In FFXIV's long-term progression system, Relic Weapon has always held a special place. It's not just equipment that enhances stats, but also a long-term progression path that records player investment and growth. Therefore, every adjustment to Relic Weapon system sparks considerable discussion.
From Endwalker to Dawntrail, Relic Weapon has gradually shifted towards a lighter design, relying heavily on points for progression. Before the announcement of Evercold, the producer hinted that the next expansion's Relic Weapon system would take a different approach, but the official changes have not yet been announced.
While the answer to the new system remains to be seen, Cosmic Exploration in the current expansion may have already revealed some design concepts worth learning from for the future Relic Weapon.
Inspiration from Cosmic Exploration
A closer look at Cosmic Exploration reveals that it actually integrates the strengths of several past large-scale progression systems.
Similar to Eureka and Bozja, it features dedicated areas, recurring quests, and long-term progression goals. However, it doesn't completely replicate the high-intensity grinding of the past, instead striking a better balance between efficiency and investment.
In FF14's Cosmic Exploration, players continuously complete quests to earn Research Points and gradually upgrade their Crafting and Gathering Tools.
As tool levels increase, players not only gain stronger equipment effects but also unlock new progression stages. The biggest advantage of this process is that players consistently feel their investment is yielding results.
Compared to simply accumulating Final Fantasy XIV Gil to exchange for equipment, Cosmic Exploration offers a more defined progression experience. Players aren't endlessly repeating tasks for a last reward but gradually improving their equipment as they complete objectives.
I believe this is precisely the design philosophy that the future Relic Weapon should adopt. Relic Weapons don't necessarily need to revert to the lengthy and stressful crafting methods of the past, but it should at least make players feel like they are cultivating a special weapon, not completing a routine exchange.
Relic Weapons Need a Sense of Progression
Currently, in FFXIV, Relic Weapons are typically crafted after reaching the level cap, creating difference of opinion between crafting and character progression. Players often need to level up and upgrade their equipment before investing time in crafting Relic Weapons.
However, by referencing the progression system of Cosmic Exploration, future Relic Weapons could be integrated into the character progression process.
For example, Relic Weapons could gradually strengthen as the character's class level increases, allowing players to advance their weapon's progression while leveling up their new class. This would give sub-class development an additional objective, rather than simply grinding for experience.
Of course, this design needs to avoid forcibly binding characters to a specific class. Past Relic Weapon quests required players to use a specific class to complete content, which could feel restrictive.
A more reasonable approach would allow players to gain basic progress regardless of their class, while equipping and using the corresponding Relic Weapon would provide greater efficiency.
This design retains freedom while allowing Relic Weapon to truly become a companion throughout the character's progression.
Point Redemption Isn't the Final Answer
In recent years, FF14 has increasingly relied on the point system, its biggest advantages being stability and freedom. Players can acquire resources like Final Fantasy XIV Gil through various content, without being confined to a single gameplay style.
However, for Relic Weapon, relying solely on point redemption always presents a problem: a lack of independent experience.
Relic Weapon is special because it represents the completion of a long journey for the player. If it ultimately boils down to daily quests, accumulating resources, and then redeeming upgrade materials, the entire process easily loses its sense of ritual.
Future expansions don't need to completely abandon the point system. A more ideal solution is to make points the basic path, while adding gameplay content specifically designed to support Relic Weapon's growth.
Players who prefer a relaxed progression can complete the game at their own pace, while players who want to focus on developing their Relic Weapon will have clear and challenging goals.
If Evercold were to reintroduce similar special areas, the design focus shouldn't solely be on repeatedly grinding FATEs or defeating special enemies. Truly excellent Relic Weapon areas should possess their own quest logic and exploration value, making players feel like they're embarking on an independent adventure.
Addressing the Crafting Pressure of Multiple Classes
As the number of classes in FF14 continues to increase, the crafting pressure of Relic Weapons becomes increasingly apparent. Future expansions will feature many combat classes; if each Relic Weapon requires the same amount of time, most players will ultimately only craft a few.
Research Bonus mechanism in Cosmic Exploration provides an excellent solution to this problem. As players complete more tools, the crafting speed for subsequent tools will significantly increase. This design effectively rewards long-term investment and encourages players to continue trying new goals.
A similar mechanism could be adopted for combat Relic Weapons. After completing the first Relic Weapon, subsequent weapons should receive an efficiency boost, making collecting weapons for multiple classes a positive cycle rather than constantly repeating the same tasks.
The core of Relic Weapon system should be to encourage players to explore more classes, not to discourage them due to high costs.
Enhancing the Collectible Value of Weapons
In FF14, the appearance of equipment has always been more important than its pure stats. Many players craft Relic Weapons not because of their combat advantages, but because of their unique design and collectible value.
Therefore, future Relic Weapons may not need complex combat mechanics. More promising than minor stat boosts are exclusive visual effects.
As new expansions add more animation-related content, if Relic Weapons possess independent skill effects, special attack animations, or richer visual effects, it will undoubtedly become a significant motivation for players to craft multiple weapons.
For FFXIV players, a truly collectible weapon is the greatest reward in itself.
A Relic Weapon shouldn't just be a piece of equipment in an expansion, nor should it become a challenge only a few players can persevere in. It should be a personal growth experience for the player, and this is perhaps the correct direction Evercold Relic Weapon system should strive for.
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