We return with another soapbox!!!
General
This most recent set of updates has put a lot of my prior whining too bed. The new weapons, and items have been a great addition in helping the roster that lack of direct damage skills/ low casting count (Cow, Wolf), or with the exp grind (Danger Fish/ Lucky Fish stacking). More on that later.
The latest inventory, and UI update is just about perfect. Much easier too apply the buffs without waste thanks too the new buttons. I can't wait for the battle/ travel/ dialogue menus too get something similar when time permits for their UI update.
Battle, Weapons, and the GRIND!!! (It's now Later.)
With the addition of the weapons, their skills, and the changes too opponents having specials makes battles more engaging, and taking that moment too buff your team prior much more rewarding as well... and annoying when the poison/ bleed debuff snatches victory away (Thems the breaks). The weapons themselves have a great variety too them so far, I can't wait too see what else is added too the equipment side of things. I'll be throwing a reply post of who goes best with what in my OPINION so far.
All together, the weapons, items, and proper item UI changes help reduce the grind from 1 to 50 considerably. If you're willing too do a 'Little' fishing. In the case you're releveling another path on an older save this is especially true. Add on that grinding for the basic weapons wasn't all that time consuming, but I've hade little luck for the rarer drops. Still a great update too the battles. **Check The Bottom**
Battle Suggestions
As an aside, I do hope Bosses like Luna get a sizable cool down on how often they can use Stuns/ Disables. Especially if keeping Stun Immunity, or debuff cleansing is a constant boss perk from here out.
For an outright suggestion I think a certain battle option has been missing. Guard should be a built in everyone battle option like Attack/ Skills without a weapon needed. 15%-30% damage reduction based off the current path, while gaining 10-15 MP back, or higher dodge chance. Would suggest changing the Steel Shield's Guard too something like Blocking Stance, reduces incoming damage (45%?) for three turns and a four turn cool down.
Story Beats
We got a pretty good start from what the quests lay out for us so far. I very much agree with Jaxonus in hoping we get a bit more interactions with the party we're recruiting. Small bits of flavor text like a gal on the FMG path breaking a doorframe accidentally, or someone on BE/ WG causing a comical chain reaction by bumping something, or someone being prompted occasionally when sleeping at home.
Speaking of paths, I am happy too see them all get a new 'level' at fifty. And I look forward to there being more if that's in the works.
I don't think this qualifies as a bug, or a suggestion entirely, but I would like to 'Rechallenge' the Prologue boss. If only so she can be properly added too the bestiary if you've already seen/ played it before bestiary was added. She's just blacked out on Older saves like my main file. (Unless that's on purpose...)
All in all keep it up. These updates have been fantastic for the QoL, and game feel, can't wait too see what 0.7 brings (If it's in the works already.)
**Weapon Drop Manipulation Read/ Use at your own discretion**
Given the Quick Save feature present in the game's system currently. You can keep rerolling for rare rewards like the Moon Katana, or Verdant Greatsword. You just make a QS during a party member's attack dialogue box that's the final hit of the fight. Then you keep reloading until the weapon drops in the rewards screen. I am positive that changes will be made too prevent this exploit in later updates, for now if you want a weapon badly but have less than ideal luck, feel free too use. If you want too be 'less' cheesy. You can just quick save at the start of the fight and grind out the fight that way as well.