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More information on crafting in Final Fantasy XIV

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV's crafting system is rich with detail, requiring a fair bit of knowledge from players in order to successfully craft items. Not everything is explained in the game from the start, however, giving players the chance to experiment and learn what works best for themselves. There was a prior developer dispatch regarding the crafting system, but the team at Square-Enix has just released a new FAQ detailing some of the more subtle variants of crafting. While it's not full of formulae to let players make the optimal crafting build, it certainly does shed a great deal of light on the previous unknowns for the system.

Most players had noticed sparks produced from their synthesis on more than one occasion, but up until now it wasn't clear what the sparks represented. Apparently, the aetherial sparks (as they are referred to in the dispatch) come from straining the materials, either by trying to work too fast or attempting to craft something outside of your skill range. The FAQ also covers elemental destabilization and the effects of various craft-related attributes, such as Control helping to avoid both destabilization and sparking. Final Fantasy XIV's burgeoning crafter population should take a look at the news, as it might mean the difference between a fresh suit of armor and a fresh set of botched crafts.

More information on crafting in Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV gets a version update and another developer dispatch

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

The bad news about the most recent version update for Final Fantasy XIV is that, despite player hopes, it does not yet contain the heavily awaited first revision to the market wards. That's planned for next week, according to the patch notes themselves. The good news is that it does contain a number of bugfixes and helps clean up several chat oddities. Accompanying the notes on the main page is another dispatch from the developers about how the game works, this one on the topic of character creation and disciplines, and while the developers give some vague answers, they also offer some useful, concrete information.

For example, while there are no game differences at the moment based upon a character's birthday or guardian deity, both are in the works -- and if the benefits that are ultimately awarded for your chosen deity disappoint you, Square-Enix will be giving players the chance to change their guardians. The new dispatch also provides a full listing of where to get tools and weapons for every discipline at the start, allowing players from any nation to change class right from the beginning. Final Fantasy XIV players are encouraged to check both the patch notes and the latest update and to keep their eyes peeled for what promises to be a large update next week.

Final Fantasy XIV gets a version update and another developer dispatch originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV confirms launch classes

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV's class system is one of the defining elements of the game, as it was in Final Fantasy XI. The game has revealed 18 different classes, or disciplines in the game's parlance, spread across four categories -- war (weapon-using fighters), magic (casters), hand (crafters), and land (gatherers). As it turns out, it's been revealed via Famitsu that the game will launch with 18 playable classes, meaning that we know all of the options for play already. Of course, 18 classes that can share abilities isn't exactly an anemic offering to begin with.

For some players, this might be a bit disappointing, as it means only two casting classes will be available at launch, the thaumaturge and the conjurer. Disciples of the hand are the most numerous, with armourers, blacksmiths, weavers, goldsmiths, carpenters, culinarians, leatherworkers, and alchemists. Miners, botanists, and fishermen round out the disciples of the land, and lancers, archers, gladiators, marauders, and pugilists fill out the disciples of war. While there will be additional classes after launch, it looks like this is what will be in the game to start -- useful information for a Final Fantasy XIV hopeful to chew on.

Final Fantasy XIV confirms launch classes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More information on Final Fantasy XIV's crafters and harvesters

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

With the beta testing in full swing and the release date just around the corner, you might think that Final Fantasy XIV fans would have all the information that they need. Of course, anyone highly anticipating the game would be quick to point out the exact opposite, eagerly looking for any more details about the game, especially with so much left to know about the various Disciplines. A recent article on Famitsu (translated by the helpful team at FFXIVCore) sheds new light on some of the less flashy disciplines -- not those of War or Magic, but the Hand and the Land, gathering and crafting.

The new article gives more details on Harvesters (which may be dubbed Botanists in the official translation), Goldsmiths, Armourers (possibly due to lose the British spelling), Woodworkers, and Fishermen. Each class has a small writeup explaining their tasks and talents, such as the rapport that Harvesters enjoy with plants or the equipment-enhancing talents of Goldsmiths. Take a look at the article for a clearer picture of the plethora of non-combat activities that come along with Final Fantasy XIV -- even if many of the noncombatants will be well served by having a few combat-ready escorts.

More information on Final Fantasy XIV's crafters and harvesters originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log: Assembling the gestalt of Final Fantasy XIV

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 01 May 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Classes, Previews, Opinion, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV, The Mog Log

We've been treated to a veritable onslaught of new information about Final Fantasy XIV of late, and when I say "treated" I mean precisely that. After all, Square-Enix's information comes at a glacial pace, to the point where they're still releasing information about Final Fantasy VII to this day. (Or squeezing blood out of that stone for all it's worth, reader's choice. I think my way is funnier.)

Of course, the problem is that the information is released without a great deal of context. My hat goes off to the brave folks in the testing, scurrying about and trying to reveal as much as possible, but I know from experience what happens when your goal is "find things out" rather than "assemble a coherent picture." We know a lot of facts about Final Fantasy XIV, but we don't have a real idea of the scope of the game.

For some people, that's second nature. For others, it's a challenge. And for some people, they haven't seen the piece or two that would make everything fall into place. So today, The Mog Log is taking a tour back through what we've learned and trying to put it all into some sort of overarching framework.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Assembling the gestalt of Final Fantasy XIV

The Mog Log: Assembling the gestalt of Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Staying in control with Final Fantasy XIV

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Previews, Hands-on, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

We're likely nearing the end of useful information that can be gleaned from the current wave of testing in Final Fantasy XIV, leaked or otherwise, but what a fruitful time it has been. The game's picture has solidified so much in our minds compared to a scant few weeks ago that we can look at much of the information-heavy translated article from 4Gamer.net and see things we're already aware of. Still, there are tidbits like the nuances of the control scheme that had been largely unmentioned before now, and another set of eyes confirming some of the cooler features is certainly welcome.

While it's no great surprise that the game should work well with a controller, the change to a standard WASD setup for movement should please any number of fans. Unfortunately, keybinds for individual menu windows like character status seem currently inaccessible, though that's likely to change. We also learn a little more about the ability system -- it seems that abilities are somewhat weaker on other disciplines, although they're still usable. Combine that with a number of gorgeous screenshots, and Final Fantasy XIV fans can enjoy the most recent course of information. (Oh, and yes, another mention of the underwear thing.)

Staying in control with Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV details two new classes and weapons

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, News items, Final Fantasy XIV

Those of us looking forward to Final Fantasy XIV have a bit more to look forward to now, with a new update to the official site. Continuing the slow reveal that the recent updates have included, this update contains two classes who have been previously named but not discussed in detail, the Gladiator and Pugilist. In addition, the update offers some details regarding the weaponry used by these classes -- which, as we've reported earlier, are the central element for each class in the multifaceted world of the game.

Gladiators are what their pictures would tend to indicate, heavily-armored sword wielders with a penchant for close melee combat. They're also slated to be masters of throwing knives, and will have the option of using a shield or eschewing it for more offensive combat. Among their weapons are a number of swords and shields, including the blade-encrusted Lantern Shield that offers simultaneous offense and defense. Pugilists, by contrast, are lightly-armored melee fighters that use a variety of hand-to-hand attacks -- shades of the classic Monk. Their weapons are a bit less novel, but any player familiar with Final Fantasy XI will feel some nostalgia at the sight of baghnakhs and cesti. Take a look at the official site for more information, including the galleries of weapons and multiple images of the new classes.

Final Fantasy XIV details two new classes and weapons originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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