Many questions about combat

[Cymdai]

Hi, I've never played a Phantasy Star online game before, and my experience with the series dates back to the single player version on the Genesis, haha. Anyway, I have some questions about the game...hoping some of you can help me out.

1] I was looking over the races/classes/weapon types, and I came up with the idea of being a Cast Ranger, using Dual Pistols exclusively. Now, is that intelligent to specialize in 1 weapon type, or am I being an idiot¿ My experience with other MMO's is that weapon specialization if important, but this game seems different. Can someone explain the benefits to weapon specialization, if any¿

2] Stats. Are they noticable, or just insignificant¿ In most MMO's, stats only seem to matter at the beginning of the game, as they can easily be modified by equipment and such later on. How important are stats in this game, how are they raised/increased, and which stats would be important for me if I want to do a lot of ranged damage/critical hits¿

3] Photon Arts. Similar to my first question, but it seems to me [probably incorrect] that you choose to align yourself with specific elements. How do I do this¿ Is it like the junction system in FF8, the weapon binding system like in Quest 64, or some other means¿ Please be specific is possible.

4] Solo vs. group play. Which way does this game lean towards¿

5] Classes/subclasses. Explain how this works. Is it like FINAL Fantasy 11, or something else entirely¿ How are new classes unlocked¿

Just some questions I'd like to know before the release...thanks a bunch in advance.

[RoninJoku]

Correct me if i'm wrong on any of this of course...

1) Specialization can be both good and bad-Particularly for Rangers, as Rangers can run out of PP for their guns rather quickly, which can get expensive and leave you helpless in combat. But I wouldn't say specialization is a bad idea. You may just need some melee weapons to supplement you in combat (someone who has experience playing a ranger can give you more insight on this).

2) Stats are both noticeable and as well as insignificant. Like other MMOs, you can change your stats a bit with equipment, but the degree to which you can do this is probably less than other games. However, since the game is action based combat, more important than any stats are your skills at playing the game.

3) Photon arts are your advanced attack techniques for Hunter type weapons that use PP to unleash much more devastating attacks. For hunters, PAs dictate your weapon element. That is something that is decided by other means (I'm actually not too saavy on the subject, so I'll let someone else elaborate). For Ranger and Force weapons, the element affiliation changes based on the techniques(for forces) and bullet type(for rangers) that you have bound to that weapon.

4) Leans toward group play, but if it's anything like PSO, it is possible alone... Just much more difficult (depending on the mission/area)

5) We don't know how advanced classes are unlocked. But unlike FFXI they aren't "subclasses" They are basically just combined "hybrid" classes, or classes that even further specialize in one of the 3 combat fields (melee, range, techniques). There is also a class that specializes in traps.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RoninJoku on 2006-09-23 18:26 ]</font>

[vg_geek86]

1] Be best to specialize in many weapons for givin situations. Ex: Boss, mobs, fast moving enemies, etc

2] If its like PSO, stats are fairly easily moddable with different weapon/armor/equipment variations. But I can tell just by looking at this game, the skill of the player can EASILY outwiegh the stats of the character.

3] Photon Arts Is just additional combos with a weapon to do more damage, and possibly hit more enimies. Element is totally seperate, as its the effect the weapon may cause to a certain enemy *If I understand it correctly*

4] Group. No doubt about it.

5] Never played FF11, but there are expert classes in PSU. I dont think neone knows when, but at some point in time your charcter enters the expert class, and you choose whether you want to excell even more in a certian area, in your case ranged weapons, or, become hybrid and be able to use variouse abilities. Heres the expert classes:
Type Name.......Skill...Bullet...Technique *magic*
Fighgunner......20......20.......X
Guntecher.......10......20 ......20
Wartecher.......20......10.......20
Fortefighter....30......10.......X
Fortegunner.....10......30.......X
Fortecher.......1.......10.......30

Protranser: Takes pride in their ability to skillfully utilize traps in battle. They are able to use all types of traps including those of much greater power than normal. Nothing known on what happens to stats *if nething*



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: vg_geek86 on 2006-09-23 18:37 ]</font>


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: vg_geek86 on 2006-09-23 18:43 ]</font>

[RoninJoku]

^Don't forget about Protranser

[Ether]

On 2006-09-23 18:33, vg_geek86 wrote:

Type Name.......Skill...Bullet...Technique *magic*
Fighgunner......20......20.......X
Guntecher.......10......20 ......20
Wartecher.......20......10.......20
Fortefighter....30......10.......X
Fortegunner.....10......30.......X
Fortecher.......1.......10.......30


You made those numbers up

[RoninJoku]

http://www.psupedia.org/index.php?title=Expert_Classes

I guess Psupedia made them up then... :|

[Alexandrious1]

On 2006-09-23 18:54, RoninJoku wrote:
http://www.psupedia.org/index.php?title=Expert_Classes

I guess Psupedia made them up then... :|



Ether: pwned.

Well seeing this chart I may go with Wartechter for my expert. Now question is, are Expert classes switchable? Or can you only go with one? Id like to switch between Fortefighter and Wartecher now and then.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Alexandrious1 on 2006-09-23 19:29 ]</font>

[Ether]

On 2006-09-23 19:29, Alexandrious1 wrote:
Ether: pwned.


Yes, some random edit made a on wikipedia, thats certainly a credible source for information! Not that I dislike psupedia, but given how little we know about the expert classes, its very out of left field to suddenly have exact PA caps for them. Also...

Figunner: Able to use both melee weapons and ranged weapons.

Fortefighter: A pure fighter. Has excellent ATP and DFP, but lack in the number of weapons they can use.

Fortegunner: A pure gunner. Has excellent ATP and ATA, but lack in the number of weapons they can use.

Who wants to bet fortefighter wont actually be able to use any guns at all, and fortegunner wont get any melee weapons




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Ether on 2006-09-23 20:01 ]</font>

[peenk]

On 2006-09-23 20:00, Ether wrote:


On 2006-09-23 19:29, Alexandrious1 wrote:
Ether: pwned.


Yes, some random edit made a on wikipedia, thats certainly a credible source for information! Not that I dislike psupedia, but given how little we know about the expert classes, its very out of left field to suddenly have exact PA caps for them. Also...

Figunner: Able to use both melee weapons and ranged weapons.

Fortefighter: A pure fighter. Has excellent ATP and DFP, but lack in the number of weapons they can use.

Fortegunner: A pure gunner. Has excellent ATP and ATA, but lack in the number of weapons they can use.

Who wants to bet fortefighter wont actually be able to use any guns at all, and fortegunner wont get any melee weapons




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Ether on 2006-09-23 20:01 ]</font>

I think it sounds reasonable.
If you pick Hunter you dont think about using rifles do you? And so on with other chars.
I think pure hunter is ok, based on the fact that if I was to make a beast, picking force as secondary or even ranger is not giong to be that good.

[vg_geek86]

On 2006-09-23 20:00, Ether wrote:


On 2006-09-23 19:29, Alexandrious1 wrote:
Ether: pwned.


Yes, some random edit made a on wikipedia, thats certainly a credible source for information! Not that I dislike psupedia, but given how little we know about the expert classes, its very out of left field to suddenly have exact PA caps for them. Also...

Figunner: Able to use both melee weapons and ranged weapons.

Fortefighter: A pure fighter. Has excellent ATP and DFP, but lack in the number of weapons they can use.

Fortegunner: A pure gunner. Has excellent ATP and ATA, but lack in the number of weapons they can use.

Who wants to bet fortefighter wont actually be able to use any guns at all, and fortegunner wont get any melee weapons




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Ether on 2006-09-23 20:01 ]</font>


Same thing crossed my mind. I hope it doesnt turn out that way, I may use guns at a minimal but there are still times where they can be a difference maker for me *At least on PSO anyway*

[Cymdai]

I would like it if using Fortegunner for example, meant that I could sacrifice melee abilities to be a Pistol specialist. But then again, I've always leaned towards specialization over multi-tasking.

Another question...

Will I be able to determine my Pet Machinery's class, or will it even have a class¿ Or will it be completely random altogether. Obviously, being a Ranger, I'd like a Melee pet.

[tomkat492]

On 2006-09-23 20:00, Ether wrote:


On 2006-09-23 19:29, Alexandrious1 wrote:
Ether: pwned.


Yes, some random edit made a on wikipedia, thats certainly a credible source for information! Not that I dislike psupedia, but given how little we know about the expert classes, its very out of left field to suddenly have exact PA caps for them. Also...

Figunner: Able to use both melee weapons and ranged weapons.

Fortefighter: A pure fighter. Has excellent ATP and DFP, but lack in the number of weapons they can use.

Fortegunner: A pure gunner. Has excellent ATP and ATA, but lack in the number of weapons they can use.

Who wants to bet fortefighter wont actually be able to use any guns at all, and fortegunner wont get any melee weapons




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Ether on 2006-09-23 20:01 ]</font>

I just thought about it, a fortegunner probably gets a crapload of pp no matter what gun they use since they can only use guns, now for the fortefighter, maybe just really high pp, or extra slots for pa's i dunno

[vg_geek86]

On 2006-09-23 20:08, Cymdai wrote:
I would like it if using Fortegunner for example, meant that I could sacrifice melee abilities to be a Pistol specialist. But then again, I've always leaned towards specialization over multi-tasking.

Another question...

Will I be able to determine my Pet Machinery's class, or will it even have a class¿ Or will it be completely random altogether. Obviously, being a Ranger, I'd like a Melee pet.



Yes, what items you feed it will affect the class it becomes.

[Kent]

I don't think PP is determined by a stat, but rather, solely by the weapon itself.

Fortegunner may get a lot of END, though (which affects PP regeneration, from my understanding).

[RoninJoku]

On 2006-09-23 20:00, Ether wrote:

Who wants to bet fortefighter wont actually be able to use any guns at all, and fortegunner wont get any melee weapons

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Ether on 2006-09-23 20:01 ]</font>


I'll take that wager... A gentlemen's bet of course.

I'm guessing fortefighter will be able to use basic handguns http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif And likewise fortegunner will be able to use basic melee.

But hell, could be wrong http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif We'll find out in due time.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RoninJoku on 2006-09-23 20:16 ]</font>

[tomkat492]

i didnt know a masked potato could be right http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif

[Cymdai]

Cool, I'm really excited about this game, it's the first MMO that's caught my eye in a long, long time.

Maybe we can play together in-game when it's released =]

[Kent]

For the record, PSU is not MMO - it's completely separated into instances, just like other non-MMOs, such as Guild Wars.

[Cymdai]

Oh yeah, one last thing.

Will I be able to play my online character offline as well, similar to Diablo 2's open bnet¿

I ask because I heard you may be able to level up your guy in offline mode, and then import him to online mode.

[Ether]

No, offline and online characters are totally seperate