It’s almost time for the PvP Patch v5 Beta. That said, there is some news to share regarding map pool changes coming to Standard and map-specific ones for the new 4v4 All-Stars format debuting on Tuesday, March 18th. This information is coming out ahead of time so there’s one less headache or news to follow with the plethora of changes coming in version 5. Let’s first talk about small map changes coming to Standard.
Standard: Oratory is out – Roof is in
The small map, Lionel Castle Oratory is being removed entirely from the map pool for this iteration and is being replaced by Riovannes Castle Roof as a new small map. Roof’s spawning is still close-quartered being separated by a 5-tile difference for both Host and Guest, however, Roof improves on aspects such as neutral spawning and height, as well as being fairly symmetrical, so neither player has an advantage initially.
Riovannes Castle Roof will be updated into Tavernmaster and a part of the ruleset changes on day 1 of the Version 5 Beta.
Riovannes Castle Roof
All-Stars Format Maps
With All-Stars being 4v4, the current v4 map pool was analyzed to determine what maps wouldn’t feel good to play on with a smaller team size. This led to adding two small maps specifically for All-Stars and not a part of Standard: Monastery Vaults – Level 1, as it is small enough for fast engagement time, but there are several quirks about the map, especially its underpasses and Limberry Castle Undercroft, with its neutral spawning, tight-quartered arena making for frantic battles likely on turn 1.
With All-Stars being 4v4, deployment positioning is more vital than ever before.
The All-Stars map pool will only feature these maps in its rotation:
Zeirchele Falls, Mullonde Cathedral Nave, The Yuguewood, Araguay Woods, Golgollada Gallows, and Mandalia Plain
Monastery Vaults – Level 1 Spawning
Limberry Castle Undercroft – Spawning
New small maps to play, a bit more neutral balancing for small maps in Standard, and tailored maps for All-Stars are all a part of making the version 5 experience a fun and successful one for the future ahead.
During the Version 5 Exhibition, Guitarmanager and Rumer showcased a brand new supported format joining Tactics League during the v5 beta launch: All-Stars, a new competitive 4v4 experience.
All-Stars is a rendition and an upgrade of an older format from back in Tactics League’s earlier days – Uniques Premade – where the roster was fully comprised of unique characters with no generics, but was limited to “play how it comes.” This is coming back but it will also combine the battle-tested and open format of Standard, allowing players to fully customize a battle party of heroes and villains across the Zodiac Brave Story. This will sunset the Generics Premade format and All-Stars will take its place.
Let’s briefly go over the all-star cast joining this uniques only format.
A Powerful Cast at Your Disposal
The All-Stars format will house 28 unique characters from the campaign and Tactics League exclusives. If you have played version 4 Standard, you will be familiar with the first three rows of units, of course with new additions: Aerith, Ashley, Elidibus, and a returning fan-favorite, Balthier, joining the Standard roster in v5. Now let’s take a look at who is joining the cast specifically for All-Stars and a brief description of what they can do each:
Orlandeau (Sword Saint)
Orlandeau received some base stat adjustments to bring him more in line for both the campaign and All-Stars.
Innate: Swordplay usable with Katanas, Ninja Blades, Swords, Knight’s Swords, and Fell Swords
Replaced the Astrology skillset (which only housed Celestial Stasis) with the original Arithmeticks skillset. Arithmeticks can now be Silenced or Reflected unlike in the original game.
CT and Height only targeting parameters
[White Magicks] Cure
[Black Magicks] Fire, Thunder, Blizzard, Scathe
[Time Magicks] Gravity, Reflect
[Mystic Arts] Umbra
Zalbaag (Ark Knight)
Innate: Lifefont and Manafont
Blade of Ruin is now all instant cast, still requires a sword-type weapon, abilities cost 40 MP each, and is faithless. Because of changes in v5 for damaging Arts of War’s Rend Stat abilities, Blade of Ruin will also deal damage on stat reduction success.
Boco (Chocobo)
Innate: Counter, Swim
As a chocobo, players can mount Boco to position faster or take advantage of rider immunities!
Isilud (Nightblade)
Innate: Concentration
Renamed his skillset to Dark Arts (from Arts of War), which combines various abilities from Arts of War and Darkness. While Nightblade, also adds the Jump command as a tertiary skillset:
[Arts of War] Bulwark, Rend MP, Rend Speed, Rend Power, Rend Magick
Sword Spirit skillset functions entirely like Samurai’s Iaido. While Ark Knight, also adds the Vampire command as a tertiary skillset (which only has Vampire ability, 25% chance to Inflict: Vampire)
Celia (Assassin)
Innate: Death Strike, Dual Wield, Immune: KO, Stone, Chicken, Toad
Equip: Knives and Ninja Blades (to showcase the difference in gear with Lettie)
Subdual Arts was reworked to make room for other abilities and is now:
Note: To avoid complications with the campaign, this sprite is using the “Squire” version of Argath, and though Fundaments skillset shows up in the menus, in battle he has Fell Sword instead.
4v4 Competitive Battles
Besides using unique-only characters in All-Stars, this format also is specific to a 4v4 experience, intending to have faster-paced games, with thrills and chaos to be had. All gear, jobs, and abilities are unlocked and follow the basics and limitations of the Standard format so jumping from one format to another should be fairly easy.
All-Stars is a fully supported competitive mode and will become a part of the competition rotation for sanctioned events in the future!
All-Stars format will be available on March 18th during the Version 5 Public Beta and will require a save data update, included with the v5 patch file.
As we inch closer every passing day to the March 18th version 5 public beta, this article covers what you need to know about new and updated equipment coming soon to your inventory.
New Hair Adornments – Circlet and Extension
Two new hair adornments will become a part of the Tactics League itemization ecosystem in version 5: Circlet and Extension. All jobs will be able to use these new hair accessories, which are expected to become essential in future teambuilding due to previous efforts to reduce the genderization of both male and female equipment. Let’s go over what these items do by simply checking their Help menus:
Circlet
With Circlet using the headgear slot, this provides a unique way to get Initial: Protect, Shell coverage with permanent Regen to boot. +100 HP and MP aren’t anything to scoff at either.
Extension
Extension is part of new ways to enhance your critical strike chance on applicable abilities and normal attacks. Stackable critical chance is a new way to build, albeit it is limited in scope, but with Extension, Death Strike support ability, and the base 10% critical chance netting a total of 80% critical chance, someone is going to feel pain soon enough. Both hair adornments will be limited in Standard.
New Weapons and Shield – Earthbreaker, Excalipoor, and Adamantoise Shield
Version 5 introduces a new axe, Earthbreaker, a new, but familiar one-handed sword, Excalipoor, and a new shield. Let’s look at what these weapons and shield can do.
Earthbreaker
The Earthbreaker is a two-handed axe that is Earth elemental, scales with Magick instead of the typical Power other axes use, and its goal: up your critical damage by 10% while slotted. Geomancers and Knights will find great enjoyment in crushing their enemies with this new weapon. This item is capped at three in Standard.
Excalipoor
An artifact you can acquire in the campaign (but originally not an actual weapon), Excalipoor is the second weapon that will be newly joining the Tactics League inventory and formats. This sword is essentially a “low bravery attack” where its damage is based on how low you can go with your Bravery, but be careful to not get chickened! This item is limited in Standard.
Adamantoise Shield
The Adamantoise Shield is a limited new Shield that is a part of the “damage reduction” additions in version 5, such as Curse status and Resilience. This shield reduces all incoming damage taken by 10% but because it is so heavy, you’ll start Initially: Slow at first (gotta figure out the best way to hold it you know?). 10% automatic damage reduction is quite noticeable once you factor in stuff like basic mitigation in Protect and Shell or even damaging Rend Stat abilities in Arts of War now as these are ways to empower players with how to check “high-end” damage or add another playstyle to the vast varieties of the sandbox.
Adamantoise Shield does not add any Shield Evasion to your stats so keep in mind that you will need to rely on your weapon’s Block or slot an accessory that ups your evasiveness.
New Accessories – Pearl Rouge and Garment Ring
Pearl Rouge
It’s a bummer that in the original game, there was only one accessory classified as Lip Rouge, and that was Agrias’s Tynar Rouge you bought for her birthday. With version 5, a new one is being introduced and it somehow made its way from the otherworldly land of Treno to Ivalice.
Pearl Rouge is notably a nice addition on caster jobs that want Silence protection, but don’t also scoff at the multiple bonuses this accessory grants, and this item synergies well with Caladbolg and Sage’s Waterja or Black Mage’s Blizzard series of spells. Pearl Rouge is a limited item in Standard.
Garment Ring
Showcased in PvP Patch v5 Focused: Dragon Tech, Blue Magicks, and Perform, the Garment Ring is a limited accessory that enables the quaternary action command, Perform. Perform combines both the entirety of Bardsong and Dance abilities all in one, allowing any gender to recite poetry or show off their best dance moves. Keep in mind, that for the best results for any ability, you will want to be either a Bard, Dancer, or slot Performing Arts as a support ability to increase your potency or hit chance of abilities.
Changes to Existing Equipment
With Curse status being introduced and Vampire status being accessible, some existing gear received updates to gain immunity against these statuses. Note that it is purposeful that Curse specifically doesn’t have a ton of gear immunity coverage, but the Ward reaction grants it to ensure equipment doesn’t always counter its time of need.
Additionally, there are a few more critical chance sources to enable “crit builds.” Let’s dive into the more important changes coming below:
Knives
Have been reverted to allow for dual-wielding.
Removed doublehand capability.
Increased WP standardization from 13 to 16 for all status-inflicting knives.
Status Knives now are set to 50% infliction chance down from 100%.
Note that because of these changes and Ninja re-gaining Knives, there are more ways to build for customization, and Chantage – dual knives are possible.
Magick Guns – Decreased WP from 22 to 20 to make up for the buffs to their applicable Black Magicks.
Ninja Blades
Increased WP standardization from 16 to 18 to maintain competitiveness versus knives on Ninja.
Artemis Bow (bow)
Increases your critical strike chance by 10%.
Knightslayer (crossbow)
Now ignores the target’s damage mitigation.
Decreased WP from 22 to 17 due to this change.
Murasame (katana)
Heals allies on attacks and no longer deals damage.
Adds +1 Power and +1 Speed.
Osafune (katana)
Absorbs MP instead of HP damage with normal attacks.
Save the Queen (knight’s sword)
Holy Elemental alongside Durandal.
Gokuu Pole (pole, limited item)
Reverted to deal “no damage” with attacks and is no longer evadable to ensure it is a viable tool for Crown Scepter builds/teams or Marach, or as a means to counter faith-based casters.
Stardust Rod (rod, limited item)
Now Casts: Graviga instead of Gravity.
Zeus Mace (staff, limited item)
Now forced two-handed.
Now grants +3 Power and Magick instead of +2 Power and +1 Magick.
Onion Sword (sword)
Onion Sword is now doublehandable, but not dual-wieldable.
Standardized Block from 15 to 10.
Ras Algethi (returning, gun, limited item)
Increased WP from 12 to 15.
Increases your critical strike chance by 10%.
Dreamwaker (returning and reworked, staff, limited item)
Removed +4 Magick from the original version.
12 WP and 8 Block.
Uses the Sky Mantra calculation to Remove: Sleep on target and deal 70% max. HP damage if the target was sleeping. Note that this weapon deals no normal attack damage, so there isn’t “extra” damage from this ability cast.
Samite Coat
Removed +1 Magick.
Increased +HP from 120 to 140.
Steadfast Ring
Added +1 Speed due to its previous shortened Veil duration.
Diamond Bracelet
Removed Slow immunity.
Grants +1 Power, Magick, and Speed.
Spiked Boots
Removed +1 Move and Power. Now adds +4 Jump.
Germinas Boots
Grants +1 Move and +2 Jump (instead of +1 Jump) in addition to its 8% Accessory Evasion.
Curse-immune equipment:
Deathbringer (fell Sword)
Ama-no-Murakamo (katana)
Nagnarok (sword)
Jujitsu Gi (clothing)
Cachusha and Barette (hair adornments, note that Ribbon specifically does not have immunity)
Vampire-immune equipment:
Japa Mala (accessory, re-added)
Vampire Cape (accessory)
Conclusion
With new ways to build critical chance, customize gear-based Protect/Shell coverage, ways to build for Jump stat for Dragon Tech’s Jump, and many more, these equipment changes give a bit more ways to play in the sandbox that has been in years in the making. These new and changed equipment additions will be in your hands on March 18th!
On February 23, 2025, the 2025 Winter Cup #1 Competition was completed and Guitarmanager was crowned Champion of the event after a difficult battle for 1st place against Rumer.
To watch (or rewatch) the tournament in its entirety with chapters to jump to specific matches:
Guitarmanager and YoshnJa had a post-event interview reviewing Guitar’s perspective on Sunday’s recent event. The interview can be found here:
The 2025 Winter Cup #1 Champion, Guitarmanager
Starting his competition run in the Semifinals, Guitarmanager first faced Dr. Jay after Dr. Jay defeated im_the_king21 in Round 1. Guitarmanager and Dr. Jay fought off-site in Lobby A, ending with Guitar’s victory 2-0 in their best-of-3 series. Once Rumer claimed victory against DoggoK in the Semifinals after advancing against Acook10 in Round 1, the Grand Finals was set for a Guitarmanager vs. Rumer face-off.
Game 1 was played on Limberry Castle Inner Court. Guitarmanager had the high ground since he was the lower seed from Rumer and was the “guest,” which played a pivotal role in positioning and engagement issues later for Rumer. Though Rumer had plenty of offensive power, his two melee units, both an Onion Knight and Monk, had difficulties getting into range as well as Guitarmanager upkeeping Golem, lessening the overall impact Rumer could deal with his powerful basic attacks. Game 1 ended with a Guitar victory, 5 to 0 units alive.
As part of a new rule for map picks, Rumer decided to play Game 2 on Golgollada Gallows. Swapping in his undead Delita build he shook the audience with his turn 1 blitz-style engagement of Hallowed Bolt not only once, but twice in a row, thanks to using Critical: Quick coupled with his Thief triggering it with an X-Potion. With Deltia netting a triple kill, Guitar instantly was put on the defensive and recovered, which he thankfully managed to carefully do and ended up claiming victory after a harrowing spin of events that led to the finale of the 10 Action game. With it, Guitarmanager has netted his first Tactics League 1st place accomplishment and both Guitarmanager and Rumer will be invited to an exclusive Version 5 Exhibition match as well as getting the PvP Patch v5 Beta days before it goes public.
Thank you to im_the_king21, Acook10, DoggoK, Dr. Jay, Rumer, and Guitarmanager for being a part of the year’s first cup, and thank you to the audience on both Discord and Twitch!
Results and Registered Team Rosters
With the first event of the 2025 year completed and the many excitements we watched live in the Featured station, I am hopeful that the remaining year will be even more impactful and fierce as we go into the final series of updates with PvP Patch v5 Beta.
While the event is over, the match data and team rosters are now publicly available to view on both Google Sheets and PDF format which can be found below: 2025 Winter Cup #1 Competition Data – Google Sheets
Today is the official start of our second competitive season. With it, comes a new feature to make Game 2 dynamic in a best-of-3 series, Sanctioned Events program, and tiered Competitor Points awarding. Let’s break down each addition below.
Game 1 Loser Map Select
The match structure and regulation rulebook have been updated to allow the loser of Game 1 in a best-of-3 series to declare any legal map in the Tactics League map pool for Game 2, either medium or small-sized, as long as it is a map that does not already exist in the map selection for that match. The 3rd game’s map would then become the opposite map size chosen to still have 2 medium and 1 small map in the match. This is a break away from the traditional Medium > Small > Medium map structure that was presently used in Season 1’s competitions and allows for Game 2 to be dynamically played shaking things up from our previous static rotation.
Sanctioned Events Program
As detailed more in its separate article, the Sanctioned Events program is a means of supporting grassroots events as Tactics League-supported, giving the tournament organizer access to a plethora of resources to ensure the event’s success. Competitions that are approved for sanctioning are eligible for Competitor Points awarding allowing for a hopeful increase in annual competitions, hosted directly by Tactics League and the community as well!
Tiered Competitor Points Awarding
Alongside the Sanctioned Events program, also includes an update to Competitor Points (CP) scaling and there are different point awards based on the bracket size of sanctioned events, allowing for more flexibility:
Tournament-Style (large pool) For Double Elimination & Round Robin Allocations for 7+ Competitors
1st = 2000 pts.
2nd = 1600 pts.
3rd = 1400 pts.
4th = 1200 pts.
5th – 8th = 800 pts.
9th and lower = 600 pts.
Tournament-Style (small pool) For Double Elimination & Round Robin Allocations for 4-6 Competitors
1st = 1400 pts.
2nd = 1200 pts.
3rd = 1000 pts.
4th = 800 pts.
5th = 600 pts.
6th = 400 pts.
Cup-Style (large pool) For Single Elimination Allocations for 7+ Competitors
1st = 800 pts.
2nd = 600 pts.
3rd – 4th = 500 pts.
5th – 8th = 300 pts.
9th and lower = 200 pts.
Cup-Style (small pool) For Single Elimination Allocations for 4-6 Competitors
1st = 500 pts.
2nd = 400 pts.
3rd = 300 pts.
4th = 200 pts.
5th and 6th = 100 pts.
With all of these changes starting today, we are excited to take Tactics League and competitive play to new heights!
With the start of Competitive Season 2 on October 15, 2024, Tactics League is opening up a new way to drive community-inspired gatherings and events so we can empower the competitive scene further with community Discord members.
The Sanctioned Events program is a means to fully back community-made events by providing the tools and support needed for growth, participation, and success as well as more ways to award Competitor Points throughout the current season and future. To do so, Members propose their idea as a Roll Call, filling in all the details first and publicizing it so that everyone is aware of what goals they want to achieve with their event. Once the Roll Call gains momentum and more and more people become interested, the organizer can reach out to the Tactics League administration to request to be sanctioned and receive further support, including Competitor Points awarded post-event.
But what does sanctioning offer in terms of incentivizing your grassroots-based event? Tactics League will offer support and resources with the following:
Basic banner/logo creation for your event (if needed)
Tailored Competitions Registration form for your event to provide sign-ups
Access to the Roster Registration form (if you are enabling Roster Lock)
Access to the Post Game Report (PGR) needed to report match data for official records (this can be additionally provided to multiple assigned Officials as needed)
Official Announcement updates via Discord, added to Discord Events for notifications, and the Tactics League website’s Events page
Official/Staff Discord role so you have partial moderator powers as well as Staging channel operability (this is granted on the day of or the day before the event)
Priority support from Tactics League administration during your event’s runtime (as much as possible)
The end goal for the Sanctioned Events program is to give the tools for more competitive events annually and sow the seeds to further Tactics League PvP into the future and beyond. If you are interested in hosting an event and potential sanctioning, please join the Tactics League Discord today.
