Katella’s Corner

I’ve read a few FFXI blogs talking about the new April updates, so I went online and checked out what they were.  While the Whitemage got some things that sound a little tantalizing, I was however very disappointed in the Redmage updates. I was hoping they would have something that would help me convince my favorite RDM to pick up FFXI once in awhile again…. no such luck.. he just scoffed when I showed him what the RDM’s will get.

- Composure
(Lv.50 Ability Delay: 5 min. Duration: 5 min.)
Increases accuracy and lengthens recast time. Enhancement effects gained through white and black magic you cast on yourself last longer.
- Notes Activating Composure will impose a recast time penalty upon all magic, songs, and ninjutsu.

Many are saying that its geared for the soloing RDM, but I disagree. I don’t even think this really helps the solo’ing RDM either, as most of those like to sub /nin  for survivability and it already takes long enough to be able to recast shadows as it is…

Its odd to me that they are taking Redmages gift of Fast Cast, and diminishing it..  It just doesn’t seem right. When you play other games compared to FFXI, you realize how much more challenging FFXI is. Unless you have a group of friends at your beckon call, or are cheating some way, you aren’t able to as easily just fumble your way through it quickly. But while I think a challenge is at times more fun, it isn’t fun to have to work so hard at every single aspect. It gets tedious and less fun, especially when real life steps in, and you have even less time available to spend on it. But then thats what Field of Valor is for I guess.. (definitely not knocking FoV.. I personally really liked that addition). The premise of FFXI is great, I love the feel of the game, but I think there is definitely room for improvements that would make it more successful.. Sadly, I’m not sure that they are going in that direction. Sometimes I really wish I could have an audience time with the developers and tell them what I really love about the game and simply offer up some small suggestions (no strings attached.. no money or credit  involved.. just please think about this..).  ah /sigh

But back to this job ability, Say you cast an enhancement of Stoneskin on yourself, and say it is supposed to “last longer”. Personally I’ve had my Stoneskin knocked off me in 1 or 2 hits in certain nasty situations..  so even if it lasts 3 hits, is it really going to be worth putting more time between you and your next possible Ninjitsu shadows cast?

I don’t know, I look forward to reading what you all test it and come up with.. I could be all wrong.  However I doubt it will be that much better.. mostly because then if it really made stoneskin last that much longer, then later they may find it to not properly “balance” the game, and would then nerf it. Am I wrong?

I’m just really confused by what they are trying to accomplish..

The first tier of en-spells are not used that often, least it seems..  So I wonder if instead of adding new levels of en-spells, if they shouldn’t have instead  looked at why it is that those spells get such little use. One reason is because most don’t want their cookie cutter RDM party members meleeing.  They don’t think that people can effectively refresh and haste while fighting… In my opinion they are wrong, because I’ve known two or three that were very good at doing it – was it more a matter of macro set-up than anything. I really think that they should have thrown Redmages a better bone..   maybe something along the lines of offering a little of the versatility that Scholars have.. more like some of the situational things they are planning on giving Whitemages in this same update.

What if?

What if maybe give them two separate job abilities,

One that increased melee damage by a certain amount but maybe made white/black magic not quite as potent (if they have to have a negative in it somewhere to balance it).

Then a second that made magic more potient  but diminished melee (again if they have to have the negative..)

Build up more support abilities to foster new and different playstyles..  Breathe some new life into the job and the game..

Here is another idea, maybe lower recast time of refresh & haste spells, so that people don’t think they have to spend their entire time in party concentrating on timing these just right..  Give them the opportunity to do a few other things…  RDM has so much to offer, yet are so continuously limited.. and I don’t think these new updates really help alleviate any of that. …

Just my thoughts….