The developers of Final Fantasy XIV have posted some more information about the game on their Lodestone website. This time about crafting and choosing a path companion. They’re both an interesting read, especially the crafting one. It may help explain why you are failing some of your synths. The details are below.
Crafting
Q. I haven’t been having much success crafting items. What am I doing wrong?
A. The colored, glowing graphics provides players with a large hint toward a successful synthesis. When the glow is white, the synthesis is at its most stable, and the chances of success are high. When the glow takes on a color, however, the chances of success are low. Players seeking simple completion of their synthesis rather than high-quality results should attempt to use the Wait command when the indicator is colored to restore the stability of the synthesis before finishing it.
Q. Is there a trick to synthesizing high-quality items?
A. Though synthesis actions carried out while the colored circle graphic is red suffer a reduced rate of success, they often serve to increase the quality of the synthesis. In addition, the successful execution of consecutive actions also serves to increase quality. Ultimately, the higher the quality of the synthesis process, the more likely it is to yield a high-quality result.
Q. What do the values attached to synthesis materials, such as +1, signify?
A. These values represent bonuses applied to the durability and quality of a synthesis when it is first begun. Unlike increases to quality made during the crafting process, this initial bonus has no bearing on the degree of difficulty of the synthesis. Such bonus materials therefore increase a player’s chances at synthesizing high-quality items, without increasing the difficulty of the synthesis.
Q. I am able to choose between using my main hand or off hand tool when beginning a synthesis. What is the difference?
A. Main hand and off hand tools have varying characteristics which manifest themselves in different ways when a high-quality result is achieved while synthesizing. There are many possible outcomes. For instance, a successful synthesis with a main hand tool may result in a +1 or +2 item, while the result obtained with an off hand tool may be a higher yield of regular quality items.
Q. I don’t have enough of the crystals I need for synthesis. Is there a way to get more of the certain crystal type I need?
A. Other than looting fresh corpses, crystals can also be obtained through gathering. Further, for Disciples of the Land, allotting elemental bonus points to a certain element will result in a greater likelihood of procuring crystals of that type. Location is another factor to consider, as some places will yield more of certain crystal types than others.
Choosing a Path Companion
When players reach a certain point in the main scenario quests, they will be faced with an important decision—the selection of a Path Companion. We have prepared a simple guide to help.
At the onset of the fifth main scenario quest, players will be presented with the opportunity to select an NPC to join them in the search for truth behind the mysteries surrounding Eorzea. This NPC is known as a Path Companion., and players will be faced with several important decisions when selecting the one just right for them. After deciding on a class and nickname, players must also select the race and gender of their companion. The personality of NPC will vary greatly depending on which combination is chosen. The following is a list of the nine different types of personalities available:
Midland Hyur Male
A fine if somewhat conventional companion, possessing a strong sense of justice, an indefatigable spirit and…so on.
Midland Hyur Female
A gregarious though slightly egocentric young woman. If you can put up with her, she won’t let you down.
Elezen Male
Being a man wholly focused on his mission, this highborn fellow can seem rather curt, if not downright rude.
Elezen Female
A studious sort with exemplary manners. Serious and trustworthy, as you’d expect, but possibly a little…stiff for some tastes. Still, if you loathe over-familiarity, she may be just the companion—sorry, colleague for you.
Lalafell Male
It is said that a hero lies within us all. In the case of this rather sheltered young Lalafell, one might assume that the hero in question does so under his bed, hoping his harpy of a mother won’t think to look for him there. Will you be the one to coax him out?
Lalafell Female
Does your world want for a wealth of wordplay and wit? An abundance of alliteration, assonance aplenty and a soupcon of sibilance to seal the deal? Well, you were warned.
Miqo’te Female
A lady who knows what she likes, and likes a little bit of everything. Don’t be fooled by her coquettish manner and all-too-apparent charms; in her breast beats the fiery heart of a warrior. Not to worry, though, she’ll be gentle—assuming that’s what you like.
Roegadyn Male
When the going gets tough, it’s often nice to have a big, earnest, slightly credulous friend around—and they don’t come much bigger than this straight-talking Roegadyn.
ighland Hyur Male
Women, wine, war and women. Just four—alright, three of the things which tickle the fancy of this brute of a man. He doesn’t so much stand on ceremony as stamp on it until it stops moving.
Source: The Lodestone
