Updated: 04 October 2008








FFXI Patch (not real).

The following topics are broken into three sub-sections [ Interface, Mechanics and Balance ] that outline a number of changes/improvements that I would make to the game were I in charge. Please feel free to dislike or like them as you see fit. ^^


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Interface


Patch Details:

  1. On the Equipment screen, when equipped with a Hand-to-Hand weapon, the Weapon Icon will occupy both the Main and Sub equipment slots. [Submitted by Kazema of Leviathan]
  2. The "on screen" damage will now be displayed "on top of" the names appearing over character and monster heads.
  3. NPCs (especially Tarutaru ones) will no longer pause your ability to advance the text during their talking animations.
  4. Players will now be able to adjust the volume of the "<call>" sound effects in the "Gameplay" section of the "Config" menu.
  5. The default selection for entering/exiting an airship/ship concourse will be changed to "Yes".
  6. When entering a zone, the game camera will automatically be placed behind the character.
  7. Mog Houses will undergo the following changes.
    • The option "Set Home Point" will be added to the Mog House Menu. When used, this sets the home point of the character to the Mog House exit in the city zone where s/he entered the mog house from.
    • The "For your own safety…" dialog when exiting a mog house after changing a job will no longer appear once your character is Rank 4 or higher.
    • When changing your "Rent-a-Room" selection, the NPC will now only say 1 line of text. *Added to game by removal of these NPCs on 11/20/07.
    • When selecting a new Main job, if you choose your current Sub job; these two will become switched.
    • When selecting a new Sub job, if you choose your current Main job; these two will become switched.
  8. When entering a non-chocobo accessible area while mounted you will recive the following dialog: "Your chocobo has refused to enter the next area, would you like to dismount? Yes/No?"
    • "Yes": The character enters the new area on foot.
    • "No": The character returns to the previous area with the chocobo.
    • Time spent in the dialog does not count towards chocobo ride time.
  9. The in-game map will undergo several changes.
    • The upper menu bar will be hidden when the map is on-screen, allowing the players to more clearly see the letters at the top.
    • Control of the character will return immediately after the map-cancel feature is used.
    • Speed of the fade-in/fade-out feature will be increased slightly.
  10. Effect Icons that appear in the upper left-hand corner of the player's screen will have a few added features.
    • Effects that stack (such as Boost and Shadow Copy) will now display a small number over it indicating the number of stacked effects.
    • Effect icons will begin to flicker when the effect they represent is 10 seconds from becoming worn off. This flicker will become more rapid when the effect is 5 seconds from becoming worn off.
    11. A new feature to assist Skillchains will be added.
    • A small blue dot will appear next to the name of a character in the party box when that character has 75% to 99% TP.
    • The Dot will change to red when the character has 100%+ TP.
    • The Dot will begin to flash when the player has 200%+ TP.
    • The Dot will flash quickly when the character has 300% TP.
  11. The way players setup their bazaar will be altered.
    • When players select an item from their Item list, they will have 3 options: "Use", "Bazaar", and "Drop".
    • Selecting the "Bazaar" option will allow them to set a price, or if set to 0, removes it from the bazaar.
    • The "Bazaar" option on the 2nd menu will be removed.
    • The Bazaar Comment will now be set thru the Search Sub-Menu.
  12. Players will now be able to Enable/Disable entire macro pallets via the new "Pallet" option on the 2nd menu. *Added to game as Macro Books on 11/20/07. *Save feature added to game on 03/10/08.
    • Players will be able to create up to 128 macro pallets.
    • The number of active Pallets may not exceed 10 or be reduced below 1.
    • Individual pallets may be saved to file on PS2, Xbox, or PC Hardrives.
  13. The chat colors will now reflect seperate settings for HP and MP recovery and loss.
  14. The text filters "[log]" will be reconfigured to incorporate the effects filters "[fx]" and be displayed in a new format.
    • Chat.
      • [log, hold] Say.
      • [log, hold] Shout.
      • [log, hold] Party.
      • [log, hold] Alliance.
      • [log, hold] Linkshell.
      • [log, hold] Emote.
      • [log, hold] Tell.
      • [log, hold] NPC.
    • Self.
      • [log][fx] Actions started by Self.
      • [log][fx] Magic started by Self.
      • [log][fx] Result of actions on Self.
      • [log][fx] Result of magic on Self.
      • [log][fx] Damage taken by Self.
      • [log][fx] Cured damage on Self.
    • Foe.
      • [log][fx] Actions started by Foe.
      • [log][fx] Magic started by Foe.
      • [log][fx] Result of actions on Foe.
      • [log][fx] Result of magic on Foe.
      • [log][fx] Damage taken by Foe.
      • [log][fx] Cured damage on Foe.
    • Party.
      • [log][fx] Actions started by Party.
      • [log][fx] Magic started by Party.
      • [log][fx] Result of actions on Party.
      • [log][fx] Result of magic on Party.
      • [log][fx] Damage taken by Party.
      • [log][fx] Cured damage on Party.
    • Alliance.
      • [log][fx] Actions started by Alliance.
      • [log][fx] Magic started by Alliance.
      • [log][fx] Result of actions on Alliance.
      • [log][fx] Result of magic on Alliance.
      • [log][fx] Damage taken by Alliance.
      • [log][fx] Cured damage on Alliance.
    • Others.
      • [log][fx] Actions started by Others.
      • [log][fx] Magic started by Others.
      • [log][fx] Result of actions on Others.
      • [log][fx] Result of magic on Others.
      • [log][fx] Damage taken by Others.
      • [log][fx] Cured damage on Others.
    • Monsters.
      • [log][fx] Actions started by Monsters.
      • [log][fx] Magic started by Monsters.
      • [log][fx] Result of actions on Monsters.
      • [log][fx] Result of magic on Monsters.
      • [log][fx] Damage taken by Monsters.
      • [log][fx] Cured damage on Monsters.
    • Pets/NPCs.
      • [log][fx] Actions started by Pets/NPCs.
      • [log][fx] Magic started by Pets/NPCs.
      • [log][fx] Result of actions on Pets/NPCs.
      • [log][fx] Result of magic on Pets/NPCs.
      • [log][fx] Damage taken by Pets/NPCs.
      • [log][fx] Cured damage on Pets/NPCs.
    • System.
      • [log] Synthesis results.
      • [log] Lots and Treasure alerts.
      • [log] Character "Checks".
      • [log] Bazaar "Checks/Purchases".
      • [log] Regional alerts and announcments.
      • [log] Countdowns.
  15. Player will now be able to modify effects presets via the Config Menu (PC Version Only).
    • These Presets will include different settings for Low, Medium, High, and Ultra High latency conditions.
    • The Effects preset will detect the latency of the area and enable itself automatically.
    • Players will have the option of disabling any or all of the presets.
    • Players will also be able to filter on/off the animation effects of the in-game menu and user interface.
  16. The Treasure Pool will have a new toggle option when selecting whether to Cast Lot or Pass on an item called "Pass All".
    • While "Pass All" is active, any items that enter the Treasure Pool will automatically be passed by the Player.
    • If the Player disables "Pass All" while there are items in the Treasure Pool that have been automatically Passed, they will become Un-Passed and may be Cast Lot or Passed as normal.




Mechanics


Patch Details:

  1. The effect of the black magic Tractor will now Draw-in (rather than De-zone) the Target.
  2. To reduce client-side latency, character vs. character collision will be ignored. Character vs. monster collision will not be affected.
  3. The Auction system will have several new features.
    • All Auction Houses across Vana'diel will be linked. The tax each player pays to place an item on the auction house will be based on their national affiliation and the campaign results.
      • Rank 1 to 3: Tax +3%.
      • Rank 4 to 6: Tax +2%.
      • Rank 7 to 9: Tax +1%.
      • Rank 10: Tax +0%.
      • Nation in 3rd place: Tax +6%.
      • Nation in 2nd place: Tax +4%.
      • Nation in 1st place: Tax +2%.
      • Single item: Tax +10g.
      • 12 item stack: Tax +50g.
      • 99 item stack: Tax +100g.
    • A "Search By Name" feature will be added, allowing characters to scan the entire Auction House for items containing the submitted string of letters.
    • A "Search By Set" feature will be added, allwing characters to find the rest of an armor set's items based on the selected item.
  4. The way certain items enter a player’s inventory/safe/storage/locker will be changed. *Item Sorting feature added to game on 06/10/08.
    • Items that stack, will automatically stack to the largest available stack of matching items in the player’s inventory/safe/storage/locker.
    • Items received from the delivery box, from a quest, or as a preexisting stack will not be affected by this change.
  5. The commands /cue, /trade and /synth will be added.
    • Using the command /cue will add a specified item(s) to your iCue.
    • You may not add items you do not currently posses to your iCue.
    • If you attempt to add more than eight different items to your iCue, you will receive an error.
    • Using the command /cue without specifying an item will empty your current iCue of all items (Note: This is the only way to empty your iCue).
    • Using the command "/trade" will attempt to trade all the items in your iCue to the specified target (Note: if the target is a player, this will cause a confirm dialog, followed by a trade window containing the items in your iCue).
      • MACRO: The following macro will attempt to trade the listed items to a selected NPC:
        /cue 4 "Rock Salt"
        /cue 2 "Crab Shell"
        /cue "High Quality Crab Shell"
        /trade <stnpc>
        /cue
    • Using the command "/synth" will attempt to synthesize all the items in your iCue using the specified crystal.
      • MACRO: The following macro attempts to synthesize a "Scorpion Harness":
        /cue "Venomous Claw"
        /cue 2 "Scorpion Shell"
        /cue 2 "Ram Leather"
        /synth "Earth Crystal"
        /cue
    • If you use "/trade" or "/synth" again without emptying your Cue, it will attempt the same Trade or Synthesis as before. However, if you do not have the required items, you will receive an error.
  6. The tags <title> and <ttitle> will be added.
    • When <title> is parsed, it displays the players Title in the chat dialog.
    • When <ttitle> is parsed, it displays either the targeted player's Title, monster’s Consideration level (e.g. Easy Prey, Decent Challenge, Impossible to Gauge, etc...) or NPC’s type (e.g. Vendor, Conquest, Townsfolk, etc...).
  7. The "/search" command will undergo the following changes.
    • To search a Player’s name, brackets must now be used to indicate this. You may also include wildcard characters, to indicate where the fragment occurs in the Player’s name. Examples: "[*gg]" would search for Players whose names end in "gg". "[?uu*]" would search for Players whose names start with 1 unknown character, followed by "uu" then followed by an unknown number of unknown characters (this could even be no character).
    • The character used to separate numbers used to specify the level or rank range when searching will be changed from "-" to "~". Example: "65~70" would search between Players whose level is between or equal to 65 and 70.
    • The syntax for including a parameter in the search filter will now require you to precede it with a "+" character. Example "/sea +32~45 +region +[Ko]" will search your current region for Players between or equal to level 32 and 45 with a name starting with "Ko".
    • The syntax for excluding a parameter in the search filter will now require you to precede it with a "-" character. Example "/sea +all +inv -region -[*gg] -pld -nin -smn +70~75" would search for all Players outside your current region whom are seeking for invite; between or at level 70 to 75; are neither Paladins, Ninja nor Summoners; and whose names do not end with "gg".
    • Several new search parameters will also be added.
      • "party": This will filter Players currently in a party.
      • "leader": This will filter Players currently the leader of a party.
      • "sub": This will include/exclude Players whose sub jobs also meet the search criterion.
  8. Several new translations will be added to the Auto-Translation feature.
    • You’re welcome. *Added to game on 03/19/06.
    • You are most welcome.
    • You are not welcome.
    • Wide Scan
    • I will pay you. *Added to game as (|Reward:|) on 03/19/06.
    • Good luck!
    • Not fair!
    • Yes.
    • No.
    • Did it change?:
    • Dont follow me, too dangerous!
    • <– is worth –>
    • <– is the same as –>
    • What are you hunting?
    • Would you mind not doing that again?
    • Warning! Do not perform this action:
    • Never mind.
    • I’m depressed.
    • Clear Weather, Foggy Weather, {Etc... WEATHER NAMES}
    • Valdeaunia, Farugandi, Tu'Lia, Norvallen, Qufim, {Etc... REGION NAMES}
    • Vana'diel
    • Slapstick
    • Knockout
    • Magic Mortar
    • String Clipper
    • Chimera Ripper
    • Cannibal Blade
    • Bone Crusher
    • Arcuballista
    • Daze
    • Armor Piercer
    • Auto-Translator
  9. The number of times a player may use the /random command may not exceed six times per Earth hour.




Balance


Patch Details:

  1. Chest, coffer and door keys will undergo the following changes.
    • Keys no longer have the "Rare" attribute.
    • When a key is used, any ‘other’ copy of that key the character has is discarded. Keys that are in the character’s Mog House are not affected by this. This also does not affect whether the key being used is discarded or not.
  2. The effect Paralyze will undergo the following changes.
    • When Paralyze stops a job ability from being used, that ability will have a recast time of 10 seconds. This affects Two-Hour abilities aswell.
    • When Paralyze stops an item from being used, the item (or enchant/dispence charge) is not expended.
  3. Ranged Weapon Attacks will undergo the following changes.
    • All previous corrections and modifications to range vs. accuracy will be revoked and returned to their original settings.
    • The commands /range, /shoot, and /throw will become unavailable while both of the following conditions are true:
      1. The Target is within melee range.
      2. The Target has four or more characters on its enmity list.
    • Once a Ranged Attack has been initialized, a target may only cancel the character's action by moving "out of range", moving "Into Melee Rage" will not have any affect on the character's action.
  4. The job Monk will undergo the following changes.
    • The job ability Boost will undergo the following changes.
      • Each multiple of Boost’s effect will now be counted in Boost charges. Up to 12 total charges (6 charges if MNK set as subjob).
      • When Boost is used, the character gains 3 charges.
      • A charge is depleted every 15 seconds.
      • A charge is depleted after every attack where at least one of the character’s weapons hit the target for damage.
      • All charges are depleted upon using Chi Blast.
      • All charges are depleted upon using Chakra. An additional 3% HP is restored per charge.
    • The job ability Dodge will undergo the following changes.
      • The reuse time for Dodge will be lowered to 1 minute.
      • The duration of Dodge effect will be raised to 5 minutes.
      • If used, Dodge will cancel the player’s Focus or Counterstance effects if either is active.
      • If the character has equipped or equips a 2–handed weapon, the Dodge effect will be cancelled.
    • The job ability Focus will undergo the following changes.
      • The reuse time for Focus will be lowered to 1 minute.
      • The duration of Focus effect will be raised to 5 minutes.
      • If used, Focus will cancel the player’s Dodge or Counterstance effects if either is active.
      • If the character has equipped or equips a 2–handed weapon, the Focus effect will be cancelled.
    • The job ability Counterstance will undergo the following changes.
      • The reuse time for Counterstance will be lowered to 1 minute.
      • If used, Counterstance will cancel the player’s Dodge or Focus effects if either is active.
      • The Counterstance effect will lower the character’s total evasion to 0 now rather than affect defense.
      • The increased counterattack rate while Counterstance is active will be calculated as +1% for every 10 evasion lowered.
      • If the character has equipped or equips a 2–handed weapon, the Counterstance effect will be cancelled.
    • The job trait “Zidane” will become available to Monks at level 71.
      • Help text for Zidane reads, “Occasionally adds head attacks.”
      • Initial statistics for Zidane mirror those of Kick Attacks.
    • Monk 's Group 1 Merits will be restructured as follows.
      • Southpaw. {Increase Boost charge limit by 1 per upgrade.}
      • Crosslink. {Allows Dodge, Focus and Counterstance effects to be active at the same time. +7 seconds per upgrade.}
      • Counter Rate. {No change.}
      • Kick Attacks Rate. {No change.}
      • Zidane Rate. {+1% per upgrade.}
  5. The job Red Mage will undergo the following changes.
    • The ability Convert will become unavailable while the character's current MP is 0.
  6. The job Thief will undergo the following changes.
    • The recast time for the job ability Mug will be changed from 15 minutes to 5 minutes and can be enhanced by useing Sneak Attack.
    • Using Mug on a monster without gil will be prevented in the same way that Steal is prevented when your inventory is full.
    • The effect of Flee will now last until the affected character either changes areas or takes damage.
    • Equipment that previously affected the duration of Flee, will instead add a number of shadows copies to the character when Flee is used.
  7. The job Ninja will undergo the following changes.
    • The item "Scentless Armbands" will now be equip-able.
  8. The job Dragoon will undergo the following changes.
    • Dragoon 's Group 1 Merits will be restructured as follows.
      • Ancient Circle Recast. {No change.}
      • "All" Jump Recasts. {Shorten recast time by 3 seconds per upgrade. Affects all "Jump" abilities.}
      • Spirit Link Recast. {No change.}
      • Nimble Wyvern. {Increase Wyvern accuracy and evasion by 5 each per upgrade.}
      • Donnybrook. {Increase Wyvern double attack and critical hit rate by 2% each per upgrade.}
    • If players have any mods in any Jump Recasts they will be combined into the new "All" Jump Recast merit (up to 5, additional mods will be ignored).
  9. The job Puppetmaster will undergo the following changes.




Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape or form associated with SquareEnix or the FFXI Development Team. The views expressed on this site are my own, and may not reflect the views of any other previously mentioned entity or collective. This site is for entertainment purposes only.