News from Final Fantasy XI.

Version Update Preview (11/06/2009)

The fast-approaching major version update will usher in auspicious adjustments spanning a wide range of in-game elements. Today, it is our pleasure to introduce the changes that are scheduled for the Chocobo Circuit, the fishing quest "Inside the Belly," and more!

Chocobo Circuit

- Bigger Rewards
The amount of chocobucks rewarded to first, second, and third place winners in chocobo racing will be significantly increased.

- Revised Race Schedule
The Chocobo Circuit schedule has undergone a full review. The C2 Chocobo Race and C1 Crystal Stakes will be held with greater frequency, and races will take place at the same time each Earth day, making it easier for players to participate than ever before.

 

*The red and blue race attendants above will alternately conduct races.

 

- New Rewards
The dashing racing silks dutifully worn by jockeys will be added to the list of reward items obtainable in exchange for chocobucks. With each color offering unique beneficial effects for its wearer, there is bound to be something for every chocobo fan!

Quest: Inside the Belly

Players will be able to turn in more varieties of fish to the quest-starter NPC. Rumor has it these fishes have a penchant for swallowing up new equipment whole...?

Past Vana'diel

- Xarcabard [S]
Monster distribution will be adjusted to allow adventurers to safely arrive at their destination when using the teleportation service requiring Allied Notes.

- Eldieme Necropolis [S]
A number of gates within the necropolis will be adjusted to remain open at all times to allow players to find their way to union treasure chests at the end of a Campaign Battle.

All this and more is coming to you in the soon-arriving major version update!

News from Final Fantasy XI.

Unveiling the New Synergy System! (11/05/2009)

Ladies and gentlemen! Coming to you in a version update scheduled for as early as late November is "Synergy"—the new in-game system that will add a whole new dimension to synthesis!

What Is Synergy?

Synergy is an advanced form of synthesis wherein up to six players, each with unique skills, cooperate to create a single item via an apparatus called the "synergy furnace."

There are numerous differences to be noted between synergy and traditional single-player synthesis, one of them being the maintenance of elemental balance within the abovementioned synergy furnace. Synergists-to-be, take heed! Being a new field of science with numerous theories yet unverified, synergy is not a risk-free undertaking, and practitioners are advised to steel themselves for the occasional mishap.

Communal synergy furnaces will be made available in certain cities, and "synergy engineers"—your guides into the fascinating world of synergy—will be posted beside them to teach beginners the ropes. Furthermore, by completing a new quest, players will gain access to a handy new item that will allow them to summon their very own private furnace for use in field areas, eliminating the need to wait in line to use a public one.

Synergy Skill

Synergy skill determines your ability to safely handle synergy furnaces, and can be raised by applying synergy techniques used to manipulate elemental concentration levels inside the furnace. Proficiency in these techniques, too, can be raised to a degree corresponding to your synergy skill level. We recommend all players prioritize improving their skill, because when it comes to synergy, experience is synonymous with safety.

Certain synergy recipes demand expertise in specific synthesis disciplines, but synergy will be possible so long as a participating party member possesses the requisite skill in question. No single character needs to have all skill sets, and the supplier of ingredients is not required to possess any whatsoever. Each participant in synergy plays an equally significant role in the process.

Synergizing via a Communal Furnace

1) Obtain the "synergy crucible" key item.
The synergy crucible serves as the receptacle for different varieties of elemental "fewell," the source of power for furnaces. Characters need only acquire the crucible once by completing a new quest.

2) Prepare ingredients for the recipe.
Recipes corresponding to a character's synergy skill level can be learned by talking to a synergy engineer.

3) Recruit party members.
Synergy is a joint activity that requires the cooperation of other players. The party leader should seek fellow synergists with the right skills needed for a particular recipe and invite them to join a party.

4) Fill up on fewell.
Synergy engineers can inform you regarding your crucible's current supply of fewell and, if required, also provide you with a top-up in exchange for gil. Alternatively, it is also possible to directly replenish the crucible using either crystals or the new synthesizable item version of fewell (alchemy skill required).

5) Claim usage over a synergy furnace.
To use a communal synergy furnace, you must first lay claim by examining it. At this point, you will be allocated a period of time to deposit the ingredients and commence the synergy process. When this has been done, your group will have exclusive access to the furnace until the synergy process is complete.
*Private synergy furnaces summoned using the aforementioned item can be used only by you and your party members.

6) Deposit the ingredients.
Only the claim-holding character may deposit ingredients into the furnace. Similarly, at the conclusion of synergy, the resultant product will be obtainable only by that character.

7) Operate the furnace.
Now comes the most invigorating and rewarding part of the process: the operation of the synergy furnace itself. Throughout the course of synergy, players must keep a close eye on the balance of elemental concentration, internal pressure, the build-up of impurities, and furnace durability. Seamless teamwork and timely application of synergy techniques is the key to success.

Potential Complications

In the hands of the untrained, synergy may prove to be a painful exercise. For instance, if left unchecked, the swelling of elemental forces and the accumulation of impurities inside the furnace are surefire recipes for explosions and leakages. Synergy participants should not be surprised if the furnace literally detonates in their faces. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and the best way to prevent is to improve your synergy prowess

Success!

The successfully synergized product will be entrusted to the supplier of ingredients, while all participants will be awarded with "cinders," a synergy by-product. Cinders act as points that can be accumulated and traded to synergy engineers in exchange for items that will aid you in your synergistic endeavors.

The Joys of Synergy

Synergy will play a central role in the recently announced Evolith system by allowing players to add and remove slots on, as well as attach evolith to weapons and armor. There will also be a host of new items that can be had exclusively through synergy.

Prepare yourself for a synthesis revolution when the Synergy system arrives!

News from Final Fantasy XI.

The Latest Evolution in Equipment—Announcing the Evolith System! (11/04/2009)

We're pleased to announce a new system that promises to offer adventurers unprecedented customization options for their equipment! Named the "Evolith" system for the curious stones whose powers must be harnessed to reap the benefits, it will be introduced in a version update coming as early as late November.

Introducing Evolith

Little more than nondescript rocks at first glance, the substance known as evolith has long escaped the notice of the inhabitants of Vana'diel. Closer investigation, however, has revealed that these ancient stones harbor elemental power to rival that of crystals. With advances in the emerging discipline of synergy*, the time has come that their latent potential may at long last be tapped...

*Synergy is a new form of synthesis conducted using a "synergy furnace."
This system will be introduced in detail in a future Topics article.

This system will be introduced in detail in a future Topics article.

With each piece of evolith possessing unique properties (*see example screenshots), adventurers may mix and match them in various combinations to bolster compatible equipment with the exact combination of attributes they desire.

*Development screenshot—subject to change.

Evolith 101

Adventurers may enhance their equipment with evolith through the following procedure:

1. Acquire evolith
- Evolith can be obtained by completing new NM hunting regimes accessible from "Hunt Registries" that will be introduced to certain areas alongside the Evolith system.
- Note that each piece of evolith is defined by a unique shape, size and elemental affinity.

 

 

 

 2. Choose the base equipment you wish to enhance
- A vast assortment of equipment will support evolith, from several hundred existing items spanning a wide range of levels to new equipment slated to be introduced alongside the Evolith system.
- You may check whether or not a particular piece of equipment supports evolith by trading it to one of the "Synergy Engineer" NPCs that will be dispatched to certain cities.

 

3. Prepare your equipment
- A maximum of three evolith-holding "slots" may be etched into a given piece of equipment via synergy.
Note that each slot will have its own shape, size, and elemental affinity, to correspond with the evolith itself.
- The etching process will require the use of dedicated items.
- Similar to augmented items, etching evolith slots into a piece of equipment will render it untradeable and unauctionable.

4. Confirm compatibility
- Ensure that the slot is of the same shape and elemental affinity, and is large enough to hold the piece of evolith you wish to attach.

5. Attach evolith
- Evolith may be attached to a compatible piece of equipment via synergy.
- It is possible to outfit a piece of equipment with as many pieces of evolith as slots it contains.

*Development screenshot—subject to change.

The Finished Product

Should your synergy be successful, congratulations! The help window for your newly evolith-enhanced equipment will appear like this:

*Development screenshot—subject to change.

- Evolith Replacement and Slot Removal
Should you wish to replace an attached piece of evolith with one offering different benefits, this may be done at time via synergy. It is also possible to remove evolith slots entirely—thereby returning the equipment to its original state—through synergy using a dedicated item. Note that in both cases, the previously attached piece of evolith will be lost.

With countless varieties of evolith in existence, the possibilities are endless. Seek out the combination that best suits your playing style, and the equipment of your dreams can be yours!

News from Final Fantasy XI.

Introducing the Add-on Trilogy Bonus Gift! (11/02/2009)

To commemorate the release of the third and final add-on scenario, we are proud to introduce the "Nexus Cape," an in-game bonus item for players who have purchased the entire trilogy. All characters under a single player account registered for all three add-ons will be eligible for this gift.
Owners of the FINAL FANTASY XI ULTIMATE COLLECTION, scheduled for release on November 10, can also shout with glee, as the gift will be available to them also.

Read on for the juicy details.

News from Final Fantasy XI.

To tide our fans over until the November 9th release of "A Shantotto Ascension—The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born," a brand new trailer has been made available on the official add-on scenario homepage. More details regarding equipment have also been added to the homepage, so be sure to check it out!

Hasten there now without delay!

News from Final Fantasy XI.

Shantotto Fan Art Contest Deadline Only Days Away!
 (10/28/2009)

Be fairly warned! Only six days remain until the submission period for the Shantotto Fan Art Contest, inspired by the imminent release of the third add-on scenario, "A Shantotto Ascension", comes to a close.

Submissions will be made available for the admiring pleasure of the entire world by way of an online gallery accessible via Topics, with all entries to be judged by a star-studded panel consisting of development and community team members. Selected winners are set to be awarded a special prize – the "Nomad Moogle Rod" in-game item!

Be sure to send in your masterpiece by the Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 deadline.
Don't miss this chance to flex your creative muscles and be a part of this premier community event!

Learn how to participate here.

*Please confirm all entry requirements and ensure that your artwork is attached in the correct format prior to submission.

News from Final Fantasy XI.

"A Shantotto Ascension" Now Available for Advance Purchase!  (10/26/2009)

It is our pleasure to announce that registration codes for "A Shantotto Ascension—The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born" are now available for purchase. The official site has been updated to mark this momentous occasion, so head on over and see what's in store!

Follow the "A Shantotto Ascension" banner on the PlayOnline Viewer's main FINAL FANTASY XI page to purchase your registration code.

Detailed information can be found at the official add-on scenario site.

*Purchasing users will be able to access the new content with the release of the next FINAL FANTASY XI version update, currently scheduled for November 9.
*One registration code will grant all characters within a single PlayOnline account access to "A Shantotto Ascension."

News from Final Fantasy XI.

Job Adjustments and Additions: Part II (10/21/2009)

Part II of our job adjustments and additions preview invites to center stage beastmasters and summoners, Vana'diel's wielders of animalistic and avatarial might!

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Summoner

A new ability will be added for summoners, and with it, a brand new way for these masters of forbidden magic to lend their powers to party battles.

Avatar's Favor (Lv.55  Recast Time: 5 minutes  Duration: 2 hours)
Channels the avatar's power towards a beneficial status effect for party members within range. Reduces perpetuation cost while active.

By summoning an avatar while this ability is active, a corresponding beneficial effect from above table will be granted to all party members within range of the avatar. The effect's potency will gradually increase until the avatar is released, and at its peak, can be expected to reach levels equal to those granted by the corsair's lucky number roll.
While multiple favors of the same variety will not be stackable, a single party can benefit from as many types as there are summoners. Furthermore, enhancements received through this ability can be used in conjunction with those received via magic spells, songs, the Phantom Roll ability, and so forth.

Beastmaster

Adjustments and additions have been scheduled that will greatly enhance the effectiveness of pets called forth via the "Call Beast" ability.

- New Pet Command: "Ready"
When in control of a pet called forth via the "Call Beast" ability, the pet command "Sic" will be replaced with "Ready." By fulfilling the following conditions, "Ready" will allow you to select a specific ability for the pet to use from its arsenal.
* The pet's TP is at 100% or more.
* Sufficient charges have accumulated for the ability you wish to use.

- Charges
Regardless of the beastmaster's level, one charge will accumulate for every two minutes after a pet has been called, up to a maximum of three. The amount of charges required will vary depending on ability.

Example: Funguar Familiar

We will continue to observe the beastmaster job following the release of the November version update, and as necessary, make adjustments to special abilities and calling items for each pet.

News from Final Fantasy XI.

Job Adjustments and Additions: Part I (10/14/2009)

Rangers throughout the realm, sharpen your arrows and polish your rifles!
A host of ability tweaks scheduled for the new version update promise to render your finely honed hunting skills more potent than ever.

Ranger Job Adjustments

Job Ability Adjustments
- Velocity Shot
The duration of this ability will be increased from five minutes to two hours.

- Unlimited Shot
Once activated, this ability will remain in effect until you successfully hit your mark.

- Camouflage
Rangers with this ability in effect will incur less enmity for ranged attacks. There will be a chance that the ability remains in effect even after a ranged attack, depending on your position relative to your target.

Ranged Attack Adjustments
- Ranged attack enmity
Less enmity will be incurred the further away you are from the target of your ranged attacks.

- Detailed damage messages for ranged attacks
Damage messages displayed after a successful ranged attack will indicate the effectiveness of the attack, allowing for players to better gauge their positioning. Critical hit and missed attack messages will remain unchanged.

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This concludes our preview of the adjustments scheduled for rangers in the upcoming version update.
Other jobs set to receive fine-tuning will be featured in the coming days, so keep your eyes glued to this space!

News from Final Fantasy XI.

Produce your own wedding! Presenting the new wedding support service! (10/13/2009)

The wedding service that has blessed countless couples in the holy bonds of matrimony will soon be reborn as an easier-to-use and even more extravagant service!
All of you out there thinking about a beautiful wedding in Vana'diel, why not ask one of the in-game NPCs about that special moment with your partner that will stay with you forever?

Click here to learn more!

March 2nd marked the date of the SQUARE ENIX Premier Summit at their studios in Santa Monica. Members representing several leading community sites, including Stratics, were flown to Los Angeles to speak with key members of the Community and Development teams including the President and Chief Operating Officer of SQUARE ENIX, INC.

Many topics were discussed mostly centering on the fostering of greater communication lines and strengthening relations with the player base. The big announcement on everyone's lips is of course the much anticipated addition of an officially supported window mode for FINAL FANTASY XI. A release date is, as of yet, not official but word from the source is, it is coming...

Be sure to read the full story here.