FINAL FANTASY XI Test Server Update (01/13/2012)Follow

[dev1065] Relic, Mythic, and Empyrean Weapon Upgrades
With the forthcoming version update, players will be able to upgrade equipment to level 99 in two stages:

Stage 1
Possible upgrades will include damage, delay, and weapon skill damage along with other attributes.
The planned difficulty level for the corresponding Magian upgrade trials will be such that a majority of players with the appropriate level 95 equipment will likely be able to complete them.
*This content is not yet available on the test server.
　
Step 2
Possible upgrades will include special animations along with "Afterglow" effects that grant status benefits to party members.
The corresponding Magian trials will be exceedingly difficult to complete, such that only a select number of PCs will be able to upgrade weapons to this stage.
*Gjallarhorn and Daurdabla may not be imbued with Afterglow effects.

Upgraded Attributes
Please refer to the following charts for descriptions of upgraded weapon attributes:
Relic Weapons
Mythic Weapons
Empyrean Weapons

To test this content, please talk to the Magian Moogle and input the corresponding trial number, as listed in the charts above.

Afterglow

Upgrading a weapon to stage two will result in the addition of an Afterglow effect.

Afterglow bestows beneficial status effects upon party members in an area surrounding (but excluding) the wielder.
*Party members must be inside the specified area when Afterglow is activated to receive status effects.
The duration for each Afterglow is thirty seconds.
*The effect of a certain Afterglow will be overwritten if an identical one is activated within that thirty-second timeframe.
Separate Afterglow effects will stack if they are cast within the same effect duration.
There are five categories of Afterglow effects:
Relic Weapons: Increased accuracy and ranged accuracy
Mythic weapons: Increased attack and ranged attack
Empyrean weapons: Increased critical hit rate
Aegis: Reduced magic damage taken
Ochain: Reduced physical damage taken
Afterglow effects activate when the weapon skill corresponding to the equipped weapon
For Aegis and Ochain, the effects activate when Shield Bash is used.
The hierarchy for overwriting Aftermath and Afterglow effects is as follows:
One's Own Aftermath: Lv3>Lv2>Lv1>Party Member's Afterglow

Visual Effects

Weapons upgraded to stage two will display special visual effects when equipped:

Relic Weapons
View Here

Mythic Weapons
View Here

Empyrean Weapons
View Here

Visual effects will display in the following priority:
Main Weapon>Ranged Weapon>Sub Weapon

　
Other Information of Note

Additional planned features, such as equipment-specific magic spells and pets, have been postponed to allow for more thorough testing concerning attributes, the number of potential users and the process by which to obtain them. One consideration is whether to implement such features as another stage of the above upgrades, or to apply them to a different set of equipment. Also under deliberation is whether to limit the availability of such equipment or make it relatively simple to obtain.

[dev1047] New Battle System: Legion

*The following content is in development. Specific details may differ from the release version.


Overview

Legion is a new battle system intended to challenge high-level adventurers in alliances of eighteen to thirty-six combatants. Legion will feature unique battlefields in which combatants will be pitted against legions of formidable high-level notorious monsters (HNMs). Slay as many foes as possible within the thirty-minute time limit to reap a host of exciting rewards!

　
Requirements

Main job of level 75 or above
Three to thirty-six participants

*On the test server, Legion battles may be conducted with only one or two participants.

　
Participating in Legion

Speak to Saarlan in Sauromugue Champaign (E-6) and pay the participation fee of 360,000 gil to receive the “Legion tome page” key item.
*Only one representative from your alliance need possess this key item.
With the key item in your possession, speak to Mayuyu in the same area and choose your desired battlefield and capacity (eighteen or thirty-six combatants). After your selections are confirmed, you will receive a Legion pass.
*As a single Legion pass can transport up to eighteen players, larger groups will receive two passes.
*Legion passes will be valid for five minutes (Earth time) after issuance.
Have your alliance leader trade the issued pass to the Legion Tome to enter the Legion entrance lobby.
Make sure to configure your alliance as desired before trading the pass. Should any members be lower than level 75, your alliance will be refused entry.
*For groups larger than eighteen, it will be necessary to trade the extra Legion pass to the leader of your second alliance or party.
*On the test server, passes will be accepted from any party or alliance member.
From the lobby, examine the Legion Portal or simply wait for the allotted time to elapse. You will be transported to the battlefield to commence the fight!

A total of three battlefields—the Halls of Skies, Earth, and Winds (names tentative)—have been implemented for the test server.
　
Spoils of War

Each HNM defeated will yield items and Legion points.
Items will be placed in a treasure pool to be lotted on by all participants.
Loot quality and Legion point rewards will increase the more foes you slay.
Legion points may be redeemed with Saarlan for a variety of rewards.
*Legion point exchange will be implemented at a later date.

*Equipment rewards currently implemented on the test server are placeholders and do not reflect the rewards that will be obtainable in the release version.

[dev1066] Walk of Echoes Adjustments

The following adjustments will be made to spoils in the Walk of Echoes:
Walks 8–11: The drop rate for Devious Dice will be increased so that approximately half of all battle participants will receive them.

Walks 12–15: Enemies will drop magic scrolls for spells learnable at level 96

[dev1067] Monster Adjustments

Enemy respawn times will be shortened in the following locations:

Upper Delkfutt's Tower / Middle Delkfutt's Tower / Lower Delkfutt's Tower / Temple of Uggalepih / Den of Rancor / Sea Serpent Grotto / Quicksand Caves

Saw the herp, came for the derp, thanks SE you always satisfy.

1 billion gil!

Overview

Legion is a new battle system intended to challenge high-level adventurers in alliances of eighteen to thirty-six combatants. Legion will feature unique battlefields in which combatants will be pitted against legions of formidable high-level notorious monsters (HNMs). Slay as many foes as possible within the thirty-minute time limit to reap a host of exciting rewards!

There is NO WAY POSSIBLE to make any content that is "balanced" in relation to jobs when you have this many. Damage will always favor certain jobs over others. And in all honestly, shells DO NOT CARE. You will not be told that you have to leave the shell because your a DRG and they feel that a WAR would be more damage.

I wouldn't say that. Not absolutely, anyways.

It helps when the devs even out power scaling between weapon skills of different types. That a Great Katana Weapon Skill can stand in a class all by itself, while others are steps below it, for a job class practically designed to spam Weapon Skills, kind of paints the picture, and sort of stacks the deck against diversity.

They really need to let go of giving NMs spamable one-shot powers and impossible defense as a balancing strategy. All it lends itself toward is selecting your highest octane damage and healing and a "smash or be smashed" attitude. Mob AI, particularly for NMs, could use a revolution if there's to be an expansion of job usage.

So you got 16/20 jobs or 80% are balanced