

[C']

Anyone seen all the announcements from Vanafest?

This **** is crazy.

Plans for next update:

VanaFest 2010 Post-event Report Now Available! (02/28/2010)

Wings of the Goddess Missions : The Story Continues!

New Wings of the Goddess missions will be coming to you in the March version update!



Nerves run high as the embattled Allied Forces march on the enemy's heartland, Valdeaunia, to execute a daring operation to strike down the Shadow Lord. Charged to stand at the helm of this desperate campaign is the celebrated San d'Orian hero, Sir Ragelise B Baloumat of the Knights of the Ironcrest Hawk...



Dauntless soldiers who would dare follow Castle Zvahl's perilous passageways to their end will find themselves standing before the Throne Room. There, they will learn the true identity of the imposing dark figure whose entrance is heralded by a garrulous imp...



The repercussions of Atomos' mindless devouring of memories and time have extended even to the present. The ominous comet has again appeared, this time above the skies of San d'Oria and far closer now than ever before. What could this possibly portend for the future of Vana'diel...?

What will become of the heroes and heroines of the Allied Forces? All will be revealed upon the release of the March version update!

Campaign

The new version update will offer a host of additions sure to delight veteran campaigners, including:

- A long-awaited decoration unlocked
- New Campaign Ops
- A new battleground: Castle Zvahl
- ...and all-new rewards!



Among the new rewards will be formidable weapons that allow the wielder to employ devastating weapon skills formerly exclusive to certain Campaign NPCs.



With the addition of Castle Zvahl to the Campaign battlefront, adventurers who fight bravely for the Allied cause will be rewarded with a chance to square off against the Shadow Lord himself! Needless to say, those who emerge victorious will be rewarded with spectacular spoils befitting their heroic deeds.



Trial of the Magians



"Trial of the Magians" is the title given to a new quest series designed especially for level 75 characters.

Quest Structure

The quests will be divided into a number of categories, and progression in each will allow players to earn different rewards. The following quest branches and more are being considered:

- Weapon enhancement.
- Armor enhancement.

Trial of the Magians will be introduced to the game in multiple stages, with the initial set of weapon enhancement quests slated for addition in the March version update.

Notorious Monsters

Following on the heels of the fearsome foes introduced in the November 2009 version update, hordes of new notorious monsters will be joining the ranks in the coming version updates. Even the most combat-honed adventurers can expect to have their abilities tested to the limit, so begin steeling yourself for battle today!



Synergy

Whereas the recipes added in past version updates have centered on traditional synthesis, from here on players can expect a shift of focus to synergy. The new batch of new recipes scheduled for March will include new warp items and more!

Going hand in hand with synergy is the evolith system, and the coming version updates will see these remarkable stones appear in ever-new and extensive varieties. What's more, evolith will become available via treasure caskets with the next version update, making it easier than ever for adventurers to enter the exciting world of customizable gear!

Job Adjustments

Beastmaster
The following changes will be made to enhance the usability of the job ability "Call Beast":
- New synergy recipes for the creation of consumable items required to perform the ability will be added, with a higher rate of yield for HQ items.
- Certain ingredients needed to synthesize/synergize the items will become more readily obtainable.

Summoner
Two new long-awaited avatars, Alexander and Odin will be added. Both new avatars will appear and do the summoner's bidding only when Astral Flow is in effect. Be aware, invoking one or the other will automatically initiate Astral Flow, the effect of which will end upon the avatar's release. In accordance of their introduction, summoners will become able to use the "Astral Flow" job ability even when no avatars have been invoked.

Avatar: Alexander
Uses "Perfect Defense" to reduce damage sustained by party members and prevent status ailments.
- Damage reduction and resistance rate will vary with the summoner's remaining MP.

Avatar: Odin
Uses "Zantetsuken" to vanquish all foes within the area of effect in one fell strike.
- When used against NMs, will instead deal damage.
- Amount of damage dealt and accuracy will vary with the summoner's remaining MP.
- More monsters within the area of effect will reduce accuracy.


Puppetmaster
With adjustments to attributes of the Harlequin and Valoredge X-900 frames and the performance of attachments, automatons will be made more durable against incapacitation. In addition, the hand-to-hand combat rating of puppetmasters will be raised from rank C to A, making them formidable combatants in their own right.

Also talk of server merges, 2 new expansions and raising level cap to 99.

What is this, I don't even...

Also,


LOL at Giant Enemy Crab. Cue "flip it over for massive damage" jokes.

[C']

Also, PUP getting rank A H2H skill + an automaton. Did MNK just get trolled?

[C']

Oh and we're losing Seraph. We're merging with Bismarck.

[Rep]

Wow just like the old updates, awesome stuff. Odin an Einherjar reward perhaps? Once i'm done with Lost Odys. i'll certainly update content ID again now

[Daragon]

This sounds like fun, I really ought to start doing more WoG quests when I'm back on, provided I can find a group. Pretty daft leaving it this long I reckon

The rest of this update sounds awesome though, not sure about the server merge though, will have both positive and negative knock on effects.

[sj33]

Probably a bit late with this, but my FFXI-playing brother sent this my way.

[djtickle]

Is it just me or is increasing the level cap after all this time seem a little silly? I would have thought it would just have made scence to add more content to the Merit system. This is going to make some of the current content far to easy?

Im not sure what has been added since i left but it just seems weird for such a push when 14 is coming out soon, seems they really giving the game a overhall.

[C']

They've said they will be looking at making changes to content in relation to the level cap increase.

My major concern is how the increased subjob level will perhaps further marginalise what are already considered "weak" jobs. They are probably going to have to (and said they will) look at job roles to provide some further differentiation once a lot of jobs gain access to some defining spells/abilities of their subjobs.

[djtickle]

Oh yeah i didnt even think about sub jobs. Wow this could make some jobs BEASTS! Its also going to turn merit areas just into standart exp areas. It just seems like to big of a change so late on in the game. I mean aint "most" of the jobs pretty equal now? Or better than what they have ever been.