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People don't do it because it's the most efficient way. People do it because it's there, and people like the idea of a long term goal. Something new to work toward. Something to spend time on.



This right here is the real issue. The fact that FATE grinding is boring. Most of the complaining isn't about how much time it takes. It's about how freaking boring it is grinding low level FATEs for potentially no gain.

I liked grinding FATEs so keep your generalizations to yourself.

What I do not like is not getting the exp for the FATE because I am on a max level job. Such a waste..

Let me tell you... this quest is terrible.

I'm about 0 for 6 hours so far total. It's not fun at all, and yet it pretty much demands your undivided attention to do. Outside of theoretically getting one of the mythical atmas you get virtually nothing for it (11 gold and 60 seals! OH BOY!). Many of the fates are ridiculously low level and there's no real chance of death whatsoever. Fates aren't always up so you get to stand around waiting. When choosing a zone you have to hope that there's enough people there to actually complete the fate but not so many people that you can't even get there before it's over. My drop rate is so bad to where I'm halfway suspicious that I have done or am doing something wrong, but who knows, because the game sure isn't going to give you any idea one way or the other.

Now I understand that the law of averages says that eventually my luck should even out and I'll get a couple to drop in quick succession, and I know there are already people in the FC running around with more than 5 or who have gotten one in their first fate, but none of that matters. The bottom line is this is terrible game design. If you make a game that asks a player to invest that much time and they leave feeling that they've completely wasted it then you've failed as a game designer. There should have been some type of progression... if not a flat count (do so-and-so number of fates and the atma will be yours) then at least a system that rewards you as you put in more time (every fate increases the drop rate by 2% or something). As it is you're just completely at the mercy of the random number god, and knowing SE's history the drop rate is set ridiculously low anyways, so if I log on tomorrow and decide to try again I'm right back where I started from.

SE has been pretty good about keeping me from feeling like I've wasted my time. I generally feel like I've accomplished something when I've logged off. Tonight, though, was a monumental waste of time. I've got nothing to show for it. There was no progression whatsoever. People can say it's a time sink designed to get people to keep playing over a long period of time, but if I have to keep logging off feeling like I've wasted my time my interest in playing is going to deteriorate rather quickly. Bad design.

I wish they would've made them random dungeon drops as well. Need the Atma of the Maiden? You can FATE grind Central Shroud OR run Haukke Manor until it drops. The folks who want to mindlessly run from FATE to FATE can do that, and some of us could grind dungeons which a) takes at least a little skill, b) carries at least a little risk, and c) contains chests. I know which path I'd choose.

There's really no real reason you need to rush through this anyways. Set a goal of one atma per week, even.

I don't like doing dungeons so I don't level other jobs. If you don't like doing FATEs, hold off on your weapon until they either increase drop rates or Allagan/Weathered weapons become more common. This provides a much needed grind in this game for those complaining about having nothing to do without really making a difference right away.

The problem with this is that the way this game is going, the weapon will already be replaced by something else if you wait for a nerf. Like I said, I have absolutely nothing against a grind, but like others have said, make it measurable. I think most people envisioned something along the lines of beat these 5 extreme primals, these dungeons along with Odin and Behemoth 10 times to get a token! Then trade in 10 tokens for the weapon. While that's still ridiculously time consuming, you know you're eventually going to hit your goal.

I don't think the so-called hardcores complaining of lack of stuff to do had something as mundane as low level FATES on a level 50 character in mind. Now I'm not saying FATES in general are mundane, but the way this is setup, it's going to become that. I get they wanted to make this obtainable for casuals while the hardcore clear Coil 6-9, but again, once the hardcores burn through that they'll be bored.

I still don't know what they need to do to balance casual vs hardcore content cause it seems damn tough to please everyone.

You also have to know that they need a way for people to level fast a lower levels. You are all doing low level FATEs where three weeks ago, lonely Jimmy was left to die doing a FATE on his level 18 CNJ. Mission accomplished by SE.

You also can't expect these weapons to be given away, can you? ADD Nations, get out of here. I say as annoying as it is, good job SE.

Well I would guess about 200 plus fates later and 13 hrs or so and no atmas for me , while Tes has 5 atmas and Three are doubled.. That is so sh*tty, she spends the same amount of time in a area as me and gets two of the same atmas and I get nada

I don't mind grind but give me a goal.. Tell me I have to do a thousand fates this way I know I am getting closer to the end. I am almost starting to wonder if it aint broke for me. I have talked to some people and they are done others say they have 12 hrs in and no atmas..

I do love the new dungeon mechanics even though they are a little easy.. Lev is assume designed primal fight and the only one I have really liked so far.



Edited, Mar 30th 2014 11:11am by Nashred

Edited, Mar 30th 2014 11:24am by Nashred

The problem is if you make it a grind like that, then the hardcores complain, because they'll down the primals too fast.

If you make the grind into "kill each extreme primal 5 times for a token," then you'll alienate the casual playerbase that doesn't have the time/friends to form weekly or daily statics to beat the fights consistently.

I think what SE did is find a good middle ground.

Hardcores can either sink time into the fate grinding, or go after extreme primal or coil drops, which they could get in far less time. Casuals can grind fates and get adequate weapons, without the need for statics and such.

In the end, everyone has equal access to a powerful endgame weapon, and both paths are difficult in completely different ways. Once requires more skill, the other requires more perseverance.

Unless there's only 1 Atma in the loot pool. Then you're better off being the only one striking for it. I'm beginning to wonder if this why we're seeing people get multiples while others get none.

Anyway finally got one.. This might just be coincidence but I made Tes party lead and I got a atma, Well she didn't get a atma for a while so I made my self party lead and right away she gets the atma... I hope this aint a bug because that is almost a day of my life wasted.

edit:
Well did it again... Switched Tes to party lead and guess what
I got the atma and she didn't.. I still think its a coincidence.

Edited, Mar 30th 2014 2:25pm by Nashred

Hmm, I might try and test that theory. On my work days, my game time lands me at the deadest time of day for my server.

1) As I said, I bet the amount of players who put themselves through this more than once (before SE changes it) is a minority of all players.
2) I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of those FATEs weren't in the higher level zones that the atmas aren't found in.

I guess we'll see what happens in a few weeks.

The drop rate for these is crazy, there isn't any consistency. I'm in a small FC. As it stands, I have devoted the least amount of time to this (about 4hrs), and have 2 atma. The FC leader sat down on Saturday at 0/12, and finished the day at 12/12. My brother grinded for about 20hrs since patch day, is 12/12. But one of the other FC lads has grinded for 10+ and is on 4. It's seems like the RNG hates some, loves others!