Einherjar

[LilithAngel]

Einherjar (05/28/2007)

A new, massively multiplayer battlefield is in the works for the upcoming version update.
The following is a brief outline on the new, multi-faceted feature:

Concept
Einherjar is an ever-changing multiplayer battlefield based in the Hazhalm Training Grounds. Because the monsters appearing in the dungeons will differ with each visit, a balanced party consisting of skilled, high-level players is recommended to clear these challenging missions.

Participation
6 to 36 players, level 60 and above, can enter each chamber of the Hazhalm Testing Grounds. An item similar to the hourglass used for Dynamis will allow parties to reserve one of the multiple areas, and will be required for entry. No previous Aht Urhgan missions need to be completed before participating.


Battles
After a party chooses a room, they will have 30 minutes to wipe out all the enemies before being teleported back out of the area. This time limit cannot be extended. Each area consists of a large room filled with several weak monsters, and one powerful boss monster. Parties must eliminate all the monsters in the area for the mission to be considered complete. Clearing all the chambers will grant players access to the final area where they will finally learn the secrets that lie deep in the bowels of Hazhalm.


Rewards
An Assault-like system is planned, where points earned in the Training Grounds can be used to purchase various items. The monsters lurking within Hazhalm will also drop rare items that cannot be obtained anywhere else in Vana'diel.






Source: http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics...80/detail.html

[Aeolus]

Re: Einherjar

Cool, sounds a bit more hassle free than dynamis too.

[Murphie]

Re: Einherjar

Interesting stuff. As Aeolus said, it seems a little less frustrating than Dynamis. But I guess we'll find out when it's actually implemented.

[KoukiRyu]

Re: Einherjar

This seems like something you can do maybe a few times a day? Rather than say, twice a week like Dynamis? Say, a few people get the hourglass-esque item, and you can go in however many times you make it, in say 3 hours or so. Seems interesting, and yea, more fun and less troublesome than Dynamis.

[Akashimo]

Re: Einherjar

So is there Quirin peddlers for the said hourglass?

[Feba]

Re: Einherjar

So instead of better quest/mission content, they're adding in ANOTHER twice-weekly duengeon crawl.

Seriously, there are games that are great for deungeon crawls, but FFXI is a story driven game =/ Isn't Dynamis/Limbus/Assault/Salvage/Kinda-sorta-sky&sea enough for everyone?

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Einherjar

So instead of better quest/mission content, they're adding in ANOTHER twice-weekly duengeon crawl.

Seriously, there are games that are great for deungeon crawls, but FFXI is a story driven game =/ Isn't Dynamis/Limbus/Assault/Salvage/Kinda-sorta-sky&sea enough for everyone?

They've already stated more mission and quest content is on the way with this update, whether or not its "better" isn't for you to be deciding just yet.

And where did you get this idea that FFXI is a story-driven game? Yeah, there's a story, but seems like I spend weeks to months without it, do I really need it all the time? Its nice when it comes, but its gameplay content that matters in an MMORPG. Seriously, if I played this game for story, I wouldn't be playing it so much.

Final Fantasy is just as much about dungeon crawling as any other RPG there's ever been. I realize that may come as a shock to the generation weened on FFVII and beyond, but RPGs usually have dungeon crawling. I guess that's which I like FFXI and FFXII so much more than the Nomura emo-generation of Final Fantasy.

There's a lot of content the dedicated endgame player, but for the high level player without the time for such content, theres not so much. That's why Assault and Nyzul Isle already exist - it gives the high level player with less time more content they can access and enjoy.

I'd think that would be seen as a good thing.

[Lmnop]

Re: Einherjar

I really like that it's half hour, non extendable... you know how much of your night's getting wasted.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Einherjar

I really like that it's half hour, non extendable... you know how much of your night's getting wasted.

Its nice it has its owe point system, too. I'm curious to see what we can earn from doing this.

[Feba]

Re: Einherjar

And like I said, there is a place for dungeon crawls, but FFXI IS NOT THAT PLACE. FFXI's battle system is horrible for them. FFXI's battle system isn't too bad when you're fighting a single enemy, fights like ZM8 can be very good, but fighting one enemy.. after another... is not FFXI's strong point. The ease of switching in and out of battle is why FFXII's spelunking is fun, in FFXI, it's annoying.

FFXI is story driven, just because SE hasn't added many quests and missions lately doesn't make that untrue. There's no reason to do anything else in FFXI, except for community, which sadly cannot make the game, and EXP/EQ, which only matters to grinders. If I wanted to gloat over equipment and levels, FFXI would be the last game I'd come to.

[Malacite]

Re: Einherjar

For once I'm going to have to agree with Feba here. Almost everything in the game has some kind of extravagant story behind it.


But that's not the issue here ^^

This looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. I'm curious about the time limit though. Is that 30 minutes for the one chamber, or the entire run? Because there's multiple chambers and some kind of crazy secret at the bottom (no doubt some horribly strong HNM).


... Maybe it's Odin @ the bottom for all we know? >_ > or just some excuse to add in more hidden Zilart stuff! (I wish, but I know deep down that's not the case)


Also, is it just me, or are the monster-dropped items likely to be much much better than the ones bought by points? As long as it isn't more impossibly hard to get Set Armor....


Seriously, I love the set armors, but they're a total hassle much like Adbjuration gear (and to a lesser extent relic)

[Grizzlebeard]

Re: Einherjar

It's all about attracting as many groups of players as you can. They cater to the hardcore, "sit around for three hours hoping your voke bot is better than the other HNM shell's" gamers just as much as the story-driven crowd. Focussing on one specific demographic is a sure way to kiss your subscriptions goodbye. EQ was, and still is, one of the most hardcore MMOGs out there and even they relented and dumbed down their game allowing faster transport, relaxed death penalties etc in order to attract more than just the self-flagellating hardcore crowd. In the era where all other MMOGs live under Blizzard's shadow, most companies can't afford to be so complacent about their subscriber numbers.

[LilithAngel]

Re: Einherjar

I'm curious about the time limit though. Is that 30 minutes for the one chamber, or the entire run? Because there's multiple chambers and some kind of crazy secret at the bottom (no doubt some horribly strong HNM).

From what I gathered, it seems you choose 1 room, and you got 30 minutes to clear it out. SE packs that room full, to make that 30 minute time limit a real threat to the success of the mission. You go along, clearing room after room, in a series of mini-episodes of slaughtering, having to wait however long SE dictates we need to wait between bouts, 30 minutes at a time, until you get the win on all of them, and can move on to the final boss.

That's what I gathered from all the info out there. Meh, I could be wrong...

[Eohmer]

Re: Einherjar

What I'm wondering is how are 2 Alliances going to work together?
6 to 36 players? Doesn't seem like it's a free for all like Besieged.

[LilithAngel]

Re: Einherjar

They could use the free-form "claim" system used in Dynamis. Up to four alliances can all beat on the same mob at a time there. Just kinda seems to be how it could be done.

As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Beseiged uses that same "claim" system, instead only making the "claim" extend indefinately to include everyone in the zone, putting them all in the same "alliance".