Usefulness of Measures in Final Fantasy XII

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01.21.2013 11:56am

Thread Creator

Mavilu
Yep, still gaming

What is it, really?.
Just to save MP usage?.
Suppose I equip one of my members with the Measure that has Protect, a random encounter comes and that member is either doing nothing but hitting allies with the measure or hitting everyone and giving everyone Protect plus dealing low damage, isn't it better if I just get someone to cast Protect at the end of battle and let the walking take care of that lost MP?.
Even if it is a long boss battle (and we all know there are a few in this game!), with simply moving that gambit up on the list, you get someone that can deal damage with a regular weapon or regular magic and cast Protect.
Even the best of measures casts Bubble, which can be either cast regularly or added with accesories, so what gives?.
I don't get it.

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01.22.2013 12:41am

Enkidoh
Time Travelling White Mage

You know Mavs, I wondered the exact same thing when I did my playthrough of FFXII. I just considered them to have been designed with the same idea in mind as the Healing Staff/Wand/Rod traditionally has in earlier titles (heals the target instead of damages when used as a weapon).

Not that I ever used measures though - I tended to keep everyone with their 'default' weapon types more often than not as it was simpler that way.

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01.22.2013 1:48am

Jiro
Registered Member

Given the usefulness of the attack command throughout FF, it's a wonder they still bother putting these little things in the game. Just give everyone a sword and let them wail on shit, or at least give us a reason to use things.

The measures though... Probably need to be a little more powerful to be worthwhile.

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01.22.2013 4:57am

shooter_mcgavin
Registered Member

I think FFXII's system works in a way where buffs and debuffs prove really useful in most battles. Which makes perfect sense since its the first FF to allow you to roam around in open space during a battle. Quite honestly while I haven't used measures but having all characters use swords is pretty suicidal to the game.

I normally balance my characters like this
Vaan - Flghter + Magic Buff + Skill guy
Ashe - Tank + Healer
Basch - Fighter
Penelo - Hardcore Magic User
Baltheir - Range Fighter + Skills + Magic Buff
Fran - Range Fighter + Hardcore Magic User

The Liscence system was pretty damn sweet in the FFXII and that and the battle system really got me to appreciate building up my characters.

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01.22.2013 5:02am

Thread Creator (Edited on 01.22.2013 at 5:12am)

Mavilu
Yep, still gaming

Jiro, this is my third playthrough and the first one in which I'm *really* making full use of all the options the game gives me; I've done the "we are all tanks! weee!" gameplay on my first try, haha.

Enki, I assume that is the real only function and that they included them for nostalgia's sakes rather than usefulness, kinda like the Espers.

I must say, it could have been such a great FF, too bad.
I still like a lot of characters (of the supporting kind more than anything) and I love-love-love the world, it's so rich and beautiful.

EDIT
Whoops, Shooter, didn't see you there!.

I'm giving...let's see

Basch: Great Swords/Swords and Hammers/Axes
Ashe: Spears and Katanas/Ninja Swords
Penelo: Staves/Rods and Maces
Fran: Bows and Measures
Van: Poles and Daggers
Balthier: Guns and Bowguns
Not too original, I'm also dedicating two different branches of magic for eveyone with the exception of Ashe having nothing but Technicks and Basch having no magic except for the odd magic for flying cratures.

I don't know if I'll complete the Board for everyone to get that "achievement" in my Pirate's Den or if to leave it as it is, just completing what I have assigned for everyone.

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01.22.2013 10:53am

Megz
Capital M before egz

It's not too difficult with a Golden amulet to gain the LP needed to open up much of the Licence board. From memory those who aren't fighting still gain LP so if the non combatants are wearing Golden Amulets while the battling party wears something else of value (bubble belts or embroidererd tippets) then all party members generally get a good loot of LP.

I appreciate the idea of having dedicated characters though, makes for getting to new parts of the licence board far quicker and would possibly lead to a stronger party early on - which from memory is kind of how I tried doing my playthroughs. Must have been a year or two since I touched the game.

I remember having Balthier using poles early on as the shot was limited to things that weren't so useful but he become a gun specialist later.

Sugar. Short AND sweet.

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01.23.2013 4:23am

Thread Creator

Mavilu
Yep, still gaming

I equipped the Golden Amulet yesterday, I could swear it doubled the LP only for that character... we'll see, if that's not the case, I'll feel very stupid for having spent long times stealing three Embroidered Tippets (double EXP) instead of just equipping one!.

This seems to be a lucky playthrough, one of the hunts rewarded me with a Moon Ring, which I had never seen before, maybe I can pursuit *one* of the super-duper weapons that are so hard to get, I know I'm not getting the one that involves not opening certain treasure chests. :/

Balthier and poles, yes, I've equipped him with whatever pole you get by the time you first are in the Barheim Passage before, but such a dandy looks funky wacking monsters with a pole.

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