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Today, we release a PvP Patch update that includes making changes to FFT WotL’s Rendezvous mode (co-op) to be up-to-date with the changes and additions we have for Melee mode and setting up Rendezvous for a more challenging experience than ever before.

To read about all of the Rendezvous changes: check out our Rendezvous Guide.

✅Setting Expectations and Endgame Rendezvous

The goal with these changes to Rendezvous missions is to set them to “endgame-level” rather than how they were originally designed based on them being unlocked through story progression. Similarly to how Tactics League’s PvP is considered endgame, this mode is also getting the treatment; making a fun and more challenging experience when coupled with the balancing of the PvP Patch. This is what to expect when playing with our modified version of Rendezvous:

• Missions are considered “endgame” instead of being originally based on the main story progression and party level.
• Includes all of the changes from the PvP Patch, including balancing, Weapon Power standardization, item limitations, jobs and abilities unlocked, gear gender equality, and some skillset changes, such as the reworked Aim.
• NPCs are all set to Level 99, with all generic units set to 60 Bravery and Faith.
• Bosses and unique characters will have their own uniquely set Bravery and Faith.
• Most NPCs have Protect/Shell gear to further their resilience.
• NPCs are all assigned abilities and gear instead of it being randomized.
• NPCs will have a random zodiac sign, but because the Tactics League-defined party roster is all Serpentarius, there is always neutral compatibility.

⚙️User Interface Changes

In addition to updating the missions with the PvP Patch changes, some of the UI elements were also updated. The flavor text has been removed for updated missions and will now display the mission’s objective and 5-star conditions. Missions that are currently updated will also have a BETA tag associated with the mission name to communicate which ones have been changed, starting with the first five as of the version 3.4 Beta update. Once we have made adjustments based on feedback and we are out of this current beta phase in its entirety, the BETA tags will be removed during the official update.

🏆Challenges Ahead

As previously discussed in a past article, the long-term goal is to create a competitive scoring and leaderboard system for Rendezvous. Harnessing the changes sought by the community via the PvP Patch, we can make a better, balanced, and impactful Rendezvous for all that will require strategy and careful planning to get those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐and bragging rights once we have a leaderboard system in place.

If you have not joined the Tactics League Discord, this is definitely the time to hop in, playtest with other members with these new beta missions as they continue to be updated, provide feedback, and really put your strategic skills to the test in what is easily the hardest PvE battles you will ever come across in Final Fantasy Tactics.

In this incremental PvP Patch update, we address issues with Fervor (originally Furor) not affecting hasted targets, removed dual wielding from Knives, Haste and Slow are now single target and instant casts, and made a few other adjustments.

Note: If you already have the previous v2.5 save data, you can simply replace your PvP Patch file, update your text patch with the new one, and be up to date. The included save data is still the 2.5 version.

To download the official version 2.5.1 save data including the latest PvP and Text Patch please visit Downloads.

PvP Patch – Version 2.5.1 Changelog

Sky Mantra (Rapha)

• Increased the HP damage of all abilities from 33 to 50%.
  Note: Sky Mantra abilities will have a 0% chance to hit if the target is KO-immune.
  Comment: Since Rapha’s abilities require non-equipment sourced status effects in order to hit, there should be a higher payout, especially factoring from a unique skillset.

Fundaments

• Fervor (previously Furor) – Fixed an issue where the ability sought to remove Faith or Atheist instead of Haste. Note: Fervor will have a 0% chance to hit if the target is KO-immune. This ability was also renamed to Fervor as that was what it was commonly named in the Discord :p

Time Magicks

• Haste and Slow – Both abilities are now single target, instant cast, and increased their MP costs from 8 to 16 MP.
  Comment: This change was because Item’s Adrenaline was the go-to for applying targetable Haste whereas these abilities have had little usage since the updates to Chemist’s repertoire. Adrenaline still has a place where it is 100% Haste but limited to 5, where Haste (Time Magicks) is now instant, not limited, but is based on Faith.
  
  
• Meteor – Decreased tick from 10 to 6.
  Comment: Closely compared to Bahamut (Summon) in terms of AoE and PWR, this ability could use a cast-time reduction to be more performant and highlight as the Time Mage’s main “nuke” in their arsenal.

Equipment

• Knives – All Knives can no longer be dual-wielded to reduce status effect stacking due to their guaranteed status effects on hit.
  
  
• Gokuu Pole – Now 100% Atheist on hit, but no longer deals damage with weapon attacks (still 16 WP for calculating against certain abilities).

Miscellaneous

• Updated the Delita sprite in the Party Roster menu to use the Chapter 1 version. Note: this does not affect the sprite used in the Battle Formation menu.
  
• Updated the color palettes and icons for the following items: Glacial Gun, Blaster, Blaze Gun, Ebon Blade, Vitanova, Chaosbringer, Deathbringer, and Arondight.

In this update, we officially updated the PvP Patch to official version 2.0, removed Uniques and Monsters Premade saves due to low popularity, updated Generics Premade to be up to date with the PvP Patch, returned Balthier to Competitive Starter, and added a fully-unlocked Rendezvous save for those to explore and challenge themselves to some of the game’s most formidable PvE offerings. To note, each save has Ramza listed differently to mark which one is which: G-Ramza = Generics, R-Ramza = Rendezvous, and S-Ramza = Starter. This is done to make it easier to mark which saves are in case you make multiple saves in the future.

To download the official version 2.5 save data including the latest PvP Patch, please visit Downloads

Optionally, the Text Patch has been updated to the latest PvP Patch changes and is highly recommended to be patched with your ISO to be up to date with text and ability changes. Please visit either Downloads or Text Patch Tutorial Guide for more info. If you are only playing with the Rendezvous save data (SLOT 2) please disregard patching or use an original ISO as that is meant to be played without the PvP Patch.

PvP Patch Changelog (opens in new tab)
Competitive Starter 3.1 Changelog
Generics Premade 3.1 Changelog
Rendezvous – Addition and Challenges

Competitive Starter 3.1

Balthier (RETURNING)

• After community feedback, Balthier has returned to competitive play with adjustments caused by the PvP Patch, swapping his position back from Zalbaag. To learn more about changes that affected Balthier, please view the PvP Patch Changelog – Jobs

Mustadio

• Reverted back to original Job ID, 16 Machinist now that the job has innate Safeguard added in by the PvP Patch

Delita, Marach, Rapha

• Reduced their base job’s Speed from 13 to 12 to reduce the bonus Speed these characters gain when switching to Ninja/Thief

Luso

• Set PA/MA from 16/13 to 15/15 to make better use of his hybridized skillset

Inventory

• Sorted the entire inventory selection by type, making it easier to find specific items while browsing
• Added 1x Materia Blade directly into inventory as the item was removed from Cloud since it is no longer required for Limit
• Added all gear that has been adjusted by the PvP Patch

Limited and Semi-Limited Gear Restriction Update

• NEW Limited – Toadsong, Vesper, Barette, Cachusha, Onion Gloves
• NEW Semi-Limited – Zeus Mace
• NEW Consumables Quantities – Potion x 20 (only accessible via Auto-Potion), X-Potion x 10, Adrenaline x 5

Comment: With Barette, Cachusha, and Onion Gloves granting similar broad immunities like Ribbon against most status effects, each has been limited to reduce the total availability of stacking in a party of five. Potion/X-Potion reductions are due to the buffs to the healing done with these items, and Adrenaline has been reduced as it is great for granting a powerful benefit, but it shouldn’t be the necessary go-to for hasting allies or upkeeping the effect.

Generics Premade 3.1

Adjustments made in general to get the premade roster up to date with the v2.0 Official PvP Patch. Basic changes, such as only stats, may not be listed here.

Apothecary/Distractor/Beowulf

• Swapped Ether with Hi-Ether for all 3 characters
• Apothecary – Added Remedy with 10x in inventory

Ramza

• Swapped Defender and Lightning Shield for Ragnarok

Delita

• Swapped Defender for Vitanova
• Swapped Parry for Adrenaline Rush
• Increased PA from 11 to 13

Cloud

• Reduced MA from 25 to 19 now that Limit is instant cast
• Reduced PA from 15 to 10 to adjust for innate Doublehand
• Removed Diamond Shield
• Removed Martial Arts; Cloud’s main focus is either his Limits or hard-hitting weapon attacks
• Removed Finishing Touch from Limit
• Swapped Swiftness for Doublehand (no passive change)

Balthier

• Swapped Holy Lance for Ras Algethi since this build concept no longer works without Barrage (disabled by the PvP Patch 😭)
• Increased PA from 3 to 16
• Added Quickenings to Piracy
• Swapped Jump for Aim, adding Take Aim and Beso Toxico abilities
• Swapped Waterwalking for Jump +1

Hunter

• Decreased PA from 19 to 14
• Added Aim abilities: Take Aim, Sonic Boom, Beso Toxico

Warden

• Swapped Ebon Blade (formerly Icebrand) for Papyrus Codex

Berserker

• Decreased PA from 14 to 12
• Swapped Golden Axe for Francisca (guaranteed Poison and Blind)

Zen

• Added Black Magicks as a secondary skillset: Fira, Thundara, Blizzara, Aeroja

Armiger

• Swapped Lunar Harp for Faerie Harp in the inventory for Reequip
• Swapped Counter with Counter Throw

Paladin

• Added Saint Cross to Arts of War
• Swapped Magepower Glove for Japa Mala

Sentinel

• Decreased PA from 13 to 6
• Swapped Horizontal/Vertical Jump 3 for Jump 4

Guardian

• Decrease MA from 20 to 12 due to Speechcraft PWR buffs
• Swapped previous Rend abilities for Bulwark, Mow Down, War Cry abilities

Specter

• Added Umbra to Mystic Arts

Cleric

• Added Barrier to White Magicks
• Removed Faerie from Summon as it provided too many resurrection capabilities

Inventory
The following adjustments have been made to the Generics Premade inventory:

• Set Potion to 10 for Auto-Potion (Apothecary)
• Set Remedy to 10
• Set Hi-Potion to 10
• Set X-Potion to 2
• Set Hi-Ether to 10
• Removed Fuma Shuriken and Yagyu Darkrood from Throw Consumables (Shadow)
• Set all Katanas for Iaido to 2 each
• Replaced Lunar Harp (formerly Lamia’s Harp) with Faerie Harp (Armiger)

Rendezvous – Additions and Challenges

At Tactics League, providing a place and community for multiplayer WotL is our mission. However, one area that hasn’t been supported previously was the Rendezvous mode (Co-Op PvE) and we are looking to change that with the addition and support of a Tactics League-catered Rendezvous save in Slot 2! We have a whole article dedicated to this that you should read more about here!

As part of our community mission to provide a home for multiplayer Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, we wanted to include a save that hones in on some of the game’s toughest PvE battles that you can take on with a buddy online wherever you have an internet connection and ZeroTier/PPSSPP. This supported save is included with our latest v2.5 save data update which you can read more about here.

✅Features

• All 15 Rendezvous missions unlocked (game cleared)
• This save is built similarly to how Starter is; the inventory is limited in quantity and characters have all jobs and abilities unlocked
• Ramza is listed as R-Ramza so you can track multiple Rendezvous saves within the Tactics League save data if needed

📃Important Details

• The PvP Patch must be disabled as this mode was designed with “vanilla” or original gameplay in mind
• It is highly recommended to have an original version of your FFT WotL backup ready so you can play with original text/descriptions
• Characters on the roster should not be modified, except via gear and abilities, and should retain their original Br/Fa values and stats
• Any stat changes, including EXP/JP, while in Rendezvous are reset after the mission ends
• Arithmeticks are disabled automatically in Rendezvous
• Characters that “crystalize” are not permanently removed from the party roster
• Multi-part missions, such as Brave Story, do not reset HP/MP, KO’d characters or status effects, inventory changes (such as katana breaks)

🏆Challenge and Scoring

You can always take on these missions with a friend casually, but why not add a little extra difficulty for added fun and strategy? The game’s Treasure Wheel dictates not only how many chests you get from completion but also your “Star Rating.” This Star Rating or the number of chests increases the fewer units you and your partner take on a mission together in addition to completion.

To go for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐score:

• Ideally, both players bring no more than 1 unit each. However, this may vary from mission to mission
• Have zero party members KO’d by the time the mission ends (reviving does not penalize scoring)
• KO as many enemy characters as possible

At a later date, we are working on featuring a competitive-style Rendezvous challenge for everyone in the Tactics League Discord to participate in, so make sure to start learning these missions and prep to show your PvE prowess. If you have not already joined our Discord hop in and find a partner!

In this update, we officially release the PvP Patch as a part of the Tactics League formats and update all Premades and Starter save data in unison with the newly released patch. As the community has reached a pivotal finale in beta testing, we are confident in releasing the latest competitive save with new offerings. This will be a hefty changelog, so make sure to read over each change in each format listed below. The PvP Patch must be enabled when playing with our formats as they have been balanced and adjusted around it (guides are available in Tutorials).

A massive shout-out to the following Discord members for helping shape the PvP Patch and thoroughly testing to ensure this patch is battle-ready!
Mikey_TacticsLive, jokerfisch, Dark Claw, Wngman, Salcy, and others that have contributed ideas and suggestions

Note: From this point forward, competitive saves will include the PvP Patch as an all-in-one download.

To download the official version 2.4 save data, go here: Download Version 2.4
Optionally, a text patch is available to download using the FFTactext application (part of the FFTPatcher suite). Visit the Text Patch Tutorial Guide for more info.

PvP Patch Changelog (opens in new tab)
Competitive Starter 3.0 Changelog
Generics Premade 3.0 Changelog
Uniques Premade 2.0 Changelog
Monsters Premade 2.0 Changelog

Competitive Starter 3.0

Zalbaag (NEW)

• Replaced Balthier with Zalbaag. With the metagame shifting more towards Speed and less accessibility to Haste, Balthier was overperforming in certain aspects in addition to some exploitations that could put him in a class of his own. Balthier is very similar to Orlandeau in terms of being overpowered, so the approach is to retire him for this update. We are always welcome to return Balthier to the roster in a future update depending on community feedback and potential adjustments.
  
  For more information on Zalbaag’s stats, job, and skillset, visit Zalbaag.

Construct 8

• Decreased Speed from 13 to 12.
  Comment: Speed reduction due to the lower accessibility of Haste and Speed modifiers to bring Construct 8 more in line with the rest of the roster. A chunky robot shouldn’t be able to outspeed most generic jobs by default! Originally, the plan was to reduce it to 11, however, after evaluating the increase of Haste sourcing, it still needs some extra to remain competitive in usage.

Luso

• Decreased PA from 18 to 16 and increased MA from 11 to 13.
  Comment: With Huntcraft now having a mixture of PA and MA abilities, a little bump in his MA would help increase the potency of Choco Cure, Earthsplitter, and Ultima. Spin Punch was negatively affected by the PA reduction but also received a boost in PWR to compensate.

Inventory

• Removed any item in the inventory not considered endgame or was not adjusted by the PvP Patch. This has significantly reduced clutter and the amount of time it takes searching for gear to equip characters.
• Removed Ether from the inventory. Ether was removed to reduce the amount of MP restoration items a player has in tandem with Mana Shield. There is still 10x Hi-Ether and 1x Elixir available for use with Items.

Limited and Semi-Limited Gear Restriction Update

• Most equipment has had adjustments via the PvP Patch and the restriction list has been updated to accommodate for such adjustments as well as re-evaluating where some gear is in the current limited/semi-limited/banned list. In general, many banned equipment has now returned as options due to the adjustments caused. Below are the new additions to the restrictions list:
  
  • NEW Limited – Materia Blade (equipped to Cloud but can be removed), all Fell Swords (Arondight, Chaosbringer, Deathbringer, Balmung, Valhalla), all Knight’s Swords (Defender, Ragnarok, Excalibur, Save the Queen, Durandal, Chaos Blade), all Guns (Fomalhaut, Stoneshooter, Blaze Gun, Glacial Gun, Blaster), Sage’s Robe, Luminous Robe, Onion Armor, Ribbon, and Sage’s Ring
    
  • NEW Semi-Limited – Minerva Bustier, Septième, Brigand’s Gloves, Featherweave Cloak, Invisibility Cloak
    
  • NEW No longer restricted (up to 3) – Gae Bolg, Staff of the Magi, Grand Armor, Brave Suit, Crystal Shield

Comment: The metagame has changed significantly from Starter 2.1 once the PvP Patch was created; opening new opportunities to standardize, balance, and adjust many equipment options to get into the hands of the player. Ribbon and Sage’s Ring in particular has been limited since they offer a ton of value compared to other equipment that has been overlooked (Barette, Cachusha, and Vampire’s Cape for example), ideally putting more thought into decision-making instead of going with the usual go-to’s. All Guns are limited due to the recent removal of Shirahadori since they are unavoidable. We will be monitoring their performance and adjusting if needed in a future update.

Generics Premade 3.0

Armiger (NEW)

• Armiger [Damage] joins the roster in this update! This Squire-in-training will be replacing Ranger [Damage] to bring a new addition and playstyle to Generics. Using his innate Reequip, Armiger can swap out his Platinum Sword and Mythril Shield into one of the various weapons available in the inventory: Poison Bow (crossbow), Assassin’s Dagger/Blind Knife/Mage Masher (knives), Lamia’s Harp (instrument), Flame Mace (flail), Slasher (axe), Gokuu Pole (pole), or Nagnarok (sword). Coupled with an excellent 8 Move, Armiger is formidable in mobility so he can quickly get in range to attack and strive to become a Master-at-Arms!
  
  Note: Using Reequip in multiplayer will reset the gear back to his initial build afterward. Always continue to reset the game after completing a battle for integrity purposes.

Characters

• Many equipment and stat adjustments were made in this update due to the changes caused by the PvP Patch. Not all character changes will be listed, but major changes will be listed separately.
• Reduced the MP of characters utilizing magicks due to the cast-time adjustments from the PvP Patch. In general, most characters affected are around 160 MP or less.
• Re-adjusted the Speed of some characters to compensate for the removal of Haste-equipped gear. For the most part, the Speed of characters is the same as they were in v2.2, with Shadow/Lancer/Stalwart/Timewalker being the fastest on the roster.

Inventory

• Added 2x Ama-no-Murakamo for Sentinel [Tank], and 1x each of Poison Bow, Assassin’s Dagger, Blind Knife, Mage Masher, Gokuu Pole, Slasher, Nagnarok, Flame Mace, and Lamia’s Harp for Armiger [Damage].

Shadow [Damage]

• Decreased PA from 20 to 11.
• Swapped: Attack Boost for Dual Wield, reducing his damage potential by factoring the Assassin’s Dagger WP increase.
• Removed Knives from Throw due to their WP increase.

Hunter [Damage]

• Swapped: Ignore Elevation for Move +1 since Ignore Elevation is now innate.

Parivir [Damage]

• Decreased PA from 18 to 12 due to innate Doublehand and katana WP increase.
• Reduced MA from 24 to 19 to offset the +4 MA from Kiku-ichimonji.
• Reduced MP by 49.
• Swapped: Lv. 1 Black Magicks with Lv.2 variants.
• Swapped: Doublehand with Arcane Strength.
• Swapped: Shirahadori with Reflexes.

Zen [Damage]

• Increased HP by 70, and decreased MA from 34 to 15 due to innate Faith in her job.
• Swapped: Luminous Robe for Hempen Robe due to already having Faith.
• Swapped: Ivory Pole for Whale Whisker.
• Arithmeticks is now replaced with Ja-Magicks due to the PvP Patch. Removed Gravija from her Ja-Magicks skillset.

Lancer [Damage]

• Added: Borrowed Time (formerly Steal Gil) to her abilities. This ability is a self, instant-cast Haste.

Paladin [Tank]

• Decreased PA from 15 to 6, decreased MA from 18 to 10, increased HP by 22, and decreased MP by 40.
• Swapped: Longsword for Durandal, gaining Faith and improving his White Magicks.
• Swapped: Celebrant’s Miter for Wizard’s Hat.
• Added: Protectja and Shellja (White Magicks) abilities.

Sentinel [Tank]

• Increased MA from 11 to 13, decreased HP by 50.
• Swapped: Ashura for Ama-no-Murakamo (Iaido) ability.
• Swapped: Lifefont for Move +1 since Lifefont is gained innately.

Guardian [Tank]

• Swapped: Longsword for Ancient Sword (immobilize chance).
• Decreased PA from 15 to 10.

Cleric [Support]

• Decreased MA from 17 to 15, decreased MP from 229 to 58 (will be increased by gear adjustments).
• Swapped: White Staff for Healing Staff (restore HP on attacks).
• Swapped: Celebrant’s Miter for Wizard’s Hat.

Timewalker [Support]

• Decreased PA from 21 to 5 due to innate Doublehand, decreased MP by 137.
• Swapped: Luminous Robe for Silken Robe.

Ramza [Damage]

• Added Reprisal, Parley, and Manaburn abilities to Mettle.
• Switched to the Ch. 4 version in order to preserve Shout and Ultima skillsets due to the added abilities.

Uniques Premade 2.0

Characters

• Many equipment and stat adjustments were made in this update due to the changes caused by the PvP Patch. Not all character changes will be listed, but major changes will be listed separately.

Argath [Damage]

• Swapped: Time Magicks for Aim (with Aim +1 – 3 abilities) due to the Equip: Atheist change in Fell Swords.
• Swapped: Swiftness for Defense Boost since he no longer has magicks.

Luso [Damage]

• Added all Huntcraft abilities, but removed Ultima to reinforce his other MA abilities and Iaido.
• Swapped: Chirijiraden with Kotetsu due to the reworking of his skillset.

Zalbaag [Tank]

• Swapped: Swiftness with Arcane Defense due to the PvP Patch’s reduced cast-time changes.

Reis [Tank]

• Added: Dragon’s Gift and Dragon’s Might (Dragon) abilities since they now affect anyone.

Monsters Premade 2.0

Inventory

• Removed items that were in the inventory that are not accessible for any reason in this format.

Yuna [Tamer]

• Swapped: Orator job for Summoner job, adding Moogle, Ifrit, Shiva, Ramuh, and Titan abilities. This change was made to do a better service to her character inspiration from Final Fantasy X.
• Reduced MA from 13 to 11 to reduce the damage/healing of Summons.
• Reduced PA from 6 to 5 to compensate for the Dragon Rod WP increase.
• Swapped: Ras Algethi for Dragon Rod and Celebrant’s Miter for Wizard’s Hat.

Leis [Tamer]

• Swapped: Minerva Bustier for Sage’s Robe.
  Comment: Minvera Bustier was negating damage from Fire/Wind/Lightning effectively being a hard counter to monsters that dealt those types of damage. Sage’s Robe fits the theme of reduced elemental damage taken without outright blocking certain types.

Fynn [Tamer]

• Reduced MA from 18 to 16 due to the PvP Patch.
• Swapped: Nature’s Wrath for Critical: Quick.
• Swapped: White Staff for Serpent Staff so he can deal damage with attacks.
  Comment: Nature’s Wrath can do a ton of unmitigated damage for this format when procced including status effects which should be relegated to monsters, not a reaction ability. Because of reduced cast times, Critical: Quick can come in handy for a fast Esuna or Cura mid-to-late game.

Squall [Support – Chocobo]

• Reduced MA from 23 to 7 due to the Choco Cure PWR increase.

Rancor [Damage – Sekhret]

• Reduced MA from 24 to 7 due to the Earthsplitter and Breath Fire PWR increase.

Today, an incremental update was published to address an issue with Onion Knights reverting their mastered status after a PvP/PvE battle and an adjustment to Beowulf in Generics Premade. Read the changelog below for more information.

To download official version 2.3.1 save data, go here: Download Official Save Data

Competitive Starter 2.1

Note: This is not an update to Starter, but rather fixes to correct an issue.

Characters

• Re-learned/Added Speechcraft ability, Entice, on all characters to resolve the issue of Onion Knight’s mastered status being reverted after any battle. Based on testing, the game checks the status only after a battle has ended. This was addressed in the event a player saves after a PvP/PvE battle (which is highly not recommended for the Starter format).
  To note, Entice is still banned from the Starter format.

Generics Premade 2.2

Beowulf

• Swapped: Vengeance for Confuse.
• Increased PA from 11 to 13.
• Comment: Vengeance could be abused by dealing team damage to Beowulf early game lowering his HP and being able to deal instant, 8-range damage (upwards of 400+) from safety early on if utilized. As a [Support] he shouldn’t ultimately be able to deal massive amounts of damage from range with little risk. Beowulf’s PA was increased to up his basic attacks from 154 to 182 un-mitigated to compensate for some of his damage loss.