Dreams in Vanadiel - Final Fantasy XI Forum - News on FFXI

The Version Update Has Arrived! (09/08/2010)

Mhurron — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:33:44 GMT

The September version update has arrived, featuring "Scars of Abyssea," the long-awaited second installment in the Abyssea series of battle area add-ons!

This update will also unveil a host of exciting additions, including the second stage of the level cap increase, a wide assortment of job adjustments, the first half of the conclusion to the Wings of the Goddess missions, armor upgrade trials for Trial of the Magians, and much, much more.

Read up on all the details!

----------------------------------------------------------------

≪Sep. 9, 2010 (JST) Update Details≫
*Japan Standard Time

Installing this version update will unlock the content of the battle area add-on "Scars of Abyssea" for purchasing users.
*"Scars of Abyssea" requires the "Rise of the Zilart" and "Wings of the Goddess" expansions to be installed and registered.
*Some time may be required after purchasing the add-on before your registration data is reflected in-game. If the "Scars of Abyssea" logo remains faded even after purchase, please return to the FINAL FANTASY XI top page and wait a few minutes before logging into the game again.

Further details on "Scars of Abyssea" are available here.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Event-related

- New Wings of the Goddess missions have been added.

- The following changes and additions have been made to Trial of the Magians:

Several new trials have been added.
The Trial Log summoned forth by the Magian Specs item now offers a two-day (Vana'diel time) weather forecast for your area.
The objectives of certain trials, including monster types, weather/weekday conditions and finishing blows have been adjusted. These adjustments are applicable to trials in progress.

- Maze Monger clients can now confirm the time remaining until they can next order a maze by examining the Maze Mongers Shopfront, located within the Chocobo Stables (G-11) in Lower Jeuno.

- The following changes have been made to the Walk of Echoes:

The battlefield time limit has been increased from 30 to 45 minutes.
The conditions for receiving the right to cast lots on victory spoils have been alleviated.
The method of performance evaluation has been revised, allowing participants to be better rewarded for their efforts.
Monster behavior has been adjusted.

- The variety of fishes applicable to the quest "Inside the Belly" has been expanded.

- The quest "Hat in Hand" is no longer repeatable.

- The CRA racing center NPCs listed below have been removed. Registration for chocobo racing is now conducted at service counters located within the Chocobo Circuit.
Monteverle (Northern San d'Oria, J-9)
Ramiene (Port San d'Oria, H-8)
Galienne (Bastok Markets, G-8)
Salvador (Port Bastok, L-8)
Lhimo Keanyohn (Port Windurst, E-6)
Turumi-Byrumi (Windurst Waters, K-11)

- The following NPCs have been relocated to service counters within the Chocobo Circuit:
Alangriche (Southern San d'Oria, H-11)
Lafaurelle (Southern San d'Oria, I-11)
Jazgeh (Bastok Mines, J-9)
Zagied (Bastok Mines, J-9)
Rungaga (Port Windurst, K-12)
Chualulu (Windurst Waters, K-12)

- The following additions and refinements have been made to Abyssea:

The "add to lottable spoils" option has been added for items obtained from gold pyxides, with the exception of augmented items, temporary items and key items.

Enemies defeated will now yield greater amounts of cruor.

System messages have been added to indicate successful strikes against an enemy's weak point.

Defeating an enemy by attacking its weak point will now yield a greater variety of spoils.

Your remaining Visitant duration will now be shown in the message window when resting.

Remaining Visitant time will no longer be lost upon exiting Abyssea without receiving Visitant status.

You may now obtain multiple "forbidden keys" in one transaction from the Cruor Prospector NPC.

An option has been added to obtain all status enhancements from the Cruor Prospector NPC. This option will only be displayed when you are not currently receiving any enhancements.

The NPC Joachim will now inform adventurers of the quantity of traverser stones he currently has in stock. When he has no stones in stock, he will reveal the remaining time before a stone next becomes available.

- The NPC Horst, newly added to Port Jeuno, can transport adventurers to any cavernous maw leading to a previously visited Abyssea area in exchange for cruor. Adventurers may also confirm with him the amount of cruor currently in their possession.

Battle-related

- The maximum job level has been increased to 85.
To advance beyond level 80, you must first complete the new quest "Expanding Horizons" offered by the Nomad Moogle in Ru'Lude Gardens.

- The following new job abilities have been added:

Divine Caress (WHM Lv.83 Ability Delay: 1 min. Effect Duration: 1 min.)
If the next spell you cast cures a status ailment, your target will gain enhanced resistance to that ailment.

Saboteur (RDM Lv.83 Ability Delay: 5 min. Effect Duration: 1 min.)
If the next spell you cast is enfeebling magic, its effect and duration will be enhanced.

Spur (BST Lv.83 Ability Delay: 3 min. Effect Duration: 90 sec.)
Grants "Store TP" effect to pets.

Tenuto (BRD Lv.83 Ability Delay: 15 sec. Effect Duration: 1 min.)
If the next song you cast affects yourself, it will not subsequently be overwritten by other songs.

Soul Jump (DRG Lv.85 Effect Duration: 3 min.)
Delivers a high jumping attack on a targeted enemy which suppresses enmity. Effect enhanced when wyvern is present.
*The recast timer for Soul Jump is shared with High Jump.

Blood Pact: Ward "Earthen Armor" (SMN Lv.82 Ability Delay: 1 min.)
Mitigates the impact of severely damaging attacks for party members within area of effect.

Blood Pact: Ward "Tidal Roar" (SMN Lv.84 Ability Delay: 1 min.)
Lowers attack for enemies within area of effect.

Efflux (BLU Lv.83 Ability Delay: 3 min. Effect Duration: 1 min.)
If the next spell you cast is a "physical" blue magic spell, a TP bonus will be granted.

Courser's Roll (COR Lv.81)
Enhances "Snapshot" effect for party members within area of effect. Lucky number: 3. Unlucky number: 9.

Blitzer's Roll (COR Lv.83)
Reduces melee attack delay for party members within area of effect. Lucky number: 4. Unlucky number: 9.

Deus Ex Automata (PUP Lv.5 Ability Delay: 1 min.)
Calls forth your automaton in an unsound state.

Feather Step (DNC Lv.83 Ability Delay: 15 sec.)
Lowers a target's critical hit evasion. If successful, will earn you a finishing move.
*The recast timer for Feather Step is shared with Steps.

- The following job abilities have undergone adjustments:

The warrior ability "Restraint" no longer prevents the user from dealing critical hits.

The thief ability "Despoil" now has an increased success rate, and the status ailment inflicted upon the enemy will be displayed in the message log.

The beastmaster ability "Call Beast" has received four new jugs:
Curdled Plasma Broth / Goblin Bug Broth / Bubbling Carrion Broth / Chirping Grasshopper Broth

The beastmaster ability "Reward" has had minimum level requirements placed on pet food as follows, and the healing effect has been increased accordingly for food of higher levels:

- Pet Food Alpha (Level 12)
- Pet Food Beta (Level 24)
- Pet Food Gamma (Level 36)
- Pet Food Delta (Level 48)
- Pet Food Epsilon (Level 60)
- Pet Food Zeta (Level 72)

The bard songs "Chocobo Mazurka" and "Raptor Mazurka" are now effective in non-field areas.
Elemental ninjutsu have received a damage increase.

The dragoon ability "Spirit Jump" is now affected by the "Jump Recast" merit point skill.

The enhanced effect of the dragoon ability "Spirit Jump" when your wyvern is present has been increased further.

Wyverns summoned with the dragoon ability "Call Wyvern" can now level up with experience gained in Abyssea.

The amount of MP required to sustain avatars has been decreased for summoners level 76 and above.

The following blood pacts have had their effect duration lengthened:
Hastega / Crimson Howl / Frost Armor / Rolling Thunder / Lightning Armor

The following blood pacts have had their effect duration lengthened commensurate with summoning magic skill, regardless of whether or not the skill has been increased to its maximum:
Shining Ruby / Glittering Ruby / Hastega / Crimson Howl / Frost Armor / Rolling Thunder / Lightning Armor / Ecliptic Growl / Ecliptic Howl / Noctoshield / Dream Shroud

The effect of the summoner ability "Avatar's Favor" has been increased proportionally to the caster's summoning magic skill.

The maximum amount of MP drainable using the summoner ability "Elemental Siphon" has been increased.

The maximum amount of MP restorable with the blue magic spell "Battery Charge" has been increased. (The rate of MP restoration has been slightly reduced, but the total duration of the spell effect has been increased.)

Assigned sets of blue magic will remain stored even after changing jobs.

It will now be possible to accumulate TP and increase marksmanship skill using the corsair ability "Quick Draw."

The duration of the corsair ability "Double Up" upon a roll of 11 has been reduced to five minutes.

When level restriction results in a puppetmaster's automaton being deactivated in a state of full or nearly full health, the ability "Activate" will now be usable immediately.

The items below usable with the puppetmaster ability "Repair" will now provide immediate HP restoration in addition to their existing Regen effect. Their purchase price will also be reduced.
Automaton Oil / Automaton Oil +1 / Automaton Oil +2

The ability delay for the dancer ability "Presto" has been changed to thirty seconds, and will no longer share its recast timer with Steps.

The dancer ability "Presto" will now also provide an accuracy bonus to the next Step used.

The amount of TP obtainable by the Job Trait "Occult Acumen" has been increased.

- New job traits have been added to certain jobs.
The jobs listed below will each welcome an existing trait to their arsenal upon reaching the specified level, beyond which the degree of mastery will increase in stages.

Trait............................Jobs..........Eff ect

Skillchain Bonus............MNK Lv.85......Improves skillchain damage.
..............................NIN Lv.85
Shield Def. Bonus........WHM Lv.85......Reduces damage taken when blocking an attack with a shield.
Occult Acumen ...........BLM Lv.85.......Grants bonus TP when dealing damage with elemental or dark magic.
Mag. Burst Bonus........RDM Lv.85......Improves magic burst damage.
Dual Wield................THF Lv.83.......Allows you to equip two weapons.
Crit. Atk. Bonus..........DRK Lv.85.......Improves power of critical hits.
Fencer....................BRD Lv.85.......Increases rate of critical hits when wielding with the main hand only. ................................................Gr ants a TP bonus to weapon skills.
Crit. Def. Bonus.........DRG Lv.85.......Improves defense against critical hits.
...........................PUP Lv.85
True Shot ...............COR Lv.85........Grants a damage bonus to ranged attacks performed at an appropriate distance.

- The following magic spells have been added:

White Magic
- Enlight: PLD Lv.85

- Addle: RDM Lv.83
- Refresh II: RDM Lv.82
- Cura II: WHM Lv.83
- Gain-VIT: RDM Lv.81
- Gain-MND: RDM Lv.84
- Boost-VIT: WHM Lv.81
- Boost-MND: WHM Lv.84
- Animus Augeo: SCH Lv.85
- Animus Minuo: SCH Lv.85

Black Magic
- Endark: DRK Lv.85
- Aero V: BLM Lv.83
- Break: BLM Lv.85
- Stoneja: BLM Lv.81
- Waterja: BLM Lv.84

Songs
- Mage's Ballad III: BRD Lv.85
- Earth Carol II: BRD Lv.81
- Water Carol II: BRD Lv.84
- Sentinel's Scherzo: BRD Lv.82
- Foe Lullaby II: BRD Lv.83

Ninjutsu
- Myoshu: Ichi: NIN Lv.85
*Uses the ninja tool, "kabenro."
- Yurin: Ichi: NIN Lv.83
*Uses the ninja tool, "jinko."

- The following magic spells will now be learnable by new jobs.

White Magic
- Regen III: SCH Lv.83

Black Magic
- Aero III: DRK Lv.84
- Aero IV: RDM Lv.83
- Water V: SCH Lv.83 (Addendum: Black)
- Aspir II: BLM Lv.83

- Many new blue magic spells have been added.

- Maximum values have been increased for certain enhancing magic, dark magic, and blue magic spells whose potency is commensurate with casting skill.

- New weapon skills have been added.

- The exclusive weapon skills for relic and mythic weapons may now be used by level 75 or higher characters even when they are being subjected to a level restriction.

- The following weapon skills have had their attributes adjusted:
Aeolian Edge / Sanguine Blade / Herculean Slash / Bora Axe / Fell Cleave / Infernal Scythe / Flash Nova / Cataclysm / Blade: Yu / Tachi: Ageha

- A change to the algorithm used to calculate status effects for player characters and automatons has been implemented.

- Manual removal of the following status icons has been temporarily disabled:
STR Boost / DEX Boost / VIT Boost / AGI Boost / INT Boost / MND Boost / CHR Boost

- Level and/or placement of certain monsters have been adjusted in the following areas:
Mount Zhayolm / Aydeewa Subterrane / Caedarva Mire / Arrapago Reef

Item-Related

- New toolbags have been added for the following ninjutsu tools:
Jinko / Kabenro

- The following equipment and furnishings may now be entrusted to the storage NPC:
San d'Orian Flag / Bastokan Flag / Windurstian Flag / Carillon Vermeil / Aeolsglocke / Leafbell

- Many new pieces of equipment have been added.

- New synthesis recipes have been added.

- New synergy recipes have been added.

< Rank: Initiate >
Item.....................Craft...................I ngredients
Squat Table.........Woodworking.........Beech Lumber x 2

< Rank: Novice >
Item.......................Craft.................. Ingredients
Leisure Table.........Woodworking.........Darksteel Sheet x 2, Rosewood Lumber x 2
.........................Smithing
Goblin Bug Broth.......Cooking..............Rotten Meat, Lugworm, Shell Bug x 2

< Rank: Apprentice >
Item................................Craft......... .......Ingredients
Bubbling Carrion Broth.........Cooking.........Kazham Peppers, Gelatin, Hare Meat, Distilled Water, Rotten Meat
Chirping Grasshopper Broth...Cooking.....Skull Locust x 2, La Theine Cabbage, Gysahl Greens, Little Worm, Shell Bug
Curdled Plasma Broth..........Cooking......Fiend Blood, Beastman Blood, Bird Blood

< Rank: Craftsman >
Item...........................Craft.............. .....Ingredients
Vaisselier Royale..........Woodworking..........Ebony Lumber x 6, Phrygian Gold Ingot
..............................Goldsmithing
Tidings Board..............Woodworking..........Slime Oil, Dogwood Lumber x 4, Urushi, Qiqirn Sandbag, Green Textile Dye
..............................Alchemy

- New furnishings have been added.

- The stackable quantity of the "Forbidden Key" item has been increased from 12 to 99.

- The stackable quantity of the "Plateau Chestnut" item has been increased from 1 to 12.

- The icons for the following items have been adjusted:
Carnelian / Fulmenite / Heliodor / Aventurine / Clarite / Larimar / Selenite / Tenebrite / Flame Earring / Thunder Earring / Soil Earring / Breeze Earring / Snow Earring / Aqua Earring / Light Earring / Darkness Earring / Vulcan's Earring / Jupiter's Earring / Terra's Earring / Auster's Earring / Aquilo's Earring / Pluto's Earring / Vulcan's Ring / Neptune's Ring / Terra's Ring / Auster's Ring / Jupiter's Ring / Aquilo's Ring / Apollo's Ring / Pluto's Ring

- The rare designation has been removed from the "Whistle Coupon" item.

System-related

- A new search comment category has been added for Trial of the Magians.

Resolved Issues

- An issue in MMM Revitalization Team mazes wherein consumed temporary items could be reobtained has been addressed.

- An issue with the quest "Catch It If You Can!" wherein speaking to the NPC even with the necessary conditions fulfilled would not advance the quest has been resolved.

- An issue wherein the Monk ability "Perfect Counter" would sometimes fail to counter has been addressed. This counter, however, may still miss on occasion.

- An issue wherein weapon skills obtained while a character's skill value was enhanced by equipment or merit points would not immediately appear in the menu has been resolved.

- An issue wherein the NMs Ovni and Turul would freeze in motion has been addressed.

- An issue wherein the evolith providing "Magic Attack Bonus" against specific monster families was not functioning as intended has been resolved.

- An issue wherein simultaneously equipping Vampiric Mitts and Vampiric Boots would not produce the intended set effect has been resolved.

- The following item name has been changed to alleviate confusion:
Aqua Earring -> Aquamarine Earring

Known Issues

- The help text for the "Carol II" series of bard songs omits the following information:
"...and sometimes nullifies (element) attacks."

Version Update Preview (09/07/2010)

Grizzlebeard — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:04:29 GMT

Version Update Preview (09/07/2010)

Besides the plethora of job-related adjustments and additions already announced, the upcoming version update will usher in a broad spectrum of other refinements. Players can look forward to improvements in areas such as search comments, Walk of Echoes, Abyssea, and the quest Inside the Belly.

Search Comment

Trial of the Magians will be added as a new search comment category, allowing Magian trial parties to be formed with greater ease.

Walk of Echoes

Considerable changes will be applied to the Walk of Echoes, making it more accessible and rewarding than before.
- The time limit for battlefields will be extended, and monster behavior adjusted.
- The method of performance evaluation will be revised.
- The conditions for receiving the right to cast lots on victory spoils will be alleviated.

Inside the Belly

The variety of fishes applicable to the Inside the Belly quest will be expanded, allowing for new items to be obtained.

Abyssea

Abyssean monsters will yield greater amounts of cruor, a phenomenon theorized by scientists as a potential side effect of the perpetually crimson sky. Adventurers will also be given the option to place items obtained from pyxides into the pool of lot spoils.

The new NPC "Horst" will be posted in Port Jeuno. Adventurers may request Horst to instantaneously teleport them to any Cavernous Maw leading to an Abyssea area they have previously visited.

*"Vision of Abyssea" and "Scars of Abyssea" require the "Rise of the Zilart" and "Wings of the Goddess" expansions to be installed and registered.
*The game data for "Scars of Abyssea" will be distributed via the FINAL FANTASY XI version update scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2010.

Besides the above, many more additions and refinements are in the works. All the juicy details can be perused upon the release of the September version update!

Job Adjustments Part II (09/03/2010)

Malacite — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:08:43 GMT

As previously announced, the September version update will see the unveiling of a variety of new job abilities, traits, and spells. Besides these additions, existing job abilities will also see wide-ranging adjustments and refinements.

Read on for the details!

-----------------------------------

FINAL FANTASY XI Official Web Site

As previously announced, the September version update will see the unveiling of a variety of new job abilities, traits, and spells. Besides these additions, existing job abilities will also see wide-ranging adjustments and refinements.

The following adjustments will be made to existing job abilities:
- The warrior ability "Restraint" will no longer prevent the user from dealing critical hits.

- The thief ability "Despoil" will have an increased success rate, and the status ailment inflicted upon the enemy will be displayed in the message log.

- The beastmaster ability "Call Beast" will receive four new jugs:
Curdled Plasma Broth / Goblin Bug Broth / Bubbling Carrion Broth / Chirping Grasshopper Broth

- The beastmaster ability "Reward" will have minimum level requirements placed on pet food as follows, and the healing effect will be increased accordingly for food of higher levels:
- Pet Food Alpha (Level 12)
- Pet Food Beta (Level 24)
- Pet Food Gamma (Level 36)
- Pet Food Delta (Level 48)
- Pet Food Epsilon (Level 60)
- Pet Food Zeta (Level 72)

- The bard songs "Chocobo Mazurka" and "Raptor Mazurka" will be effective in non-field areas.

- Elemental ninjutsu will receive a damage increase.

- The dragoon ability "Spirit Jump" will be affected by the "Jump Recast" merit point skill.

- The enhanced effect of the dragoon ability "Spirit Jump" when your wyvern is present will be increased further.

- Wyverns summoned with the dragoon ability "Call Wyvern" will be able to level up with experience gained in Abyssea.

- Summoners level 76 and above will see a decrease in the amount of MP required to sustain summoned avatars.

- The following blood pacts will have their effect duration lengthened commensurate with summoning magic skill, regardless of whether or not the skill has been increased to its maximum:
Shining Ruby / Glittering Ruby / Hastega / Crimson Howl / Frost Armor / Rolling Thunder / Lightning Armor / Ecliptic Growl / Ecliptic Howl / Noctoshield / Dream Shroud

- The maximum amount of MP drainable using the summoner ability "Elemental Siphon" will be increased.

- The maximum amount of MP restorable with the blue magic spell "Battery Charge" will be increased. This will be accomplished by reducing the rate of MP restoration slightly, but increasing the total duration of the spell effect.

- Your assigned set of blue magic will remain stored even after changing jobs.

- It will now be possible to accumulate TP and increase marksmanship skill using the corsair ability "Quick Draw."

- The duration of the corsair ability "Double Up" upon a roll of 11 will be reduced to five minutes.
*To compensate for this, enhancements to "Lucky 11" rolls are being planned for future updates, so please stay tuned!

- The puppetmaster ability "Deus Ex Automata" will be added.
- Deus Ex Automata (PUP Lv.5 / Ability Delay: 1 min.)
Calls forth your automaton in an unsound state.

- When level restriction results in a puppetmaster's automaton being deactivated in a state of full or nearly full health, the ability "Activate" will become immediately usable.

- The following items usable with the puppetmaster ability "Repair" will provide immediate HP restoration in addition to their existing Regen effect. Their purchase price will also be reduced.
Automaton Oil / Automaton Oil +1 / Automaton Oil +2

------------

OMFG HQ SLIME JUG!

Scars of Abyssea Trailer Goes Live! (09/02/2010)

Malacite — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:35:48 GMT

With Scars of Abyssea now available for advance purchase via PlayOnline, players have no doubt been wondering what challenges await them. Well, wonder no more, for a promotional trailer offering a sneak peek at this latest battle add-on is now available!

The official site has also been updated with details on Empyrean Armor, a powerful new set of equipment that will be available to those who prove themselves worthy. Players can also get a glimpse of some of the frightful fiends that prowl the battered lands of this dying world. Check it out today!

Access the official Scars of Abyssea site.

*Scars of Abyssea will become playable to purchasing users upon downloading and installing the next FINAL FANTASY XI version update, currently scheduled for Wednesday, September 8.

Job Adjustments Part I (08/27/2010)

Malacite — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:20:15 GMT

Job Adjustments Part I (08/27/2010)
The upcoming version update, featuring the next stage in the level cap increase, fast approaches, and the development team is feverishly preparing a veritable banquet of new job abilities and spells especially for this momentous occasion. With select jobs also set to welcome existing traits to their arsenal, there is bound to be something to satisfy every adventurer palate.

So what manner of delectable delights will be served at this sumptuous feast?
Read on for the appetite-whetting details.

---------------------------------------------------------

FINAL FANTASY XI Official Web Site

The upcoming version update, featuring the next stage in the level cap increase, fast approaches, and the development team is feverishly preparing a veritable banquet of new job abilities and spells especially for this momentous occasion. With select jobs also set to welcome existing traits to their arsenal, there is bound to be something to satisfy every adventurer palate.

The following new job abilities will be added:
Divine Caress (WHM Lv.83 Ability Delay: 1 min. Effect Duration: 1 min.)
If the next spell you cast cures a status ailment, your target will gain enhanced resistance to that ailment.

Saboteur (RDM Lv.83 Ability Delay: 5 min. Effect Duration: 1 min.)
If the next spell you cast is enfeeblement magic, its effect and duration will be enhanced.

Spur (BST Lv.83 Ability Delay: 3 min. Effect Duration: 90 sec.)
Grants "Store TP" effect to pets.

Tenuto (BRD Lv.83 Ability Delay: 15 sec. Effect Duration: 1 min.)
If the next song you cast affects yourself, it will not subsequently be overwritten by other songs.

Soul Jump (DRG Lv.85 Effect Duration: 3 min.)
Delivers a high jumping attack on a targeted enemy which suppresses enmity. Effect enhanced when wyvern is present.
*The recast timer for Soul Jump is shared with High Jump.

Blood Pact: Ward "Earthen Armor" (SMN Lv.82 Ability Delay: 1 min.)
Mitigates the impact of severely damaging attacks for party members within area of effect.

Blood Pact: Ward "Tidal Roar" (SMN Lv.84 Ability Delay: 1 min.)
Lowers attack for enemies within area of effect.

Efflux (BLU Lv.83 Ability Delay: 3 min. Effect Duration: 1 min.)
If the next spell you cast is a "physical" blue magic spell, a TP bonus will be granted.

Courser's Roll (COR Lv.81)
Enhances "Snapshot" effect for party members within area of effect. Lucky number: 3. Unlucky number: 9.

Blitzer's Roll (COR Lv.83)
Reduces melee attack delay for party members within area of effect. Lucky number: 4. Unlucky number: 9.

Feather Step (DNC Lv.83 Ability Delay: 15 sec.)
Lowers a target's critical hit evasion. If successful, will earn you a finishing move.
*The recast timer for Feather Step is shared with Steps.

Job Traits
The jobs listed below will each welcome an existing trait to their arsenal upon reaching the specified level, beyond which the degree of mastery will increase in stages.

Job...................Level....................Job Trait
MNK..................Lv.85..............Skillchain Bonus
WHM.................Lv.85..............Shield Def. Bonus
RDM..................Lv.85..............Mag. Burst Bonus
THF..................Lv.83...............Dual Wield
DRK..................Lv.85...............Crit. Atk. Bonus
BRD..................Lv.85...............Fencer
NIN..................Lv.85...............Skillchai n Bonus
COR.................Lv.85...............True Shot
PUP..................Lv.85..............Crit. Def. Bonus

The following new spells will be added:

- White Magic
Enlight: PLD Lv.85
Addle: RDM Lv.83
Refresh II: RDM Lv.82
Cura II: WHM Lv.83
Gain-VIT: RDM Lv.81
Gain-MND: RDM Lv.84
Boost-VIT: WHM Lv.81
Boost-MND: WHM Lv.84
Animus Augeo: SCH Lv.85
Animus Minuo: SCH Lv.85

- Black Magic
Endark: DRK Lv.85
Aero V: BLM Lv.83
Break: BLM Lv.85
Stoneja: BLM Lv.81
Waterja: BLM Lv.84

- Songs
Mage's Ballad III: BRD Lv.85
Earth Carol II: BRD Lv.81
Water Carol II: BRD Lv.84
Sentinel's Scherzo: BRD Lv.82
Foe Lullaby II: BRD Lv.83

- Ninjutsu
Myoshu: Ichi: NIN Lv.85
*Uses the ninja tool, "kabenro."
Yurin: Ichi: NIN Lv.83
*Uses the ninja tool, "jinko."

More jobs will be able to learn the following spells:
- White Magic
Regen III: SCH Lv.83 (Addendum: Black)

- Black Magic
Aero III: DRK Lv.84
Aero IV: RDM Lv.83
Water V: SCH Lv.83 (Addendum: Black)
Aspir II: BLM Lv.83

Several new blue magic spells will be added.

In addition to the above, performance-enhancing tweaks are also in the pipes for numerous existing job abilities. The exciting details will be announced in the very near future, so keep watching this space!

------

Still reading it, but HOLY CRAP HASTE AND SNAPSHOT ROLLS FOR COR! DAMAGE REDUCTION PACT FOR SMN!!!! EPIC WIN!!!!

Level Cap to Be Lifted to New Heights! (08/25/2010)

Grizzlebeard — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:35:26 GMT

The impending version update will usher in the second stage of the level cap increase, bringing players' maximum attainable level from 80 to 85!

To provide a fitting challenge to players who achieve these newfound heights of power, we will be adjusting monster level and placement in certain Treasures of Aht Urhgan areas to create daunting new battlegrounds.

A host of new abilities, job traits, and spells will also be added for the newly-unlocked levels. Needless to say, these will be designed to provide players with exciting new possibilities while preserving game balance as they achieve even higher levels in the future.

New Job Abilities

- White Mage: An ability offering increased resistance against status ailments.
- Red Mage: An ability that enhances the potency of enfeebling magic.
- Bard: An ability that prevents songs cast on oneself from being overwritten.
- Beastmaster: A new pet command.
- Dragoon: A new jump.
- Summoner: New blood pacts.
- Corsair: New phantom rolls
- Dancer: A new step.

New Job Traits

- Monk: Skillchain Bonus
- White Mage: Shield Def. Bonus
- Red Mage: Mag. Burst Bonus
- Thief: Dual Wield
- Dark Knight: Crit. Atk. Bonus
- Bard: Fencer
- Ninja: Skillchain Bonus
- Corsair: True Shot
- Puppetmaster: Crit. Def. Bonus

New Spells

- Enhancement spells that increase the attributes of party members
- Magic spells to manage enmity levels
- A song that reduces damage taken by party members
- New ninjutsu
- New blue magic spells

These new abilities will be covered in further detail in future articles, so keep watching this space!

Trial of the Magians to Usher in Additions, Improvements (08/20/2010)

Malacite — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:03:03 GMT

Are you one of the many adventurers testing your limits through Trial of the Magians? If so, you'll be pleased to know that a host of additions and improvements are on the way, promising to make this system more rewarding than ever!

Read on for the details!
------------------------------------

Are you one of the many adventurers testing your limits through Trial of the Magians? If so, you'll be pleased to know that a host of additions and improvements are on the way, promising to make this system more rewarding than ever!

Introduction of Armor Trials
To this point, Trial of the Magians has focused on the enhancement of weapons. New trials to be introduced in the coming version update, however, will be centered on a new series of armor that will be obtainable in Abyssea. A unique set will exist for each job, and when augmented through trials, their powers will truly be a sight to behold!

Additional Weapon Trials
Along with the all-new armor trials, additional weapon trials will also see their debut. Through these, weapons obtained via past trials, including Empyrean weapons, may be augmented to heretofore-uncharted levels of power. These weapons will not only boast improved attributes, but also allow their wielders to unleash new weapon skills.

The Marvelous Magian Spectacles
Is there anything these stylish and practical specs can't do? With the next version update, the tome summoned forth by this item will provide you with a two-day weather forecast for your current area.

Objective Adjustments
The objectives of certain trials, including monster types, weather/weekday conditions and finishing blows are scheduled to receive refinements.

----------------------------------------------------------------

I totally saw this coming. AF3 = magian trials (so maybe there will be multiple versions of each AF3? That'd be awesome) and new Empyreal WS! I didn't expect them to adjust the difficulty of trials again though. Good thing they did the killshots thing because the trials for Relic & Mythics are unbearable (1k+ killshots with the WS...)

Play Both FINAL FANTASY XI and FINAL FANTASY XIV, Receive Perks! (08/17/2010)

Malacite — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:21:19 GMT

Perks for Simultaneous Players of Both FINAL FANTASY XI and FINAL FANTASY XIV

With FINAL FANTASY XIV's scheduled release date of September 30th (September 22nd for the Collector's Edition) rapidly approaching, a host of special deals are in the works for players who elect to pursue adventure in both Vana'diel and Eorzea.

Players who maintain subscriptions to both FINAL FANTASY XI and FINAL FANTASY XIV will be eligible for such perks as significantly discounted FINAL FANTASY XI monthly service fees, a bonus FINAL FANTASY XIV in-game item, and the ability to transfer their FINAL FANTASY XI character name to FINAL FANTASY XIV.

Check out the details!

Link a PlayOnline ID with an active FINAL FANTASY XI Content ID to a Square Enix account with an active FINAL FANTASY XIV service account to discount your FINAL FANTASY XI monthly service fees from $12.95 to $7.00 .

* These perks will remain available until January 2011.
* This FINAL FANTASY XI monthly service fee discount applies to users paying by credit card.
* No discount will be applied to a month’s service fees if FINAL FANTASY XIV is in a free trial period on the 26th of the month.
* Additional fees will be incurred for additional FINAL FANTASY XI Content IDs.

If you have multiple PlayOnline IDs, you can receive discounts according to the number of FINAL FANTASY XIV service accounts you have.

- If you have multiple PlayOnline IDs linked to a Square Enix account with a single FINAL FANTASY XIV service account, you will be able to receive a discount for one of your PlayOnline IDs.
- If you have multiple PlayOnline IDs linked to a Square Enix account with multiple FINAL FANTASY XIV service accounts, the number of PlayOnline IDs that you can receive discounts for will be the same as the number of FINAL FANTASY XIV service accounts on your Square Enix account.
* Even if you have multiple active FINAL FANTASY XIV service accounts, the monthly service fee discount for a single PlayOnline ID will not change.

Example of discounts based on the number of PlayOnline IDs and service accounts on a single Square Enix account:
Number of FINAL FANTASY XIV service accounts (being billed) Number of active FINAL FANTASY XI PlayOnline IDs Number of PlayOnline IDs that can receive a discount 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 3 2
* A maximum of eight FINAL FANTASY XIV service accounts can be added to a single Square Enix account. Therefore, a maximum of eight PlayOnline IDs can receive a monthly service fee discount.

If a PlayOnline ID with an active FINAL FANTASY XI Content ID is linked to a Square Enix account with a FINAL FANTASY XIV service account, all new characters created on that FINAL FANTASY XIV service account will start out possessing a special in-game item.

* Please note that you will not be able to receive a special in-game item in the following cases:
- If you have created a character before linking your PlayOnline ID (It is, however, possible to receive the in-game item by deleting the characters you created, linking your PlayOnline ID, and then re-creating your characters).
- If, at the time of creating your FINAL FANTASY XIV character, the linked PlayOnline ID’s FINAL FANTASY XI Content IDs are invalid (the Content IDs have been cancelled and are thus not being billed).
- If the linked PlayOnline ID’s FINAL FANTASY XI is in the free trial period.

When creating a new FINAL FANTASY XIV character, FINAL FANTASY XI players’ character names will be prioritized. The character’s name will become “Given Name: the Player Character’s name in FINAL FANTASY XI” + “Surname: the name of the Player Character’s World.”

For example: FINAL FANTASY XI Player Character name: Destiny Player Character’s FINAL FANTASY XI World name: Odin ↓ Usable name in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Destiny Odin

* Please note that you will not be able to transfer your Player Character name in the following cases:
- If you have created a character before linking your PlayOnline ID (It is, however, possible to transfer Player Character names by deleting the characters you created, linking your PlayOnline ID, and then re-creating your characters).
- If, at the time of creating your FINAL FANTASY XIV character, the linked PlayOnline ID’s FINAL FANTASY XI Content IDs are invalid (the Content IDs have been cancelled and are thus not being billed).
- If the linked PlayOnline ID’s FINAL FANTASY XI is in the free trial period.
- If there are no FINAL FANTASY XI characters on the linked PlayOnline ID.

* If you have recently created a character, transferred Worlds, or used the Character Reactivation Service on FINAL FANTASY XI, it may take some time before you can transfer your Player Character name to FINAL FANTASY XIV.
* Users can create characters with new names, regardless of whether a PlayOnline ID is linked or not.
For information on using a Square Enix account or linking PlayOnline IDs, please refer to Using a Square Enix Account.
©2002-2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

New Version Update Announcement! (08/11/2010)

Malacite — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:14:56 GMT

We are pleased to announce that our development team is hard at work on the new FINAL FANTASY XI version update, currently on schedule for an early September release.

This update will usher in the next stage of the level cap increase, as well as the first half of what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the epic Wings of the Goddess missions.

Players can also look forward to refinements to the Walk of Echoes, additional trials and enhancements for Trial of the Magians, job adjustments, and much more.

Sneak previews of the new content will be posted in the coming days, so keep checking Topics for all the latest news!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You FUCKERS! I thought WotG was supposed to end in September, GDI they are trying to force XIV people to stay on board GRRRRRR. #@&*^*&@#^&%#&^%!&^%!@&!%

Also, that looks like a BST casting Refresh (and aren't lady bugs uncharmable atm?)