TheWhiteMage.com

The Harvest Festival is coming!

The start of the always fiendishly fun annual Harvest Festival has been set for Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 1:00.

This year’s festival has all the makings of a truly memorable event; everyone’s favorite bomb decorations will adorn the streets of the three nations, specialty shops will deal in seasonal sundries, and both classic and all-new costumes will debut!
The townspeople from San d’Oria, Bastok, and Windurst are decked out in their most horrifying ensembles and awaiting your arrival!

So go ahead and start stocking up on all those goodies that the monsters of Vana’diel can’t resist!

For information on how to get involved in the Harvest Festival and more, be sure to check out the Topics posted on the day the event begins.

Offical Site:

[What is Pankration?]
Pankration (pan-kra-tee-on) is an ancient sport that pits
fierce beasts against one another in a winner-takes-all
melee. The Pankration battlecages are located in Al Zahbi,
meaning that only players who have installed the Treasures
of Aht Urhgan expansion pack can access this exciting new
feature.

Where is Pankration?
Pankration matches are held in one of four special
battlecages located in an area of Whitegate known as the
Pit. A Pankration official near the Pit entrance can instantly
teleport adventurers to any of the cages for the low, low
price of…nothing.

*Please note that a tax of 10% will be placed on any
Bazaars held within the Pit.

How Much is Pankration?
Pankration would be free…if the word ‘free’ meant ‘requiring
monetary funds.’ Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Pankration participation requires a special type of currency
known as ‘jettons.’ Jettons can be earned by participating in
matches or can be bought with Imperial currency. Speak
with Zandjarl near the Pit entrance for details.

[Pankration Participation]
1. Finding a Monster
Before you can participate in Pankration, you’ll need to find
a monster. Here are the steps:

I. Purchase a Soultrapper and some blank soul plates from a
Pit vendor.

II. Equip the items in your Range and Ammo slots

III. Find a monster and “use” the Soultrapper on it.

IV. Keep trying until you capture the monster’s image on a
soul plate.

*Some monsters’ images cannot be recorded.
**It is possible to capture the image of monsters claimed by
other PCs.

2. Making a Soul Reflector
Now that you’ve found a monster, you’ll need to prepare it
for battle. Here’s how it’s done:

I. Trade a soul plate to the appropriate Pit official and
confirm if it can be forged into a soul reflector.

II. If it can, trade the plate with an ice crystal to the same
official, and for a small jetton fee, he will present you with a
new soul reflector.

III. Trade your soul reflector to the appropriate Pit official
for inspection. If it passes a series of tests, it will be
deemed an official soul reflector.

*Access options such as monster status confirmation and
name adjustment by trading a soul reflector to the soul-
forging official.
*Some soul plates cannot be forged into soul reflectors.
However, their data can be used to enhance existing soul
reflectors. See below for more details.
*Once a soul plate image has been added to a soul reflector
it cannot be returned to its original state

3. Entry
The Pit consists of four “battlecages” where Pankration
matches are constantly being held. Once you have acquired
an official soul reflector, take it to a registration officer to
sign up for one of the following two types of battles:

– Exhibition (Battlecages “Annihilation” “Bloodlust” “Carnage”)

As long as there is an opening, players can enter their
monsters in exhibition matches at any time they wish.
However, there are no level restrictions in any of the three
cages, and no records of winners or losers will be kept. If
players wish, they can have their monsters pit against those
of their choice by forming a party with another monster’s
owner and both submitting their applications at the same
time.

– Tournament (Battlecage “Diablo”)
Here, players can pit their monsters against the current
cage champion. If it wins, it is declared the new champion
and will continue to battle opponents until it is dethroned.

4. The Cage
When a player’s match is about to begin, he or she will be
taged. Once the battle begins, the monsters will be released
into the battlecage. The monster that reduces its opponent
to 0 HP within the allotted match time (3 Earth minutes) is
declared the victor. Matches can be viewed from the
following two locations

– The Command Platform
After being paged, participants can proceed to one of the
cage officials to be transported to a platform where they
will be able to give simple orders to their monsters via a
system of speaking tubes.

– The Viewing Stage
Adventurers whose monsters are not currently participating
in a match can take in all the excitement of the other
matches from an elevated stage in front of each battlecage.

5. Confirming Results
Once a battle has ended, players must trade their official
reflectors to a registration officer to confirm match results.
Only after confirming match results will participants receive
their rewards, and their monsters earn experience and skill
points. DO NOT forget to complete this process as the
results and rewards for each match will only be available for
a period of 3 days (Earth Time), after which time they will
be lost.

*The maximum amount of EXP that can be earned in one
confirmation is 2000 points. Adventurers with monsters
competing in the tournament should confirm results regularly
to avoid EXP loss.

Draws
If both monsters are still standing at the end of 3 minutes,
the match will be declared a draw. In this case, the
experience point and jetton reward will be split evenly
between the participants.

*If a tournament match results in a draw, the current
champion will continue into the next round.

[Monster Customization]
There are many different ways players can customize their
monsters. The following is a sample of some of the ways a
monster can grow and develop:

Leveling Up
Monsters gain EXP for their performance in battles, and
after obtaining a certain amount of EXP, their levels will rise.
The current level cap for Pankration monsters is 50.

Learning Magic and Abilities
All monsters possess magic and/or abilities corresponding to
their family. However, certain skills often remain dormant
until monsters attain a certain level. It is not always a good
idea to dismiss a monster as weak until you have had the
chance to see it perform at a level where it can call upon a
full arsenal of skills.

Feral Skills
The aforementioned inherent characteristics such as
abilities, battle techniques, and magic spells are known
as “feral skills.” Some of these skills have levels and will
improve as a result of participating in Pankration matches.

1. Adding Feral Skills
Trade an official (or unofficial) soul reflector and a soul plate
to a reflector forger, and for a small jetton fee, the
attendant will add the plate’s skill to the reflector’s monster.
Please note that due to job restrictions, some monsters
cannot equip certain feral skills.

2. Feral Points (FP)
Equipping feral skills requires feral points, and all monsters
have what is called a “feral point capacity.” Monsters will
not be able to equip skills if they do not possess enough FP.
The FP requirements for feral skills can be confirmed by
trading a soul plate to a reflector forger, while a monster’s
FP capacity can be confirmed by trading a soul reflector.

Discipline & Temperament
The following traits will change depending on the type of
orders a player gives their monster, as well as the frequency
with which he/she gives them:

– Discipline
The more disciplined your monster is, the more likely it is to
correctly respond to orders given during a match.

– Temperament
Monster temperament is measured in two ways:
Wild vs. Tame
Aggressive vs. Defensive

A monster’s temperament directly affects how it acts during
battle. For example, a tame and defensive monster may
choose to use stunning techniques on an opponent
attempting to cast a powerful spell or use a weapon skill.

The Version Update:

The final chapter in the Treasures of Aht Urhgan missions has been added.

The following adjustments have been made to the chocobo raising and chocobo racing systems:

– The Chocobo Circuit has opened!
Related Information>>

– The Chocobo Circuit can be entered from Southern San d’Oria, Bastok Mines, Windurst Woods, Port Jeuno, and Aht Urhgan Whitegate.

– New items are available at the VCS Chocobuck Exchange Depots.

– The maximum number of chocobucks a player can carry has been increased from 100 to 1000.

The following adjustments have been made to the Chocobo Hot and Cold Game:

– New temporary abilities are now gained when fulfilling certain conditions.

“Temporary Treasure Finder”
It is now possible for chocobos to temporarily gain the Treasure Finder ability. Chocobos that already have “Treasure Finder” will have the effect of the ability temporarily doubled.

“Recuperation”
A bonus will be granted to rested chocobos that improves their chances to “hit the jackpot” and also increases the number of times they can dig.

– Treasure chests found during the Chocobo Hot and Cold Game will now also contain “chocobuck slips” that can be exchanged for chocobucks. Trade your chocobuck slips to the VCS Chocobuck Exchange Depot NPC.

– A chocobo’s ability to sense treasure will now also be limited by the relative vertical distance as well as the horizontal distance from a treasure chest, i.e. standing on a hill high above a treasure chest location.

The following adjustments have been made to Besieged:

– If the beastmen forces are not defeated by the Empire or capture the Astral Candesence, they will now automatically retreat one Earth hour after their arrival in Al Zahbi.

– Additional temporary items will now be distributed to players every time a certain number of beastmen and monsters have been defeated.

– The offensive and defensive capabilities of the Serpent Generals have been enhanced.

– The damage caused by monsters using the ninja ability “Mijin Gakure” has been adjusted.

Players now have the opportunity to attain the new mercenary rank of First Lieutenant and gain access to new items purchasable with Imperial Standing credits.

New quests have been introduced in the Treasures of Aht Urhgan areas.

The difficulty of the following limit break quests has been adjusted:

– In Defiant Challenge
Drop rates for the quest items ancient papyrus and exoray mold have been improved.

– Atop the Highest Mountains
The relative strength of the quest monsters (Boreal Hound, Boreal Coeurl, and Boreal Tiger) has been reduced so that a party of six level 51 characters will be able to defeat them.
*The quest monsters mentioned above will use the ability “Doom” if the battle continues for more than thirty minutes.

Players will now be able to access their Mog Lockers at nomad moogles after selecting the option to increase Mog Locker availability.

The fee for creating the item in the following quests has been reduced from 20,000 gil to 10,000 gil. In addition, the fee for re-obtaining the item has been reduced from 300,000 gil to 100,000 gil

– An Understanding Overlord?
– An Affable Adamantking?
– A Moral Manifest?
– A Generous General?

The location of the Imperial Army officer Asrahd in Aht Urhgan Whitegate has been switched with the event replay NPCs Prillaure and Tsih Kolgimih.

The locations of the archaic mirrors on Arrapago Reef have been adjusted.

Players will now receive a title after defeating the following Salvage monsters:
Battleclad Chariot/Armored Chariot/Long-Bowed Chariot/Long-Armed Chariot

[Battle-Related]
The following adjustments have been made to Assault:

– Five new missions are now available for players with the rank of First Lieutenant.

– Players who have completed every Assault mission (i.e. the missions appear on the “Complete” list) will be rewarded with an extra Imperial Army I.D. tag to be held in reserve for them at the Commissions Agency.

The following adjustments have been made to Einherjar:

– The HP of all monsters in the Hazhalm Testing Grounds has been reduced.

– An issue with the monster “Hildesvini” not correctly summoning chigoes has been addressed.

In exchange for the loss of data after clearing Floor 100 during the Assault mission “Nyzul Isle Investigation”, the chance for obtaining the armor pieces has been increased to 100%.

The party that defeats the monster required to cause “Despot” to appear will now automatically claim the NM.

The following adjustments have been made to Goblin Bounty Hunters:

– Goblin Bounty Hunters will now appear in the Sauromogue Champaign and the Korroloka Tunnel in locations where it is possible to fish.

– The patrol route of Goblin Bounty Hunters in the Valkurm Dunes has been altered.

The following adjustments have been made to two-handed weapons:

– Two-handed weapons will now receive larger benefits from a character’s attributes, and will also inflict more damage when facing higher-level opponents or enemies with high defense.

– A new type of equipment known as “grips” can now be equipped in the sub-weapon slot while using a two-handed weapon.
*Grips cannot be used without a two-handed weapon equipped in the main weapon slot.
**TP will be reset when changing or removing grips, in the same manner as for main weapon equipment changes.

The following weapon skills have been adjusted:
Howling Fist/Dragon Kick/Raging Rush/Cross Reaper/Penta Thrust/Skewer/ Yukikaze/Gekko/Kasha/Empyreal Arrow/Detonator

Several weapon skills have had the effects of TP adjusted in the following manner:

– Raging Rush
Damage varies with TP >> Chance of critical hit varies with TP

– Penta Thrust
Damage varies with TP >> Accuracy varies with TP

– Skewer
Accuracy varies with TP >> Chance of critical hit varies with TP

The chance for the additional stun effect of the abilities “Shield Bash” and “Weapon Bash” to occur has been greatly increased.
In addition to this change, the help text for the following pieces of equipment has been changed to “Bash”+(number) to reflect an increase in “Bash“ damage.

Chaos Gauntlets/Knightly Earring/Chaos Gauntlets +1/Valor Gauntlets +1/ Valor Gauntlets/Sigma Earring/Crude Sword

The following adjustments have been made to the beastmaster job:

– Pets summoned with the “Call Beast” ability will now remain for a longer period of time.
*Duration varies for each type of pet.

– Pets not in combat will now gradually regain HP.
It is possible for a beastmaster to increase the rate at which a pet regains HP by using the “Stay” command.

– Beastmasters will no longer be subject to an experience point penalty while using a charmed monster.

The job ability “Convergence” will now only affect “magical” blue magic spells.
The effect of “Convergence” will also no longer lose potency against high-level opponents.

Another level of the dragoon job trait “Accuracy Bonus” has been added.

The following adjustments have been made to the corsair job:

– The effect of “Phantom Roll” has been greatly increased.

– The length of time a character remains immobile while using the “Phantom Roll” ability has been reduced.

– The job ability “Fold” will now always remove the “Bust” penalty first.

The following adjustments have been made to the puppetmaster job:

– Two new varieties of automaton heads have been added.

“Soulsoother C-1000 Head (White Magic)”
The automaton will perform actions such as restoring HP and removing status ailments for its master, as well as other party members, in response to the situation and the maneuvers used.

“Spiritreaver M-400 head (Black Magic)”
The automaton will utilize high-level elemental spells, as well as dark magic spells such as Drain and Aspir.

The maximum limit for the automaton melee skill, ranged skill, and magic skill has been increased. In accordance with this change, the skill limit will now be calculated depending on the combination of an automaton’s frame and head.
*The skill limit will never drop below the current maximum value regardless of the frame and head combination.

[Item-Related]
New equipment has been introduced.

New synthesis recipes have been added.

The following special items can now be stored with the relevant NPC:
Sprig of Red Bamboo Grass/Sprig of Blue Bamboo Grass/Sprig of Green Bamboo Grass

The following items can now be stored with the NPC Ghanraam in Aht Urhgan Whitegate:

Vorpal Sword/Wightslayer/Brave Blade/Double Axe/Swordbreaker/Dancing Dagger/Radiant Lance/Sasuke Katana/Windslicer/Sturdy Axe/Mage’s Staff/Scepter Staff/Killer Bow/Quicksilver/Burning Fists/Inferno Claws/Werebuster/Death Sickle

New goods have been added to the shops in Nashmau.

Large quantities of steel bullets can now be bundled into bullet pouches.

The sub-category “Grips” has been added to the Auction House category “Ammo & Misc.”

The attributes for corsair bullets have been changed.

The additional effects granted by attachments will now be displayed within the item help text.

A change has been made to the types of items obtainable after appraising the “??? Box” (found during Assault missions).

The icon for beastmen’s seals has been changed.

The drop rate for the following items has been adjusted:

Leech Saliva/Antican Acid/Lizard Blood/Bird Blood/Beast Blood/ Loam

The following item name has changed:

Mercenary’s Mantle >> Mercenary Mantle

[System-Related]
The following changes have been made to the FINAL FANTASY XI title screen:

– The FINAL FANTASY 20th Anniversary and FINAL FANTASY XI 5th Anniversary logos have been added.

– Logos will appear translucent if the respective expansion pack has not been installed.

– Extra scenes have been added to the title screen:

“FINAL FANTASY XI”
Fort Ghelsba

“Chains of Promathia”
Al’Taieu

“Treasures of Aht Urhgan”
Mount Zhayolm

A new text command “/translate” has been introduced.
Using this text command, players will be able to see the translations for item names in Japanese, English, French, and German. Translated terms will be automatically added to the auto-translate dictionary under the category “Items”.
The “/translate” command is used in the following manner:

Example: Fire Crystal
English to Japanese: /translate “Fire Crystal” ej
English to French: /translate “Fire Crystal” ef
English to German: /translate “Fire Crystal” eg

*This text command currently functions for item names only.
**It is also possible to translate from another language into English, provided the term is spelled correctly.
Example: French to English: /translate “cristal de feu” fe
***The term to be translated can be marked with either single or double quotation marks.

Mithra and Galka will now close their eyes while in the healing position.

An issue wherein the screen would turn black and prevent the player from taking actions during event scenes in Aht Urhgan Whitegate has been addressed.

An issue concerning an incorrect number of victories in the defense of the capital being displayed on the Caitsith World has been corrected.

New terms have been added to the auto-translate dictionary.

Category Term
Game Terms FP
Game Terms Grip
Game Terms Feral Skill
Game Terms Kamp Kweh
Game Terms Pankration
Game Terms Feral Drain
Titles Captain
Titles First Lieutenant
Text Commands /translate
Place Names 2 Colosseum
Place Names 2 Chocobo Circuit

The grand opening of the Pit has been delayed to allow for further testing, and is currently scheduled for release on September 11.
Further details on the Pit and the monster battle system known as “Pankration” will be available in the very near future.

Accounts Banned (08/27/2007)
We would like to report the termination today of multiple accounts held by players involved in the usage of third-party tools or cheats, or engaged in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities.

Based on the results of our investigation, around 6570 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 390 accounts were temporarily suspended.
Additionally, we have increased the number of mass bannings against certain PlayOnline violations in order to prevent illegal acts.

Details of the violations are as follows:

– Usage of tools that allow enhanced character movement.
August 27, Approx. 120 cases

– Usage of tools that circumvent game mechanics with respect to the timing of ability use, etc. in certain areas or at points where Notorious Monsters appear.
August 23, Approx. 70 cases

– Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
July 26, Approx. 420 cases
August 2, Approx. 260 cases
August 9, Approx. 400 cases
August 23, Approx. 1300 cases

– Gil and item exchange for real world money.
August 27, Approx. 440 cases

– Instances of areas or monster monopolization.
July 26, Approx. 970 cases
August 9, Approx. 1760 cases
August 23, Approx. 220 cases

– Usage of synthesis and auction houses for RMT activities.
August 27, Approx. 1000 cases

The termination of these accounts has led to the removal of approximately 2.6 billion gil from circulation.

We would like to remind players that as well as adversely affecting game balance, the use of third-party tools or cheats can also have consequences that are not immediately obvious, such as introducing damaging viruses, and comprising the security of private account details. Usage of third-party tools will not be tolerated within FINAL FANTASY XI, and we will continue to severely penalize any players found to be in violation of the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

As we continue to ensure a fun and balanced environment for FINAL FANTASY XI, we hope that our players enjoy the game as it was intended and take care to avoid involvement in activities that violate the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.

New Items:

August’s version update is set to introduce an assortment of both new items and synthesis recipes to Vana’diel. We’ve also created all-new graphics for some of the new weapons and gear!

In anticipation of the version update, we’d like to give you a sneak peek at some of the new equipment crafted by the savage beastmen you’ve come to know and love from the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion.

New Assault Missions and Mercenary Rank:

In the upcoming version update, we will be adding a new promotion quest to unlock the next mercenary rank, as well as a series of exciting assault missions.

New Mercenary Rank:

The mercenary rank of “First Lieutenant” will be awarded to players who survive the grueling trials put forth by the hard-nosed drill sergeant, Rongelouts. Do you have what it takes, maggot?

New Assault Missions:

Five new missions await players who have achieved the rank of First Lieutenant.
Here’s a sneak preview of what lies in store:

Bloody Rondo

Mission Orders: After years of quietly defying Imperial rule, the recluse Count Dracula has recently begun preparations for an assault on Al Zahbi. Infiltrate the Leujoam Sanctum, locate the count, and slay him before he can execute his plans.

The Susanoo Shuffle

Mission Orders: In an attempt to strengthen their bonds with the Mamool Ja, an eastern nation has provided the beastmen with a new biologically engineered hydra hybrid known as Orochi. You are to infiltrate the training grounds and eliminate the new threat.

Mission Additions and Various Adjustments:

The following is a sample of what awaits adventurers in the next version update:

Treasures of Aht Urghan Missions:
The final battle is about to begin, and the fate of the Empire is in your hands! Join forces with companions new and old to unlock the mysteries hidden in this final chapter of the epic Aht Urhgan missions!

It is recommended that players who have not yet completed “Playing the Part” avoid viewing the aforementioned link.

Besieged
To oppose the overwhelming power of the level 8 beastmen forces, Al Zahbi’s five Serpent Generals have spent the previous months honing their
skills. In addition, the Empire will be putting into effect a decree which
allows additional distribution of temporary items after a certain number of
invaders have been defeated. Finally, if the beastmen forces are not
defeated by the Empire, or capture the Astral Candesence, they will
automatically retreat one Earth hour after their arrival in Al Zahbi.

Einherjar
In an effort to lower the difficulty level of Einherjar, the HP of all monsters
in the Hazhalm Testing Grounds will be reduced in the upcoming version update. We will make further adjustments should this challenging area
continue to prove excessively difficult.

Assault Mission “Nyzul Isle Investigation”
Currently, the data for the highest floor you have investigated in Nyzul
Isle will be deleted after defeating the monsters on Floor 100. Unlike with
other floors, this removes the possibility of retrying the floor in an
attempt to obtain the treasure you seek. As of the next version update,
the data will still be deleted after clearing Floor 100, but in exchange for
the loss of data, the chance for obtaining the armor pieces will be
increased to 100%. While clearing to Floor 100 is no easy task, we are
sure there are heroes out there that are up to the challenge!

The Chocobo Hot and Cold Game
Chocobo Abilities
Resting your chocobo for thirty six hours (Earth time) after playing the
Chocobo Hot and Cold game will allow you to dig twice more, as well as
increase your chances to “hit the jackpot” the next time you play the
game. Furthermore, chocobos of players who succeed at finding treasure
in any area three times in a row will temporarily gain the “Treasure Finder”
ability. Chocobos that already have “Treasure Finder” will have the effect
of the ability temporarily doubled.

Chocobucks
A new reward will soon be available in the form of vouchers that can be
exchanged for chocobucks, with the chocobuck reward varying with the
difficulty of the area. The vouchers will always be found inside the
treasure chests in addition to the standard rewards.

Limit Break Quests
With the current level of advancement of the majority of the player base,
it has become increasingly difficult to find fellow adventurers who have
yet to complete the limit break quests. In an effort to alleviate the woes
of newer players, the limit break quests from level 50 to level 60 will have
their difficulty reduced in the following manner:

Level 50 “In Defiant Challenge”
Drop rates for the quest items will be improved.

Level 55 “Atop the Highest Mountains”
The relative strength of the quest monsters will be reduced so that a party of six level 51 characters will be able to defeat them.