Welcome to Letter from the Producer Live LI! (finally)
As usual we have Yoshi-P and Foxclon, + Aimi for live translation
They are broadcasting from SF today, and above is the title screen for ShB
Between the EU and NA media tours, they had to do 37 interviews, some of which with multiple media outlets (~120 in total)
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The first half of the live letter will be general gameplay changes and battle system changes, and the second half will be about role balancing and job changes
The live letter will be 3-4 hours long
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Starting with a recap of Shadowbringers info
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Time to get straight into new stuff
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FATEs will now provide more rewards other than EXP
Now that there are other ways of leveling, they're adding more incentive to do FATEs
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FATEs drop tokens that can be exchanged for various rewards
You'll also learn more about the First's regional lore through them
It's not tied to MSQ, but the more FATEs you complete, the more items you unlock in the shop
Next, about side quests
Side quests in new regions will be level synced, and can be taken at lv70
This means you can use them to level alt jobs more easily
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Next, a new type of quest
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Shadowbringers add "Role Quests"
The First has its own heroes, and you can retrace their journeys
You need to complete one of the quest lines in order to progress in MSQ
A lot of effort was put into these role quests, and they have special event battles
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The new jobs will have their own job quests from 60-70 to show how they're integrated into the game's lore
And each job has its own lv80 quest
But aside from that, they're shifting to role quests
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Next, crafting/gathering quests
These have also been consolidated into five sets of quests
These quests are based in the Crystarium
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Next, UI updates
As you may have seen during the test stream, there's a new UI theme - light skin
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Showing some in-game examples
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You need to relog in order to apply the change
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8 cross-world linkshells!
They are asking stream viewers how many people are raiders, have experienced wiping at 1%
Target HP will now show decimals under 1%
So now you can wipe at 0.8% instead of 1%
(Since 1% is not as accurate now that enemies have so much HP)
Party list info will also be updated
You'll be able to see HP more clearly
For housing enthusiasts, a furniture placement preview is now available
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There are also many gameplay/QoL updates that will have to wait until the patch notes
Next, finally, battle system changes
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First, the Charged Action system
There are new abilities designed for more versatile usage that can gain charges for later use
Not all actions are chargeable, but certain ones can be stacked
...I deleted the wrong message, but anyway, for example actions with timers where the usage can get wasted
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For example, Shoulder Tackle above
and NIN's Kassatsu
When the recast timer cycles, you gain a charge (up to a certain maximum limit)
And can save it for later
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An example from one of DNC's skills, that can be charged up to 3
Using it makes the stack go down to 2, while the recast timer is still cycling
And then when it finishes, it goes back to 3 stacks
By having 3 stacks, you can use it 3 times in a row
This way, if you have to hold something such as a gap closer, you won't be "losing" usages
Charges will also continue out of combat
Charges are based on the action, so some jobs have chargeable actions and some jobs don't
Next, Casting Interruption system
There already is an interrupt system (e.g. stuns), but it wasn't clear
"Silence" is being rolled into this new system
It was also not clear which enemy actions were interruptible or not without trying, so now this system is going to make it so that certain actions are meant to be interrupted
And the UI will make them clear
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There'll be an animation around the cast bar
And when you interrupt, it shows an INTERRUPTED message
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Tanks and ranged DPS will have the role actions for interrupting
Speaking of which, role actions are no longer customizable
and there will be a set number of role actions for each role that are automatically obtained
Role actions have also been cut down
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^ the number of role actions for each role
Next, MP and TP
TP will be removed
and all jobs will use MP
And there is a 10,000 cap on MP
Many spell MP costs are percentage-based, so setting the cap to 10,000 makes it more intuitive to see how expensive they are
Piety will still remain as an attribute, that only affects healers
PIE will make your MP regen faster
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The removal of TP means you won't have to manage resources for certain actions
Next, main attributes and materia
Gearing difficulty will be adjusted for each role
Especially for tanks, this has been an issue
Accessory attributes will be revised
Tank accessories will have VIT/STR and others will have VIT
Main attribute materia are also no longer meldable
Main stat materia that is already melded will have no beneficial effects
(Accessories are being buffed to offset this)
Main stat materia will no longer be obtainable, either
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Token/savage gear, including accesssories and belts, will have 2 materia slots
This will make them more powerful overall
Next, major changes to the pet system
Pets are no longer affected by attacks, and cannot die
Pet actions are also being removed from the pet hotbar and recategorized as player actions
This means that Titan egi and Topaz Carbuncle will be revised, since they can't be targeted by enemies anymore
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Pet actions are now shared, to save hotbar space
Other general adjustments:
Battle system calculation adjustments
Side note that the media embargo for the media tour is May 29, so on that date you'll start seeing that information come
Keep in mind that calculations have been changed, so potencies may not mean what you think they do
And you shouldn't compare to current potencies
Chain bonuses are also being removed from dungeons, to standardize EXP gain
(This is not an EXP nerf)
The damage limit is also being increased from 999,999 → 9,999,999
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You may see this number during enrage :)
Since these numbers are being inflated so much, by 6.0 they'll have to be rescaled
(6.0 confirmed)
Next, the party bonus will be adjusted
You'll gain parameters based on the number of players filling each role
The limit gauge fill rate will also be adjusted (for 5.0 and later regions only)
This was done because of how the limit gauge mechanics were being taken advantage of in raids
And how speedruns were based solely on how fast you could raise your LB gauge
Again, this change doesn't affect 4.0 and below
Next, barrier shields will also be displayed in the party list
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So that you can get a visual representation of the shields that are applied
Also, the triangle below the BLM's HP indicates that their HP is not full
So it'll be easier to see who's at full HP and who isn't
This wraps up this section
Yoshida apologizes to Japanese viewers for the delayed start, because now it's time to go to work/school
The next half will go over the different jobs and roles, but before that, they'll show a video
So that people can see that first
Video -> Break -> Second half of LL
(Hoping that the video audio is OK.....)
The latter half will start at 3:50 PM PT
Job action video now playing
With... no sound...
Annnnnd they cut it
"I think we are cursed in terms of sound"
It really needs to have sound, and it can't be picked up on mics
10 minute break now
Shini-tanToday at 3:40 PM
Now back and hopefully ready to show the job action video!
It works! And has sound!
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(Not going to attempt to take screenshots of individual skills; you'd best look for the video afterwards when you can)
Shini-tanToday at 3:55 PM
Job action video is done! Did you enjoy it?
Now they're going to play the video again, with their commentary on top
Starting off with Gunbreaker, which uses different magically charged cartridges
WHenever you execute a weapon skill, there's a trigger you use
Takes inspiration from the FF8 gunblade
BRD had a lot of things to manage, so it's been revised
It shouldn't feel much different, and you can still execute your actions while moving around
DRG also has less to manage, and their jumps are faster
They also get a certain familiar red move
BLM is also a simple evolution
The biggest change is that when changing between AF3 and UI3, you no longer need to consume MP to do so
As well as 2 polyglot stacks
AST has changed quite a bit with regards to cards
Card effects have been revised and all of them are DPS buffs now
You still have to choose who to deal each card to
There are also mechanics depending on combinations of cards
SAM is another simple evolution, and iai usage is clearer
For the tanks, offensive stances have been removed
(This will be explained in detail later)
WAR has some kind of buff it can use on allies
They won't say too much about RDM because they have to save it for later, but it's a "nice evolution"
Displacement has also been adjusted so that you won't fall off and die while using it
MNK now has a 4th GL stack
As well as an action that lets you keep your GL stacks up
PLD gets a gap closer
There is also a certain action that now no longer has cast times
For NIN, Kassatsu is a charged action (as mentioned earlier)
The splitting into multiple copies skill is Bunshin
WHM - lilies have been changed
They accumulate over time
Also wings
SCH - in addition to changed pet behaviour, as well as the big Seraph fairy
I think they said something about the fairies functioning similarly
SMN summons are now insta-cast
And again, pet actions are player actions now
And of course, Phoenix summon
Similar to how Bahamut was implemented
MCH looks very different and has a lot of new gadgets
The gauss barrel is gone
And they get a robot and a drill
DNC revolves around the concept of steps
It's something unique that we haven't seen in FFXIV before, so they want to show an actual ingame demo later
DRK - dark arts is gone
And you can summon your inner darkside to fight alongside you
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Pointing out the 16 million players number in that video
((Due to the delayed start of this live letter, I won't be able to stay for the entire remaining duration, but @iluna minori will take over for me hopefully!))
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iluna minoriToday at 4:12 PM
Hello here, taking over for next section - Job Synergy
First, In order to address rigid party composition and is perception
For one, the effectiveness of synergies between jobs will be reduced.
All debuff reducing resistence will be removed.
Example: Slashing, Blunt, Piercing debuff will be removed.
Actions values will be revised, and certain actions will be removed
Dancers are more classified as a Buffer
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Do note - Synergy does not ENTIRELY go away, it's just emphasized a lot more lesser than before.
(except Dancer, which is stated there)
Next, Tank Role jobs. It's going to be long!
First, Adjustments will be made to account for the main and off tank roles.
There were a lot of debates for this
As the result, they decided that all four tank jobs including Gunbreaker will all be viable as MT and OT
The reason why they did this is because when parties are formed, when players gather, the chances of getting 2 MT or OT is very high and some might even disband, so they have to address that issue
They also have to ensure all tanks will have 3 actions: apply defense buffs to party member, yourself, and enhance defenses.
Job effectiveness will vary depending on player skill
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Next
Offensive stances will be removed.
You only need to now toggle tank stances on or off.
Tank stances itself will be adjusted
Damage dealt and received reductions/ max HP increase effects will be removed
Your enmity generation will be increased (all attacks will increase enmity)
This applies to all your attacks as tank
Adjustments will be made to emphasize the reduced damage received aspect of tanks
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With the change, enmity generating combos will be removed.
Previously players may want to avoid enmity combos because they want to focus on their DPS capability, but with this, it will change
Your skill rotation, regardless of being MT/ST, will not change when altering between MT/OT
Tank Mastery Trait will be added.
With this trait, all damage received will be reduced by 20%
Bonuses to max HP and damage dealt based on certain attributes will be granted
Luna 🌙Today at 4:24 PM
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iluna minoriToday at 4:24 PM
So recap.
1. You want to generate enmity - turn tank stance on
2. You should apply buff defense to yourself when needed.
3. Apply defense buff to your party members
4. You can help out your MT by turning off tank stance when being OT
First Paladin - Sword Oath is gone.
But the playing feel does not change just because Sword Oath is gone, Riot Sword will have additional buff where there will be no casting time.
Luna 🌙Today at 4:26 PM
(Destroyer = Deliverance's name in japanese)
iluna minoriToday at 4:26 PM
Sheltron will also be changed.
for WAR - Deliverance will be gone
Luna 🌙Today at 4:27 PM
DRK getting aoe shield
iluna minoriToday at 4:28 PM
The playing style doesn't change. A new buff will be applied when you use certain action and when you use Fell Cleave. So that will be your most powerful asset to utilize
DRK wise, the removal of Dark Arts is the major aspect of it
Luna 🌙Today at 4:28 PM
the "certain action" above seems to be Inner Release but Aimi did not say the full name of the action so I am not sure
iluna minoriToday at 4:29 PM
With the DRK defense buffs, and also the "inner soul" thing you can summon, you can now use them to deal significant damage.
Now, we move to Gunbreaker demonstration
Enjoy the demonstration with Aimi's explanation provided to you!
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You also have healing action, Aurora available for you
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There are some comments about how the HP gets over 6 digits now
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Yesterday there was a media tour with the streamers and influencers where they managed to experience how Gunbreaker plays and feel like
Look forward to their explanation video which will be posted after the embargo lifts!
Next
we move to Healer Role
Healers will now thoroughly rebalanced to emphasize a more pure healing role
Before we touch details though, there is one important announcement
Protect is removed
Thank you for your long years of service, Protect!
Next, New actions will be added to address gaps in each healer's repertoire
First, WHM will receive an instant heal to mitigate cast times of other abilities
While it has very powerful spells, it does need some time to cast and you were kinda restricted on the mobility, but with the adjustment, you have more instant heals so your mobility will increase, and make up more time to execute other actions, like offensive moves or prepare the next cast, allowing your management to be in much lighter state. Once you get to higher level, aside from the while lily, there will be a black lily implementation that allows you to cast powerful offensive spells
Next, SCH
Scholar pet actions will be revised, while direct heals and barrier will be adjusted, the playstyle however will not change that much.
With the more healer spells given to you, SCH can now work on more healing instead of just focus purely on what they did best - mitigation
Luna 🌙Today at 4:40 PM
(they said it before, but Selene and Eos are now just skins; both will have identical spells, just summon the one with the appearance you want)
iluna minoriToday at 4:41 PM
As shown in the Job Action video just now, you can now summon the Seraph for a temporary moment and utilize Seraph to cast more powerful healing spells.
Some are worried that the adjustment to SCH's direct healing will make it overpowered, Yoshida reassures that it won't
for AST, Stances and card effects will be adjusted.
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Luna 🌙Today at 4:43 PM
Draw and card usage will get independent cooldowns; no more need to rush using a card to restart the Draw timer ASAP
iluna minoriToday at 4:43 PM
All cards will have relation on increasing your party's DPS
But the core gameplay itself will not change that much
Luna 🌙Today at 4:45 PM
when trying out the jobs, Yoshida wants you to look more at the play feel than at the numbers
they skipped slides too quickly
iluna minoriToday at 4:45 PM
Of course, all offensive spells for healers will be looked into
Luna 🌙Today at 4:46 PM
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iluna minoriToday at 4:46 PM
One month left, and Yoshida is 46, and he's grumbling
but ganbare!
Tired, but let's move forward!
for DPS, Design concepts will be more traditional and mechanics will be revised accordingly
Luna 🌙Today at 4:48 PM
MNK / DRG / NIN / SAM / BLM / RDM are keeping their base Stormblood design and are getting incremental improvements
implementing Greased Lightning 4 was greatly influenced by player feedback from Stormblood
Skill Speed levels at higher item levels (e.g. 5.4 tier) might make Monk harder to play
Heavy Thrust is yeeted
iluna minoriToday at 4:51 PM
do be advised that 5.4 that you may not want to put too much Spell Speed for MNK
Luna 🌙Today at 4:52 PM
Hagakure also removed to simplify resource management, giving preference to using more Midare Setsugekkas
Ninja is getting the threat management abilities removed due to the Tank revision making them unneeded
there will be "high level mudras" that require special conditions to use, and the Kagebunshin ability (shadow clone)
Live Black Mage demo
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instantly refreshes your Umbral Ice duration and gets you a single Umbral Ice and a single Umbral Heart stack per use -- you can spam it during downtime
iluna minoriToday at 4:56 PM
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Luna 🌙Today at 4:58 PM
MP cost of Ice spells from Astral Fire is now 0
Xenoglossy is an instant for consuming Polyglot stacks
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Mana Shift removed
Despair is a single-target Flare equivalent. They say it works like Flare so the MP Cost is likely not exactly 10000, but rather whatever your MP value is.
Displacement gets a paired ability (shares cooldown, same duration) that does not knock you back
RDM combo finishers (after Holy/Flare) get an additional instant-cast spell to be combo'd after it. The one demonstrated was Scorch, used right after Holy.
RDM also gets aspected AOE magic
BRD / MCH / SMN getting significant changes
MCH is practically a new job
iluna minoriToday at 5:03 PM
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Luna 🌙Today at 5:03 PM
they're trying to follow a design philosophy where getting more of any gauge is always a good thing to have
in contrast to Stormblood MCH that wanted to avoid unintended overheats
MCH's image involves using a lot more varied machinery; chains, drills, robots, etc
https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/581271250723405864/581271298668363786/unknown.png (someone sent me this, captured from a frame in the RDM demo)

BRD and SMN getting a partial rework
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SMN pet summon skills are all instants now
"Phoenix is usable while you can't use Bahamut"
BRD is getting adjustments to make it easier to play, and reduce the party synergy impact of the presence of the BRD
songs no longer give Crit +2%
they are now linked to DoT crits (?)
There is now a Soul Voice gauge, which will be used for higher level abilities
Dancer live demo
Dancer has Steps
and can link to a given Dance Partner
when the Dance Partner does an action, there is a chance they build the Dancer gauge
Dance Partner seems to be an undefined duration buff. Think dragoon tether, but without a timer or tether.
once a Dance is entered, you can only execute Dance Step actions. It has a short cooldown.
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the timer on the small gauge is the remaining time of the dance buff
Dancer has both meelee and ranged attacks
the rotation is proc based, intended to be easy to execute
the Dance itself looks like a minigame where you press Steps (4 different Steps) in the correct sequence; the sequence that needs to be pressed is shown in the job gauge, you don't get to manipulate the sequence like with Mudras.
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iluna minoriToday at 5:22 PM
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Luna 🌙Today at 5:22 PM
once the Spirit Gauge has accumulated to 50, you unlock access to higher utility dances
iluna minoriToday at 5:22 PM
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Luna 🌙Today at 5:23 PM
all of the Expansion-related announcements are done
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There will be an FF14 presentation during the Square Enix Live
keep your expectations low -- E3 presentations are aimed at non-players
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the next live letter will also be broadcast from the US, but from the Square-Enix headquarters instead of this rental venue
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Hori is known in Japan for making 3rd party controllers
styrofoam prototype
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analog stick pit is movable to adjust for hand size
yoshida had lots of feedback, especially while playtesting Dancer with the device
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second prototype
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the FF14 team has other people who also use left-handed devices so they had the team members try it out as well
third and final prototype -- thumb stick height lowered, slope / curve added to keys
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price target around ￥10,000
Shini-tanToday at 5:34 PM
(I'm back!)
Yoshida mentions that a certain model of this type of  device (Logitech?) is going out of production, so this might be a good alternative for users to consider
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Eorzean Symphony returns this year in Yokohama, see slide for details
Stormblood songs may be performed
Similar in scope to the previous Eorzean Symphony
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This screenshot was posted in the last regular Letter from the Producer (the first one in 3 years)
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The official benchmark will be available... today! At 7pm PT
Luna 🌙Today at 5:39 PM
Benchmark comes out in 1h20m
Japan Time is more reliable because of no summer time :haha:
Shini-tanToday at 5:40 PM
They apologize for the delays at the start, and thank the staff members
Luna 🌙Today at 5:41 PM
there are unannounced things that they will speak of in the Live Letter after E3
Shini-tanToday at 5:43 PM
Yoshida says they were discussing the stream issues earlier, and deduced that the technical difficulties were probably the result of them underestimating the amount of preparation time that would be needed, rather than being the staff's fault
Because they are used to having such smooth broadcasts
They will be more diligent in the future, and keep their guard up so that something like this won't happen again
Now they're going to show a video of the benchmark
After the stream is over, the benchmark video will also be uploaded in 4k 60fps