Overview

In this article, we detail the damage bonus associated with critical hits for physical damage, magic damage, and cures.  In addition, we talk about the gear and trait modifiers which augment this critical damage bonus - specifically critical potency (Savage Might), magic critical potency (Sagacious Might), and very briefly on critical ( Read more... )

Overview

This third post focuses on the variables at play in determining the amount of damage taken against physical attacks.  The data collection and analysis in this post was completed through a collaborative effort with Seiken Valk (some of his posts here in the official forums on ARC and LNC testing), who's in the same LS as me.  Building upon ( Read more... )

Overview

In this second post on stat testing, I want to focus on XIV's current concept of magic evasion (MEVA) and a little bit on its counterpart magic accuracy (MACC).  Before starting, I want to state clearly that my intention in this post is not to offer a MEVA (or MACC) formula with regards to resistance rates.  As you'll see later on, the ( Read more... )

Overview

The December 1.20 patch fundamentally changed essentially every skill and formula in FFXIV - a much needed rework.  With this, it allows players to, for the first time, test for particular formulas without the inevitability that it will just be changed in a few months.  I know that I had personally been looking forward to testing stats ( Read more... )

( Enmity Table )

Overview

The v1.18 XIV patch brought about the first sweeping changes that will ultimately decide the game's fate when it is eventually released for the PS3.  Among the many things changed in v1.18, the enmity system was completely overhauled along with the introduction of the enmity display icon.  Since the start of XIV, I had wanted to test the ( Read more... )

Overview

Before getting into the actual topic of this post, I want to update those who are following XIV but not playing.  Overall, I feel like the game is starting to make tangible progress.  The current team seems very focused on fixing the game from the ground up and adding lower level content first, rather than trying to prioritize ( Read more... )

Overview

A major theme I have noticed since starting XIV is the idea of preemptive exploit prevention.  Many aspects of the game, whether it be the fact you can only 'claim' one mob at a time (an anti-"astral burn" feature in my opinion) or the fact that all mobs have ranged attacks (anti-"kiting"), I feel were purposely placed specifically to ( Read more... )

Overview

Continuing where we left off in Part I, I want to focus on 3 aspects of combat SP in this post...

(1) The EXP/SP gain at levels below 24, which is enhanced by an additional "low level" modifier.
      (2) Another look at Base SP, particularly targeting popular SP sites and leveling Leves.
      (3) Another quick look at the Party SP  ( Read more... )

Overview

The recent early February XIV patch drastically changed the SP system to make it easier to level at all ranks.  Since it was implemented, I feel that a number of players have made another attempt at the game, mainly those initially frustrated by the difficult leveling system previously implemented.  As one of the major problems with the ( Read more... )