Difference between revisions of "GUARDIANS Advanced Content"

Revision as of 04:19, 27 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.

Balance adjustments

Exact counter

• Exact counter will be adjusted so that the user will be invincible for the duration of the counter.

Type adjustments

• Guntechers and Wartechers will both be able to equip double sabers up to grade A.
• The following tables lists the adjustments made to each type (where applicable).

SUV weapon adjustments

• New S-rank SUV weapons will be added: (Hegel Burst) and (Rafal Burst).
• Ascension Gift will receive a large power increase to its Rappy and 16t weight attacks.
• Paradi Cataract will receive a reduction to its power and range.

Photon art adjustments

• All longbow bullets will receive increased firing rate and attack power. Furthermore, all LV41+ longbow bullets inflict LV5 status effects.
• All grenade photon arts will receive a reduction in PP cost. At LV41+, all grenades will have increased accuracy.
• Anga Jabroga's accuracy modifier will be removed. From here on, its accuracy will depend solely on the player's ATA.
• The following table lists the adjustments made to each skill (where applicable).

• The following table explains the adjustments made to each bullet listed.

• The following table explains the adjustments made to each TECHNIC listed.

GUARDIANS advanced style

GUARDIANS advanced style (GAS) allows players who have reached the level cap to further customize their characters. Once the level cap has been reached, all excess EXP earned from defeating enemies is converted into advanced EXP (AEXP). As AEXP accumulates and reaches predetermined amounts, it will automatically convert into advanced points (AP), which are essential to the customization process. Aside from being at the server's current level cap, lower level players can also earn EXP by playing advanced GUARDIANS missions.

There are two customization options available to players: type customization and style customization. Both options can be accessed from the Resident Security Department on the 3rd floor of Clyez City.

Type customization

Type customization allows players to customize their Guardian type to meet their own specific needs. Types can be customized to further excel in specific fields. For example, a Fortefighter can become a specialist in the use of axes, or a Fortetecher can learn to excel at using recovery and support TECHNICs. All Guardian types can be customized except for the three basic types, Hunter, Ranger and Force.

Type customization is carried out by exchanging AP for special enhancement items. Make sure to choose your customization options wisely, as AP cannot be refunded after it has been used. Each ability has its own level which will increase as AP is spent on it. 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.

The number of customization options varies between races. 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. Furthermore, the customization options available to each player depend on their Guardian type.

Style customization

Style customization allows players to exchange AP to customize specific features of their characters in three categories: weapon style, shield style and extra style. Unlike type customization, there is no limit to the number of style customizations a character can have. However, only one of each category may be used at a time. Whenever you wish to change one of your styles, simply return to the GUARDIANS advanced style mission to make your modifications. If you are changing to a previously acquired style, you can make the change without having to spend any extra AP.

The following are a few examples of style customizations and what they have to offer.

• Common mastery (weapon style): Allows you to upgrade the power of C-grade weapons beyond their original limits. Pull your old favorite weapons out of storage to give them a second chance to shine!
• Rapid react (shield style): Raises the frequency of successfully blocking enemy attacks. A must-have for those types with low HP!
• Middle grade trap (extra style): Upgrades the damage output of traps. May be quite useful to type who rely on trap damage.

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."