Changes to Kings and Obtaining BB itemsFollow

Well, it has been about a week since the new system for Kings has been put in place....and honestly I think SE went to far.

Before this update, monks had two options to get BB items. They could either do the KSNM for them or camp NQ/HQ kings. SE has basically eliminated the second option thus severly decreasing the flow of BB items into circulation. The reason for this is the horrendous drop rate on the pop item for HQ kings. On most accounts I have seen as well as discussed in this thread on the official forums - http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/7893-DEV-1009-Kings-update-drop-rates.

What this means is (if correct from which I have seen and heard evidence regarding) out of every 20 tries on average you will get 1 HQ pop item. This means any monk going for BB would need to go 0 for 20 on average to get this "free" addition shot at an upgrade item. In essence, SE has largely eliminated one of the two means of getting black belt items and now requires more time to put into the process (8 hours approx at the least to farm 99KS versus 3 hours of camping HQ pops of which you really need to be active for about 30 seconds each 30 minute period).

Note: This is worse for anyone who wants to get Abj from HQ kings with its 5% chance and then the abj rate or god forbid a defending ring since you would be looking at a 5% chance for HQ king pop item and another 5% chance approx for dring (or a 1 in 400 shot per 99 seals)


Edited, May 16th 2011 1:29pm by EklmForever

If this is the case, they need to add some current drops to the kings. I hear, the drop rate on kings isn't even 100% before? System seems like comlete fail.

Has the drop rate from KS99 runs of the BB items changed at all? They were half-decent before, and on a + side, it'll be much easier obtaining a Ridill for ppl wanting to skill sword up >.>

If enough ppl complain, SE will change the drop rates by the next big version update.

Along a similar note, I went to Ordelle Caves where the Morbolger NM is for the Morbolger Vine. I noticed that there were 3 Stropers up. Normally there is just one so I was wondering if anyone has noticed if the spawn conditions for this NM have been stealth changed.

The vine from what I remember drops from a very easy KS30. Would prob be able to do it with 1-3 ppl now.

If there were only 2 that would be very interesting because there's normally 3 up now. I'm wondering if they changed this NM's spawn conditions to where one of the Stroper's is a PH instead of Morbolger just being a timed spawn.