New Level Sync Feature to Change the Way You Party

From PlayOnline.com:

The FFXI development team is proud to announce the "Level Sync" system, a revolutionary new feature in the upcoming version update that will allow all players-grizzled veterans and novices alike-to adventure and gain experience together regardless of level differences!

Discuss this exciting announcement on our forums!

 

The Concept

The development team has been listening intently to feedback from players, and working hard to address concerns such as the following:
"I can't party effectively with my friends or linkshell members because our levels are too far apart!"
"I invited one of my friends to play FFXI with me, but we can't party together because we don't have any jobs at similar levels!"
"I can't find anyone close enough to my level to party with!"

The new Level Sync system is the result of extensive discussions on how to resolve these concerns, while preserving game balance and avoiding abuse and power-leveling by RMT groups. It addresses the issues that have resulted from a steady stream of new, low-level players joining an existing game world populated by scores of high-level veterans, and is part of the ongoing effort to clean up the FFXI community and remove players in violation of the users' agreement.


At the heart of the feature is the new ability for members of a party to "power down" to the level of a designated target player. Now friends will be able to adventure together and gain experience as if they were all the same level!

With the introduction of this system, there will also be major changes to the way equipment is handled in regard to level restrictions. Rather than automatically unequipping items if a player's level is reduced below the item's minimum level, the attributes of high-level equipment will be scaled down proportionally to the reduced level.
This will apply not only to the Level Sync system, but to all level-restricted areas and missions. This means that players will now be able to participate in various battlefields, Assault missions, and Ballista, and also to adventure in level-capped areas such as Riverne without the hassle of having to switch equipment!

Read on for more details about how the Level Sync system will work, and examples of how equipment and experience-gaining will be affected.

How it Works

When Level Sync is activated, the level of all party members will be temporarily reduced to that of a target player designated by the party leader. For as long as the Level Sync remains in effect, all party members – regardless of their original level – will be able to gain experience as if they were actually the lower, restricted level.

e.g. With a party containing characters of Levels 75, 48, 46, 30, 12, and 11:
If the target character is Lv. 11, everyone will become Lv. 11.
If the target character is Lv. 12, the Lv. 30-75 party members will become Lv. 12.
(the Lv. 11 character will remain Lv. 11)
* If the target character gains a level while Level Sync is in effect, the other characters' levels will automatically adjust to reflect the new target level.
* Level Sync cannot be used in areas or events where a separate level restriction already applies.
* The Level Sync settings are easily accessible from the main menu.


Three simple restrictions will be implemented to ensure that the Level Sync feature is not abused and does not provide an excessive advantage over traditional leveling.
1)The minimum target level that can be synchronized to is Level 10.
2)The party leader and target player must be located in the same area.
3)There will be a buffer period of thirty seconds when deactivating Level Sync.

Gaining Experience

When Level Sync is in effect, players will gain 100% of the experience and limit points possible to gain at their reduced level. Be aware, though, that no EXP will be gained if the target player is unconscious, removed from the party, too far away from the battle location, or otherwise unable to receive EXP at the time the monster is defeated.
In addition, the amount of EXP lost when rendered unconscious will be calculated based upon the player's reduced level.

Equipment

As mentioned above, equipment will also be temporarily powered down to match the player's reduced level. Attributes that will be affected include: DMG, DEF, HP, MP, Status Effects, Accuracy+, Attack+, Ranged Accuracy+, Ranged Attack+, Magic Accuracy+, and Magic Attack+.
* The current plan is for other special properties (including Evasion, Enmity, enchantments and ability bonuses) to be negated entirely.

Ex. 1) Centurion's Sword (Lv. 30)
DMG: 19 Delay: 225 Accuracy +3 Attack +4

Ex. 2) Askar Zucchetto (Lv. 75)
DEF: 23 STR+4 DEX+4 VIT+4 Haste +4%
Set: Max HP Boost


Ex. 3) Goliard Clogs (Lv. 75)
DEF: 19 DEX+4 INT+4 MND+4 CHR+4 Evasion +5
MP recovered while healing +3
Magic Accuracy +2

* The attributes in red will be scaled down relative to the player's level.

Also, low-level players need not be discouraged! Statistics on higher-level equipment (including HQ and rare items) being scaled down will be comparable to those of common items at the target level. This means that lower-level characters who have obtained special equipment via quests, notorious monsters, or HQ syntheses will still have the best gear available at their respective level!

There are still more exciting new changes that will be introduced, so keep an eye out for the full details to be posted on the day of the version update. Until then, happy adventuring!

Comments

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Don't get me wrong but...
# Aug 25 2008 at 1:16 PM Rating: Default
This update sounds totally awesome, i'm just worried this will make the game too easy? I worked way hard for what I have and noobs come in and get the world.

anybody else?

hmm
# Aug 25 2008 at 1:02 PM Rating: Decent
ok i may be wrong but surly this means that if you have fully leveled relic weapon you can use it at say lvl 10 and use its Weapon Skill? please corect me if im wrong



Edited, Aug 25th 2008 5:02pm by GodSixSixSix
Paranoia
# Aug 25 2008 at 12:03 PM Rating: Good
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178 posts
Ah speculation is fun. Granted, I wandered onto these forums simply to see what kind of ranting would be going on. Morbid curiosity I guess. But seriously, what is the point of complaining about how unbalanced this will make the game when SE hasn't even detailed out how equipment will be deleveled. In fact, I'm not sure if anyone has noticed, but the even contradicted themselves:

* The current plan is for other special properties (including Evasion, Enmity, enchantments and ability bonuses) to be negated entirely.

Ex. 2) Askar Zucchetto (Lv. 75)
DEF: 23 STR+4 DEX+4 VIT+4 Haste +4%
Set: Max HP Boost

* The attributes in red will be scaled down relative to the player's level.

They did say, however, that deleveled equipment should pale in comparison to normal HQ equipment, so let's assume that to be true for the moment (although I am curious about "hidden effects" of things like elemental staves).

Also, I don't know why people would merit in "safer" low level areas. What? Greater Colibri sitting in a completely non-aggressive camp isn't safe enough for you? Plus, a lot of what makes the xp per hour so high in merit parties is all of the abilities from jobs and equipment that reduces or eliminates downtime. You won't have the benefit of these things if your level is reduced.

Anyway, that's my two cents and I say kudos to SE for making a large effort to improve the enjoyment of the game. I'm sure they'll discover a few oversights that give way to exploits after implementation, but I think things will work out well.
Paranoia
# Aug 25 2008 at 12:37 PM Rating: Good
Can you say "Dude, wtf! There's a full pt of bst in crawlers nest destroying all that moves!!!"? Smiley: grin

Edited, Aug 25th 2008 4:39pm by Ultre
damn...
# Aug 25 2008 at 11:58 AM Rating: Good
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514 posts
goodbye to those "I don"t have gear for that lvl or the space" Excuse. XD

oh well ;-p lol
A new Seek icon?
# Aug 25 2008 at 11:45 AM Rating: Excellent
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1,104 posts
I guess the only question is how one will seek to want to party at lower lvls if or a 75 merit party. Obviously you have green and red at the moment. Maybe a new one colored orange or yellow or something termed under Seek as "Level Sync" to say "Hey, willing to party at any lvl range between 10-75 just shoot me a tell".

Sounds about right on what they should do but, again, who knows.
A new Seek icon?
# Aug 26 2008 at 3:24 AM Rating: Excellent
I believe that's what we see in the picture provided with the post. They mentioned adding this quite a long time ago, I'd almost forgotten about it. I guess I just never figured it would actually happen. For those that don't remember, once upon a time SE had addressed player concerns about trying to look for party for multiple jobs and levels. I think this is one way of addressing it, probably the most effective, if you consider the millions of applications this is going to have. On another note, I just can't help but be amazed at this change, since this will mark the single largest and most used change that the game has ever seen, unless you count when they added American players with the Rise of the Zilart. I've been online since the American release, and I've never seen anything like this. Even introducing NPC fellows can't compare. This will affect literally every player, level 10 or higher of course, of every job, level, race, nation, and status. See a friend levelling a low level job while out dinking around? No problem, just get off your chocobo and Sync to their level, no need to run back to town or even to try to compare what jobs you have at what levels. I can't wait to tell my wife all about this! THANK YOU SQUARE ENIX!
A new Seek icon?
# Aug 26 2008 at 5:54 AM Rating: Good
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1,104 posts
Ah, good catch. Didn't notice the different icon above their heads. Easy enough and makes perfect since. I wonder if that will become the new icon you see on everyone head instead of green? Auto-group was a good idea on paper but just didn't work.

I am still going to want my meritpo action with squishy mobs but I wouldn't mind taking a trip back down memory lane for a Dunes party or whatever every once in a while.
Not Sure.....
# Aug 25 2008 at 11:16 AM Rating: Good
So what this mean is that even if u have a high lvl job you can still lvl in the same area as say Valkume Dunes as a lvl 15-20 friends and still gain exp. does this also mean that the higher lvl would get less exp when "Sync" is apply or is the exp the same for eveyone? I dont quite understand all this. if u do get the same exp and add it to ur total un"Sync" exp. what would be the point of moving to harder place to fight when u can just lvl in easy area over and over with this system. 
Hmmm
# Aug 25 2008 at 10:42 AM Rating: Good
You know if you can perma level down to E-Ron S Bird camp wouldnt be bad when leveling in general.
Best Idea Since FFXI Debut
# Aug 25 2008 at 10:18 AM Rating: Good
I am so HAPPY now! I have been waiting for this. All my friends are those vets (most have all jobs to lvl 75). AH! I think I may leave work early...yes, just for this.
AWESOME
# Aug 25 2008 at 10:17 AM Rating: Excellent
This won't eliminate the demand on low level equipment. There will always be people who want to have the best gear for their level, and a stripped down AF set or whatever won't be that. I said it in the thread in the main forums and I will say it here, I would rather tank as 30 PLD in the Eisen set than a completely stripped AF set.

This update came as a shock to me, and is like Christmas in.. August. Now when someone in the linkshell can't level up because there is nobody seeking, we can go sync with him, level him up and teach him the ins and outs of the zones, AND still get XP/merit points to boot.

Now, many jobs that are traditionally kept out of those 30k/hr meripos because they aren't the "right" job, can throw up there flag with a comment "Low Level pt OK". Sure it's not 30k/hr, but they weren't going to get that anyway. Plus visiting old camps is sometimes fun, and what a great option for getting CP.

Or at the very least, the party level range can be expanded. So instead of /sea all 20-22 for an area, you can now /sea all 20-30 for an area and just cap everyone at the lowest member of the party.

There is no part of that, that isn't win.

This is going to be AWESOME, and I can't wait.

AWESOME
# Aug 25 2008 at 2:56 PM Rating: Good
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1,853 posts
Level 70 Summoner Burn parties here I come! Hehe. Only reason KRT Summoner burns aren't used anymore cause at 75, the exp aint comparable to merit parties in aht urhgan, but at 75, it was a lot better. o.o
Hmm...
# Aug 25 2008 at 10:16 AM Rating: Decent
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136 posts
Well, looking into some of the gear issues. People are concerned that High level gear will be overpowered. The Alla post isn't quite as informative as the POL one cause the red and gray borders don't show up quite so well. So take a look.

As mentioned above, equipment will also be temporarily powered down to match the player's reduced level. Attributes that will be affected include: DMG, DEF, HP, MP, Status Effects, Accuracy+, Attack+, Ranged Accuracy+, Ranged Attack+, Magic Accuracy+, and Magic Attack+.
* The current plan is for other special properties (including Evasion, Enmity, enchantments and ability bonuses) to be negated entirely.

Ex. 1) Centurion's Sword (Lv. 30)
DMG: 19 Delay: 225 Accuracy +3 Attack +4

Ex. 2) Askar Zucchetto (Lv. 75)
DEF: 23 STR+4 DEX+4 VIT+4 Haste +4%
Set: Max HP Boost

Ex. 3) Goliard Clogs (Lv. 75)
DEF: 19 DEX+4 INT+4 MND+4 CHR+4 Evasion +5
MP recovered while healing +3 Magic Accuracy +2


On POL the Damage, Acc and Att and Magic Acc. bonuses, and Stat Bonuses are all in red. So it looks like things like acc att Str dex etc. will be lowered according by level.

Delay on the weapons seems to remain the same.

Everything else was grayed out. Haste, Emnity+, and HMp. This makes me think that until you reach the specified level for that gear, those effects will be completely disabled. So from the looks of things at the least the following wont be effective when unter Lv Sync: Haste, HHp and HMP, any Enmity + or -, JSE ability boosts (ex. Double attack), or any enchantments on the gear, likely movement speed too, as well as Relic special effects and the like. All would be nullified.

So, depending on how much the stats are lowered, the lowbie gear could potentially be quite more powerful that capped high level gear.

Though this does make me wonder that if you equip Hecatomb gear under this effect if the slow on the gear would be nullified... Be interesting to see.
Hurray
# Aug 25 2008 at 10:15 AM Rating: Decent
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495 posts
This will make CoP even easier! =P
Sounds like CoH!
# Aug 25 2008 at 10:05 AM Rating: Decent
I like this! This sounds like the same leveling system they have in City of Heroes, except in city of heroes you can "side kick" a lower level character, and bring them within leveling range of the high level character. They do not gain the skills of that level but the stats of that level so they would be able to do some damage. I'm diggin this!
hmmmm
# Aug 25 2008 at 9:30 AM Rating: Decent
The fact that I dont need to keep some of my low level equipment makes this great however, my question is what will happen to weapon skill-ups if you are synced to a lower level.Yes you can go an skill-up at anytime but its so much easier to skill-up in an exp party.

Edited, Aug 25th 2008 1:31pm by ZettaTheOverlord
{sweets}
# Aug 25 2008 at 9:28 AM Rating: Decent
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873 posts
This could be the best thing they've added in years.
So Happy
# Aug 25 2008 at 9:27 AM Rating: Decent
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421 posts
This is f'ing awesome. Now I can exp with some of the lower level of members of my LS, gain a bit of merits AND i don't have to deal with any gear swaps
Win, just pure win.
# Aug 25 2008 at 9:14 AM Rating: Good
42 posts
My shout of excitement nearly got me fired. Looks like I finally have a reason to come back after all.
How Will This Affect Our Experience Points?
# Aug 25 2008 at 8:58 AM Rating: Default
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453 posts
Sure this sound absolutely great!

However, what will this do for us level 75s? Will the experience or merit points still be gained on our jobs, similar to how your experience in Promyvion is applied to your current job level?

Don't mean to ruin this overjoyed occasion with a "what will this do for me?" attitude.
How Will This Affect Our Experience Points?
# Aug 25 2008 at 11:39 AM Rating: Excellent
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1,104 posts
I am pretty sure they mentioned how this will work in the information. If you lvl sync to 30 but are currently on Merit mode, any and all exp you gain will be applied to that. So, if you have 9999 Merit exp and gain exp in a battle at lvl 30, you should ding and see "So and So gains 1 Merit Point" and rinse and repeat. Pretty much the same on how Promy's work and ENM's.

Edited, Aug 26th 2008 8:40am by Stucco

Edited, Aug 26th 2008 8:41am by Stucco
How Will This Affect Our Experience Points?
# Aug 25 2008 at 1:12 PM Rating: Good
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453 posts
Stucco wrote:
I am pretty sure they mentioned how this will work in the information. If you lvl sync to 30 but is currently on Merit mode, any and all exp you gain will be applied to that. So, if you have 9999 Merit exp and gain exp in a battle at lvl 30, you should ding and "So and So gains 1 Merit Point" and rinse and repeat. Pretty much the same on how Promy's work and ENM's.


Sorry about that. Caffeine had yet to kick in and I completely missed that paragraph on experience. Thank you!^^
Potential for lvl sync
# Aug 25 2008 at 8:48 AM Rating: Excellent
Everyone is talking about 75's overtaking lower lvl areas. I don't think that will be the case. SE is probably adding this cause a lot of parties can't be formed because they are missing a tank or a healer. Now ppl can get a friend or LS member who is any lvl higher to join them. This will also eliminate the lvl gap problem when lvlin in a zone (e.g. hitting lvl 26 in Qufim Island and rest of pt is 24). PT member will no longer be kicked out because they are hurting the EXP.

The lvl sync will help out ppl who need or want to do BCNMs. I myself need to do a BCNM to get Utsusemi: Ni and now I can get my 2 closest friend to help me because they won't need to get a whole new set of equipment.

This will help the ppl stuck on CoP missions also. A lot of the newer player can't get past the Promies becuase no one want to dig out and dust off their low lvl jobs let alone get equipment for them. Now a group of LS member can get together and help the new LS member get past the mission they are stuck on. So this added to last addition to the CoP BCNMs will help even the other 75's get access to Sea.

Being a 75 and not being able to get past PM4-3 has really bummed me out.
#REDACTED, Posted: Aug 25 2008 at 8:40 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) This may sound good, however I have a fear that the phrase "High Level Onry" might start up.
Seeing a problem
# Aug 25 2008 at 12:47 PM Rating: Good
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181 posts
Ricewarrior wrote:
This may sound good, however I have a fear that the phrase "High Level Onry" might start up.

Since it doesn't seem like all attributes on high leveled gear such as haste and ect, doesn't get nerfed down to the repective level of the party leader, this might encourage party leaders to only invite higher leveled players only as opposed to new players that started.

This might lower the invite rates of newer players, thus creating a new problem.

That's just my 2 cents.


SE wrote:
Equipment

As mentioned above, equipment will also be temporarily powered down to match the player's reduced level. Attributes that will be affected include: DMG, DEF, HP, MP, Status Effects, Accuracy+, Attack+, Ranged Accuracy+, Ranged Attack+, Magic Accuracy+, and Magic Attack+.
* The current plan is for other special properties (including Evasion, Enmity, enchantments and ability bonuses) to be negated entirely.


Please read before vomiting into the forums
Overly crowded areas?
# Aug 25 2008 at 8:38 AM Rating: Decent
Early on, Dunes/Qufim/Jungles had times where 200+ people were leveling in that zone, and we coped. More recently, there's times I've leveled new jobs and there wasn't enough to make a single party with. I don't see people with Lv75 jobs purposely partying in lower areas, with dumbed down gear. It's not better exp than colibri camps, etc. Everyone now likes ToAU areas because of the EXP Bonus on sanction/AC. I think what SE should do, is give signet the same EXP bonus as sanction, so people can level in the previous areas again. I miss sky/KRT parties ._.
Overly crowded areas?
# Aug 25 2008 at 8:49 AM Rating: Default
you can do the lesser colibri camp at 52+ with PERFECT setup every time. which gives more exp then greater colibri camp because the mobs dont reflect.
#REDACTED, Posted: Aug 25 2008 at 8:33 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) pretty cool..might actually play again..hope this applys for ballista too that would be awsome.
sick
# Aug 25 2008 at 9:27 AM Rating: Default
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220 posts
Jmattioli wrote:
pretty cool..might actually play again..hope this applys for ballista too that would be awsome.


...
O_O
# Aug 25 2008 at 8:30 AM Rating: Default
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181 posts
ShoikoGamma wrote:
My fiance would love this because I have so many high level jobs that I can never party with her cause I keep having no job i want to lvl in her party range. but with this I can party with what ever the hell i want to with out seeing her sad when ever i say "I really don't feel like leveling <insert job>

SE++

Edited, Aug 25th 2008 8:18am by ShoikoGamma
+


SE bringing families together since 2008. (This and the lower fight times on certain nm's means more family time? HA yeah right)

Edited, Aug 25th 2008 9:29am by Aedder
#REDACTED, Posted: Aug 25 2008 at 8:23 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) this brings to mind using a mule character to set the lvl limit then move him away from the exp range so you cant lvl up and change the exp or lvlcap.... idk looks like a hole rmt might use... but oh well thats my 2 cents
exp hog
# Aug 25 2008 at 9:13 AM Rating: Decent
I went to PlayOnline and read more carefuilly "Be aware, though, that no EXP will be gained if the target player is unconscious, removed from the party, too far away from the battle location, or otherwise unable to receive EXP at the time the monster is defeated." so the idea of someone using a mule and moving them far away won't work
exp hog
# Aug 25 2008 at 8:55 AM Rating: Default
I hope SE will be smart enough to add that lvl sync will only be in effect as long as the character the base is set on stays within EXP range other wise that will create another problem
OMG
# Aug 25 2008 at 8:13 AM Rating: Good
38 posts
can i just faint now?
about time.
# Aug 25 2008 at 7:48 AM Rating: Decent
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135 posts
FINALLY.

i've not been playing lately, largely for the lack of invites if i'm not meriting.
thumbs up!

Edited, Aug 25th 2008 9:49am by Uma
about time.
# Aug 25 2008 at 8:24 AM Rating: Decent
Alright... This pretty much rocks. I can actually level again!

The best part is no gear changing for COP Missions. That is worth Gold! Maybe more people will be willing to do more COP/Zilart/ToAU Missions now tha you dont have to waste money on gear, or waste inventory spaces. And they made it so you can't loose EXP so I may just do COP all day long!
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