The crafting system will soon be upon us, get your premium sets ready!* It wasn't posted in the update site, but there seems to be some confusion over whether the new city quest we're getting is an Emergency or Limited Quest. The new city quest is an Emergency Quest that will have its schedule announced ahead of time. This quest is similar to Chaotic Border Break except that it has boosted enemies all around.
Afterwards there will be a 1 year anniversary event to commemorate the Vita release of PSO2. This event is known as the "ARKS United Front 2014" (name subject to change based on the url) and is scheduled to begin January 22nd through March 5th. The event will include its own limited quest in similar vein to Chaotic Border Break but takes place on the Beach.
[*Note: You can participate in the crafting system without a premium set.]
January 15th Maintenance Changes
1/15/2014 @ 10:00 ~ 17:00 JST
1/14/2014 @ 8:00PM ~ 4:00AM EST
January 15th Patch
Launcher: Version 02.02.00
Client: ver. 2.0311.0
PC Patch: 1.2GB
Vita Patch: 277MBs
One Time Password Maintenance
1/15/2014 @ 1:00 ~ 5:00 JST
Affects New OTP Registrations and OTP Secret Question/Answer changes. Token authorizations are not affected.
Webmoney Service Maintenance
1/15/2014 @ 2:00 ~ 5:00 JST
You will not be able to purchase Arks Cash with Webmoney during that time.
Boost Event
Emergency Quest Advance Notice [Japanese Standard Time]
Black = Chaotic Disrupting Tranquility (tempname) Blue = Marathon Practice Naberius (SH) Orange = Base Defense Purple = Dark Falz
1.15
20:00
22:00
1.16
14:00
17:00
20:00
23:00
1.17
9:00
11:00
13:00
20:00
23:00
1.18
11:00
14:00
23:00
1.19
11:00
13:00
18:00
20:00
23:00
1.20
11:00
13:00
20:00
23:00
1.21
10:00
17:00
20:00
21:00
23:00
Emergency Quest Advance Notice [Eastern Standard Time]
An Interrupt Ranking for Marathon Practice Naberius (SH) Time Attack is scheduled on January 21st at 21:00 JST. A +100% EXP boost and 10x Meseta Clear Rewards will apply to that quest on all difficulties.
Boost Event Schedule
1.16
「F.Continent Exploration」+50% Rare Drop Boost
1.17
「Seabed Exploration」+50% Rare Drop Boost 「F.Continent Exploration」+50% Rare Drop Boost
Ah the New Years vacation is over! This week's maintenance is just a patch, but on January 15th we're getting the crafting system, the option to choose one latent ability from a list of choices, and the wand lovers and braver buffs.
January 8th Maintenance
1/8/2014 @ 11:00 ~ 17:00 JST
1/7/2014 @ 09:00PM ~ 3:00AM EST
January 8th Patch
Launcher: Version 02.02.00
Client: ver. 2.0301.1
Patch Size: 1KB (PC only)
Ship Transferring Service Reopened
Players will be able to transfer across ships after January 8th's maintenance. In addition a "50% Tribooster" compensation will be distributed after January 8th's maintenance.
Wand Lovers Clarification
The +35% (at Lv.10) Wand Lovers Buff is in regards to its "striking power" or "striking damage" and not "S-ATK." The kanji differentiating the two share a similar meaning but refer to two different things stat wise. This update will be applied January 15th.
February AC Expiration Reminder
Unused AC will expire one year from the final purchasing date. Sign into the AC Charging site to confirm the last date you purchased AC. Check to see if the final date was between February 1st, 2013 ~ February 29th @ 23:59 JST. You may extend the final purchasing date by purchasing more AC as soon as possible.
Players Survey
AIDA has posted a guide to answering the questions to the Players Survey on Arks Layer. You'll receive a 500 FUN Ticket as a complimentary gift if you complete the survey before January 15th @ 11:00 JST. This item will be distributed early February.
The Emergency Quests will appear during the scheduled dates and times shown above. Interrupt Ranking for Naberius II Time Attack quest will receive a +100% EXP Boost, and a 10x Meseta Clear Reward Boost.
Client Order Campaign 38
Clear specific client orders from Klotho and Kressida to receive several prizes.
Campaign Period
Jan 8th ~ Jan 15th, 2014's Maintenance
Qualifying Client Orders
(1) Clear Klotho's client order ものはためしの力試しI (Let's See How Strong You Are I) to receive:
+50% EXP Booster (x2)
Grinders (x50)
(2) Clear Kressida's client order 熾烈な龍祭壇探索 (Fierce Sanctum Exploration) to receive:
The Item Customization System that was pushed back to January will finally hit our servers on January 15th! With this new system, the player becomes the "Crafter" who is able to customize certain aspects of their weapons, units, and technics! To get a better understanding on how the Crafting System works, let's discuss the three major features.
Equipment Extension (Updated)
The "Equipment Extension" system lets you rewrite the performance of your weapons and units. Unlike the Item Lab where you increase the item's performance through grinding, the Equipment Extension system lets you overwrite the item's base stats.
For example, an item that can be acquired early in the game like the "Vita Sword" has 251 base S-ATK. Using the "Beginner Weapon Extend Level 1" recipe, will change its base stats to 531. Use the Equipment Extension system to bring those dusty old weapons to the battlefield!
The Equipment Extension system will accept up to 10 star weapons and up to 11 star units. The value that you get after extension is based on the "extend level" of the "crafting recipe." Whenever you start out, you'll use a level 1 extend recipe. Extending high rarity equipment will drop their values (temporarily). By raising the extend level you'll subsequently raise their base stats. In the reverse situation, extending low rarity equipment will increase their base values. Though at the end of the day, top of the line 10 star weapons may still end up weaker than expected.
But there's one important point to consider, as you extend an item, its base stats are standardized, and special parameters attached to the weapon are lost. These lost parameters include things like whether the item had special conditions (was it an all-class item?) or if it had special stats (was it a striking weapon with T-ATK?).
However, if you achieve a "great success," you can gain additional classes for your item. But if you re-extend the item and go up an extend level, these special parameters are lost again. Fear not, extending the item again from the same extend level will increase your chances of achieving a "great success." This will allow your item the chance to regain some additional classes.
Stats affected by Equipment Extension MAY include some of the following:
This system lets you customize technics in various ways, like affecting its power and speed, or adjusting its hit number and range, among other things. Along with it comes both positive and negative effects known as "Merits" and "Demerits" respectively. For example, a merit could increase the technic's power, but a demerit may bring along negative aspects like increasing PP costs or extending the charging times, etc.
Merits and Demerits exist along a range of values so there's a chance you can craft a technic where the positive values outweigh the negatives. Good luck!
Customized Technics also gain a special visual effect.
Item Desynthesis
Equipment Extension and Technic Customization requires certain materials broken down from weapons, units, and PA disks. You can gain these materials from dismantling the following items:
7★ or higher weapons and units
Lv. 11+ Photon Art/Technic Disks
Other Crafting System Basics
You can perform crafting services from the My Room Terminal, or check on various information at the Visiphone. Crafting is available in My Rooms and Mini Rooms.
Crafting Results
The crafting system has two kinds of outcomes; you can either "succeed" or "greatly succeed" but never fail.
For example, by "greatly succeeding" you can "increase which classes can use an item," or "increase the 'merit' values," or "increase the number of materials gained through Item Desynthesis," among other things.
Crafting Level / Crafting Achievements
Similarly to the 'titles' system, you can unlock achievements by satisfying specific conditions.
In addition, unlocking these achievements can help increase your crafting levels.
As the crafting level rises, a bonus may appear in the crafting process.
Crafting Lines
There are 9 crafting slots (or devices) to choose from.
When crafting an item, the crafting device will immediately display the results.
However, you must wait for the device to cool down before you can craft from it again. (It is referred to as 'cool-time' in the game.)
While one device is cooling down, you can select another device to craft from as long as that device is available (May need to be unlocked through some means, or bought with AC, etc).
Craft Recipes
There are different kinds of recipes that can be used to craft an item or technic.
You can learn new recipes by unlocking specific achievements.
Craft Orders (Commissions)
You can search for other players and order crafting services from them.
Some weapons will allow you to select from a list of potential abilities, even if one was already unlocked. For example, if "Potential A Level 1" was already unlocked, then on the next occurrence, "Potential A Level 2" or "Potential B Level 1" will display among the list of choices. Pick the one you want and apply it to the weapon.
Some new potentials revealed so far will:
Recover HP over time.
Increase the power of charged technics.
Wand Lovers Changes
Active duration extended. Recast timing adjusted.
At level 10, Wand Lovers will be active for 60 seconds instead of 30, while the recast time is set for 90 seconds instead of 45.
Removed the PP penalty while active
Bonus Striking Power is applied. Skill Level 10 gains +35% Striking Power. Tech Explosion power also increases. *(Editedapparently 打撃威力 is not 打撃力.)
The evasive action will change from Mirage Escape to Step. Step attack is also available.
With these changes, an "All Skill Tree Reset Pass" will be distributed.
Braver Adjustments
Katana's Step and Step Attack animation speeds adjusted.
For Rare Mineral and Egg Code Collects: The operator will relay the item's approximate whereabouts in shorter intervals of time. Adjusted the range in which the collectable items are displayed.
For Insect Fossil Code Collects: The operator will relay the item's approximate whereabouts in shorter intervals of time.
These are just observations noted in screenshots and videos. Of course the information above and below is not exhaustive and we'll learn some new aspects when the time comes.
Each weapon crafting recipe has beginner, intermediate, and advanced recipes, and possibly more for those 10 stars. All of these recipes have an extend level attached.
The Beginner recipes require 1 through 3 star weapons, while the intermediate recipes require 4 ~ 6 star weapons.
Beginner Striking Weapon Lv.1 Recipe
Requires: Zero ~ Extend Level 1
Requires: 1 through 3 star weapons
Beginner Striking Weapon Lv.2 Recipe
Requires: Extend Level 1 ~ 2
Requires: 1 ~ 3 star weapons.
Intermediate Striking Weapon Lv.6 Recipe
Requires: Extend Level 5 ~ 6
Requires: 4 ~ 6 star weapons.
Each type of recipe may require a set list of materials. For example, so far we know Aironia is required for beginner recipes. However, Rubiard (which you can obtain through 'great success' ) and Stinia were needed for Intermediate recipes. But NOT ALL intermediate recipes require Rubiard. Some wanted more Stinia than the previous level. Maybe 7 stars gives you one set of materials, and 8 stars give you another set, or maybe it's based on the weapon category? We're going to have to chart this thing out eventually.
To see how the balancing comes into play, take a look at the extend values for these two items.
Vita Sword (3 star)
Exlv1 = 531 S-ATK
Coat Edge (8 star)
Exlv1= 479 S-ATK
Ext. Level 1 for Coat Edge has base stats lower than an Ext. Level 1 Vita Sword. Perhaps the more advanced recipes will start you off poorly until you extend or grind them? But how long will it take to reach the advanced level 1 recipes and what sorts of materials will they require?
