Hello! I had a wonderful holiday and now I’m back posting again!

The HorizonXI staff had a stream and I managed to capture some notes and thoughts for those who prefer reading. The VOD is below if needed:

Please note I simply copied and pasted my notes with minimal formatting and spell check. I didn’t care to write as a blog but preferred my own note taking mindset. If needed, I can go back and update or clarify as there will be errors. Just let me know!

Agenda/Plan

They were also taking Q&A during the stream. 

Note: State of Balance discussion is more off the cuff and individual opinions.

Beasty’s Rebase Update

Beta testing on rebase (1 month at this point)

High-level: testers did well at finding new bugs, props to the players testing! 

Testing carried through the holidays. Initial plan was to keep it for a couple of weeks. They found more issues than anticipated so extending testing. Bug reports are slowing down going into the holidays. 

Check out the beta channels on Discord for details and discussions. 

Bug reports are <5-10 a day, which is a good sign as glaring issues are being resolved. 

At the time of stream, plan was to keep beta open over the holidays as folks would have more time to test. 

As of the time of this post (1/4/26), the beta testing server is still open. Once closed, fixes will continue behind the scenes. 

P1/P2 is Priority 1 and 2, P3 is Priority 3

Staff will fix all of P1/P2 bugs before rebase launch. This lets players know when to expect launch, Beasty was adamant he was not sharing a launch date at the time of the stream (12/21/25). He did share “soon”. 

Staff cannot correct all of P3 bugs by rebase launch. These are minor. 

On rebase launch, do not plan on time-off from work or playing too much. Based on the plan above, it will take a large chunk of time. Expected lots of effort and time to implement, including a large client update. Will also have the server coming up and down throughout the day.

Enjoy the holidays! Don’t want things to blow up so no rebase until 2026 (January?). 

Beasty/Aerec will announce when the rebase launch date ahead of time. This should help folks plan. 

If you find a bug after rebase launch, report them as not all are known.

After rebase launch, devs will continue to work on correcting bugs. 

After rebase:

Treasures of Aht Urhgan!

Details from beta testing:

Shoutout to the top bug hunters:

After rebase is launched, bug hunters can collect rewards. 

Kanryu’s State of Balance Update 

Focus: job balance and touching on relics, insight for Treasures of Aht Urhgan, magic damage, SMN blood pacts

Haven’t thought about or designing Mythics

A lot has changed on rebase compared to current HorizonXI’s state. Large focus on the SMN changes. SMN is not “being dumpstered” but the form of the blood pacts (offense) is changing. Gear requirements are higher. Accuracy requirements are different. Damage output is down slightly (10-12%). Top end: SMN is stronger if you dedicate time, gear, and merits. Not just a freebie job anymore. 

Other job changes: Hasso and Seigan are no longer coupled for SAM. Individual 1 minute timers. Stance dancing is better now. Third Eye is retail accurate improvement so should be better. 

Martial Bhuj lost a little bit of damage. Was previously excessive. Formula has been slightly changed for Steel Cyclone. 

From a balance perspective, staff are happy where the melee jobs sit currently. 

Goal: All content is clearable without relics. No regular content requires relics in order to clear. Expansion content will not require relics to complete. 

Relic changes: minor changes to Gungnir and Excalibur is getting a rework. Spharai Aftermath of Subtle Blow is returning, removing the kick attack era+ change. Excalibur is rebuilt, the attack was swapped to accuracy. Knights of the Round effect is changed (to come AFTER rebase). Gungnir and WS Geirskogel and carrying FTP; nothing else will be changed. When rebase launches, Gungnir’s DAT file shows a different description. Doesn’t functionally change the way the weapon is working. 

Staff is happy with Dynamis currency rates. No expected changes or updates at the moment. Bastok is underrepresented but that is a player decision. 

Treasures of Aht Urhgan balance: BLU is expected to be the least changed. Will include some Era+ spells which will not be disclosed (play and find out), 20 spells will have minor changes. Spells and related job traits will be changed to make leveling 30-60 more enjoyable.
COR is expected to have the most changes. Not planning on sharing much details. 

PUP will be more aligned to how it is played on retail. Better gearing path from 1-75. Attachments will be rebalanced and improved, including obtaining attachments. 

Group 2 Merits have 60-70% changes or differences than retail. Trying not to customize too much of the expansion. Most customizations are related to the jobs themselves vs actual Treasures of Aht Urhgan content. Don’t want to undermine the work folks have put into the jobs. 

Balance patches moving forward: aiming for smaller tweaks over time instead of large balance changes all at once. Rebase is bringing a moderate balance pass. Era+ on circle effects/banish are being removed and returning them to original forms. 

Patch 2.0 (Treasures of Aht Urhgan) will have Group 2 Merits which will change the feel of jobs. 

Patch 2.1 (first major pass after Treasures of Aht Urhgan) will have balance shifts based on how BLU/PUP/COR play and effect on the meta. Same with Group 2 Merit impact. 

Patch 2.2 on will have more frequent but less “large” balance changes. 

Q&A

Question: Is the 2025 Anniversary Event live?
Answer: Yes, it was discovered mid-stream and players have solved it. https://horizonffxi.wiki/Anniversary_2025 

Question: Are people being banned for using shorthand to claim NMs?
Answer: Yes, at least once a week. Rebase makes it easier to catch. 

Question: Can you use shorthand when not in competition for mobs?
Answer: Yes, for example can use it to target in Dynamis. 

Question: Would you change anything on Horizon launch?
Answer: Probably not except for bug fixes (e.g., fishing pools, item duplications, Dynamis currency adjustments, Dynamis bug fixes). Future plans include plans to help the economy. 

Question: Preloading Dynamis?
Answer: Preloading – Beasty explains how you can access the Dynamis menu via trade. Preloading is accessing that menu before wanting to do a run so you don’t have the initial “lag” when competing for the zone. This is how the client operates and not much staff or players can do to circumvent it. Rebase may address some of these via removing the delay. Not a high priority with rebase launch and anticipated Treasures of Aht Urhgan launch. 

Question: Dynamis with account lockouts vs character lockouts?
Answer: Planning on account limits on future content. Will not give warning until they happen since everything is subject to change until content goes live. Account limits will apply to unreleased content that are instance limited. Not coming with rebase but expected for Treasures of Aht Urhgan. They wanted to communicate this early. (Note: this is your warning of a future ladder pull!)

Question: Any plans on Chocobo raising? 
Answer: No. Difficult to capture and code and other priorities. 

Question: Fellow NPCs?
Answer: No, other priorities. Tiberon works on this but is busy. 

Question: Will Jailer of Love change?
Answer: Sea will be adjusted in Patch 2.15, including Jailer of Love. 

Question: Absolute Virtue?
Answer: Yes in Patch 2.15. 

Question: Should players take screenshots of inventory before rebase? Any concerns with players losing data with the migration?
Answer: Items and Equipment, stored Seals, Fame, and unlocked Wardrobe/Satchel will have backups so don’t stress. If you’re really paranoid then you can screenshot. For the most part, if players are missing items then it’s generally not an isolated incident. Realistically should not be a problem. Biggest problem are quests and missions: MAKE SURE YOU COMPLETE QUESTS AND MISSIONS BEFORE REBASE!!! Not impacted: Lu Shang quest, Ebisu quest, Relic quest, Maat’s Cap quest, Anniversary quests. Selbina clay quest WILL be reset, make sure you complete! Completed quests will be saved. Do NOT use the delivery box as storage. Clear your delivery box just in case!!!

Question: Will we get at least 1 week’s notice before rebase launches?
Answer: Yes. 

Question: Notice for Treasures of Aht Urhgan launch?
Answer: Yes, enough to take time off. 

Question: Gardening changes for rebase?
Answer: No, should be the same as now. 

Question: Arcane flowerpots working?
Answer: Not yet, possible post rebase. Other priorities.

Question: Friend’s list?
Answer: Yes! It is currently being tested. Will be an official add-on if it works!

Question: Will Limbus and Dynamis be more challenging with rebase and mob adjustments?
Answer: Some mobs will be more difficult after rebase (e.g., Hippogryphs). Summoner pets will appropriately resist their strong elements. Can probably 2-man Limbus but will be more difficult. 

Question: With data migration, any possibilities with migrating characters to Phoenix?
Answer: No. 

Question: Any previews for the BST rework or design philosophy behind it?
Answer: Future announcement for BST and how it will be adjusted. Expect to see it with the Treasures of Aht Urhgan launch stream. Also includes staff rework.

Question: Changes for PLD and end game hate tools?
Answer: PLD is the primary tank for all end game content. Leveling is a bit of a struggle compared to other tanks. There are other options such as DPS PLD/NIN and Cure Burns with divine magic. Recommend using Enlight. 

Question: Any changes to debuffs from summons such as Titan’s bind?
Answer: Staff changed all SMN rage blood pacts and some ward blood pacts. Don’t expect to see damage spikes on rage blood pacts on mobs with no debuffs. Staff also narrowed the range of damage (lowest vs highest). Magic blood pact and status effects are more reliable. 

Question: Auction house lag?
Answer: Not much staff can do but clean up the history to reduce the lag.

Question: Plans for mythic acquisition?
Answer: Don’t want to give too much away. Staff are changing how Alexandrite is being required vs what is needed to complete a mythic. 

Question: Treasures of Aht Urhgan release and server congestion?
Answer: Staff give the hint of plans to filter the boat load. Do have something special planned for events leading up to the release and are encouraging players to participate. https://horizonffxi.wiki/Imperial_Relief_Effort#Guild_Turn-ins 

Question: Besieged and congestion?
Answer: There will be a player limit to the zone. Hard ID limit is known for how many players can be in a single zone and there is nothing the staff can do to change it. However, they will undercut the limit to ~300 players for Besieged. Besieged will be designed for that player limit. 

Question: BLU unlock quest?
Answer: Still random and there may be new items for it. 

Question: Adventuring Fellow armor from Dynamis Tavnazia and any expected adjustment?
Answer: Balance staff will discuss it. 

Question: Any adjustments to 2H/1H scaling and formulas?
Answer: Yes, after rebase and with the release of Treasures of Aht Urhgan, if any.  

Question: Pop HNMs?
Answer: No. 

Question: T3 HENMs?
Answer: Yes, after rebase. 

Question: Dynamis instancing?
Answer: Not any time soon.

Question: Level Sync and revamp? More custom leveling camps?
Answer: Treasures of Aht Urhgan has 3 new exp camp types: Shatter and Lair, Apex will be launched later. (Note: no further detail was discussed.)

Question: More custom hair color and styles?
Answer: Yes. 

Question: Increase BRD instrument noise?
Answer: Not sure. Not easily currently.

Question: Will there be more custom music in Treasures of Aht Urhgan?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Final statement on fillmode pulling?
Answer: If you can’t tab target the mob without fillmode, then it is against the rules. With rebase, line of sight is coming back for players. Line of sight will not be disabled. Staff have someone working on any fixes or bugs related. 

Question: Re-mesh rework?
Answer: No. Will discuss the mesh in another stream. 

Question: Treasures of Aht Urhgan release date?
Answer: Not sharing.

Question: Rebase date? 
Answer: Not sharing. Will prep folks a week or two ahead of time. 

Question: Will Horizon try to advertise in the Japanese market?
Answer: Horizon doesn’t pay for advertising but there are plenty of Japanese players and linkshells. 

Question: Can we update the launcher to include updated add-ons?Answer: Yes, it’s a work in progress when there’s the next launcher update. 

Question: Will Treasures of Aht Urhgan jobs be added to relics?
Answer: No

Question: Any way cursed gear turned in to the NPC in San d’Oria retain the name of the crafter?
Answer: Yes, it’s possible. Will not due to future complications. 

Question: Are there plans to utilize the HorizonXI website for more than just character, item, and bazaar information? 
Answer: Nothing that requires a player to be logged in. For example, no option to bid on the auction house. Open to ideas if folks have suggestions: can file a ticket for the website. 

Question: Hagun?
Answer: RIP. (Note: I really have no idea if this was a serious Q&A.)

Question: Tin foil hat model?
Answer: Already in the game. 

Question: Can you unban me?
Answer: Consult the appeal system, some players are allowed to return after a ban. 

Question: Can we give donations to HorizonXI?
Answer: No. 

Question: More PVP events?
Answer: Annona and the stream team are planning a PVP tournament which will be streamed with prizes. It’s a 3v3 event for those who want to prepare. 

Question: Ballista?
Answer: Not until after rebase and Treasures of Aht Urhgan. 

Question: Will rebase and future balance patches affect skilling up defensive stats?
Answer: Yes, currently you can get your skills to 175 and then get easy skillups with lower level mobs. 

(Note: The staff did not detail these skills, but it’s understood it includes shield, parrying, and guarding. If you need to skill them up, do it BEFORE rebase. This is your warning of a ladder pull!)

Question: Have AI tools been used for HorizonXI development?
Answer: Beasty explicitly said to not write code with AI. He doesn’t mind if it’s used for data validation. He’s seeing too many mistakes with AI. 

Question: Synergy and Wings of the Goddess?
Answer: Will be considered. It’s being tagged for future updates related to LSB. 

Closed with thanks to internal testers and player testers for the beta. Staff are excited to complete rebase and move into Treasures of Aht Urhgan. Gave a shoutout to the community. They ended with a toast to everyone and well wishes for the holidays.