Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

[Karinya]

It's a feeling every adventurer knows and loves—the heart-racing excitement of discovering a chest stocked full of untold riches. With the forthcoming version update, players can look forward to experiencing this thrill anew with the introduction of the "Treasure Casket," a new type of treasure chest that will hold wonders for those fortunate enough to chance upon one!

Where can I find them?

Treasure Caskets will present themselves on rare occasions only in certain areas which are part of the original FINAL FANTASY XI package. They will not appear in any expansion areas.

How do I open them?

Depending on their fortunes, adventurers may encounter either unlocked Treasure Caskets or locked ones. Unlocked caskets will open readily, allowing treasure hunters to immediately get their hands on the desired loot. Locked caskets will present a more formidable challenge, in the form of a numerical combination lock that you and your party members will have to rack your brains to solve. So sharpen those wits and have your puzzle-solving skills at the ready!

What treasures will they hold?

Unlocked caskets will contain an assortment of temporary items to assist you in your battles. Locked caskets will house a variety of equipment and items, and for the most fortunate adventurers, even exclusive equipment not to be found elsewhere!
What riches lie in wait for you? You'll just have to track down one of these Treasure Caskets and see for yourself. Happy treasure-hunting!

As usual, SE is being vague about the mechanics, but it's interesting IMO that they plan to introduce this only in non-expansion areas. I'd say "an incentive to draw people away from the Empire" except that high level pre-ToAU areas are actually all RoZ/CoP, because originally the game only went up to 60... Well, it could be a nice cookie for level sync parties in Valkurm/Qufim/Garlaige/etc. (but not the jungles, Altepa or Gustav, which are all RoZ).

I wonder if caskets will have some sort of claim system to prevent other people in crowded areas from grabbing them.

[Balfree]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

Sounds cool.

All of these little additions (how little though?) are very welcome.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

I'd think they unlocked caskets would just be plain ol' first-come/first-serve, hopefully with the locked ones other players won't be able to access it casket unless the current person failed on getting the code right.

I like this addition, though. Always struck me was odd that FFXI had so few treasure chests laying around in the open, particularly given how they're whored out in every other FF game.

Just no "world of ruin" style chests, mmmkay? Hate those. I could tolerate them in FFVI, FFXII was pushing it even though I did get that Zodiac Spear for all my patience (and it owns all).

[Illuen]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

This may just be me, but I don't want to have to deal with trying to solve logic puzzles with a pickup group. Aside from that, it looks pretty damn nifty. Temporary items are always good, especially if they put some of the nicer ones in there (Revitalizer, (Can I have It?))

[Susurrus]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

I wonder how long until they're all mapped out and people are running from spawn point to spawn point.

[Feba]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

I'd say "an incentive to draw people away from the Empire" except that high level pre-ToAU areas are actually all RoZ/CoP, because originally the game only went up to 60...

Offtopic, but I'm pretty sure that SE has ALWAYS made it possible to fully level up in non-expansion areas; KRT for 70+ for example. Not that they're exactly trying to make a bunch of expansion-less camps.

[Mhurron]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

I wonder how long until they're all mapped out and people are running from spawn point to spawn point.

Using the same pathfinding a Goblin Digger does you could have them spawn randomly anywhere in the zone.

They probably won't, but they could.

[Ziero]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

I'd think they unlocked caskets would just be plain ol' first-come/first-serve, hopefully with the locked ones other players won't be able to access it casket unless the current person failed on getting the code right.

I like this addition, though. Always struck me was odd that FFXI had so few treasure chests laying around in the open, particularly given how they're whored out in every other FF game.

Just no "world of ruin" style chests, mmmkay? Hate those. I could tolerate them in FFVI, FFXII was pushing it even though I did get that Zodiac Spear for all my patience (and it owns all).

So ffew chests? Every single dungeon and cave of the original game and first two expansions had chests and coffers, almost always up. Many of them were required in quests of all types and levels as well as some holding some pretty decent items. There was never a lack of Chests in this game, and suddenly throwing them out into open fields just seems down right pointless. I can understand why there'd be a treasure chest in some deep corner of an old fort or buried in the darkest depths of a forgotten cave. But why in the hell would anyone keep treasure chests in the middle of a freaking beach? This entire idea just seems a bit pointless to me. Though I do like the concept of a puzzle lock, unless it's something that can be done solo it wouldn't be worth it.

Also, Thfs better be able to pick these damn things.

[Szkol]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

I could be totally and completely wrong, but I thought I had read somewhere that these would pop rarely off of any mob killed in a qualifying zone- wish I remembered where I had heard/read that...

In that case it largely solves the question of claims, but I can see this creating a ton of problems in pickup groups with people arguing over the new Ex equipment and lotting, and subsequently being booted from the party. Not that this is an SE problem, just people being greedy. In this case I'd say these chests are likely more trouble than they're worth.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

So ffew chests? Every single dungeon and cave of the original game and first two expansions had chests and coffers, almost always up. Many of them were required in quests of all types and levels as well as some holding some pretty decent items. There was never a lack of Chests in this game, and suddenly throwing them out into open fields just seems down right pointless. I can understand why there'd be a treasure chest in some deep corner of an old fort or buried in the darkest depths of a forgotten cave. But why in the hell would anyone keep treasure chests in the middle of a freaking beach?

Because they were too lazy to bury it.

Obviously.

And treasure chests strewn all about make me happy. Why limit them to dungeons and the first two expansions anyway?

This could also just all be an evil plot to add more mimics to the game

[Armando]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

So ffew chests? Every single dungeon and cave of the original game and first two expansions had chests and coffers, almost always up. Many of them were required in quests of all types and levels as well as some holding some pretty decent items. There was never a lack of Chests in this game, and suddenly throwing them out into open fields just seems down right pointless. I can understand why there'd be a treasure chest in some deep corner of an old fort or buried in the darkest depths of a forgotten cave. But why in the hell would anyone keep treasure chests in the middle of a freaking beach? This entire idea just seems a bit pointless to me. Though I do like the concept of a puzzle lock, unless it's something that can be done solo it wouldn't be worth it.

Also, Thfs better be able to pick these damn things.

I wouldn't call "1 chest and 1 coffer up per dungeon" a lot. Doesn't really make any difference if they're present in every dungeon. Compare that to any console RPG dungeon which will probably have at the very least 3 chests and probably more along the lines of 5-10 depending on the size of the dungeon.

[Feba]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

But why in the hell would anyone keep treasure chests in the middle of a freaking beach?

1- Because it's an RPG. In most RPGs, this means the HEROES OF THE LAND go around looting people's houses for spare potions.
2- Because it's final flipping fantasy.

[Ellipses]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

But why in the hell would anyone keep treasure chests in the middle of a freaking beach?

It was safe and sound in the bedroom until a crab wandered in and stole it. Happens all the time.

[Durahansolo]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

1- Because it's an RPG. In most RPGs, this means the HEROES OF THE LAND go around looting people's houses for spare potions.
2- Because it's final flipping fantasy.

Why'd this make me remember Super Mario RPG.

*Mario walks into a house, goes upstairs and hits both treasure blocks, and goes back downstairs.*

*House owner stops Mario on the way out*

Guy: Did you hit those blocks upstairs?

Mario: (Choice: YES/NO)

[Balfree]

Re: Troves of New Treasures Await You! (12/02/2008)

I have a question too.

How come fish in this game fly instead of swim?

I think it also applies to most FF titles.

Are all flying fish aggressive?