Lord of Verminion is a competitive mini-game in which a player engages an opponent using summoned minions. The objective for winning the game is to have the minions destroy all of the opponent's “Arcana Stones” placed on the battlefield. Players can participate in matches against other players or against NPCs.
Stats and ability types vary from minion to minion, making it possible to bring together different special actions for diverse battle strategies. Lord of Verminion is a strategy-based mini-game conducted in real time, which means the player will need to plan their minions' positions during combat.
Lord of Verminion will be available upon unlocking the Gold Saucer.
Players can access Lord of Verminion in a new area called Minion Square, located inside Chocobo Square. Players can enter Chocobo Square by speaking with the lift operator Saethrith at Entrance Square (X:4.4 Y:6.7).
In order to prevent congestion in the Gold Saucer, Chocobo Square has been divided into two instances. Players will be moved to one of these two instances at random when entering Chocobo Square, even when joined in a party with others. To enter an instance together with party members, please speak with the lift operator Saethrith at Entrance Square (X:4.4 Y:6.7) at roughly the same time as those you wish to enter with. Please note that this does not guarantee all players will enter the same instance together. In the event you and your party members enter different instances, please exit Chocobo Square and try again.
Three minions or more are required to play Lord of Verminion. Before the match begins, players will select which minions to summon using the special minion hotbar. To edit the minion hotbar, select the Verminion tab in the Gold Saucer window under Character in the main menu.
* The minion hotbar can also be edited from the Minion Guide under Character in the main menu.
LoVM can be accessed from Chocobo Square (X:7.1 Y:6.5) and there you will be able to register for various battles through the LoVM tables.
Selecting one of the following battles at the LoVM tables will open the Gold Saucer tab of the Duty Finder, where you can confirm your desired battle and register. It is also possible to access these battles directly from the Duty Finder from any location. Please note, however, that you must first clear Stage 2: Hatching a Plan under Verminion Challenge.
| Battle | Requirements |
|---|---|
| LoVM: Player Battle (Non-RP) | A party of three or fewer people. |
| LoVM: Player Battle (RP) | Not in a party. |
| LoVM: Master Battle | Not in a party. |
| LoVM: Master Battle (Hard) | Not in a party. |
| LoVM: Master Battle (Extreme) | Not in a party. |
| LoVM: Tournament | Not in a party. A tournament must be ongoing at the time of registration. Must be registered in the tournament. All tournament matches are not yet complete. |
| LoVM: Master Tournament | Not in a party. A tournament must be ongoing at the time of registration. Must be registered in the tournament. All tournament matches are not yet complete. |
The rules and basic controls for LoVM can be learned by playing through the Verminion Challenges. Boss battles and a variety of other types of battles can be enjoyed using this feature.
・Player Battle (RP)
Players can play against one another by selecting the Player Battle (RP) mode. For these battles, you will be paired against someone with a similar number of RP to you.
・Player Battle (Non-RP)
For non-RP player battles you will be able to battle anyone of your choosing. By forming a party with the player you would like to go up against, you will be given the option of selecting them as your opponent.
* RP will not be affected by the outcome of these battles.
・Master Battle
This single-player battle mode is divided into three levels of difficulty. Players are welcome to try playing through all three of these levels.
This option is for tournaments and can only be accessed when a tournament is being held. For more details, please refer to the “Lord of Verminion Tournaments” section below.
* When initially accessing LoVM, only “Stage 1: Tutorial” of “Verminion Challenge” will be available. Other stages and modes will unlock as you continue clearing the various Verminion Challenges.
* When registering for a battle, you will be unable to access the Duty Finder or apply for chocobo races.
* The following actions, if repeated several times, will incur a penalty, preventing players from registering for battle:
W, S, A, D, Q, E
Left and right-click together function in the same manner as the W key. The mouse wheel can be used to zoom the camera in and out.
Drag Right
Left-click
Drag Left
Spacebar
* By left-clicking with the mouse on the selected minion, you can select all nearby minions of the same type.
Select a minion and right-click the destination
| Command | Keyboard & Mouse |
|---|---|
| Selecting a minion to summon | Slots 1-12 of Hotbars 1 and 2 |
| Cycle Summoning Gates | Z key (Draw/Sheathe Weapon) |
| Executing an Action | Slot 1 of Hotbar 3 |
| Triggering a Trap | Slot 2 of Hotbar 3 |
| Withdrawing | Slot 3 of Hotbar 3 |
| Battle List Display | Minion Guide* |
* While in battle, it is possible to pull up the Battle List by hitting the Minion Guide keybind.
Left/Right Stick
RB(R1)+ Left stick
Directional Button
LB(L1)＋Directional Button
Y(△) Button
Select a minion + B(○) button
Push in the left stick
Push in the right stick
| Command | Gamepad Mode |
|---|---|
| Switching between action party displays (Ally/Enemy forces) | RT(R2) Button |
| Executing an Action | LB(L1)＋X(□) Button |
| In-game Help Menu | START(OPTIONS) |
| Select a nearby minion of the same type as the one selected | LB(L1)+Y(△) Button |
| Select all minions in the same area as the one selected | LB(L1)+B(○) Buttons |
| Select all minions of the same type as the one selected | LB(L1)+A(X) Buttons |
This function is only available on gamepads*. By holding down the jump point button, moving the jump point, and then releasing the button, the camera will instantly move to the desired area.
* By left-clicking with the mouse on any location on the minimap, you can move the camera instantly to that location.
| Command | Gamepad Mode |
|---|---|
| Display map jump point (releasing button will move camera to selected point) | Hold LT(L2)/Release |
| Move the map jump point | LT(L2)+Right stick |
| Reset the map jump point | LT(L2)+Right stick (R3) Press down |
Battles are divided into two stages: briefing and engage. After registration for a battle is complete, the briefing phase begins and will last for 20 seconds.
During the briefing stage, you will be able to select the first set of minions you want to summon to the playing field. Minions can be chosen via the minion hotbar or Battle List and will go into the minion summoning queue once selected.
Your summoning gauge is capped at 60 during this phase, so you will be unable to queue up minions if the total cost exceeds this number. Players can check minion summoning costs by referring to the cost gauge, located on top of the minion hotbar.
* If you would like to remove a minion from the summoning queue, simply select the minion you wish to dismiss. Any costs incurred will disappear with it.
After the 20-second briefing period is up, the minions that both you and your opponent put in the summoning queue will spawn simultaneously and the battle will begin. During this phase you are afforded up to a total cost of 240 for summoning. Even when that limit has been reached, you will still be allowed to put up to three additional minions in the queue.
The total cost for minions that have already been summoned is represented by the green gauge and those still in the summoning queue are represented by the orange gauge.
Each minion has its own stats and special action. Players can view a selected minion's stats when editing the minion hotbar.
Minions are separated into four types—monster, critter, poppet, and gadget. Three types will fight at either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the nature of their opponent. The strength and weakness affinities for monster, critter, and poppet are listed in the picture below.
* Gadget-type minions are neither strong nor weak against any type.
Each minion has a summoning "cost.” Cost affects which minions the player can summon to the battlefield, and the player cannot summon minions which exceed the set total cost. Cost also affects how much time it will take to summon the next minion. For instance, when a player summons a minion with a high cost value, it will take a longer amount of time to summon the next minion to the battlefield.
The table below lists the parameters each minion has and their effects:
| Parameter | Effect |
|---|---|
| HP | Hit Points. If HP is reduced to 0 during the battle, the minion will be unable to fight. |
| ATK | Attack Points. Affects amount of damage dealt by physical attacks. |
| DEF | Defense Points. Affects the amount of damage taken by opponent's physical attacks. |
| SPD | Movement Speed. The more stars (★), the quicker the minion can move. |
| Auto-attack | A minion's standard attack. Auto-attacks are separated into single target and area of effect. |
| Strengths | Each variety of minion is attributed with certain "strengths," which allow a minion to be particularly effective against certain structures. |
Each variety of minion is capable of inflicting greater damage against certain structures. Information about your minions' strengths can be found by going to the Minion Hotbar Editor or Battle List. The information can also be viewed from the window that appears when you hover the cursor over minions in the minion hotbar.
Each minion has a special action. There are various actions that deal damage, apply status effects, or even set traps.
Each minion accumulates action points over the course of the battle. The number of accumulated points is displayed in the circle beneath each minion. When four minions of the same type have filled their action points and are in close proximity to each other, if one of these minions is selected, the special action button will flash. Pressing the special action button in this state will activate the special action.
* Minions capable of using a special action can be viewed in the Minion Party List, described below.
Certain minions' special actions lay traps. Ten seconds after being set, traps can be triggered with the "Trigger Trap" button.
* Only one trap may be placed at a time.
Four structures exist on the playing field: Arcana Stones, Gates, Shields, and Search Eyes. Each of these structures possesses special properties, and both combatants have access to them.
Both combatants have three of these on the playing field. Each stone has a set amount of HP, and they will shatter if the total reaches zero. Shattering all three of your opponent's Arcana Stones is the key to victory.
Gates are used to summon minions, and both combatants have three gates. Minions inside the gates will restore HP. Minions cannot be moved outside of destroyed gates, nor can they enter them.
Shields add defensive strength to Arcana Stones. The stones will shatter more easily if the shields are destroyed.
Search Eyes reveal your opponent's minions on the playing field and minimap. If the Search Eye is destroyed, then you will only be able to see enemy units that are near your own minions.
Each structure will only be temporarily destroyed when they reach zero HP. Their functions will restore once a certain amount of time has passed. A gauge will display the time required until reactivation starts. Positioning your minions near a destroyed structure will hasten the reactivation process.
* Arcana Stones will not reactivate.
Victory is achieved when all of an opponent's Arcana Stones have been destroyed. A match can also be won if an opponent retreats in the middle of battle. Your opponent's rank points will affect the number of rank points you receive, but will have no effect on MGP rewards.
* If a winner is not decided within the time limit, the player with the most remaining Arcana Stones will be declared the winner.
* The amount of rank points or MGP received may vary depending on the type of match selected.
The condition of each Arcana Stone is displayed by the crystal-like icons found at the top of the screen. The total remaining HP of both your and your opponent's Arcana Stones is also displayed in the form of HP bars, allowing you to assess the progress of the battle at a glance.
Displays all summoned minions. This list can be configured to show friendly or enemy minions. When one or more minions are selected, the selection status of minions can be seen in the party list. Minions capable of using their special action are highlighted in the party list.
Used to select minions to summon. The minions previously selected through the edit hotbar are displayed here during the match.
Select which gate minions are to be summoned from.
The button to activate special actions or traps can be selected when a minion capable of using a special action or triggering a trap is selected.
* The button to trigger a trap will become available 10 seconds after setting a trap.
Used to display help text or retreat from the match.
Displays the attributes of all minions you have collected. Minions may also be summoned directly from the Battle List.
Withdraw the selected minion.
Summoning minions in quick succession during a match will incur a penalty in the form of a recast timer. The length of this recast timer is determined by the cost of the previously summoned unit. A maximum of 10 minions can be placed into the summoning queue. A minion will spawn each time the recast timer resets, in the order in which it was selected. Minions can also be removed from the queue if necessary.
By clicking the padlock icon next to the minion hotbar, you can lock or unlock UI elements displayed during battle. When unlocked, a transparent frame will appear over UI elements that can be moved. Click and drag the top of these frames to adjust their position. Right-clicking the top of these frames will display a subcommand menu that can be used to change the size of UI elements.
* The default size for the minion party list, minion hotbar, and summoning queue is 80%.
The Manderville Gold Saucer will periodically host Lord of Verminion Tournaments. Compete against minion enthusiasts from across the realm for a chance to win large sums of MGP.
Players can sign up to participate in ongoing tournaments by speaking with the Tournament Recordkeeper NPC at Minion Square in the Manderville Gold Saucer (X:7.7 Y:7.1).
* Players must first complete stage two of the Verminion Challenge before participating in tournaments.
Tournaments consist of multiple matches against other players, with victories earning you tournament points. Players are allowed to play up to 15 matches per tournament.
Players will receive additional tournament points when defeating opponents with more rank points than them.
* Advanced rules will not be applied to battles with NPC opponents.
* RP will not be affected by the outcome of battles with NPC opponents.
Opponents for Lord of Verminion tournaments will include all players within the same data center as well as NPCs.
* Rankings will be decided for each World individually.
Player Opponents
Both combatants will earn tournament points at the end of the match, the winner being granted a greater number of points.
NPC Opponents
The strength of NPC opponents will be determined by a player's number of victories prior to the match.
Players can view the standings for ongoing tournaments at any time by either examining the Tournament Ranking Board at Minion Square in the Manderville Gold Saucer (X:7.7 Y:7.1), or by accessing one of the Lord of Verminion tables and selecting Tournament, then Rankings. Scores will be locked the moment the tournament ends, and these numbers will determine the final rankings. Rewards can be redeemed by speaking with the Tournament Recordkeeper.
