The eighteenth Letter from the Producer LIVE just concluded in Fukuoka, Japan, with Yoshida and Foxclon answering a few questions concerning the community since 2.4 along side revealing some additional information for the upcoming Patch 2.45, 2.5 and 3.0. Yoshida and Foxclon were also joined by Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino, whom expressed his interest in Final Fantasy XIV as a player, and had a lengthy conversation with the pair regarding his experiences in Eorzea.

The LIVE Letter started with a look at the Eternal Bond system, coming in Patch 2.45, it takes place within the Sanctuary of the Twelve in East Shroud, and looks to be a fun filled festivity for all who attend. Players will be able to choose from the default “Free Service” as well as a “Gold Package”, applications are processed through the Mog Station and it is unclear at this time whether the Gold Package will tie into the recently released Cash Shop service, but a cost was mentioned. Yoshida said the differences between the packages will release with the patch notes, and a unique Eternal Bond website will be launching very soon on the Lodestone.

The conversation swiftly moved onto the current balance issues that are affecting the game in regards to Dragoon and Ninja. Yoshida confirmed that Dragoon would likely be seeing an increase in their DPS by removing the directional buff requirement for Heavy Thrust, as well as increasing Magic Defense, reducing the recast timers on certain skills, decreasing the damage taken increase by blood for blood, and finally, increasing the DoT damage on certain actions. Moving onto Ninja, Yoshida confirmed that Ninja would see a reduction in their overall DPS either via a TP increase for specific rotations, or a potency reduction due to the fact that their DPS was higher than anticipated for the skill ceiling of that job. White Mage also received some good news in the form of a Stoneskin II for their class, which will be a Stoneskin-ra, much to the relief of many healers I imagine.

The release date of Patch 2.45 was confirmed to be, December 9th, so that gives you a little over a week to finish your Nexus weapons, the patch will contain:

• Aforementioned Job Adjustments.
• Eternal Bond System.
• Zodiac Weapon System Quest Expansion.
• Removal of lockout for party members who have obtained their loot for the week, allowing them to help out friends with the Final Coil of Bahamut.
• Crafting adjustments in order to allow new crafters to work towards their higher iLevel equipment more efficiently.

Additional, albeit small information was given regarding Patch 2.5 content:

• Adjustments to, and additional Frontline Rules.
• Beast Tribe Fate Adjustments.
• PvP Daily Roulette.
• Free Company Crafting where you will be able to build Houses and more.
• Japanese style furnishings.

Heavenwards content was briefly spoke about by Yoshida, the following confirmed:

• Benchmark software releasing for 3.0, and that it will feature the DX11 client, which will be launching at the same time as Heavensward. Tokyo fanfest will show a side-by-side comparison of the DX9 and DX11 client.
• Free Companies will be able to work on activities together outside of raiding, providing alternative content for those who want something different.
• Frontlines will receive a new map in 3.0.
• Players who do not own Heavensward will be able to play with those who do i.e. partying with a Dark Knight, but will obviously be unable to progress any content from Heavensward
• Unique job-based level 3 Limit Breaks.

The intermission consisted of a new Eorzea Collection video, which you can view below:

As usual, you can find the Q&A thread from the Community Representatives, and please enjoy the small gallery below highlighting some various scenes from the LIVE Letter.

The next event for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be the Tokyo Fan Festival on the 20th and 21st of December, where we will have confirmation of the next job for Heavensward along with further information regarding 2.5 and more, see you then!

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