Topic: Writing a FF2/4/4ET/A Document/FAQ

[Deathlike2]

This isn't really for romhacking.. rather this is for documenting behavior as a supplement to the BSiron FAQ that lacks quite a bit of info.

Is anyone wanting to pitch in here or am I alone on this? There's still probably more to document though...

[Dragonsbrethren]

I'd love to help but (If you haven't guessed by my recent absence) I'm having some trouble with my internet connection right now. It may be some time before I can contribute any more than I already have in your topics.

[Deathlike2]

That's fine, I'm in no rush. I'm sure there are other things that have not yet come to mind in regards to FF4 anyways.

[Deathlike2]

Ok, it's clear there is not much new on the research front (other than for romhacking purposes).

If there are some lingering questions that exist on any existing thread, please post and add to those threads (most notably the Twin thread, since I had some legitimate questions about the command).

I definately need to finish the status thread as well...

As soon as I'm done with Dual Orb 2 research (and will post a mini-FAQ), I should immediately start working on writing the document for this game. I will upload a copy at Gamefaqs at some point (unfinished). It will be a starting point anyways, since I have way way way too much stuff stored away here. Hopefully this should be done sometime late Sunday (but don't hold me to that specific day).

[Deathlike2]

I guess I should be onto the next document.. I'm not sure what should be done next...

1) Update the Magic Guide to include Item Magic Info and perhaps a list of equipment that cast spells...
2) Write the Algo Guide... dealing with the physical and magic attack algo... it will have to include explainations to elemental and monster type modifiers...
3) Write the Command Guide... though some info needs to be looked into, such as how the Steal command works (really, I mean it)
4) Write up the Status Guide.. though it probably will have to attach itself to another guide, because it's not actually useful info by itself, suggestions welcome of what I should do there
5) Write up a Bug Guide... this may be tough since so many random shit has been posted here and I don't quite have the patience to resift through it...


Stuff that needs to be figured out that fits into one of more of these catagories
1) How the Steal command works
2) How the level spells like Odin and Sleep works... maybe including Weak (although, I could be wrong with that spell there).. there are probably a few other spells that apply here... I'm pretty sure that weapon/attack inflicted status effects are based on this behavior...
3) Figuring out how the armor for monster type protection actually works... my guess still primarily revolves around a 1/4 reduction in attack power, but that's it.
4) The actual order of all the checks in my physical and magical algos...

[Deathlike2]

Anyone interested in any of the guides listed here?

At this point, I might just write a FAQ and Walkthrough over the weekend... it would be nice if anyone had any particulars needing to be addressed.

[Dragonsbrethren]

An algorithms FAQ for this game would be great, we've already got your threads here but there are a lot of people that could benefit from them.

[Deathlike2]

Well, I would've liked some verification on some of the stuff, but I suspect the bulk of them should be fine as is (some stuff doesn't need an order, both other shit does)...

Anything else?

The Algo guide will probably have to cover #3, #4, and maybe #5...

I was more interested in doing a Walkthrough after finding one of the FF2 FAQs was updated recently, with some guy getting lame credit for something I wrote about (though, I honesty can't say it was new news or I should get all the credit, but I have my own suspicions).

[Dragonsbrethren]

A walkthrough would be cool too. Maybe you could try writing one that would work with every version:

"Open the chest, it contains a Cure 1 potion in FF2us, a Bomb Fragment in J2e's FF4 translation, a Potion in Easy Type, a Bomb in FF4 Chronicles, and is non-existent in the GBA version..."

On second thought...no.

[Deathlike2]

A walkthrough would be cool too. Maybe you could try writing one that would work with every version:

"Open the chest, it contains a Cure 1 potion in FF2us, a Bomb Fragment in J2e's FF4 translation, a Potion in Easy Type, a Bomb in FF4 Chronicles, and is non-existent in the GBA version..."

On second thought...no.

It's easier if you do the following:

1) Mention only the good stuff you want to pick up.
2) Skip most of the monotonous story parts because repeating is a waste of space.

I was thinking more along the lines of giving tips to make things bloody easier for you. Point out randomly useful information such as exploitable bugs and/or stuff like that.

I was thinking about FF4A, and thought less of it since there are already Lunar Ruins/Trials specific docs that cover them well.

[bond697]

i'd like to see numbers 1 and 2 from that list.  2 is definitely more important, though.

for your bug guide, i'll go through and gather up all the bug references/bugs that have been discussed here, and provide links to everything, if that would be helpful. is there a lot of stuff missing from the bug list topic?

[Deathlike2]

I think most of the stuff is covered.. there's a good chance there are some loose odds and ends that were forgotten.

 
You are far better of reading the content of most messages posted here... and summarizing what was said in a link to the actual thread. I'm not going to recall every detail from every thread.. (sadly).

[Deathlike2]

Small 

My guide's still in the queue, but I was wondering what should be done next..

The item guide (should that even be part of the Algo FAQ?) or the bugs guide (should that even be part of the Algo FAQ?)

The item guide should pretty much be straight forward and simple, but the bugs guide might be a bit more flimsy than what the two bug threads may indicate, since there are many many many (not enough manys to my liking) bugs that have been properly catalogued.

[Dragonsbrethren]

The bugs guide would be more interesting, to me at least.

[Deathlike2]

If you want, start compiling all the stuff (you can do that with links if that's easier) that's been mentioned/posted here so I can start on it at some point. Right now, I'm currently interested in rewriting my first guide (Ogre Battle FAQ) that sorely needs an update since I've learned a lot of new stuff since I last checked.