Difference between revisions of "GUARDIANS Advanced Content"

Revision as of 03:33, 18 March 2009

This article contains information on content which has not been released in any version of Phantasy Star Universe. Though gathered from official sources, the information presented here is subject to change.

AOTI supplemental update (「イルミナスの野望」追加アップデート) refers to a massive content update which is scheduled to be released on the Japanese PC/PS2 servers during the spring of 2009. This update will be released as a free-to-download patch to all players. While the target platform of this update is the PC, PS2 users will not be left out completely, as certain aspects of this update will be available to them, too. Players can expect to see many new weapons and clothes added with this update as well as various system balance adjustments made across the board.

New items

Players can expect to see over 160 new items added with this update, including many weapons from Phantasy Star Portable, such as Amore Rose, Twin Distortion and Din De Bel.

Battle system adjustments

Adjustments will be made to the following aspects of the current battle system.

• Photon arts
• GUARDIANS types and races
• SUV weapons
• Exact counter (to make the user invincible for the duration of the counter)

GUARDIANS advanced style

• Once a character reaches the level cap, all excess EXP earned will be converted to advanced EXP (AEXP).
• In special missions that have level restrictions in place, it will be possible for non-capped characters to earn AEXP. For example, if a LV147 character enters a special mission which reduces them to LV100 for the duration of the mission, any EXP earned in that mission will be earned as AEXP.
• As certain predetermined amounts of AEXP are saved, the points will be converted automatically into advanced points (AP).
• Accumulated AP can be used for either type customization or style customization.
• Type and style customization features can be used only in new exclusive missions.
• AP and customization caps will be increased over time.

Type customization

• Players will be able to use accumulated AP to customize their type's abilities.
• Each ability has its own level which will increase as AP is spent on it.
• The abilities which can be learned will vary between types.
• The number of abilities that can be learned will vary by race. Therefore, even if more than enough AP has been accumulated to pay for certain abilities, if a character has reached their racial limit, they will not be able to learn a new ability.
• Hunter, Ranger and Force cannot be customized.
• Type customization includes abilities such as (but not limited to) increased base ATP, increased critical hit rate, increased photon art leveling speed (for weapons of your type's forte), fire TECHNIC strengthening, etc.

Style customization

• Players will be able to use accumulated AP to acquire abilities known as "style."
• "Weapon style," "shield style" and "extra style" are the three divisions of style customization.
• Once a particular style type has been acquired, players can freely change between their style's options while in a GUARDIANS advanced style (GAS) mission without having to spend extra AP.
• Style options are based on characters, not types.
• Each style has its own level which will increase as AP are spent on it.
• All styles can be acquired if enough AP is accumulated.
• Style customization options include (but are not limited to) additional status effect infliction rates with attacks, freeze resistance, trap damage increase, etc.

Your room functions

The following new functions have been confirmed.

• The common box capacity will be increased to 100 items (from the original limit of 32 items).
• You will be able to have multiple stacks of identical items in your common box.
• The item delivery function available at certain NPC vendors will be replaced with the ability to access your common box from the vendor.
• Item transfer between a single account's Entrance 1 and Entrance 2 characters will be enabled.^[1]
• A function will be added to partner cards which will allow you to transfer directly to another player's room from their card.
• A menu will be added which will allow single account characters on different entrances to move to the room of another character on the same account or entrance.^[1]

Interface functions

The following interface functions have been confirmed.

• A feature will be added so that players can lock certain items to prevent the accidental sale of it to an NPC vendor. Items which have been locked will appear in red text. Furthermore, locked items cannot be dropped.
• The current list of selectable online status indicators will be removed and replaced with the ability to type in your own text for your status.
• Status names you create will be saved.
• Online status will now be shown over your character's head along with their name.
• Your current online status will show up on your partner card when someone views it in their list.
• New chat commands will be added, such as those that will allow players to change line shields.
• The ability to take screenshots without various parts of the HUD appearing, such as player status indicators, will be added.
• A text input history (like what currently is available with chat) will be added to the online status, party name, party comment and conditional search fields.

Conditional missions

• Conditional missions are special missions which will be based around various conditions and restrictions placed on the party. These conditions include the following:
  • Level cap restrictions
  • Weapon category restrictions
  • Item usage restrictions
  • Slot/unit restrictions
  • TECHNIC restrictions
  • SUV weapon/nanoblast restrictions
• For example, if a mission is restricted to LV20, all party members must be at least LV20 to enter. Upon entering, anyone who is above LV20 will be reduced to LV20 for the duration of the mission.
• AEXP is earned in level restricted missions as opposed to normal EXP.
• Restrictions will change between each conditional mission.

GUARDIANS advanced missions

• GUARDIANS advanced missions (GAMs) are a type of conditional mission.
• When a GAM is cleared, players will earn advanced mission points (AMP) instead of normal mission points.
• When you reach a predetermined amount of AMP, your rank (known as a "stage") will increase.
• In GAMs, if all party members are not at or above a certain stage, certain missions cannot be accepted.
• As you reach advanced stages, mission difficulty and restrictions become more strict.
• You can exchange AMP for items, however doing this can decrease your stage if you fall under a certain amount of AMP.
• There is a limit to the amount of AMP you can acquire.

New billing system options

In addition to the GUARDIANS License, GUARDIANS Cash^[2] will be available for purchase at the billing site. When purchased, these items give players access to optional in-game content such as exclusive missions, weapon grinding, the ability to change the element of weapons and line shields, the ability to increase the elemental attribute of weapons and line shields, and more. GUARDIANS Cash can be bought in bulk and saved for later use. Currently there is no pricing schedule available for these items.

• Exclusive missions will require payment each time they're played. Furthermore, an option will be presented for the party leader to cover the cost of the mission for all party members or for each party member to pay for it themselves.
• Unlike the normal grinding system, the optional pay-to-upgrade system will never fail. However, a maximum number of upgrades will be established to limit the number of times a weapon or line shield can be modified.

Community course

Community course is a new feature which will let previously registered players who have let their GUARDIANS License expire continue to play the game free-of-charge. No special actions are necessary to convert an account to community course. Once a GUARDIANS License has expired and a player tries to log in, they will log in as a community course player. Of course, when playing on community course, various restrictions will be in place to limit the capabilities of the player. These include:

• You cannot enter your room.
• Restrictions are put on changing universes.
• Restrictions are placed on which missions you can play.
• You cannot trade items with other characters.
• You cannot pick up items dropped by other characters.
• You cannot use your common box.
• You cannot collect, use or exchange Vol Coins.
• You cannot use GUARDIANS Cash.
• You cannot collect or use character stat customization points.
• If your character is over a certain level, you will not earn any EXP.
• If your character is over a certain Guardian type level, you will not earn any MP.
• If your photon arts are over a certain level, you will not earn any EXP for using them.

When logged in under community course, a special icon will appear next to your name.

Concerning PS2 users

All PS2 users will have access to the system file upgrades offered by this update, but they will not receive visual upgrades for new items. However, new items will be available to PS2 users. These items will simply use existing in-game visuals, though the names, descriptions and stats will be unique. Aside from this, the only other features that will not be available to PS2 users are the screenshot and text input history functions.

External links

• Official Japanese AOTI supplemental update website

Reference notes

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} This function applies only to the Japanese PC/PS2 servers and will not be included with the localization of this content.
2. ↑ "GUARDIANS Cash" originally was known as "PSU Tickets."