I'd say it's what the starter box rules look like. It's supposed to be a simple plug-and-play product and I think it does a wonderful job for that purpose. If FF14 is your first TTRPG, the starter box is the right place to start. For myself, I'll wait for the complete rulebooks before passing any kind of judgement since there will be 2 separate books (Players and GM). If there aren't a lot more that we didn't see in the basic Players and GM booklet, I don't see the point of making 2 separate books if what we have could be made into 1 single hard cover.
This is a fair assessment, and I'm still planning on getting the full player's handbook when it's available and posting an update to this video with whatever additional rules they have. I think managing expectations for this product is the best way to look at it. It's definitely meant to be opened and played and I think that might be why the rules seem simplified. Only the full release will tell for sure though. I think it might have been a good idea to delay this box until at least the players book was available. That might have helped.
@@timezero8409 Just to be clear that wasn't my intention here. I plan to make another video when the full rules come out as well. I'm just trying to help facilitate people getting into it (I can trust my players to watch a 10 minute video easier than convince them to read the book lol). I have been seeing a lot of negative responses for the system as a whole based on this starter set. I think maybe it should have launched alongside the player book.
One month into the starter set, and am loving this game! Standard rulebook preorder was just announced! Small point of order: hit points does not equate to 'life points', it's your resolve according to the rulebooks. The books go into detail about what 0hp means for your group. There is an enfeeblement called Death (which makes me think of things like Doom) but dropping to 0hp does not mean you are unconscious. With quicksaves, you can just go back and restart of the encounter (or any point the group agrees on) with a Phoenix Down style rule applying.
Thanks for the clarification. I did mean to cover this in a different video, but the topic seemed a bit too involved for a basic overview. Honestly I thought it might deserve its own discussion. I did just release a new video about the preorder! Super excited!
I’m relieved it doesn’t appear too complex! FF’s main draws for me are the character chemistry, the storytelling, and the way it blends sci-fi and fantasy adventure tropes. I wonder if there will be a system like Tenra Bansho Zero’s (another TTRPG) with which characters progress by pursuing player-made character arcs, with the ability to alter one’s arc in response to game events.
That sounds really interesting, and I'll have to check that other system out too! That sounds like an interesting approach. They don't really touch on systems like that in the starter set but we have two full books on the way so you never know! They make a point in the starter set that there's no leveling up, but I do want to see character progression fleshed out a bit in the full rules. It'll be interesting to see what they have in store.
At least in the case of strength, the actual score has an effect on carrying capacity. Granted not all DMs have that matter, but it is at least worth pointing out.
If the rules are simple and there's nothing really flashy, many of their mmo subscribers might jump to their first ttrpg. Find it fun, see what ekse is around and discover other games. Honestly it's a net positive. Probably wont be as impactful as 5e, but they have enough customers to warrant giving a ttrpg a shot.
This is a really good point, and honestly might have been part of the design philosophy. Anything that gets more people trying TTRPGs is definitely a positive.
2:47 I think the ability score is going away in most of the major d20 RPGs. I KNOW Pathfinder got rid of it and I was pretty sure 6e(or whatever they heck people are calling it) was ALSO going to be dropping to ONLY the "modifier". The actual number hasn't really meant anything for awhile, so why have it?
I'm with you on this. I think tying it to an arbitrary number just adds additional stuff to remember that doesn't add any value. I don't mind them dropping the score itself.
@@treasuredwarren We don't actually know yet. Character creation isn't touched on in the starter set. We'll have to see what the full book says when it comes out.
The issue i see with this is a simple problem: FF14 has been making itself easy in its MMO and seems to be taking that sane approach here....but thats what D&D is for D20 systems. Its not a niche that needs filling and is playing against the juggernaut of the scene. Imo, they should approach a uniquely deep system with roleplaying rather than combat. 14 is KNOWN for its story, so it could fit in. Then making the combat lore accurate (AKA way more lethal and healing having limited effectiveness) can cement it as a strong d20 system geared to story telling enabling mechanics above all else.
This may very well be the case, and honestly I would be here for that. Because the base rules are so light, I would love to see more depth in the roleplaying space once the full book is released. That's what I prefer in these games anyway, and I'll take all the RP tools they want to give me lol. The way they've structured this box set does feel like they went simple on the rules in order to facilitate more emphasis on RP to me... But how much additional fleshing out that will get with the players handbook is anyone's guess. Then again, they could have just designed a simple D20 system and called it a day lol.
I see where you're coming from. But while FFXIV is known for its story, it is NOT known for its RP. Not in the main story anyway, there's an RP community in game but the story itself is very much on rails and you never really make any important decisions that affect the plot or allow you to deviate the WoL's character all that much beyond getting to say something funny sometimes. That said, they don't need to translate the game 100%. Just because FFXIV doesn't let you make meaningful decisions doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to help steer the story more in a FFXIV TTRPG. Just because jobs have no customization doesn't mean neccesarily that the TTRPG should have no customization etc. I get the feeling though this is meant mostly to appeal to FFXIV players. I doubt they have any plans for this to rival D&D or Pathfinder etc. In fact the similarities to 5E are probably intentional to an extent to make it easy for people to shift into.
@MalzraAirwynn the issue is if this winds up being a rules light D&D, no one will touch this over D&D. And if they go too rules light, then it will be inferior to Fabula Ultima, which is strongly inspired by RPGs Like 14. It's not known for its RP mainly because they have to have a set story route for an MMO. But if you look at characters around the story, they pick their choices and some of them to DRAMATIC effect. Stormblood's post story can be said to mainly be the actions of one man. And focusing on letting players craft that kind of story in the universe of ff14, imo, is where it would find a niche to be profitable.
@MalzraAirwynn to make it more clear what I can see happening: imagine being a small group of warriors having to fight Ifrit, without a WoL. They have Hydalyne to protect them, but they aren't as strong as the WoL. What would they discuss before the battle? How do they tackle the challenge? What tactics? Do they employ allies to give them supplies and potential reinforcements? Now put those questions in the hand of the players. One may be a tank, which goes down after taking more hits, a WHM that can only heal approximately half the damage taken, a Ninja who happens to be a Chirgeon, to heal the wounds after battle, and a Black Mage who is using their elemental attunement to help finish the fight faster. In TTRPG form, there's little room for easy-to-understand systems because D&D exists and eclipses them. PF2e is considered as highly as it is for being similar but more complicated. Ff14 COULD take the "RP and Combat are interconnected" route and sell a very fun and fascinating experience imo. Edit: AND then I notice that it's out and this comment is a month old. Ima derp
@@Bryito They haven't done a mass release to game stores or anything yet. You have to pre-order it through Square-Enix. They had one round of pre-orders (what I'm reviewing in the video) but another is due out in September. na.store.square-enix-games.com/final-fantasy-xiv-ttrpg-starter-set---wave-2
@@IaconDawnshire That's an option. I haven't really ever used those but I've heard good things. I am excited to have a unique system outside of 5e for my FFXIV adventures though.
Hopefully, most of the interesting stuff in this system is being saved for the full core rule book that will be released in the future. It would not be the first beginner box that is not a great representation of its system, but we won't know for sure until the full rules release.
@@masterkill165 I think this might be the case myself. As it stands, the starter set really is kind of bare bones. There's obviously a lot left to discover. I do wonder how else they would expand the base rules, but I will be most interested to see how they handle character creation specifically and if there's any difference between two black mage characters.
This. I think they are going for the "easy to get into" angle but that's what 5e has covered. I don't see what this offers that 5e doesn't yet. Hopefully, the full rules will prove me wrong....otherwise. Fabula Ultima may just be the better system for ff14, ironically.
I was really excited for this and finally played it this weekend. Unfortunately, it’s pretty terrible IMO. All but 1 person at our table said it actually feels and plays more like a combat board game than a TTRPG.
As cool as this seems, I'm really disappointed they chose to go the route of d20 fantasy when that really just... isn't how combat feels to play in FFXIV. I think I'll stick with Fabula Ultima for my Eorzea-related questing.
As it stands the system definitely isn't for everyone. They do have some interesting things they do with combat that differentiates it from 5e, but yeah as a base ruleset (at least with what's in the starter set) it could easily be played with 5e rules. The main difference comes with the character sheets and how abilities chain into each other, which is kind of neat, but may not be enough of a selling point for people. I plan to cover that in another video soon.
@@WolfkinzTTRPG considering the extensive crafting and lifestyle systems in FFXIV proper we might likely see them translated into the full game. Crafting classes/specializations, managing hiring adventurers/squadrons, base keeping (housing and island sanctuary) etc.
@@jemm113 That actually sounds pretty fun to be honest. I hadn't thought about it but they definitely need to do something with disciples of hand/land.
I'd say it's what the starter box rules look like. It's supposed to be a simple plug-and-play product and I think it does a wonderful job for that purpose. If FF14 is your first TTRPG, the starter box is the right place to start. For myself, I'll wait for the complete rulebooks before passing any kind of judgement since there will be 2 separate books (Players and GM). If there aren't a lot more that we didn't see in the basic Players and GM booklet, I don't see the point of making 2 separate books if what we have could be made into 1 single hard cover.
same, keeping my judgement(and money) for the full rules.
This is a fair assessment, and I'm still planning on getting the full player's handbook when it's available and posting an update to this video with whatever additional rules they have.
I think managing expectations for this product is the best way to look at it. It's definitely meant to be opened and played and I think that might be why the rules seem simplified. Only the full release will tell for sure though.
I think it might have been a good idea to delay this box until at least the players book was available. That might have helped.
@@WolfkinzTTRPG People need to stop reviewing this product as if that was the full ruleset, but it's the internet, it won't happen.
@@timezero8409 Just to be clear that wasn't my intention here. I plan to make another video when the full rules come out as well. I'm just trying to help facilitate people getting into it (I can trust my players to watch a 10 minute video easier than convince them to read the book lol).
I have been seeing a lot of negative responses for the system as a whole based on this starter set. I think maybe it should have launched alongside the player book.
One month into the starter set, and am loving this game! Standard rulebook preorder was just announced! Small point of order: hit points does not equate to 'life points', it's your resolve according to the rulebooks. The books go into detail about what 0hp means for your group. There is an enfeeblement called Death (which makes me think of things like Doom) but dropping to 0hp does not mean you are unconscious. With quicksaves, you can just go back and restart of the encounter (or any point the group agrees on) with a Phoenix Down style rule applying.
Thanks for the clarification. I did mean to cover this in a different video, but the topic seemed a bit too involved for a basic overview. Honestly I thought it might deserve its own discussion.
I did just release a new video about the preorder! Super excited!
I’m relieved it doesn’t appear too complex! FF’s main draws for me are the character chemistry, the storytelling, and the way it blends sci-fi and fantasy adventure tropes. I wonder if there will be a system like Tenra Bansho Zero’s (another TTRPG) with which characters progress by pursuing player-made character arcs, with the ability to alter one’s arc in response to game events.
That sounds really interesting, and I'll have to check that other system out too!
That sounds like an interesting approach. They don't really touch on systems like that in the starter set but we have two full books on the way so you never know!
They make a point in the starter set that there's no leveling up, but I do want to see character progression fleshed out a bit in the full rules. It'll be interesting to see what they have in store.
At least in the case of strength, the actual score has an effect on carrying capacity. Granted not all DMs have that matter, but it is at least worth pointing out.
If the rules are simple and there's nothing really flashy, many of their mmo subscribers might jump to their first ttrpg. Find it fun, see what ekse is around and discover other games.
Honestly it's a net positive. Probably wont be as impactful as 5e, but they have enough customers to warrant giving a ttrpg a shot.
This is a really good point, and honestly might have been part of the design philosophy. Anything that gets more people trying TTRPGs is definitely a positive.
Taliho thanks for this video
2:47 I think the ability score is going away in most of the major d20 RPGs. I KNOW Pathfinder got rid of it and I was pretty sure 6e(or whatever they heck people are calling it) was ALSO going to be dropping to ONLY the "modifier". The actual number hasn't really meant anything for awhile, so why have it?
I'm with you on this. I think tying it to an arbitrary number just adds additional stuff to remember that doesn't add any value. I don't mind them dropping the score itself.
How would you "roll" for stats if at all?
@@treasuredwarren We don't actually know yet. Character creation isn't touched on in the starter set. We'll have to see what the full book says when it comes out.
The issue i see with this is a simple problem: FF14 has been making itself easy in its MMO and seems to be taking that sane approach here....but thats what D&D is for D20 systems. Its not a niche that needs filling and is playing against the juggernaut of the scene.
Imo, they should approach a uniquely deep system with roleplaying rather than combat. 14 is KNOWN for its story, so it could fit in. Then making the combat lore accurate (AKA way more lethal and healing having limited effectiveness) can cement it as a strong d20 system geared to story telling enabling mechanics above all else.
This may very well be the case, and honestly I would be here for that. Because the base rules are so light, I would love to see more depth in the roleplaying space once the full book is released. That's what I prefer in these games anyway, and I'll take all the RP tools they want to give me lol.
The way they've structured this box set does feel like they went simple on the rules in order to facilitate more emphasis on RP to me... But how much additional fleshing out that will get with the players handbook is anyone's guess.
Then again, they could have just designed a simple D20 system and called it a day lol.
I see where you're coming from. But while FFXIV is known for its story, it is NOT known for its RP. Not in the main story anyway, there's an RP community in game but the story itself is very much on rails and you never really make any important decisions that affect the plot or allow you to deviate the WoL's character all that much beyond getting to say something funny sometimes.
That said, they don't need to translate the game 100%. Just because FFXIV doesn't let you make meaningful decisions doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to help steer the story more in a FFXIV TTRPG. Just because jobs have no customization doesn't mean neccesarily that the TTRPG should have no customization etc.
I get the feeling though this is meant mostly to appeal to FFXIV players. I doubt they have any plans for this to rival D&D or Pathfinder etc. In fact the similarities to 5E are probably intentional to an extent to make it easy for people to shift into.
@MalzraAirwynn the issue is if this winds up being a rules light D&D, no one will touch this over D&D. And if they go too rules light, then it will be inferior to Fabula Ultima, which is strongly inspired by RPGs Like 14.
It's not known for its RP mainly because they have to have a set story route for an MMO. But if you look at characters around the story, they pick their choices and some of them to DRAMATIC effect. Stormblood's post story can be said to mainly be the actions of one man. And focusing on letting players craft that kind of story in the universe of ff14, imo, is where it would find a niche to be profitable.
@MalzraAirwynn to make it more clear what I can see happening: imagine being a small group of warriors having to fight Ifrit, without a WoL. They have Hydalyne to protect them, but they aren't as strong as the WoL. What would they discuss before the battle? How do they tackle the challenge? What tactics? Do they employ allies to give them supplies and potential reinforcements? Now put those questions in the hand of the players. One may be a tank, which goes down after taking more hits, a WHM that can only heal approximately half the damage taken, a Ninja who happens to be a Chirgeon, to heal the wounds after battle, and a Black Mage who is using their elemental attunement to help finish the fight faster.
In TTRPG form, there's little room for easy-to-understand systems because D&D exists and eclipses them. PF2e is considered as highly as it is for being similar but more complicated. Ff14 COULD take the "RP and Combat are interconnected" route and sell a very fun and fascinating experience imo.
Edit: AND then I notice that it's out and this comment is a month old. Ima derp
Is the Starterbox Available for purchase in available for purchase? I can't find it on Amazon 🤔
@@Bryito They haven't done a mass release to game stores or anything yet. You have to pre-order it through Square-Enix. They had one round of pre-orders (what I'm reviewing in the video) but another is due out in September.
na.store.square-enix-games.com/final-fantasy-xiv-ttrpg-starter-set---wave-2
@@WolfkinzTTRPG I see ty for the inof😁
I just use the homebrew XIV supplement
@@IaconDawnshire That's an option. I haven't really ever used those but I've heard good things.
I am excited to have a unique system outside of 5e for my FFXIV adventures though.
I'm a big FF fan and former SE employee, but this TTRPG sounds extremely bland and boring
Hopefully, most of the interesting stuff in this system is being saved for the full core rule book that will be released in the future. It would not be the first beginner box that is not a great representation of its system, but we won't know for sure until the full rules release.
@@masterkill165 I think this might be the case myself. As it stands, the starter set really is kind of bare bones. There's obviously a lot left to discover. I do wonder how else they would expand the base rules, but I will be most interested to see how they handle character creation specifically and if there's any difference between two black mage characters.
This. I think they are going for the "easy to get into" angle but that's what 5e has covered. I don't see what this offers that 5e doesn't yet. Hopefully, the full rules will prove me wrong....otherwise. Fabula Ultima may just be the better system for ff14, ironically.
I was really excited for this and finally played it this weekend. Unfortunately, it’s pretty terrible IMO. All but 1 person at our table said it actually feels and plays more like a combat board game than a TTRPG.
Judging a book by its cover much.
As cool as this seems, I'm really disappointed they chose to go the route of d20 fantasy when that really just... isn't how combat feels to play in FFXIV. I think I'll stick with Fabula Ultima for my Eorzea-related questing.
>Calling Ability Scores "Base traits"
>Calling Skills "Base abilities"
oof da, this is triggering my autism too much
Lol sorry if I switched them unintentionally. I didn't even notice.
Sounds like it could be just a FF14 homebrew for D&D 5e. Why spend money on this?
As it stands the system definitely isn't for everyone. They do have some interesting things they do with combat that differentiates it from 5e, but yeah as a base ruleset (at least with what's in the starter set) it could easily be played with 5e rules.
The main difference comes with the character sheets and how abilities chain into each other, which is kind of neat, but may not be enough of a selling point for people. I plan to cover that in another video soon.
@@WolfkinzTTRPG considering the extensive crafting and lifestyle systems in FFXIV proper we might likely see them translated into the full game. Crafting classes/specializations, managing hiring adventurers/squadrons, base keeping (housing and island sanctuary) etc.
@@jemm113 That actually sounds pretty fun to be honest. I hadn't thought about it but they definitely need to do something with disciples of hand/land.