Messages

421

Final Fantasy IV Research & Development / Re: FF4 Algo - Input Requested

« on: October 11, 2012, 01:48:04 PM »

The only thing I have to say in regards to the algo, is that there's no special algo for Double Meteor...

Apparently there is a range cap...

When Spell Power > 510, the range is capped @ 255 (which is always 1/2 of 510). This is also why Meteor (and subsequently Double Meteor) has a very weak range of damage. Where it was originally thought that Meteor would have a range of 400 (800 is the Spell Power), the math doesn't seem to agree with that.

That is something to look at/into...

422

General Discussion / Re: /Facepalm @ FF Wiki (especially regarding FF4)

« on: October 11, 2012, 12:23:51 PM »

It has a lot to do with their weapon and armor sections... particularly when it comes to evasion and how other "stats" are affected.

For instance, it is a fact that being "nude" in the each armor component (head, body, arms), is 10% evasion. The Cursed Ring at the top of the list is listed @ -10% evasion... it's actually 0%, but that's besides the point from the lack of understanding of that aspect.

423

General Discussion / Re: Google Chrome

« on: October 11, 2012, 12:48:02 AM »

 

More updates up the wazzoo...

Chrome 22
Firefox 16
Another Flash 11.4 update (with security fixes)
Opera 12.02

What's really annoyed me now.. is that the default Flash plugin is their mini-Flash, known as "Pepper" and it has some issues refreshing the screen... arg. What really sucks is that it tends to be behind Flash itself... not good.

424

General Discussion / /Facepalm @ FF Wiki (especially regarding FF4)

« on: October 11, 2012, 12:44:45 AM »

Title speaks the truth.

I swear whoever edits the content there does not do any sort of fact checking or data diving. I was used to the days where FF4 guides were generally inaccurate when it came to equipment and stuff around that. At least then we didn't know better...

Now, while faced with like the 5th(?) FF4 reincarnation, we can't even get the fundamentals done right? It's not as dramatic as the DS version, but the PS/Wii port of the game should be more or less on par with what I've already written!!!

Back to your normally scheduled programming... 

425

Final Fantasy IV Research & Development / Re: The After Years Research (Spoilers!)

« on: October 10, 2012, 07:52:30 PM »

My only other question is.. is there a corresponding change on racial defenses? One would argue that reducing the attack power of a monster by half is way too strong.

 
Edward is still meh IMO. If you can say alternate healer (FF5's Chemist comes to mind), that's still not really my cup of tea when his songs ultimately are random-ish to begin with (although, it's hard to pass up free multitarget Haste).

I've also reconsidered my stance on Dualcast on Porom... but Leonora really suffers from really really slow level learning. Porom's Agility is only slightly better overall....

When it comes to Harley, having a character that's an innate version of FF6's Debilitator sounds great.. but one would think to combine her with some sort of magic.

Having some sort of "Blue Magic" would work, but it tends to suffer from the selection of "monster skills" and coding how you'd learn it... FF6 had it easy (although Joker's Doom is a lame "hack" for L5 Doom) and FF5 had it somewhat challenging (must be hit by the spell, so learning L5 Doom was a doozy). A semi-chemist (FF5) role would've made some sense... but it would be nicer if she had have some sort of special list of spells...

I think Protect/Shell works differently from the original... even though stacking probably works, but the damage logistics seem to change though. Something with a high magic power of Flare or Holy surely shouldn't do that much less damage (do the math yourself).

 
The Economy Ring does make Edward a little broken. Technically, the potion doubling should be more like a 1.5 multiplier.

By comparison, Asura on a good day heals 4000-6000HP (though, I dunno what her spell power is in FF4:TAY).

 
Am I reading this correctly? Jump seems to do critical hits...?

Apparently dishing critical hits and having the critical hit miss is possible...

426

Final Fantasy IV Research & Development / Re: The After Years Research (Spoilers!)

« on: October 10, 2012, 11:20:53 AM »

Does Poison only apply the status now instead of being a status+damage attack? That's the only difference I can tell off the top of my head...

Also, Golbez's new look is fine. All that heavy DK armor dragged the man down. 

427

Final Fantasy IV Research & Development / Re: The After Years Research (Spoilers!)

« on: October 06, 2012, 05:13:59 PM »

The story isn't as bad as it looks. There are some issues certainly (in the mini-chapters) and some really really bad ideas (reuse of every boss monster and then some).

I get the feeling racial defense doesn't do too much though.

Although, when I see the classic Behemoth attacking at will on its own (readjusting its speed)... that's a tweak I'm all for...

What I like:
Individual monsters that would be immune to Quake are shown as floating
New monster attacks
Put the game up to FF6 standards (messages and effects during battles)
Bands (this version of CT's Multi-Tech idea)
Charm status on monsters
PSP's version of coloring the ATB (Haste/Slow)
Improvements of some characters - vote YAY to no more Fake Cry
Dualcast - Makes Porom the best White Mage in the game (yes, over Rosa) - and yes, I'm aware others can use it, but having the ability to Revive (Arise) and Heal everyone is far more important than dualcasting Meteor/Flare when both spells have their own issues
Condemn is on par with FF5/FF6, except 10 seconds is far more serious than anything else
Porom is suddenly hot, full stop.
Palom isn't a jerk, just a more mature jerk.
Golbez is a natural bad ass.
Kain is far more than the Dragoon he was.
Children of the characters could arguably be better than their parents.
Resurrection of Luca's Dolls - brings chills
FF5/FF6 inventory (too much crap to worry about)


What I hate:
Charm on characters = random physical attacks ONLY (I did like the occasional fear of Meteor to rain down from Rydia in FF4)
Color Collision statuses (HP Leak is practically the same color shade as Protect)
Optimal equipment automation (but, that is incurable for various reasons)
Filler characters - especially those that are not permanent members... they are needed, yet they are guys that I wish dead!
Useless characters - does anyone need another Tellah or FuSoYa?
One ninja too many
Holy elemental is the defense of choice on some monsters - crippling Cecil's existence
Edward still sucks
Edward's secret gf conflicts me - you are the accountant, yet have the ability to throw $$$ away as a skill - who is wearing the pants here?

What I'm confused about:
Shell/Protect - Does it work like the original or is it the more modern stuff?
Haste/Slow - I cannot tell if it is similar to the original, or more closer to the more modern FFs (the only difference being that Haste/Slow cancels its opposite, so you would have to cast again to get to the status you want) Slowing bosses twice was neutering every boss in the original.. now it's just make them slow once....

428

Final Fantasy IV Research & Development / Re: The After Years Research (Spoilers!)

« on: October 06, 2012, 01:00:40 AM »

 

This probably will be my only commentary to this game. All of my comments are based on youtube vids... and perhaps I'll play them at some point.

I will say that the game seems to be done "right". However, there are some flaws...

The Wii version for the most part despite being a bit more faithful to FF4 (visuals, particularly the numbers)... it suffers from "menus could be fucking better". Maybe it's just me, but I stare at this screens a lot and the very least they could improve details of equipment and stuff like the other FFs in the SNES era and their GBA ports.

The PSP version I applaud for being fairly consistent by its updated graphics. Of course, I'm reread the threads about it... this is a handheld after all. It's polish for what the Wii version didn't do.

On the other hand, I abhor some of the vids... if only because the people that record it don't seem to have played any prior FF4 version before and use really really really stupid tactics to win. FF4 is heavily scripted battle-wise... far less functional than FF5 and FF6... and fortunately this seems to be made up through semi-overpowered combos. I'm not sure what else to say there.

I will have more to say in due time.

429

General Discussion / Re: NFL season (2012-2013) week 5

« on: October 04, 2012, 06:03:18 PM »

Week 5 schedule:

Well, at least sanity came back.

Just to keep semi-track...

Week 5 scores:
Leno: 13-2
Me: 12-3

Cardinals @ Rams (division, Thursday)

Rams -  No real reason for this... NFC West could arguably be the best division in football.

Dolphins @ Bengals

Bengals - I feel bad for the Lawfirm... with his 2nd consecutive fumble.

Packers @ Colts

Packers - Nothing to see here.

Ravens @ Chiefs

Ravens - Ever since that playoff game, Chiefs haven't really been the same.

Falcons @ Redskins

Falcons - Probably the most complete team so far in the NFC...

Browns @ Giants

Giants - 2 losses in division games early gets you really behind the proverbial 8-ball.

Eagles @ Steelers

Steelers - I'm sure this is Vick's lucky day! The battle of PA...

Seahawks @ Panthers

Panthers - The battle of odd partners...

Bears @ Jaguars

Bears - One would hope beating the Cowboys up would get to someone's head....

Titans @ Vikings

Vikings - Division leaders? I'm still a bit skeptical there.

Broncos @ Patriots

Broncos - It could go either way... although I'm the one that will be doing the most freaking out.

Bills @ 49'ers

49ers - There's a lot of wasted money on that Bills d-line.

Chargers @ Saints

Chargers - I don't think NBC is that happy to have this game in the first place.

Texans @ Jets

Texans - It could just be Tebow time!

430

Final Fantasy IV Research & Development / Re: FF4 Algo - Input Requested

« on: October 01, 2012, 09:13:17 AM »

Yeah, the Blood Spear is the only thing that missed when I was fighting her, and I knew why that was the case. I forgot to test if her magic evasion gets applied, but luckily I did keep a save from then, so I'll get around to that the next time I play.

It's either the fact that 255 really means invulnerability or it's the evasion/magic evasion multiplier (99x 99%) that causes it. I haven't actually thoroughly tested that.

I know while in tornado form, she is definitely immune to Slow since her magic defense (along with defense). You can cast Slow on her when she's not in tornado form.

431

Final Fantasy IV Research & Development / Re: FF4 Algo - Input Requested

« on: September 30, 2012, 10:59:47 PM »

The only time you can't hit Valvalis/Barbariccia is when your hits accuracy is far below the evasion data for the boss. I had a fond memory of trying to attack her with Jump and the Blood/Drain Spear. Despite the hit being a miss more often than not, the Jump aspect still causes her to counter/react. The only other thing probably involves an underleveled Cecil... but meh.

I've always felt the FF Chronicles versions were primarily the ROM+some emulation-ish overlays

PS is not my forte.. but it's good to know nonetheless.

432

Pandora's Box / Re: Screenshots!

« on: September 29, 2012, 05:31:14 PM »

In the context of the original, hit rate had very little impact. I knew they were trying to differentiate the accuracy of weapons in FF5, and moreso in FF6, but given the dependency on skills or magic... I guess that has been a long time coming!

433

General Discussion / Re: NFL season (2012-2013) week 4

« on: September 27, 2012, 05:57:44 PM »

Ed Hochuli is back.

The guns are back. Thank god the freaking replacement refs are gone.

Week 4 schedule:

Considering MNF was a complete disaster, I would like to pretend I was drunk except I'm dry as hell.

Before I get on my predictions, here's some stats for the past two weeks:

Week 2:
Leno: 10-6
Me: 8-8

Week 3:
Leno: 6-10
Me: 7-9

Only the refs can fuck this up more.

Browns @ Ravens (division, Thursday)

Ravens - At least the NFL spared this game for an "extended finale" of the crap refs.

Panthers @ Falcons, (division)

Falcons - This is the only non-NFC West team that actually pretty good... so far.

Patriots @ Bills (division)

Pats - At this point, I wonder if I'll recover from painful ref memories...

Vikings @ Lions (division)

Lions - One week doesn't make a season...

Chargers @ Chiefs (division)

Chargers - I don't even know how either team survived last week.... curious.

Seahawks @ Rams (division)

Seahawks - Seahawks got a gift.. thanks to Goodell and that BS.

49'ers @ Jets

49ers - Retribution for last week is coming...

Titans @ Texans (division)

Texans - The AFC South is its own disaster.

Bengals @ Jaguars

Bengals - Stranger things have happened.

Dolphins @ Cardinals

Cards - The fish could've won their game... twice.

Raiders @ Broncos (division)

Broncos - Is the Raider penalty-less season a hoax or ref randomness?

Saints @ Packers

Packers - This is the Roger Goodell "appreciation" game.

Redskins @ Buccaneers

Bucs - Go figure with these two teams.

Giants @ Eagles (division)

Eagles - No rhyme or reason to this pick.

Bears @ Cowboys (Monday)

Bears - Had anyone watched the Cowboys game... it was really unwatchable.

434

Final Fantasy IV Research & Development / Re: Yang's Battle Script

« on: September 26, 2012, 10:43:44 PM »

Actually, status spells are tested once... they always use a spell multiplier of 1 unless it is an attack spell like Bio or Venom.
I call it the solo multiplier, because it is also used for the magic evasion multiplier as well (unless, you are Cecil/Yang/Cid that tends to have a magic evasion multiplier of 0).

I already posted a document on Gamefaqs with a relatively complete Algo FAQ and a separate spell doc.

435

Final Fantasy IV Research & Development / Re: Yang's Battle Script

« on: September 26, 2012, 09:28:34 PM »

Thanks for the explanation. I recall someone had started a solo Cecil challenge and quit when they reached Cagnazzo because Cecil couldn't hurt him enough and his Recover healed too much HP for him to get through. I wonder if it was also reducing damage?

Setting the new defense value in the script does actually reduce damage. Think of it like the Valvalis/Barbariccia battle. Same idea, except Cagnazzo stays with those stats forever (the new defense stat does not ever revert script-wise, unlike Barbariccia).

It's actually worth checking out how that works with a Beastiary type code (forcing the battle for your own testing amusment).

Though don't enemies use Magic Evasion when it comes to status ailments? Or does it only look at the caster's Wisdom/Will for that?

Status ailments depend on the property that is applied to it. Bio/Virus's HP leak property is not blockable, but if you have enough magic evasion, the HP leak property is a non-issue... unless it is multi-targeted (Zeromus). Spells like Toad/Mini is tested against Magic Evasion (assuming you have a minimum of multiplier of 1), however you have to check its hit rate/accuracy through its base accuracy (Toad/Mini has 50) and appropriate stat (Toad for Wisdom, Mini for Will)

Hit Rate = 50 + (Wis or Will)/2

Spells like Venom tend to apply the damage+status (status is not applied if resistant), but there are issues with that with the various versions of FF4.

Monster spells (usually towards the bottom of the spell list) simply check for status resistance before applying them... the hit rate value is ignored altogether.

Monsters never have magic evasion, so it works or it doesn't, depending on the spell and status ailment.