(03-20-2010, 03:38 PM)Ianki link Wrote: [quote author=Squishy link=topic=4254.msg141750#msg141750 date=1268784834]
[quote author=[fr31ns]Karrde link=topic=4254.msg141672#msg141672 date=1268764046]
[quote author=Squishy link=topic=4254.msg141606#msg141606 date=1268706690]
[quote author=Surf314 link=topic=4254.msg141604#msg141604 date=1268706081]
[quote author=Squishy link=topic=4254.msg141602#msg141602 date=1268705917]
Btw the part where it opens up feels really, really daunting and makes you want the linearity back because there's so much to do there

(03-20-2010, 03:48 PM)Squishy link Wrote: [quote author=Ianki link=topic=4254.msg142359#msg142359 date=1269117488]
[quote author=Squishy link=topic=4254.msg141750#msg141750 date=1268784834]
[quote author=[fr31ns]Karrde link=topic=4254.msg141672#msg141672 date=1268764046]
[quote author=Squishy link=topic=4254.msg141606#msg141606 date=1268706690]
[quote author=Surf314 link=topic=4254.msg141604#msg141604 date=1268706081]
[quote author=Squishy link=topic=4254.msg141602#msg141602 date=1268705917]
Btw the part where it opens up feels really, really daunting and makes you want the linearity back because there's so much to do there

Quote:Karrde link=topic=4254.msg142583#msg142583 date=1269269707]
Heh, that's FF for you   Omega Weapon (FF8), Henne Mines Secret Area and Zodiac (FF12), Omega (FF5) - lots of side quests in the history of FF that are just sinfully difficult.

(03-22-2010, 01:27 PM)korkesh link Wrote: [quote author=[fr31ns]Karrde link=topic=4254.msg142583#msg142583 date=1269269707]
Heh, that's FF for you   Omega Weapon (FF8), Henne Mines Secret Area and Zodiac (FF12), Omega (FF5) - lots of side quests in the history of FF that are just sinfully difficult.

(03-18-2010, 09:03 AM)Surf314 link Wrote: [quote author=Caffeine link=topic=4254.msg141961#msg141961 date=1268920550]
[quote author=Surf314 link=topic=4254.msg141960#msg141960 date=1268920299]
[quote author=korkesh link=topic=4254.msg141959#msg141959 date=1268918453]
the upgrading will take a long time, i had poured all the items i got in my playthrough into only lightnings weapon and i barely made it to the 3rd stage

Quote:To upgrade, select the weapon or accessory you wish to improve and you will see its current level (Lv. 1, for instance) and its experience points (EXP) displayed in the Attributes panel. Now choose a component to combine with it. Regular components have an EXP value that will be added to the EXP of the item when combined. Once you have raised enough EXP to meet or exceed the next EXP target shown, your equipment will gain a level. Depending on the item, this can mean higher stats, greater damage or improved effects.

You can find components in Treasure Spheres; earn them as Spoils from battles; or buy them from the shops. Shopping is the fastest way to acquire large amounts, though, and this is ultimately the key to upgrading in the most efficient manner.

Even when a weapon or accessory reaches its maximum level (*), it may be possible to upgrade it further through the use of a specific transformational catalyst. These are race and expensive components whose sole purpose is to transform one item of equipment into a superior one. Each piece of equipment thus has a fixed development path to its fullest potential:

Initial form Lv. 1
Initial form Lv. *
Transformation via a specific catalyst
Upgraded form Lv. N
Upgraded form Lv. *
Etc.

*Side Note: When you upgrade through a catalyst, the newly made item doesn’t start back at level 1.*

ADVANCED TIPS:

Each component has a hidden multiplier value that influences the EXP Bonus applied to upgrades. As a general rule, organic components (with a claw icon by their name) gradually raise the EXP Bonus but add very few experience points to the equipment. Mechanical components (with a bolt icon) offer high EXP values but will reduce the EXP Bonus when used.

The best way to upgrade equipment, therefore, rests in first using organic components to build the EXP Bonus to its maximum level (x3 – a 200% gain), and then spending a large quanity of a single mechanical component type in one go. This will reset the EXP Bonus, but triple the experience value gained from all of the mechanical components.

Ideally, being cost/time-efficient when upgrading involves being able to identify the components with the right attributes, and to acquire them in great quantities – most likely from shops – up to the inventory maximum of 99.

The EXP value of a component will vary from item to item. This is because of another hidden value, the item’s rank. The better your equipment, and thus the higher its rank, the less it will gain in EXP from the components you spend on it.

DOING THE MATH:

Using organic components add to the EXP Bonus. For example, the very first component in the list – the Begrimed Claw – is worth +4 points to the multiplier value. Further down the list, by contrast, you’ll see that a Spark Plug is worth -18 points.

The game keeps track of the running total in the background, remembering the multiplier value for each item you upgrade. The item’s EXP Bonus changes whenever this hidden total crosses certain thresholds:

0-50 = X1
51-100 = X1.25
101-200 = X1.5
201-250 = X1.75
251-500 = X2
504 = X3

So, following the example, upgrading with 26 begrimed claws (26 x 4 = 104) would add 104 points to the multiplier value and raise the EXP Bonus to x1.5. The further addition of a single Spark Plug (-18 points) would reduce the multiplier value to 86 points, so the EXP Bonus would also drop to x1.25.

There are several components with a higher multiplier value, which cannot be purchased, and which take considerable time and effort to obtain in large numbers. Even if found or won, some components (like perfume, at +120) would still be more efficiently exchanged for Gil.

Sturdy Bone, Barbed Tail, and Vibrant Ooze have the best cost-effective rate; use 36 of them and you get an instant X3 EXP Bonus. Otherworldly Bone, Diabolic Tail and Transparent Ooze are just behind – a slightly lower ratio per Gil, but lighter on the inventory space as you only need 24 of them to reach that X3 EXP Bonus.

After boosting the EXP Bonus to X3, thanks to organic components, it’s time to use mechanical components to actually level up the equipment. For the best results, use a large quantity of a single type in one go so that the X3 applies to every component. If you added them one by one, your X3 multiplier would soon be reduced to zero after just a few. Again, the ideal solution is to identify what components offer the best EXP value-to-cost ratio.

Ultracompact Reactors are perfect when you need huge amounts of EXP, as you’ll find when you see the requirements for taking an ultimate weapon to its maximum level. Particle Accelerators are an intermediate solution – still very high EXP, but ten times lower. You will need to unlock the R&D Depot retail network to buy these items.

At this price, you should also avoid waste incurred from using more components than necessary. Work out how much EXP will be required by multiplying the number of levels to be upgraded with the average cost of each level (depending on how many levels have yet to be gained). Aim to come in as near as possible to the maximum level. Make up any final remaining difference with lesser components.

Don’t be surprised by the fact that the same component may offer different EXP depending on the target equipment. The higher the rank of the item, the lower the EXP gained from the component. Ranks run from 1 to 11, lowest to highest. Two weapons with a maximum level of 61, but different ranks, will require very different total amounts of EXP.

As a general rule of thumb, upgrading an initial weapon from Lv. 1 to Lv. * requires approximately 50,000 EXP; upgrading an intermediate weapon from Lv. 1 to Lv. * requires approximately 450,000 EXP; upgrading an ultimate weapon from Lv. 1 to Lv. * requires approximately 1,500,000 EXP. Alternatively, trial and error with a saved game can give an equally good answer.

If you want to make precise calculations, it might help to note that every item starts with a base EXP requirement to take it to Lv. 2, and then increases the requirement by the same amount per level. For example, a Silver Bangle needs 200 EXP to level up at first, then 256 EXP, then 312 EXP, rising by 56 EXP per level. The same applies to every item, though each has its own base and increment value.

SUMMARY: EFFICIENT UPGRADING:

For players who just want a shorthand guide, here’s a five-step recap of the procedure to follow:

1. Choose the piece of equipment you want to upgrade.

2. Check its rank and maximum level, then calculate the EXP amount required ( or simply approximate EXP requirements just above).

3. Use 36 Sturdy Bones, Barbed Tails or Vibrant Oozes (or 24 Otherworldly Bones, Diabolic
Tails or Transparent Oozes) to get an instant X3 EXP Bonus.

4. Follow it with the right quantity of Ultracompact Reactors, Particle Accelerators or one of the other recommended components to bring the piece of equipment directly to maximum level (*)

5. Where applicable, use the transformational catalyst required to transform the item into its superior version, then return to step 2.

RECOMMENDED COMPONENTS:

ORGANIC:

Sturdy Bone +14 80gil
Barbed Tail +14 80gil
Vibrant Ooze +14 80gil

Otherworldly Bone +21 150gil
Diabolic Tail +21 150gil
Transparent Ooze +21 150gil

MECHANICAL:

Ultracompact Reactor 40,000 Exp Average 50,000gil
Supercharger 774 Exp Average 1,600gil
Particle Accelerator 4,800 Exp Average 10,000gil
Turboprop 768 Exp Average 1,600gil
Superconductor 400 Exp Average 840gil
Perfect Conductor 751 Exp Average 1,600gil
Chobham Armor 460 Exp Average 1,000gil
Bomb Core 551 Exp Average 1,200gil
Tesla Turbine 823 Exp Average 1,800gil.

(03-22-2010, 04:43 PM)ZargonX link Wrote: Ok, that's absurd.  Is that a crafting system or the manual on how to build a low-yield nuclear device?

(03-22-2010, 04:43 PM)ZargonX link Wrote: Ok, that's absurd.  Is that a crafting system or the manual on how to build a low-yield nuclear device?