Controller targeting? So confused(and dead)

I'm trying to use the controller. For the most part it feels way more comfortable, but when more than one enemy gets on the screen or I need to switch targets stuff just gets insane. Pretty much I want to use the controller because it is a lot more comfortable everywhere else except combat.

Pretty much this comes down to Having to use the skill bar and target control on the same axis... If I need to target myself all of a sudden I need to tap cancel twice to unlock my target, target myself some how, then accept my target to myself, then cancel my target to self, and retarget my old target, accept the target, and then I can start bashing heads again.

Need to double accept targets to bring up the skill bar menu because it just won't stay up otherwise.

Also when an enemy dies everything also goes all insane and targeting confuses me again. Have to double cancel a dead target.

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So pretty much I think it's safe to say I have a 'gross concept error' in how to use the controller in combat. And the interaction between targeting and menu/skill navigation being on the same D-Pad is pretty much confusing me. (have 360 controller if it matters)

I think the biggest aid would probably be able to get targeting and menu navigation off the same turf(targeting to bumpers maybe), but I don't see where that is possible in the configuration.
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So any kind of help, would be appreciated.

i agree the targeting system is difficult, especially with a gamepad. no way to get around that really other than using mouse and keyboard. even then its still a pain in the ass. i would like to see an *auto next engaged target system* implemented where when you kill a mob its auto targets the next closest engaged mob right away.

Don't target another player, target a monster.

You use beneficial skill on yourself, right?
Cure/sacrifice, when you target a monster go in a subtarget-mode, and you can target yourself or another player.

If you are a thau/conj, when you are at Aoe/single target step, you can change target.

There is not a problem with cure, the problem happens when we have to change an enemy fastly with melee attacks.

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Originally Posted by Mr_Gyactus

Don't target another player, target a monster.

You use beneficial skill on yourself, right?
Cure/sacrifice, when you target a monster go in a subtarget-mode, and you can target yourself or another player.

If you are a thau/conj, when you are at Aoe/single target step, you can change target.

There is not a problem with cure, the problem happens when we have to change an enemy fastly with melee attacks.

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The above is correct. Targeting with a gamepad is tricky at first, but nice once you get a feel for it.

Yep I agree, I made my own thread about this labeled "dev1035 New Targeting Mode Widget Problem." They need to come up with some other way to target the mobs, and change the target mode and leave the arrow keys/ D-pad to scrolling the ability bar. Why they made the arrows do all these things is beyond me, but one sec you are scrolling the ability bar and the next you are cycling targets or changing modes mid battle. I have died countless times cause all of a sudden I am in "enemie Target Mode" so I can't target party members to cure. >.< extremely aggravating.

As a THM I use a 360 controller and I tend to keep the main tank highlighted (but not locked), which allows you to use the up and down direction on the D-Pad to scroll through other members of the party (in target mode 1- the default) and select them if they are standing to one side or behind where my conal AoE does not reach. To target mobs is a little more tricky, but I do this through just using left and right on the D-Pad (and I don't remember it being much different in FFXI apart from missing some text commands like <stnpc>).
I also find that using macros helps a huge deal. All of my healing macros are /aoe on and the spell with a selection of <t>, other offensive spells are /aoe off so that I can select them from the bar and turn on the AoE manually if required (this way avoiding any accidents). I hold down the left and right trigger buttons on the controller to bring up the macro rows. As I am usually the healer in party using macros is also more comfortable for me, as the main ones that I tend to use during fight (Sacrifice III, Cure II, Paralyna etc) are together on the same row and it is easy to switch between them. :)