The development team from Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn were able to respond to some inquiries surrounding the execution of their upcoming patch. With the trailer for Through the Maelstrom being released on 3/14, a lot of details on the patch’s composition had yet been addressed. We have some of those answers available for you now, courtesy of the livestream accessible on Youtube and the official Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn‘s forum. If you somehow managed to miss the initial unveiling of Through the Maelstrom’s trailer, please feel free to take a moment to watch the footage below. It’ll introduce some of the concepts new to the MMORPG, and allow you to follow alongside the producer’s commentary on the progressive evolution of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
[promo title=”How About Those Glamours?”][/promo]
First of all, glamours are like covers on your actual set of armor. They’ll ultimately allow your character’s appearance to swap out with other accessible outfits. So more wardrobe choices are upon the horizon, which is a pleasure to have in an MMORPG to entice a sense of actual individuality. Are there restrictions, in short: yes there are. If you equip the appearance of an item that has a higher value then the base item, you won’t be allowed to alter that item’s level. Glamours will also be limited to your job/class, so there’s no possibility for an in-game Marauder to be seen running around in a Conjurer’s gear set. The producers of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn were able to further demonstrate the use of glamours on their livestream, and it notably rivals the idea of Transmogrification in World of Warcraft.
The good news is that glamours will be attainable for all parts of the body. This includes cowls, entire chest pieces, weapons, and even accessories. You’ll be allowed to use gear that you’ve worn before, and kept in your retainer. So basically, all the pieces you’ve managed to store (and if you’re a packrat like me, that’s a lot) are usable for glamouring your current set of armor. There will also be the opportunity to take unique items only obtainable through ventures and glamour them as well. Speaking of, ventures through your retainer will cost you if cancelled; so be cautious when you choose to partake in them.
[promo title=”What About Gardening, Relic Weapons, and Levels?”] [/promo]
In short, the item and weapon levels will all be maximized at 115 and 110, respectively. As for the relic weapons, it’ll be possible to upgrade them through what the producer of Final Fantasy: A Realm Reborn called: the “Saga of the Zodiac Weapons.” When a certain point is reached, the relic will shift in its appearance. The process of going about this is described as being, “very long” and will require the player’s utmost patience.
Gardening is another brand-new feature, but will require the player to have access to an estate. Therefore, you’ll need to invest in purchasing some land from your free company before creating a small, medium, or large garden. Once established, the player will be asked to plant seeds. Getting your green thumb on whilst prowling through dungeons can prove to be quite difficult, so Final Fantasy: A Realm Reborn has made their crops a little more robust. The garden will still require the player to fertilize and water the plot of land ever so often, but you won’t be shackled to it. Upon harvesting, you’ll also acquire fresh seeds to plant again or sell. The producer also stressed the idea of cross-fertilizing plants, commenting that some high-level seeds (and produce) are attainable solely through implementing that method.
[promo title=”What are the ‘Echo’ Boosts?”][/promo]
It’s not exactly a ‘boost,’ per se, but an actual buff that is given to the player in certain instances. While the Echo has critical significance to the plot, it had yet to be given much emphasis outside of implied narrative. Patch 2.2 will be changing that, and the team of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn were courteous enough to go into detail on where the Echo buff will appear.
- Target Content
Bowl of Embers (Hard), Howling Eye (Hard), The Navel (Hard), Thornmarch, A Relic Reborn: Chimera, A Relic Reborn: Hydra.
Details:
・The buff is activated if everyone in the party is KO’d after the 3 minute mark after the battle is commenced. Please note that this works if you wipe after you try your best!
・The parties HP, damage dealt, and cure potency is increased by 10% per stage and there’s a total of 5 stages (maximum of 50%).
- Target Content
The Minstrel’s Ballad: Ultima’s Bane, The Bowl of Embers (Extreme), Howling Eye (Extreme), The Navel (Extreme).
Details:
・The buff is activated if everyone in the party is KO’d after the 3 minute mark after the battle is commenced. Remember, try your best!
・The parties HP, damage dealt, and cure potency is increased by 5% per stage and there’s a total of 5 stages (maximum of 25%).
This’ll also be available in instances as shown below:
– 2 weeks after the patch 2.2 release
・The effect will automatically be activated upon entry of the instance.
・Your HP, damage dealt, and cure potency will be increased by 10%.
– 4 weeks after the patch 2.2 release
・The effect will automatically be activated upon entry of the instance.
・Your HP, damage dealt, and cure potency will be increased by 15%.
– 6 weeks after the patch 2.2 release
・The effect will automatically be activated upon entry of the instance.
・Your HP, damage dealt, and cure potency will be increased by 20%.
– 8 weeks after the patch 2.2 release
・The effect will automatically be activated upon entry of the instance.
・Your HP, damage dealt, and cure potency will be increased by 30%.
[promo title=”In Conclusion, There’s a lot of New Stuff!”][/promo]
Including (but not limited to) new voice-acted scenes, an appearance from Gilgimesh, some new (and old) characters, hairstyles and emotes. There’ll also be a service to purchase more retainers, as well as some adjustments to gear dropped in The Binding Coil of Bahamut. New mounts for tanks and other players will be up for grabs too once patch 2.2 for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is put into place on Mar. 27, 2014
I’m looking forward to it! But are you?