How would you change logging / harvesting / botany in 2.0Yesterday we talked about fishing in FFXIV and what we would like to see changed with A Realm Reborn.
Today I want to hear your opinion on botany. I know that a lot of the things are going to be the same but there may be some new input.
First of all: Grade 6... let's not discuss this any further
Secondly... We need it to be more complicated somehow. It's just too easy to go out and start logging in the high areas. Of course you need to be a certain level in order to get more attempts at a node but other than that not much will make a level 50 a better logger than a level 40.
More choices that would filter the claimed items. At the moment we have sweetspots and that may help a little. But unlike fishing we don't have any bait that could be used to target different items. So what could be used instead? I was thinking about how strange it actually is to get apples, nuts and lemons with an axe... the things you obtain while logging falls into certain categories. Why not have tools or maybe skills to obtain different items. I mean a skill called "Fruit picker" sounds a but strange, but it could work: When using Fruit picker you will have a higher chance of obtaining fruit. And "Lumber jack" for when you wanted to obtain logs and branches. Then you could have "Harvesting" (know it is already used for second hand botany, but something in that line) for getting straw, cotton etc.
Instead of skills you could also use tools...
Fruit picker --> Scissors?
Lumber jack --> Axe
Harvesting --> Scyther
This is of course not very well thought out but I the point is that it would be great to have something similar to bait/lures that would make it easier to target certain items.
Other than that I have always been a bit sad that gatherers couldn't be in groups. By that I mean... don't have any reason to be in a group. Wouldn't it be great if you had a quest (instanced maybe?) where you needed to log a certain object within a certain time limit. Then hordes of beast would ascend on the group and the DoW/DoM would have to keep them occupied while the botanist tried to fulfil the objects of the quest. Hate could be generated by the botanist when gathering so the mobs would go for him if not taken care of. I always thought this would be amazing. To actually have a part in a quest where more players were involved.
Also many botanists could get together to gather for even more exciting items. What if gatherers got some bonus when being in a group? I would love the idea to be gathering with others. It is the most lonely thing to do as you can only do it on your own. I know crafting is pretty lonely as well but at least you can sit in the city where people are running around and something happens. It's also a lot easier to chat while crafting than gathering. I really think that they could improve gathering by making it more social somehow.
Ok that's it for now. I would love to hear your opinions on botany and how it could be improved.