[Suggestion] Job Ability: Follow My Lead

[Crescendo]

Greetings Developers and fellow Puppetmasters!

I would like to propose a new job-ability for PUP which I believe to be a simple, and easy-to-implement solution to a problem this job (along with other pet classes) face.

Follow My Lead
Ability Description: Orders your Automaton to follow your lead into Battle, ignoring any other direct pet commands.
Obtained: Puppetmaster Level 50
Recast Time: 3 minutes
Duration: 5 minutes

Additional Notes/Description:
Follow My Lead can be considered a stance buff and will show an appropriate buff icon while active (Similar to Saber Dance, Yonin/Innin, Berserk, Counterstance, Afflatus Solace, etc...)
While Follow My Lead is active, the Automaton will automatically attack the same target as the Puppetmaster, at the same time. (This is identical functionality to how a DRG's Wyvern Pet, and Adventuring Fellow NPC's engage a target)
Activating Follow My Lead completely blocks the use of the Deploy and Retrieve pet commands.
Follow My Lead can technically be up indefinitely if not dispelled or removed by the player.
Follow My Lead cannot be cast without an Active Automaton, and will automatically be removed upon Automaton Deactivation or Death.
Overloading will also remove the Follow My Lead buff.

Reasoning:
Recently It's been shown that FF11 is taking on a much quicker combat pace than it ever has in the past, and pet classes in particular need to adapt to this new brisk battle frequency. (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/22633-Suggestion-Make-heal-command-to-Reduce-Weakness-Time?p=358748&viewfull=1#post358748) While I am not saying that this suggestion is the end-all solution to PUP's current problems, I find it to be a great step in the right direction. Baby-steps, yea? :o

It's been proven that the job ability delay (for casting Deploy, and Maneuvers) causes quite the decrease in overall damage. While it doesn't seem like it would, spending that extra second to Deploy the Automaton every fight... eventually it all adds up and slows the job's effectiveness down. It is especially apparent if you bring a PUP to the New Nyzul Isle, where every second counts and players need to be incredibly efficient to succeed.

Another aspect I want to emphasize is that this functionality is very simple to implement, since it already exists in the game. This Job Ability essentially allows the Automaton to mimic a DRG Wyvern's attack behaviors, letting the Master focus on Maneuvers, Repairs, and anything else, enhancing our overall efficiency.

Follow My Lead will also introduce a subtle amount of finesse and strategy to the job as well. Because remember, you will lose the capability of Deploying and Retrieving your Automaton from a distance. Disengaging will also cause your Automaton to Disengage alongside you, so it won't be ideal to be using Follow Me while attempting to perform some of the trickier PUP setups. It will give PUP's some flexibility, while at the same time enhancing our performance in situations which demand it.

Don't forget an ability like Follow My Lead could also be enhanced by Equipment or Attachments in Future Updates too! For example a piece of equipment could contain a bonus "While Follow My Lead is active, Automaton becomes inspired, increasing +10 Pet Accuracy, +10 Pet Attack, and +2% Pet Haste"


So any comments and criticism's are welcomed, and I apologize in advance for the wall of text for such a simple ability. :p

[Kristal]

I think "Synchronize" would be a better name for it. Also, Deploy and Retrieve should still work, so you can tell your automaton to grab agro on a link or tell it to stop attacking your current target (when mob goes into JA rage mode and each hit triggers a JA.) It should also boost offensive stats.

Another stance that could work opposite of Synchronize: Sentry. This grounds the automaton in one spot, and cannot be used in conjunction with Synchronize. Increases defensive stats and curing effects.

[Etrigan]

I agree with both posts, the job ability is great but a name like Synchronize would fit much more with the overall theme of the job

[Crescendo]

I think "Synchronize" would be a better name for it. Also, Deploy and Retrieve should still work, so you can tell your automaton to grab agro on a link or tell it to stop attacking your current target (when mob goes into JA rage mode and each hit triggers a JA.) It should also boost offensive stats.

Another stance that could work opposite of Synchronize: Sentry. This grounds the automaton in one spot, and cannot be used in conjunction with Synchronize. Increases defensive stats and curing effects.

I agree, "Synchronize" has a much better ring to it! :cool:

But I will have to disagree with your suggestion of unblocking Deploy and Retrieve while it's active. My reasoning behind that, to put it bluntly, your version of "Synchronize" is just too good. With your version, there is literally no reason for a PUP to not want to have the buff always active, in virtually every situation. They might as well just not add a new ability, and just change the way the automaton's base AI functions in regards to engaging targets :p

If you look at every other Job Ability in the game, the Developers purposefully put drawbacks on them (either hard-coded, or cooldowns, or both). The reason for that is so that the player needs to make a conscious strategic decision when using their abilities. For example: Sabre Dance blocks Waltz, Light Arts hinders Black Magic, Counterstance/Berserk lowers Defense, etc...

In the situation you bring up "telling your automaton to grab aggro on a link" that's the type of situation where you'll consciously decide to "unsync" with your Automaton (by removing the buff, or not having it on to begin with), and have it Deployed on the link.


Also the idea of a Sentry mode is also really interesting. That could definitely work along side "Follow my lead" for some interesting Automaton controls! :o

[jake3614]

Just make the JA similar to how RDM uses Composure - there's a penalty and a plus. Problem solved!

[Kristal]

In the situation you bring up "telling your automaton to grab aggro on a link" that's the type of situation where you'll consciously decide to "unsync" with your Automaton (by removing the buff, or not having it on to begin with), and have it Deployed on the link.

Deploy/Retrieve would cancel the Sync.

[Badieh]

But I like the name "Follow My Lead".....

[Jeville]

{Are you alone?} {Follow My Lead}