[Class Abilities] Could we see something like a block added?

So I did Delubrum Reginae and noticed something familiar. Throughout the encounter, Mikoto will use a unique animation to dodge incoming boss attacks much like 2B does in the Nier raids.


I began to ponder and thought to myself how much I’ve been missing the level immersion being able to dodge and block adds to a game - particularly when said mechanic is part of the actual characters’ uniqueness. As it is unlikely they’re going to ever rework the whole combat system from the ground up, I got to thinking how such a thing could be implemented within the confines of the current set up.

We have sprint. We have Shelltron, Third Eye, and Ninja’s Shade shift… but how can these be improved to add to immersion and how can they be expanded to include other classes without breaking the meta and while preserving class flavor?



I final “oh heck” button that allows you to evade certain death is exactly what’s needed in my opinion and wouldn’t make it so a raid can cheese mechanics if you employ it how Third Eye works. Third Eye originally negated the next attack, acting as both a parry and a counter all in one.


I propose this method and tie it to either a long cool down like sprint, limiting it so it can’t be used while afflicted by the Weakened status, and have it deplete mana points to zero. No room for exploitation, acts as a “brush with death” that adds to the tension and responsiveness of combat.

I’d advise against a role specific or general as the idea is to give the individual classes flavor. Unlocks at 30 with the job. Could tie it to the job gauge but I think that would give too much room to cheese with.


**Feel free to expand to the idea. I’m not an authority on gameplay. I just want combat to feel less like a piñata party and see more responsiveness out of classes. I’m a fan of Dissidia NT and while I know the mechanics are completely different they share many commonalities. Both are tab target and boss encounters function the same way. Just thoughts. Please keep it civil.***

Paladins do proper blocks even without Sheltron, and the shield is actually raised when it happens.

This is a thing in Guildwars 2, you can double tap movement to roll/dodge in a direction and be immune to damage during the roll. In that game's case, it does not take very long to recharge, but then again there are many class mechanics that are tied to the dodge mechanic in some way. Also, there are both 3D damage zones that can be avoided without dodging entirely (you can jump over a wave of energy for example).

It's makes for a very fun game that feels more like I'm playing Smash Brothers than it does a typical MMORPG.

The problem...when you play GW2 and come back to FFXIV, you immediately learn that FFXIV's engine is just too laggy for it. Like, what is happening on my screen just does not match what's going on in the server. If I cast a spell, I can move at like 85% cast bar. The actual monster graphical representation of their attack has no meaning for timing (as in, the orange damage indicator is sketchy; you might take damage even though you have absolutely gotten out of the damage zone... nevermind the monsters actual attack animation).

In the same vein, playing with my wife, if we have a foot race in a random zone, I will be in front of her on my PC and she in front on hers.

Full disclosure, we live in Japan on Japanese server and have a very fast connection/low ping.

I can only see something like this work with mechanics like Shelltron or Third Eye (as mentioned above).