[Fleist]

One problem I had was that I was leveling a level 29 MNK synched with level 20s.

When I unsynched after leveling to 32, I realized that my H2H was still at level 29, and I had to skill up to H2H of a level 32.

In other words, if you're level 74 or below, synching with lower levels will not increase your combat skill levels.

Did anyone else have that issue?

[Yellow Mage]

Yes, everyone else is having that issue. A minor annoyance, but a fair one, and by no means insurmountable.

[The Mauva Syndicate]

Yeah - but I don't go to XP parties for skill-ups - I try to keep my skills capped for my true level. Which means they are capped when sync'd

[Queen Uma]

I can forsee this being a problem with level syncing.

Party has various members from say 60-75 and a 54, they sync to the lvl 54 player and go kill Colibri or w/e. Now they have a camp and everything is going well until the lvl 54 player wants to leave. He find the first xxx job he can find, invites them to replace him and leaves. Now if replacement is the same level (give or take) as the other player, there is no problem, but if they are higher then the party will have to go through the rigours of finding another camp spot*, getting transport etc. Potential headache for pickup, synced parties especially if members brought capped gear for a mid-50s party.


*yes I know its not that hard to move from a level 54 camp to a level 60 one because they'll more than likely be in a ToAU zone. That was just an example.

[Telera]

Originally Posted by Malacite

The idea is they don't want you abusing your awesome gear in capped areas, so it makes perfect sense.

It made perfect sense up until they left the negatives in full effect, utterly non-scaled, and scaled only the positives, often eradicating them altogether.

I can understand the positive scaling, but why were the negatives left alone?

The ideology behind it is sacrificing in one skill to gain in another. Like all those Atk +, Eva - earrings and the like. But when you eradicate the Atk+ and leave the Eva -, that defeats the purpose entirely. You are no longer gaining anything to need to have to 'sacrifice' anything else, and yet you do.

That's my only problem with it, I have no problem with the positives being scaled down, I only have problems when they're all but destroyed, and yet the negative 'balances' in the gear are left in full effect regardless of level.

[Armando]

I still think most people are blowing this out of proportion. Again, lolbasestats. After doing some limited testing I really do believe they're not scaling stats so much as they're restricting them to certain equivalents. For example, my Bibiki Seashell grants no VIT in Promyvion-Mea. Nor does my Gallant Surcoat (4 VIT normally.) You can't find a Lv.30 ammo piece that gives VIT. Yet my R.G. Collar grants me the full 4 Attack - probably because Tiger Stole is equippable at level 30 and gives 5 Attack. My Fang Earring (4 Attack) was reduced down to 2 Attack, the same as NQ Beetle Earrings. My Amemet granted no Attack (no Attack back pieces at this level.) Dusk Trousers (14 Attack) granted 2 (1 less than Bastokan Subligar.) Walmart Turban (+30 HP/MP) granted +15 MP (same as NQ Silver Hairpin.)

Another thing is that armor pieces with different Defenses are giving me the same amount. Fourth Division Gauntlets (13 Def) and Dusk Gauntlets (24) both give 9 Defense, the same NQ Eisen. Gallant Leggings (34 Def) and Dusk Trousers (47) both give 17 Defense, again the same as Eisen. Gallant Surcoat and Haub both give 24 Def like Eisenbrust, Gallant Coronet gave 13 like Eisenschaller, Dusk and Gallant feet both gave 8 Def like Eisenschuhs. Koenig Shield gave 8 Def like Kite Shield. It doesn't give any VIT, whereas Turtle Shield would give +3, but perhaps because they're different shield sizes, that parallel isn't made. Amemet Mantle gave 4 Def like Wolf Mantle. Insomnia Earring (+15 HP/MP) gave +2 HP (like Opal Earring) and +4 MP (like Morion Earring.)

I stand by my original opinion that this system makes sense. If we were allowed to keep the stats on our gear, except scaled down, we would still have a lot of +stats all over the place that an equal-level player just can't get in any way, and SE clearly stated that a Sync'd player shouldn't out-stat an appropriately-geared player of that level. Just Haub, Amemet, and Lifebelt alone would give me an edge over a normal Lv.30 player even if the Acc and Attack got scaled down.

P.S. Running around in Dusk without the speed reduction is the shizznit. LOL.

P.P.S.

The ideology behind it is sacrificing in one skill to gain in another. Like all those Atk +, Eva - earrings and the like. But when you eradicate the Atk+ and leave the Eva -, that defeats the purpose entirely. You are no longer gaining anything to need to have to 'sacrifice' anything else, and yet you do.

Odds are the -Eva doesn't even affect us since +Eva doesn't either. It's an ignored stat. If someone with Hecatomb could show us that the Slow doesn't kick in while capped, that'd probably put that worry to rest.

Just don't bring Koenig or Errant or whatever gear into parties and you'll be ok.

[Feenicks]

Slow effect does apply to capped Hecatomb.

[Ellipses]

Originally Posted by Armando

After doing some limited testing I really do believe they're not scaling stats so much as they're restricting them to certain equivalents.

This seems to be the case to me, too, but I think in some of the cases of equipment getting zero stats when sync'ed, they've just missed hitting the equivalent. My Galka RSE body gives one less MP in Promies than NQ Seer's, but my RSE legs give 0 compared to NQ Seer's 9.
Holy Maul +1 (I think) and White Cape (definitely) gave no MND, but there are no NQ capes or hammers (clubs in general yes, but not hammers) before those that do give MND.

[Tsrwedge]

Originally Posted by Ellipses

Holy Maul +1 (I think) and White Cape (definitely) gave no MND, but there are no NQ capes or hammers (clubs in general yes, but not hammers) before those that do give MND.

Mist silk cape would like to have a word with you.

[Queen Uma]

I agree with Armando, I do however think SE's implementation of the gear syncing needs rethinking. HQ equipment when synced down, does not take the stats of the equivalent. I understand SE's reasoning in some respects but common place items, such as Courage rings, Puis... rings and victory rings (all HQ str+ at level 14, 36 and 54 respectivly) cap down to their NQ counterpart. I.e wearing the level 36 rings at level 35 will only give you +1str, which is the same as the NQ lvl 14 rather than the +2 of the Courage ring.

[Ellipses]

Originally Posted by Tsrwedge

Mist silk cape would like to have a word with you.

I should have been more specific but I meant NQ to not include NM gear, which SE said would trump synced gear.

[Saphiera]

I have not been able to try out this new feature yet =[ or anything for that matter I am having technical difficulties with my computer. /cry I hope my husband comes home from work with good news, and I hope that good news includes a disk to fix my computer so I can play FFXI again! To ask, how hard are these new Mystic weapons to get for all the jobs mainly what i'm concerned about is SCH. I have not really had much time to read too deep into the update so any info concerning SCH would be much appreciated!

[Jayram]

Originally Posted by Armando

I still think most people are blowing this out of proportion. Again, lolbasestats. After doing some limited testing I really do believe they're not scaling stats so much as they're restricting them to certain equivalents. For example, my Bibiki Seashell grants no VIT in Promyvion-Mea. Nor does my Gallant Surcoat (4 VIT normally.) You can't find a Lv.30 ammo piece that gives VIT. Yet my R.G. Collar grants me the full 4 Attack - probably because Tiger Stole is equippable at level 30 and gives 5 Attack. My Fang Earring (4 Attack) was reduced down to 2 Attack, the same as NQ Beetle Earrings. My Amemet granted no Attack (no Attack back pieces at this level.) Dusk Trousers (14 Attack) granted 2 (1 less than Bastokan Subligar.) Walmart Turban (+30 HP/MP) granted +15 MP (same as NQ Silver Hairpin.)

Another thing is that armor pieces with different Defenses are giving me the same amount. Fourth Division Gauntlets (13 Def) and Dusk Gauntlets (24) both give 9 Defense, the same NQ Eisen. Gallant Leggings (34 Def) and Dusk Trousers (47) both give 17 Defense, again the same as Eisen. Gallant Surcoat and Haub both give 24 Def like Eisenbrust, Gallant Coronet gave 13 like Eisenschaller, Dusk and Gallant feet both gave 8 Def like Eisenschuhs. Koenig Shield gave 8 Def like Kite Shield. It doesn't give any VIT, whereas Turtle Shield would give +3, but perhaps because they're different shield sizes, that parallel isn't made. Amemet Mantle gave 4 Def like Wolf Mantle. Insomnia Earring (+15 HP/MP) gave +2 HP (like Opal Earring) and +4 MP (like Morion Earring.)

I stand by my original opinion that this system makes sense. If we were allowed to keep the stats on our gear, except scaled down, we would still have a lot of +stats all over the place that an equal-level player just can't get in any way, and SE clearly stated that a Sync'd player shouldn't out-stat an appropriately-geared player of that level. Just Haub, Amemet, and Lifebelt alone would give me an edge over a normal Lv.30 player even if the Acc and Attack got scaled down.

Armando for President.

A reasonable person. Saying what I've been saying to my LS.

[Armando]

Originally Posted by Feenicks

Slow effect does apply to capped Hecatomb.

Interesting. Guess we can't make any generalizations. Not ALL negative effects stay because I can run around at full speed wearing 3 pieces of Dusk. But with Slow kicking in, then -Eva could be a toss-up. Either way it's not too hard to avoid pieces with massive penalties. Now we know you're not going to get much out of Haub before any +Attack or +Accuracy body pieces become available so just don't wear it.

Originally Posted by Ellipses

This seems to be the case to me, too, but I think in some of the cases of equipment getting zero stats when sync'ed, they've just missed hitting the equivalent. My Galka RSE body gives one less MP in Promies than NQ Seer's, but my RSE legs give 0 compared to NQ Seer's 9.
Holy Maul +1 (I think) and White Cape (definitely) gave no MND, but there are no NQ capes or hammers (clubs in general yes, but not hammers) before those that do give MND.

Yeah, I've found 1 or 2 mismatches as well. My AF/Dusk boots gave me +10 HP which is more than any feet piece except TT (20HP) or MR (16 HP) RSE. All other boots give 2-6 and most aren't exactly NQ gear.

We probably won't ever have a full list of all the equivalents and exceptions but as long as we can confirm that the trend is true in 90% of the situations that's good enough for me.

Originally Posted by queenuma

I agree with Armando, I do however think SE's implementation of the gear syncing needs rethinking. HQ equipment when synced down, does not take the stats of the equivalent. I understand SE's reasoning in some respects but common place items, such as Courage rings, Puis... rings and victory rings (all HQ str+ at level 14, 36 and 54 respectivly) cap down to their NQ counterpart. I.e wearing the level 36 rings at level 35 will only give you +1str, which is the same as the NQ lvl 14 rather than the +2 of the Courage ring.

I don't think there's anything wrong with this. Again, SE doesn't want Synced players being better than normal players. Just 'cuz you can afford higher level HQs (which aren't necessarily more expensive than low level HQ pieces) it doesn't mean you should be entitled to HQ stats or we'd be right back at square 1 (sync'd players being able to have better stats than normal players.) Losing 2 STR isn't a big deal at any level. Neither is losing 2 Attack.

I think for general usage the system works well. If there's some low level piece of gear that happens to be reeeeally good and none of your high level gear can simulate it for some reason then just bring that piece if you really want to use it. The system still lets you bring your normal gear and still have acceptable stats without having to shift around your whole inventory or having to mule for 15 minutes. Having to take 3-4 accessories with me is much better than having to get appropriate gear for every slot.

I'm definitely selling my Eisen set since I can wear just about anything with higher Defense and have the same Defense as Eisen. Go go fashion armor!

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

OK, so I'm going to compare and contrast stuff from Promyvion-Mea as SCH.

Seer's Crown (Level 29) DEF 4, INT +2
Scholar's Mortarboard (Level 60)), MP +15 (of +15@60) DEF 11 (of 15@60) INT+1 (of +4 @60)

So AF Hat loses 1 INT to Seer's Crown, but gains 8 DEF and gets the full effect of the additional MP. This is most likely because of the hairpins at low level give similar doses of MP to Mortarboard.

Seer's Tunic (Level 29) DEF 18, MP+8
Scholar's Gown (Level 58) DEF 22 (of 38@ 58) MP +7 (of +13@58) INT +0 (of +1) MND +0 (of+1)

Seer's Tunic has no MND or INT boost, but has MP +8, Seer's Tunic gives one more MP than Scholar's Gown. Gown wins on DEF, so it would be the better choice since the MP loss would be so minor, though to Seer's credit it does have the +1hMP over AF.

Hands tell a similar tale and here's where SCH AF starts to lose. I forgot my Mycophile Cuffs, though, but they would be better than both the Seer's and Scholar's Bragers.

Scholar's Pants only had 4 DEF over the Seer's Slacks. None of the +20 MP made it over from AF. Could this be due to the fact there isn't anything close to +20 MP on legs or just an oversight on SE's part to skew it down to +7 MP to be comprable? Anyone's guess really, but other gear has already shown this isn't completely random stuff, there's reasons behind it.

Scholar's Loafers gave +10MP(of+15MP) against Seer's +4 MP, so AF loafers MP and DEF would win out over Seer's piddly +1 MND and DEF.

Promise Badge gave 2 of its +5 MND here, one point shy of the Justice Badge at low level. Hale Ring lost out to Rings sub 30, only giving +1MND/INT. Penitent's Rope also gave +1MND/INT and full effect of -20 HP.

Light Staff surprised me, it gave +1 to everything it usually would have, but I didn't have a reraise on me and no targets to cure in there, so couldn't verify if Cure Potency on it still worked. Raptor leather strap +1 gave full effects of MND and MP, but a HQ wand at that level would likely still be better overall unless you really wanted the +10 MP more, which some people may rather have.

This is all quite consistant with what Armando's been saying.

EDIT: Just to add, I tested the light/dark arts effects from AF, they don't apply before the levels of thier respective AFs.