Pankration in the Pit

From PlayOnline.com:


After years of petitioning by the people, the Empire has finally agreed to open the Pit's gates and allow Pankration matches to be held once again. Soultrappers from all across Vana'diel have already begun to arrive with their trusted pets, eager to take part in what is destined to be one of the most heated events in Aht Urhgan history!

What is Pankration?

Pankration (pan-kra-tee-on) is an ancient sport that pits fierce beasts against one another in a winner-takes-all melee. Clawing, cleaving, slicing, striking, enchanting, eviscerating, butting, bashing... Once in the battlecage, anything goes! Does your monster have what it takes to rise to the top?

 

 


Here is a brief explanation of how to participate:

1. Gotta Catch 'em

Your first step in becoming a soultrapper begins with obtaining an image of the monster you wish to enter in Pankration. Head down to the Pit with some Imperial credits and purchase a soultrapping device (also called a "Soultrapper") and some blank soul plates. The Soultrapper acts as a type of camera which records the vital information of monsters onto soul plates. Once you have equipped these items in your Ranged and Ammo slots, sneak up on a ferocious fiend and snap away. If you are successful, you will be able to use your newly acquired soul plate to create an item that will allow you to call forth a monster, or apply the monster's skills to another monster.
You'll be happy to know that pictures can be taken of most all monsters residing in Vana'diel, even the more "notorious" ones, such as behemoths and rams.

2. Soul Reflectors

Now take your soul plate back to the Pit and trade it along with an ice crystal to the proper attendant. If the plate is one that contains the image of a summonable monster, you will receive a soul reflector infused with the information from your soul plate. But before you can call your monster up for a Pankration battle, you must first submit the reflector for inspection. If it passes all of the Pit's quality assurance tests, it will be deemed an official soul reflector and you and your monster will be one step closer to the battlecage!

But what can you do with those soul plates that can't be forged into soul reflectors? Some monsters (such as beastmen) have such strong wills that it is impossible to coerce them into fighting for you. However, that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of their skills and teach those techniques to more impressionable monsters. Try trading one of these unforgeable plates and a reflector to a Pit attendant. If certain conditions are met, the attendant will take the skills from that plate and add them to the monster on your reflector! Imagine the sort of havoc a forest hare with deadly dark knight abilities could wield upon its enemies!

3. Red Tape

The Pit consists of four "battlecages" where Pankration matches are constantly being held. Once you have acquired an official soul reflector, take it to a registration officer to sign up for one of the following two types of battles:

- Exhibition (Battlecages "Annihilation" "Bloodlust" "Carnage")
As long as there is an opening, soultrappers can enter their monsters in exhibition matches at any time they wish. However, there are no level restrictions in any of the three cages, and no records of winners or losers will be kept. If you wish, you can have your monster pit against the monster of your choice by forming a party with the monster's owner and reserving an entry slot for your opponent when submitting your application.

- Tournament (Battlecage "Diablo")
Pit your monster against the current cage champion. If it wins, it is declared the new champion and will continue to battle opponents until it is dethroned. How many matches can you win?

4. Round One......Fight!

When your monster's match is about to begin, you and your opponent will be paged. Proceed to one of the cage officials and you will be transported to the control platform where you will be able to give simple orders to your monster via the speaking tubes. Once the battle begins, the monsters will fight it out until one collapses, with the one still standing declared the victor. If both monsters are still alive when the gong sounds the end of the round, the creature with the most HP remaining is crowned the winner.
Adventurers whose monsters are not currently participating in a match can take in all the excitement of the other matches from an elevated stage in front of each battlecage.

5. Level UP!

Once your battle has ended, trade your official reflector to a registration officer to confirm match results. Only after confirming match results will you receive your reward and your monster earn experience and skill points. DO NOT forget to complete this process!

Customizing your Monster

In addition to earning EXP through participating in Pankration matches, there are other methods through which your pet can become stronger.

1. Feral Skills
All monsters have unique inherent characteristics such as abilities, battle techniques, and magic spells. These are known as "feral skills." However, certain skills often remain dormant until monsters attain a certain level. It is not always a good idea to dismiss a monster as weak until you have had the chance to see it perform at a level where it can call upon a full arsenal of skills.

2. Discipline & Temperament
The following traits will change depending on the type of orders you give your monsters, as well as the frequency with which you give them:

- Discipline
The more disciplined your monster is, the more likely it is to correctly respond to orders given during a match.

- Temperament
Monster temperament is measured in two ways:
Wild vs. Tame
Aggressive vs. Defensive
A monster's temperament directly affects how it acts during battle. For example, a tame and defensive monster may choose to use stunning techniques on an opponent attempting to cast a powerful spell or use a weapon skill.

Comments

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Battle of the Cocks!
# Sep 09 2007 at 9:27 AM Rating: Default
So if we pit cockatrice against cockatrice, will that be considered **** fighting?
yeah. . .
# Sep 08 2007 at 1:34 PM Rating: Decent
I have been looking forward to this since I got an email about it before summer started. Im not going after and NMs. Since most people will be in those areas and all lag out. Im going after Hippogryphs, The dragons in Halvung, moths, Some mob that pops on the clipper in B. Bay.(I think its a frog) Then run around and take random pics of whatever cathches my interests.

Im thinking about going with a Hippogryph or one of my other choices and add a soulflayer to them. XD I wonder if you mix a worm into the mix your pet will learn burrow? Nothing like a big *** mob sinking into the ground only to appear behind and murder your *** lol.

Yeah, im at work and really bored.

My ls and a few friends of mine are going on a hunting pt to make sure that everyone gets the mobs they want. Then have LS vs LS battles and lvl up partys for the pets. I hope but not really hoping to be able to trade the plates and whatever to others. I dont have sea so It would be nice to have my friend get some mobs for me. But on the other hand it would be a means for RMT and super greedy players to sell certian mobs for insane amounts of gil.

But anyways if anyone is on carbuncle send me a tell if you want to join in. We will be heading to any place possible. I would like to see if I can use Faust lol
haha
# Sep 08 2007 at 10:14 AM Rating: Decent
all this talk about NM's...lol
man get a Tav Ram...Great bleat = easy win
Wow
# Sep 08 2007 at 1:40 AM Rating: Decent
I think Poke'mon is gonna sue XD;
Maybe it's time...
# Sep 06 2007 at 3:33 PM Rating: Decent
So, i was thinking.... maybe it's time we see a Craver, Thinker, or Gorger outside of promyvion!
Pokemon? Maybe more like Lufia
# Sep 06 2007 at 3:17 PM Rating: Decent
I remember in Lufia: The Ruins of Lore, you can catch monsters and feed them special fruits to "evolve" them. There are several steps of evolution, each, giving the pet monsters more abilities and a new look. You can also teach one pet monster the abilities of another pet monster, however the pet who's skills will be taught will disappear. When I read the update details i thought more about Lufia than Pokemon, but that's just me. Either way, i'm looking forward to a little Hanky-Panky!
Breeder's Gear
# Sep 06 2007 at 8:06 AM Rating: Decent
It only makes sense! Breeder's gear must come from the Pit!

Lv. 70 Breeder's Mufflers : DEF:18 DEX +2 INT +2 Accuracy +4 Enmity-4 Set: Increases pet defense and enmity

Lv. 70 Breeder's Mask : DEF:22 Accuracy +4 Enmity-3 Haste +1% Physical damage: "Blaze Spikes" effect Set: Increases pet defense and enmity

Anyone on Kujata want to start a Pankration duo!?
.....
# Sep 06 2007 at 6:05 AM Rating: Default
Fafnir anyone?
CC i choose you
# Sep 06 2007 at 1:42 AM Rating: Good
*
123 posts
CourierCarrie I choose you, 'Quick attack...no no not howl!!! what are you doing, do what i say!!!'

"knew i shoudn't have traded for it, now it never listens to me /sigh!"
maat?
# Sep 05 2007 at 11:23 PM Rating: Decent
I wonder if i can snapshot maat
Hrmmm...
# Sep 05 2007 at 9:33 PM Rating: Decent
I don't know about y'all, but I'm definitely going to be in Altepa trying to get Rapido's attention once this is implemented. 10,000 needles, FTW?
Wooot
# Sep 05 2007 at 2:18 PM Rating: Default
I either want a puk or Hippogryph :3 any1 on cerberus come and get it !!! >=)

Send me a /tell To Drakenmaster MY Pet shall woopith thou ***

PS: Can we name em?
pokemon
# Sep 05 2007 at 11:24 AM Rating: Good
***
1,076 posts
    http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?fitem=11831



WOOT i think i called this one!!!!
Vrtra's soul
# Sep 05 2007 at 10:01 AM Rating: Decent
I will deffinatlly be committing suicide to get vrtra's soul and maby tiamat and the summons if i can heh.
Pit
# Sep 05 2007 at 6:03 AM Rating: Decent
is this open yet? cause when i try to go into the pit it says "The Gate is firmly closed" ?
Resistance if futile, all will be assimilated.
# Sep 04 2007 at 11:48 PM Rating: Decent
**
564 posts
Oops, double post...

Edited, Sep 5th 2007 9:50am by superguppie
Uber-pets? I think not!
# Sep 04 2007 at 11:46 PM Rating: Decent
****
6,424 posts
Somehow, I doubt a lvl 1 Fafnir is going to be as impressive as a lvl 1 bunny...

Besides, dragons are intelligent... fat chance you can use them as a pit pet, but maybe you can teach your lvl 75 bunny Spike Flail with it ;)

I'm hoping that taking snapshots of NMs will give you a pet with that skin, but the starter version of each pet will have the same powers (for that family)
So Byakko will become a regular tiger pit pet, but with Byakko's skin.

Also, I wonder if you have to go up ranks in the pit to be able to catching more elusive mobs.

Ugh.. so much speculation... SE, release this already!
Resistance is futile, all will be assimilated.
# Sep 04 2007 at 11:45 PM Rating: Decent
**
564 posts
Hmmm, Pokemon has been FFXI-ed.
I wonder what 'other game' is next on the list.
Many kudos to SE for this one.

I might actualy try the capturing a bit. Doubt I will ever be really good at it. This looks like something that will take a lot of time. And I am already short on that.
Ma-ma-matta!
# Sep 04 2007 at 10:45 PM Rating: Decent
Hum Matta anyone:D
Unique
# Sep 04 2007 at 7:11 PM Rating: Decent
Now what I need to decide is what monster to use that noone else will...

I'm a Dark Knight, so I'll probably use a Demon since it's very similar to my armor and magical abilities.

You KNOW everyone is gonna choose NMs for theirs... I think it's overrated.
Unique
# Sep 05 2007 at 5:14 AM Rating: Decent
*
220 posts
Zeix wrote:
Now what I need to decide is what monster to use that noone else will...

I'm a Dark Knight, so I'll probably use a Demon since it's very similar to my armor and magical abilities.

You KNOW everyone is gonna choose NMs for theirs... I think it's overrated.


"But what can you do with those soul plates that can't be forged into soul reflectors? Some monsters (such as beastmen) have such strong wills that it is impossible to coerce them into fighting for you."

I do believe Demons fall under beastmen, not for mission purposes etc. but in general, just as Anticans and what not.
Unique
# Sep 04 2007 at 9:49 PM Rating: Decent
I agree, They should have excluded NM's. Neally everyone will have a NM. It's going to be pretty unfair matches unless they have excluded some of their abilities, then normal beastmen/monsters can take them on.

Just thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth :)
Monster Alert
# Sep 04 2007 at 5:48 PM Rating: Decent
I will pwn u all with a worm ^^ I'll train him till there's no tomorrow
this sound interesting, gives me a reason to travel now over seas lol
interesting
# Sep 04 2007 at 4:47 PM Rating: Decent
Interesting Idea. lol Monster Rancher meets FF11. I liked Monster Rancher. Having pet monsters to fight others pet monsters. Sounds like a cool idea as a off shoot activity i.e. something to do or what not. Nice to see how this works out. And your right ufter this update players will be all over creation. getting "pics" of the the NM and great ones. Hey its Pokemon Snap :P.

P.S. Shoudnt they have added "all" to make Gotta Catch 'Em All! LOL

Edited, Sep 4th 2007 8:50pm by Frankenberry
interesting
# Sep 04 2007 at 5:39 PM Rating: Decent
lol, yeah, that's exactly what I thought
squish
# Sep 04 2007 at 4:18 PM Rating: Decent
**
372 posts
I shall raise a rabbit and pwn all you with it, cause we all know how uber bunnies are :P

(for those of you who don't know, that was a half-joke; but this comment was meant in pure entertainment)
squish
# Sep 04 2007 at 4:41 PM Rating: Default
**
330 posts
This is probably the worst thing I have ever seen FFXI add to the game. Instead of inventing something original to do they just pokemonster rancher rip it. I'll have nothing to do with this.
squish
# Sep 04 2007 at 4:56 PM Rating: Decent
Dude I can think of some things that SE has done to FF that were a whole lot worse then this is. This is simply an Activity for players and frankly I think most players will like it.
Beastmaster love
# Sep 04 2007 at 3:52 PM Rating: Decent
*
92 posts
Seems like beastmasters should get something more out of this. Also, the way that the pet progresses in strength seems similar to Ranger pets for WoW

Edited, Sep 4th 2007 7:01pm by xino
Cramped
# Sep 04 2007 at 2:57 PM Rating: Decent
***
2,890 posts
I can see it now, 30m after the updates done Behemoths Domain will have 400 people in it, Dragons Aery and other assorted locals will be full of people trying to -catch/claim- various NMs for their pets.
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