Insane Difficulty: Best way to play the patch at this point in development? - Insane Difficulty

Hi!

I've had my eye on this patch for a long time, and am just finishing up a vanilla playthrough (with a friend... so much fun! I love this game!), so I figured now would be an awesome time to take a crack at a more challenging version.

I've read the update notes and poked around the main discussion thread. It sounds like a lot of fun and I'm super psyched for the stats to not be broken!

If I may kindly ask: what is the best team to play at this point in the patch's development? Is there anything I need a major heads-up about before diving in? And can I still fight the Black Rabite?

Thanks!

blackcat777, on 26 October 2015 - 07:08 PM, said:

Hi!

blackcat777, on 26 October 2015 - 07:08 PM, said:

Read through the "Character/Job Party Recommendations" topic, that should give you a better idea for decent teams.
I hope there's no strictly "best" team - if one should crop up, I've a few unused nerfaggeddons left

blackcat777, on 26 October 2015 - 07:08 PM, said:

-gear is not a linear progression; in fact an item that is the "best" in one category early (e.g. phys. def) will still be the "best" in that category at the end, there will just be much more alternatives
-you are expected to use a few buffs/debuffs even for "trash" mobs later; not the whole list but at least 1-3
-pure (physical) damage is not always the solution, neither is phys. defense
-anti-magic might be a spell you'll learn to love for certain situations
-I demand feedback!!
-there's no shame to alter the difficulty later when a situation is just too impossible (barely impossible is ok), this is still an ongoing project

blackcat777, on 26 October 2015 - 07:08 PM, said:

You can't not fight it.
It is a forced *mini*-boss on all three routes.

Once I actually downloaded it, I read the readmes (derp) and they were definitely very helpful!

I started Duran's quest last night and WHEW!! I'm only on level 3, but the difficulty level and the speed increase is so much fun! I was concurrently playing Star Ocean Second Story on universe mode with vanilla Seiken 3, so this patch makes me instantly excited.

I still have to decide which classes I want to play through. I'm stoked for the changes in spells, the fixed stats, and the cast time differences.

I will most definitely leave feedback as I play! I convinced my boyfriend to do another playthrough with me.

There is one thing I was wondering: when you mention that characters 2 and 3 get some kind of stat boost to compensate for the poor AI, can you elaborate? E.g. If I play as Angela, then have Hawk and Duran as my 2nd and 3rd characters, if I switch from Angela to Hawk, does the bonus shift to the character controlled manually, or does it always remain with the slotted 2 and 3 characters in the order you picked them up? I'm also wondering how this effects multiplayer.

Thanks!

We just beat Xable Fahr on vanilla, so as soon as we clear that, I'll start the patch and keep you posted.

Thanks for taking the time to polish such an awesome game. I loved Seiken in grade school, but now, as an adult (and more seasoned gamer ), there are a few places in the game where it's glaringly obvious the developers fell asleep at the wheel. Square had so many gems that were born a little premature in those days, and it's such a treat when someone who loves a game has the skill and takes the time to bring it into its full glory.

blackcat777, on 27 October 2015 - 07:00 PM, said:

The characters use different formulas for calculating the stats when being first created.
On attack it gets mostly the same result. On defense... it's way wrong. Like 10-15 points too high.
This lasts until the stat is recalculated - equip change, level up, etc.

So for Angela - Hawk - Duran, Hawk & Duran would at Lv4 have too much defense, but at Lv5 it is normal again.

This is honestly a bug, but one that I can't fix because the original formula is way too compressed.
Since the 3rd character is possibly 4 levels behind, I don't mind it.

blackcat777, on 26 October 2015 - 07:08 PM, said:

you want a good team and to fight the black rabite, Duran duelist, Kevin deathhand, Carlie bishop.

One week too early, man, one week too early.