Ground based AoE instead of target-based AoE

Can AoE spells please stop being target based? It's pretty annoying when one of the two targets you want to AoE dies before you can finish casting the AoE on it so then you have to cast something a second a time for no reason. Or is this part of the "skillset"?

I agree, but probably "engine limitations". Might be something we see in 2.0.

at least they should let you finish casting the spell on the mob's corpse to resolve some of the frustration when you're 5 milliseconds off your cast time.

Already a few AoEs in this game that isn't target based since some for example are centered around the caster, i.e Blizzara/Holy etc. I think what would be better is since we no longer have Siphon MP (that I know of) we don't need to target dead enemy bodies anymore, so it's an issue that will hopefully go away with better targeting system in 2.0.

I'd like to see it mixed up....

Some spells that need to be cast on a target, some that AOE from "Self" and others that target a specific spot on the ground.

Couple that with Spells that you can't cast while moving, spells that are instant cast and then (Yoshi-P plans to add) spells that you can indeed cast while running.

Factor in the new server structure/networking API (And updated position reporting) coming in 2.0, and I think the new Magic system will have so much depth.

I guess what I'm saying is yes, I'd like to see ground target AOE for certain spells (Like a "Quake" or something) but also spells that remain MOB targeting

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Originally Posted by Orophin

I agree, but probably "engine limitations". Might be something we see in 2.0.

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I don't know if it is due to engine limitations because Ifrit definitely does it to us, and MOBs and Player characters aren't that different from a design standpoint

target based AoE should be for spells with short cast times then if they want to keep them in the game.

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Originally Posted by bobbygunz

target based AoE should be for spells with short cast times then if they want to keep them in the game.

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That would definitely be the most convenient way to sort it.

I'd personally like the more "Real World logic" approach
I know many people hate to see it applied in a video game, but I think it's cool to apply real world logic to in game ideas

Like "Quake" would be silly as a target AOE or even a self AOE. I would definitely want to see that cast on an area. Something like Freeze would seem like it would need a target MOB.
I am ok with Flare being self AOE.
Burst would be best if it targeted an area for its effect
Flood would be a directional area (Likened to being swept away by water)
You get my point

stop whining...l2p

Trying to use our AoE spells (Fire series, Stonera, and Aerora) can be frustrating... maybe not game breaking, but frustrating.

When the Tank and DDs are engaging multiple targets like skeletons in Dzemael or Imperial forces during their attacks:
1. Mage selects spell
2. Select target
3. Begin casting AoE spell
4. Target dies before spell completes
5. Spell is cancelled
6. Go back to step 1 and repeat several times until maybe you can cast 1 spell

I agree that some sort of change would be nice, although I don't know if switching all AoE spells to ground based targetting is the best answer.

Our old Ancient Magic spells (now removed) were cast on a target, but they were essentially ground based after you began casting -- so if the target moved out of range before the cast was complete (happened often) you wasted the spell.

Caster-centered magic like Holy, Flare and Blizzara are okay, but it means you have to be right in the middle of of the enemies which can be dangerous for mages if the enemies are hitting with AoE attacks. I'm fine with Holy, Flare and Blizzara now, but I wouldn't want all AoE to be caster-centered.

Maybe letting a spell complete even if the target dies is the best answer? It could lead to instances of wasted MP, but it might be better than constantly having spells cancelled because someone else killed your target with an AoE WS first.