Morning in Vana'diel: Shantotto is Coming!

Morning in Vana'diel is your daily dose of FFXI and all things Vana'diel. Give us your thoughts on the interesting topics of the day! Shantotto is coming to take over the world, are you ready?

In the very near future we should be hearing about the coming release of A Shantotto Ascension on the FFXI website. The story actually looks a little more interesting than the last two mini-expansion-scenario-things, and Shantotto is definitely a much more colorful character than Boy Aldo that is for sure. While it would be rather annoying and disappointing if this mini-expansion was in the same fetch quest vein as the first two mini-expansions there is a good chance the story will be of the same quality of the first two mini-expansions. Even those that decried the tedium of the questing in the first two mini-expansions admitted the stories were still rather intriguing and up to snuff.

While storyline and questing can be fun for something, the gear is usually what motivates people to get going with these mini-expansions. The first scenario offered a new body piece that replicated or only slightly improved stats over what was available for most jobs. The second mini-expansion definitely offered a lot more flavor in what was available stat-wise. I am hoping that the next expansion follows this and tosses in some stats that are surprising or useful for a new slot. The graphics for the new head and body pieces tend from pretty awesome (the new mage coat) to gaudy and out of character for FFXI (the new mage hat), but they were both in slots that let you see them all the time.

For Shantatto's expansion I have to wonder what they are going to do next. Legs seems like the next option that would let you see the new gear but I don't know how exciting it is too just see some new legs. It could be something else, a belt, a back piece, but you don't really see those so who knows. It could even be a new weapon, which would be pretty neat, but runs the risk of making everyone all cranky because weapons across almost all jobs have a tendency to make people freak out, mages especially. Either a mage weapon is going to be better than elemental staffs or not. If it is better, then you have a bunch of angry mages, if it is worse, then you have a bunch of angry mages.

No one wants angry mages. That's scary. :(

<a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Shan_1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Shan_1.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 157px;" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Morning in Vana'diel</span><span style="font-style:italic;"> is your daily dose of FFXI and all things Vana'diel. Give us your thoughts on the interesting topics of the day! Shantotto is coming to take over the world, are you ready?</span><br /><br />In the very near future we should be hearing about the coming release of <a href="http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/addon/">A Shantotto Ascension</a> on the FFXI website. The story actually looks a little more interesting than the last two mini-expansion-scenario-things, and Shantotto is definitely a much more colorful character than Boy Aldo that is for sure. While it would be rather annoying and disappointing if this mini-expansion was in the same fetch quest vein as the first two mini-expansions there is a good chance the story will be of the same quality of the first two mini-expansions. Even those that decried the tedium of the questing in the first two mini-expansions admitted the stories were still rather intriguing and up to snuff.<br /><br />While storyline and questing can be fun for something, the gear is usually what motivates people to get going with these mini-expansions. The first scenario offered a new body piece that replicated or only slightly improved stats over what was available for most jobs. The second mini-expansion definitely offered a lot more flavor in what was available stat-wise. I am hoping that the next expansion follows this and tosses in some stats that are surprising or useful for a new slot. The graphics for the new head and body pieces tend from pretty awesome (the new mage coat) to gaudy and out of character for FFXI (the new mage hat), but they were both in slots that let you see them all the time. <br /><br />For Shantatto's expansion I have to wonder what they are going to do next. Legs seems like the next option that would let you see the new gear but I don't know how exciting it is too just see some new legs. It could be something else, a belt, a back piece, but you don't really see those so who knows. It could even be a new weapon, which would be pretty neat, but runs the risk of making everyone all cranky because weapons across almost all jobs have a tendency to make people freak out, mages especially. Either a mage weapon is going to be better than elemental staffs or not. If it is better, then you have a bunch of angry mages, if it is worse, then you have a bunch of angry mages.<br /><br />No one wants angry mages. That's scary. :(

The Math of Sword and Spell: Spectacles +1

Every Thursday Araelus is bringing the science to FFXI. 

The Math of Sword and Spell is dedicated not only to the hardcore calculations and statistics of FFXI, but more importantly to helping you use that math without confusing you. You may not know why you are playing better, but rest assured you will be playing better.

This week's edition is part of a series called "Occasionally Replies Two to Eight Times" focusing on reader questions and more in-depth analysis of previous concepts or interesting game features.


"Could you do a blog post on improving your graphics? For some reason my computer hates it when I go double background resolution."

First of all, “double background resolution”?

That sounds like a hack, man, and that will get you banned.

How dare you alter the game in that manner?!

This question is wholly inappropriate!!!

<i>Every Thursday Araelus is bringing the science to FFXI.</i><b> </b><br /> <br /> <b>The Math of Sword and Spell</b><i> is dedicated not only to the hardcore calculations and statistics of FFXI, but more importantly to helping you use that math without confusing you. You may not know why you are playing better, but rest assured you will be playing better.</i><br /> <br /> This week's edition is part of a series called "Occasionally Replies Two to Eight Times" focusing on reader questions and more in-depth analysis of previous concepts or interesting game features. <br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Could you do a blog post on improving your graphics? For some reason my computer hates it when I go double background resolution."</span><br /> <span class="fullpost"><br /></span><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="fullpost">First of all, “double background resolution”?</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="fullpost"><i>That sounds like a hack, man, and that will get you banned.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="fullpost"><i><b>How dare you alter the game in that manner?!</b></i></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="fullpost"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><i>This question is wholly inappropriate!!!</i></span></b></span><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"></a></div>