Meowdy! It’s been a while since I’ve posted a transcript based on my streams. Hilariously enough, this transcript isn’t even for my stream! Folks are asking me for notes from the latest HorizonXI’s Mog House Meeting (MHM) and I’ve captured my notes below.

Above is the agenda.

Staff started off with their introductions and shared they were looking to fulfill new roles. They captured these on another slide but more information can be found in their Discord. All applications are through a GM ticket or Google doc.

While the list is pretty limited, they shared if you as a player see a need for a role, to ask about helping. Simply submit a GM ticket. I did find the “Issue Triager” role interesting. Staff clarified this was similar to a Project Manager role and brought this role about because of repeated requests for better communication.

Staff also shared they will be doing “development classes” on the AirSkyBoat (ASB) Discord.

Conveniently, one of the things I was critical about HorizonXI was both the Horizon Herald and Partnered Streamers. I harped on them that the Horizon Herald was presented as a opportunity to showcase community efforts, and then just fell off the radar back in April. No art, production, or anything. Staff shared this was due to scheduling and not having enough time. Apparently, it’s coming back! Hopefully, we see more of this since this is a great opportunity for content creators to share their work. As a streamer, blogger, and self-important e-celebrity, I know the struggle of how hard it is build an audience. As HorizonXI thrives on the playerbase, it should do something to give back.

Additionally, the Partnered Content Creators is a new initiative they’re running to showcase content creators of all types. This goes beyond the Partnered Streamer program, which apparently had odd requirements like being a Partner on Twitch and sub requirements. Their first Partnered Content Creator is the Level Sync Podcast as shown in the slide below.

HorizonXI is also hosting in-game events outside of the Partnered Content Creators. I’m pretty stoked for the Sunbreeze Festival and hoping for correct implementation in August. I’m still jaded about the Easter/Egg event, which had issues for an entire week that weren’t communicated (hint hint Issue Triager). Hoping for a smoother roll-out for this one.

The other events can be promising, but not getting my hopes up until I see a set date for them to roll-out.

Hilariously, with the Setsuko drama being so recent, HorizonXI staff noted a need for the Linkshell Bank mules and a plan in place for moving items. There are at least two instances of a Linkshell bank being banned, which isn’t a lot but high enough that this change is honestly needed.

To the relief of literally everyone, HorizonXI staff are clarifying the play and find out (PAFO) rules. This was a huge issue in the past and players have been confused about intended gameplay vs bugs vs exploits. Hopefully, we see the transparency they’re promising.

Patch 1.2

Patch 1.1 was back in April and HorizonXI hyped Patch 1.2 back then, and now we finally get to see what they’re talking about. Promised for September, they’re addressing the Level Sync issues and related experience points penalties. Players have given loads of feedback for months about how punishing it was to try and party with their friends, or even rewards related to helping others through tedious content (looking at you, Tenzen’s Path). Staff shared they’re looking to correct things and introduce new content to really add the PLUS in ERA+.

I’m a little hesitant about the line of sight system. I don’t recall it too much from “back in the day” but hopefully, if implemented correctly, could add some more strategy in some of the game.

Thank Altana for Dynamis Tavnazia finally coming out. I’ve never tried it in era so excited to try it here. Along with rounding out my relic+1 armor.

Staff are introducing more experience points and merit points camps. Obviously, as folks are reaching end game, they’re tired of syncing down to 65ish to get merits and then also not having the ability to get skill-ups besides Dynamis.

My Linkshell has been discussing how tedious it is to go back and help folks through content. I’ve done it willingly with randoms and still get frustrated. HorizonXI staff finally adding rewards for helping folks. This is a solid change and not sure why it took this long to come out, but it’s refreshing to see.

Oh boy, playing with NPCs. HorizonXI Staff are still saying no trusts but we do get adventuring fellows. This is era accurate and Staff shared there will be a variety of jobs for your adventuring fellow (beyond DPS/Tank/Healer that I remember from era).

Taking a note from Catseye, HorizonXI Staff are adding new, custom quests. The Sea content they mentioned will be quality of life (QOL) related to “pop NMs”. Currently, it’s about 15 minutes for a ??? to respawn, which can take quite some time to identify. Lowering that respawn time will be extremely helpful to folks farming sea.

Everyone’s favorite: job balance! The pictures are hints.

• THF – utility adjustments
• SAM – power adjustments (Staff confirmed buff)
• SMN – group play adjustments
• BST – major adjustments

Hilariously, Twitch chat was t he most vocal about BST. From the HorizonXI Discord, it does seem like SMN will be receiving a nerf in some way.

While SMN is pretty beefy, the issue HorizonXI has is enmity is not working correctly. There seems to be no decay, including deaths and warping, and folks are struggling to manage hate on big bosses over time. We see SMN spam with longer fights (HNM, JoL, etc.). While I’d love for more job balance, I’d also love to see enmity actually fixed. Nothing more disappointing than dying after a single Cure III to a tank who’s been spamming Flash.

Speaking of Jailer of Love…

Absolute Virtue (AV) confirmed to be out in September. HorizonXI Staff shared it will be a pop item to make it easier to prepare. Additionally, they completely revamped the fight. Honestly needed as nobody had beaten AV in the 5 years I played and the SquareEnix devs had to release a video to show it was possible.

However, HorizonXI Staff are not known for their balance. We’ve seen this time and time again when looking at end game content such as Bahamut v2, which has endless issues that aren’t addressed due to the fact it can be beaten with an extremely niche strategy. Will be disappointing if approaching the AV encounter requires the same strategy.

There are three Zilart Kings/HNMs:

• Fafnir/Nidhogg
• Adamantoise/Aspidochelone
• Behemoth/King Behemoth

These HNMs were atrocious to farm in era and HorizonXI changed it quite a bit for an era+ experience. However, their changes lead to bloated Linkshells that just amassed members to be able to compete. This was communicated by HNM leadership to HorizonXI staff, but they stood by the HNMs being balanced. A few months into launch, they were adjusted to cater to smaller Linkshells. And now, finally, they’re back to a similar format as original. The “final” change to quote the Staff.

HNMs will spawn in their original zones, once a day for the hour window (every 10 minutes). Difficulty is increased, which will be refreshing for those who do these often. I’m pretty sure some of them can be solo’d as is so increased difficulty will make it better as end-game content.

The loot rework is a little more confusing, the thought from the stream was around Adamantoise dropping mage loot, Fafnir dropping melee DPS loot, and Behemoth dropping tank loot. I’ve also seen some thoughts around loot being based on the alliance composition killing it.

HorizonXI Staff talked a ton about the new Hyper Empty Notorious Monster (HENM) changes. Running this content would lock players out after competing it once a week. Many players are excited for this for end game. The thought was a new way for players to participate in end-game with loot that could rival HNMs.

HorizonXI Staff compared the example body piece above the Dalmatica, which is current best in slot (BIS) for RDM. They did say the item above is still draft, but that final gear is “PAFO”. Not sure how I feel about taking loot before knowing how good it is but will be interesting to see.

The above is anticipated for Patch 1.2 to be released in September 2023.

Treasure of Aht Urhgan (ToAU) expansion

HorizonXI Staff have been hyping for ToAU since original launch. I know many players saw ToAU as the peak FFXI experience back in the day. I missed out many different types of content, so excited to see something new. Though I’d also like it to not be rushed and would like to fully complete Zilart/Promatia content before ToAU (relic pls).

The above is going to be released with ToAU expansion is added to HorizonXI. I’m stoked for Besieged. The HorizonXI Staff shared they would be adding “+” content below.

The above is the expected timeline with the caveat that there is no public date for release. As it goes from Launch > Patch 2.05, I’m assuming Launch is considered Patch 2.0. While this could occur at any time in the patching cycle, there’s a lot of space between Patch 1.2 and 2.0. Folks were hoping for ToAU by December 2023 or calendar Q1 2024. I did hear disappointment from folks related to Salvage coming out in Patch 2.3 rather than release, which I believe was originally promised when discussing ToAU.

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

So the entire stream, the HorizonXI Staff were encouraging folks to ask questions through a linked Google doc. I’ve captured the summarized questions and answers below to make it easier to absorb. Apologies if some of these are “wrong”, the stream had constant audio issues and dead air.

1) Q: Is the Issue Triager role similar to Project Manger in understanding user needs and developer time?
A: Yes. Understand each bugs and complexity; need someone to look at issues and answering questions.

2) Q: Any chances for custom BCNM events? Such as those shown during Fanfest back in era?
A: Could be in the future, would need to try and capture those to recreate them. Would need player help. Otherwise, could do HorizonXI custom BCNMs.

3) Q: Any plans for Ballista, Adventuring Fellows, Expeditionary Force, and Dynamis Tavnazia?
A: Yes for all except Ballista, due to leverage Eden’s work when they release Ballista.

4) Q: Any thoughts on rebalancing of jobs to include new HorizonXI specific abilities?
A: Possible, focused on spells, abilities, and job traits. Early stages of testing. Not sure on the timeline, if any.

5) Q: Requirements for partnered streamers which apparently included a subscriber count.
A: Yes, revamping the requirements for streamers and other content creators. Can create a GM ticket and ping HorizonXI staff for questions.

6) Q: Will players lose hardcore (HC) status if they participate in PVP?
A: HorizonXI Staff will ask the HC community for their thoughts.

7) Q: Plans to change or buff the ToAU rings? Such as what was done to the CoP rings.
A: Will review but don’t want to promise changes.

8) Q: How do you plan to balance the overwhelming power of balancing BLU and COR?
A: Want to lean into the identity and niche of each job. Still TBD.

9) Q: Will the line of sight (LOS) implementation affect mobs or just players?
A: Both. Using LOS Mesh. Will clarify when released.

10) Q: What is the approach to balancing and itemization as new items are introduced?
A: HorizonXI Staff plan to keep up horizontal progression related to items. Staying 75 forever.

11) Q: Any plans to implement job-specific augments or auras soon?
A: Not any time soon.

12) Q: Plans for more Eco-Warrior type events?
A: Yes, looking for more versions for higher levels and different event hinted for 1.2. Also Besieged. Besieged will have some additional rewards.

13) Q: Anything to change up the meta for subjobs?
A: Should be coming in ToAU.

14) Q: With the new HENM system in Patch 1.2, thoughts on doing the event again in the same week, such as for Linkshell friends?
A: Absolutely not.

Note: they’ve shared they’re at 15 questions but I’m only tracking 14, not sure what I missed. Maybe they combined some.

15) Q: What changes in Patch 1.2 will be for new players?
A: ToAU will include recruit a friend. New BCNMs. Additional Eco-Warriors.

16) Q: HENM weekly lock-out character specific or account specifc?
A: Character specific.

17) Q: What checks are included when looking at new gear options besides just alternatives?
A: Future gear and how this gear will impact the meta now and going forward.

18) Q: Any chance of wyvern design changes for DRG? Additional quests?
A: Maybe. TBD.

19) Q: Linkshell banks and multiple user access?
A: No.

20) Q: How else can players help the devs?
A: Art, testing, balancing, developing, community management, technical support in helping new players. Cannot take money. Any way not mentioned: file a GM ticket. Could use music folks. Texturing.

21) Q: Does someone need prior experience with ToAU to apply for beta testing?
A: No.

22) Q: How well will BLU and PUP be able to fill non-damage dealer roles?
A: Aiming for jack-of-all-trades. Based on BLU spellset or PUP puppet.

23) Q: Plans to improve HELM in other zones?
A: HorizonXI Staff is looking at the economy as a whole. HELM is alraedy good. Looking to expand money making related to farming (killing mobs) and crafting (outside of current niches). Expected in 1.2.

24) Q: New content for smaller groups?
A: Yes, want to cater content to low man (6-12), alliance (18), and two alliance (36). Want to address large scale content (current HNM system).

25) Q: How will players receive rewards for doing HAAP?
A: Occurs when completed. Nothing additional needs to be done.

26) Q: Will there be more community art contests?
A: Yes, next one is fall/Halloween themed.

27) Q: Will BLU have HorizonXI only spells?
A: Not technically possible, yet.

28) Q: For some reason, they included a question related to a staff member’s appearance. I’ve opted to leave this out.
A: N/A

29) Q: Will the partner program be open any time soon?
A: Yes. Both Partner Streamer program going through revamps and Partner Content Creator program is being piloted. Reach out via a GM ticket for either.

30) Q: Plans related to Wings of the Goddess and the use of Dancer (DNC) for a subjob?
A: TBD. Too far in the future to discuss.

31) Q: Chocobo breeding and chocobo whistle and custom chocobos?
A: Depends on the work from a developer outside of HorizonXI.

The remaining 203 questions not answered above will be addressed on Discord.

Let me know if I’ve missed anything or you have corrections or additions. Lots of new content and hard to capture it all. I’ll aim to get Twitch/Youtube VODs of Final Festivus XI streams uploaded sooner rather than later.