Mind

[Valoran]

Ok, so the odd thought struck me today, what is the difference between mind and intelligence supposed to be?

I mean, in non-game terms, why have they chosen these both as traits?

Strength, Dexterity, Agility, and Vitality all could've been summed up by, say, "Body," but it's easy to see the differences they're foregrounding.

But if we consider the differences between Mind and Intelligence . . . not so clear, I think. I mean, we use intelligence to think, to reason, to use our MIND, essentially. But Mind -- which is the only stat I can think of that isn't usually a character adjective in the everyday vernacular (you could call someone strong, dextrous, or charismatic, but not, "mindish*") -- must certainly also relate to how we use our mind.

Now, it is easy to see why they would want some abstract magical powers linked to one stat, and others to another. But how did we wind up with two names that mean, essentially, the same thing?

My theory is this: I got the idea from Chi Blast . . . damage based on mind. Now, chi is the energy of the body. Basically, it is a concept of using a trait that could perhaps be called Spirit. My bet is that Mind = Spirit in terms of how we think about it. This also makes sense to me in the white mage side of the equation: a healer calls on the reserves of his spirit to heal others, or to deliver righteous punishment for wrongdoing.

Anyway, this conclusion put MY mind at peace on the issue; I'm content to think of INT as a stat relating to logic and intellect, and MND as a stat relating to spirit and positive emotion.

If any of you have any thoughts in MIND, I'd love it if you'd share that INTELLIGENCE.

(Please pardon my puns :wink: )

Val

PS: This topic occurred to me when considering what the developer's basis was for the inclusion of the chi blast trait and the separate magical stat of Mind for white mages; I have been a monk main and now intend to be a white mage main.


*There are, of course, expressions like "high-minded," or "strong-minded," or "mindful of dangers, etc," but the first two, I think, nicely compliment the idea of Mind = Spirit, and "mindful of X" does not function in the same way as "Strong." It requires a separate object, not an intrinsic trait -- sort of how a job ability relates to a job trait.

 

[Angof]

Well being a former D&D player I always chalked Mind up to be, essentually, wisdom in D&D terms. I mean they use the starts of STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, and CHR. In FFXI theres STR, DEX, AGI, VIT, INT, MND, and CHR....

Thinking about it the only differance is in FFXI they split D&D DEX into DEX and AGI. With that reasoning CON = VIT and WIS = MND.

With that fact you can say INT is intellegence and MND is reasoning/common sense. For example someone with high INT and low MND would know alot and be able to solve complicated problems, but they would contantly lock their keys in their car.

I think that makes sense...anyway thats my perception of MND.

 

[Sneakypants]

Will power vs. IQ

 

[Mirewen]

Was about to post what Sneak said. Mind is will power, how strong you are mentally. Kinda like common sense and book smarts. You need both to truely be smart.

 

[Jagster]

I consider 'will power' and spirit the same thing.

In terms of the health web, one section is called spirit and another part is called intelligence, different sections apart of the overall idea called "Health."

Spirit in the way I'm meaning to use it means some of the following; Since of self worth/respect, a feeling of being satisfied, strong minded.

Mind in FFXI could also be more related to the emotion side of health, or preheps a mixture of spirit and mind...

Interesting topic though, but something I won't be upset over if I never find out the answer to though

 

[Valoran]

It seems likely that Somemithra is correct in terms of a developers' standpoint; they probably did simply adapt the D&D structure.

That said, I really like the idea of a sort of Mental equivalent of both Str and Vit. Mind -- I believe -- helps absorb damage from magical attacks, but it also allows a white mage dish out those righteous blows through divine skills (I cast my first Banishga today for 68 damage on a Beach Pugil).

I also think will power and spirit are the same thing.

Anyway, since I have been starting whm, I've just been toying with how I actually perceive my abilities. I like the idea of drawing on my spirit to align forces to heal or purge evil.

 

[Answa~]

INT is knowing what the answer to a mathematical problem is. MND is knowing what to do when your friend asks you for help. INT is having the mental capacity, MND is having the wisdom to know which is the right choice when it comes to humanity.

This is basically what Einstein was, and it is the reason why he was ashamed by the Atom Bomb's creation.

 

[hellstorm]

It seems likely that Somemithra is correct in terms of a developers' standpoint; they probably did simply adapt the D&D structure.

That said, I really like the idea of a sort of Mental equivalent of both Str and Vit. Mind -- I believe -- helps absorb damage from magical attacks, but it also allows a white mage dish out those righteous blows through divine skills (I cast my first Banishga today for 68 damage on a Beach Pugil).

I also think will power and spirit are the same thing.

Anyway, since I have been starting whm, I've just been toying with how I actually perceive my abilities. I like the idea of drawing on my spirit to align forces to heal or purge evil.

almost all mmorpg are rooted from D&D

that being said you thinking to hard. mind is spirit and belief look at the spells you get cures and chi blast chi= spirit(interself)

int is the power of thinking. to think is lead to destrutive thoughts

this why mind is white magic
and int is dark magic

 

[Valoran]

that being said you thinking to hard.

Do I get an in-game stat bonus for that?

And yeah, my initial theory was that mind was like spirit, based on the abilities it affects.