Final Fantasy XI's official Test Server is buzzing with a veritable cornucopia of new content as Square Enix announces several upcoming additions slated to arrive in the near future. Details on the final trials for Relic, Mythic, and Empyrean weapons, including details pertaining to the mysterious "Afterglow" effect have been released, tweaks and revisions to Walk of Echoes and the newest Grounds of Valor zones are planned, and information on a brand new battle system called Legion has been revealed!

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From Playonline.com:

Today, various adjustments and updates have been implemented on the FINAL FANTASY XI Test Server.

We encourage players to give all the in-development content a thorough testing, and look forward to receiving your feedback!

Proceed on to peruse the test details.
Read on to find out how you can access the FINAL FANTASY XI Test Server!

[dev1065] Relic, Mythic, and Empyrean Weapon Upgrades

With the forthcoming version update, players will be able to upgrade equipment to level 99 in two stages:

• Stage 1
  Possible upgrades will include damage, delay, and weapon skill damage along with other attributes.
  The planned difficulty level for the corresponding Magian upgrade trials will be such that a majority of players with the appropriate level 95 equipment will likely be able to complete them.
  *This content is not yet available on the test server.
• Step 2
  Possible upgrades will include special animations along with "Afterglow" effects that grant status benefits to party members.
  The corresponding Magian trials will be exceedingly difficult to complete, such that only a select number of PCs will be able to upgrade weapons to this stage.
  *Gjallarhorn and Daurdabla may not be imbued with Afterglow effects.

Upgraded Attributes

Please refer to the following charts for descriptions of upgraded weapon attributes:

• Relic Weapons
• Mythic Weapons
• Empyrean Weapons

To test this content, please talk to the Magian Moogle and input the corresponding trial number, as listed in the charts above.

Afterglow

Upgrading a weapon to stage two will result in the addition of an Afterglow effect.

• Afterglow bestows beneficial status effects upon party members in an area surrounding (but excluding) the wielder.
  *Party members must be inside the specified area when Afterglow is activated to receive status effects.
• The duration for each Afterglow is thirty seconds.
  *The effect of a certain Afterglow will be overwritten if an identical one is activated within that thirty-second timeframe.
• Separate Afterglow effects will stack if they are cast within the same effect duration.
• There are five categories of Afterglow effects:
  • Relic Weapons: Increased accuracy and ranged accuracy
  • Mythic weapons: Increased attack and ranged attack
  • Empyrean weapons: Increased critical hit rate
  • Aegis: Reduced magic damage taken
  • Ochain: Reduced physical damage taken
• Afterglow effects activate when the weapon skill corresponding to the equipped weapon
  For Aegis and Ochain, the effects activate when Shield Bash is used.
• The hierarchy for overwriting Aftermath and Afterglow effects is as follows:
  One's Own Aftermath: Lv3>Lv2>Lv1>Party Member's Afterglow

Visual Effects

Weapons upgraded to stage two will display special visual effects when equipped:

Relic Weapons

Mythic Weapons

Empyrean Weapons

Visual effects will display in the following priority:
Main Weapon>Ranged Weapon>Sub Weapon

Other Information of Note

Additional planned features, such as equipment-specific magic spells and pets, have been postponed to allow for more thorough testing concerning attributes, the number of potential users and the process by which to obtain them. One consideration is whether to implement such features as another stage of the above upgrades, or to apply them to a different set of equipment. Also under deliberation is whether to limit the availability of such equipment or make it relatively simple to obtain.

[dev1066] Walk of Echoes Adjustments

• The following adjustments will be made to spoils in the Walk of Echoes:
  • Walks 8–11: The drop rate for Devious Dice will be increased so that approximately half of all battle participants will receive them.
    
    
  • Walks 12–15: Enemies will drop magic scrolls for spells learnable at level 96

[dev1067] Monster Adjustments

• Enemy respawn times will be shortened in the following locations:

  Upper Delkfutt's Tower / Middle Delkfutt's Tower / Lower Delkfutt's Tower / Temple of Uggalepih / Den of Rancor / Sea Serpent Grotto / Quicksand Caves

[dev1047] New Battle System: Legion

*The following content is in development. Specific details may differ from the release version.


Overview

Legion is a new battle system intended to challenge high-level adventurers in alliances of eighteen to thirty-six combatants. Legion will feature unique battlefields in which combatants will be pitted against legions of formidable high-level notorious monsters (HNMs). Slay as many foes as possible within the thirty-minute time limit to reap a host of exciting rewards!

Requirements

• Main job of level 75 or above
• Three to thirty-six participants

  *On the test server, Legion battles may be conducted with only one or two participants.

Participating in Legion

1. Speak to Saarlan in Sauromugue Champaign (E-6) and pay the participation fee of 360,000 gil to receive the “Legion tome page” key item.
   *Only one representative from your alliance need possess this key item.
2. With the key item in your possession, speak to Mayuyu in the same area and choose your desired battlefield and capacity (eighteen or thirty-six combatants). After your selections are confirmed, you will receive a Legion pass.
   *As a single Legion pass can transport up to eighteen players, larger groups will receive two passes.
   *Legion passes will be valid for five minutes (Earth time) after issuance.
3. Have your alliance leader trade the issued pass to the Legion Tome to enter the Legion entrance lobby.
   Make sure to configure your alliance as desired before trading the pass. Should any members be lower than level 75, your alliance will be refused entry.
   *For groups larger than eighteen, it will be necessary to trade the extra Legion pass to the leader of your second alliance or party.
   *On the test server, passes will be accepted from any party or alliance member.
   
4. From the lobby, examine the Legion Portal or simply wait for the allotted time to elapse. You will be transported to the battlefield to commence the fight!

A total of three battlefields—the Halls of Skies, Earth, and Winds (names tentative)—have been implemented for the test server.

Spoils of War

• Each HNM defeated will yield items and Legion points.
• Items will be placed in a treasure pool to be lotted on by all participants.
• Loot quality and Legion point rewards will increase the more foes you slay.
• Legion points may be redeemed with Saarlan for a variety of rewards.
  *Legion point exchange will be implemented at a later date.
  
  *Equipment rewards currently implemented on the test server are placeholders and do not reflect the rewards that will be obtainable in the release version.