Topic: FF4 Algo - Input Requested

[Deathlike2]

All the Shields and Hats are done... at least up to this point anyways.

[Deathlike2]

Ok, I've covered all the weapon+armor, but not the other items and FF4 specific stuff...

[Deathlike2]

Laziness aside, the spell-casting items in FF4 are now included.

[Deathlike2]

The item list in FF4 is complete with spoilers for idiots.

Unless there is new information, Dark Matter and the other two unused stuff (those are designated Key Items as far as the treasure screen reports them to be) don't have any meaningful descriptions unless someone knows more about them..

[Deathlike2]

Ok... the list is complete... 

The only major thing needed to be done is probably to proofread and consider adding one more section on randomly useful/cool info.

[Deathlike2]

Ok, the stuff has been updated to Gamefaqs, although, I'm working on a revision to address spelling and grammar mistakes... and add a few bugs onto the list..

1) The Vamplady positioning/not hanging bug.

2) Master Flan can't be targeted...

3) Mention other FF4A differences.. such as they added like only a small number of new monster graphics (Yang's Trial uses it)... the Metamorpha monster actually does change the monster into 4 random monsters (Behemoth, Blue Dragon, White Dragon, Ahriman).. which was not originally possible in FF4. I don't think there are that many actual additions though.

[Dragonsbrethren]

2) Master Flan can't be targeted...

I'm pretty sure this was intentional, and making it targetable was actually breaking that battle. Where I'm certain it was unintentional is another monster that uses a similar (I'm guessing the same) formation, the bog witch and tiny toads. This was a problem inherited from the WSC version, it's possible whoever designed the master flan (who's name should really have been "flan master"...) battle thought that was how the formation was intended to work.

the Metamorpha monster actually does change the monster into 4 random monsters (Behemoth, Blue Dragon, White Dragon, Ahriman).. which was not originally possible in FF4. I don't think there are that many actual additions though.

Are you sure, or is it just four different battle formations? That would have been possible in the original game.

[Deathlike2]

2) Master Flan can't be targeted...

I'm pretty sure this was intentional, and making it targetable was actually breaking that battle. Where I'm certain it was unintentional is another monster that uses a similar (I'm guessing the same) formation, the bog witch and tiny toads. This was a problem inherited from the WSC version, it's possible whoever designed the master flan (who's name should really have been "flan master"...) battle thought that was how the formation was intended to work.

It was changed or "fixed" in the Euro (and probably Jap 1.1) version... not that the battle was ever difficult (Palom learns Quake at level 23, which means it's a can't miss proposition anyways).

the Metamorpha monster actually does change the monster into 4 random monsters (Behemoth, Blue Dragon, White Dragon, Ahriman).. which was not originally possible in FF4. I don't think there are that many actual additions though.

Are you sure, or is it just four different battle formations? That would have been possible in the original game.

I'm not sure what you're saying here. At some point, the monster changes form (although, I forget how that was triggered) and 4 possible monsters appear. I don't see how you could change to any 4 random monsters in this game. The closest one does something like that is the Trapdoor monster or the Elementals, but that's designed that way. You can only fit 3 different types of monsters in any battle to begin with... and I don't believe any of the battle codes allow for changing the monster's HP.

[Dragonsbrethren]

What I'm wondering, does it actually randomly change, or are there just four different formations, like there are two different trap door formations? It would be simple to make this monster using the exact same method the trap door uses if there are four different formations. If there is only one formation and it randomly turns into one of the four monsters then that is new behavior, but I suspect it's the former.

[Deathlike2]

What I'm wondering, does it actually randomly change, or are there just four different formations, like there are two different trap door formations?

There's only one formation (it's nice how there are cheat codes to force any battle formation). I originally thought the way you did, but after seeing only one formation and testing the randomness of it, it's pretty random.

[Dragonsbrethren]

Ah, okay then. I'm surprised they actually bothered to do it that way, I'm pretty sure FF5's wasn't random (I seem to remember it always changing into the same monster in the same battle, and I know it had its own versions of the monsters it turned into).

[Deathlike2]

Ah, okay then. I'm surprised they actually bothered to do it that way, I'm pretty sure FF5's wasn't random (I seem to remember it always changing into the same monster in the same battle, and I know it had its own versions of the monsters it turned into).

FF5 does multiple copies of the same monster, but having different fixed battle scripts.

[odditude]

minor legibility suggestion: indent all formulae slightly (3 spaces?) to offset them from the descriptive text.

i'm going to do an anal proofreading readthrough during my down time here today.

[Deathlike2]

minor legibility suggestion: indent all formulae slightly (3 spaces?) to offset them from the descriptive text.

I don't like it.. I need the space, but a more creative answer would be fine if I think it through some more.

i'm going to do an anal proofreading readthrough during my down time here today.

Hopefully, the update goes online soon (1.51)... I'll upload a copy here anyways (I've changed the posting legal mumbo jumbo because it didn't have to be there).

 
I have no plans to update a version until Friday at the earliest.. if there isn't anything major needing changes.

[odditude]

Consistency question - do  you have any issue with me renaming / reordering things for consistency?

For example, when referring to bows and arrows, in one place you refer to the setup as "arrow in primary hand" whereas later it's "bow in recessive hand."

Also, the order in which you present the formulae for standard/unarmed/edge/yang/bow&arrow/monsters differs by section.