Trigger happy on that Fluid Aura

Hello there fellow FFXIV'ans. First of let me just say that all you kind people out there who choose to take on the role as healers are a much needed and appriciated part of every party. And though i been taking it really slow in XIV, i have about 10 years experience from XI and other MMO's (not that its something to brag about). My main occupation have always been melee DPS though i have tryd most every other aspects of games too. Lately tankings been my passion, and this is why im posting this post.

I like the mechanisms in XIV alot, it have much of the same party mentality as the old version of XI had. Every member needs to do there part and work as a team to succeed much more then games like WOW where lately its just about pressing out as much dps as possible without regard for hate or teamwork.

Though i can only speak of experience from leveling and not from endgame, i still think that this is very important. Just the fact that overhealing draws hate makes the healers job abit more challanging and interesting
And i dont lose hate much, i work hard and keep my targets in line, as i should and as i would like to. And thouse heals and stoneskins are godsent, really! But, i have to ask, what is the deal with WHMs comming up to me, when im trying to gather 4 mobs and start my thing, and then sendt it away from me using Fluid Aura?! First of all, it mess up my hate. Ill have to turn around and start provoking and Shield Lob/Tomahawk it, and the other 3 are rambling around me as i try to get the last to join my pack. The way i see it its essencial to get them in place and then stand as still as i can, so the melees can get on with there thing. For speaking as a melee, nothing is more annoying then a tank that cant stand still! And this whole Fluid Aura buisness is delaying all this

It also eats my Provoke cooldown, which is very handy to have for situations where i actually lose hate, and the mob isnt just shot away from me. I have been trying some healing of my own, and i really prefer it when the tank is doing the tanking. If i send one away befor the tank have gotten aggro, and he have 3 other banging on him, hes pretty soon gonna need a heal, and then that one which i sent away are sure to have its eyes on me.

But, lets look away from the fact that its abit respectless and pointless, and look at the DPS lose it cause. By shooting it away from the tank and the melee, you arent helping with the damage... And by not letting the tank line up and get going with the chains (same gos for the melee) you are NOT helping the damage...

I am making this post because i think these are factors that people dont think about. If your new to FF and if you been playing other MMOs you may not be familiar with the teamwork aspects. And if you havent leveld a tank or a melee this are things you may or may not know and think about. So its just a friendly heads up. Its not the end of the world if a WHM uses Fluid Aura, most of the time i can recover, but i just rather they didnt and i wouldnt have too. There are situations where it is good to use, but these are never at the start of a pull where the tank are getting aggro!

Best regards, Hecky

Sometimes you just forget which of the larger monsters aren't actually immune to push back. Or mess up the angle enough to matter when you're trying to use fluid aura on something right next to a wall already, since you didn't stop moving before hitting the button. :(

When a Healer pushes an enemy out of my range with Fluid Aura (or an Arcanist / a Summoner, their pets can do that too) more than once, I kindly ask them to stop. If they don't stop doing it, I'd ignore the enemy until it comes back to me ...
I hate it when others just use it and push the enemies out of my range, it's soooo annoying. >_<


When I'm healing, I would only use Fluid Aura when
a) I'm not in a dungeon / I'm not in a party with strangers / I'm solo / it doesn't matter (e. g. as a finishing blow) / the enemy is immune to knockback (treasure map enemies are not ><).
b) I'm in a dungeon and there are two ranged enemies that are not immune to the knockback. I'll push one of it to the other then so the tank doesn't have to run around to reach both of them. I didn't have a chance to do that with people I don't know yet though.
c) I get aggro and I'm standing at the right angle and distance to push the enemy back to the tank - happens on very rare occasions though. xD
d) I want to put an enemy to sleep and have time to use it before.


When I use it by accident, I apologize so that the others don't think I'm stupid. ;D

I don't know what is worse.
Fluid Aura
Emerald Carbuncle
or THAT bard who feels like it's the right thing to do, and starts running in circles with all the mobs.
or maybe, healers that for some reasons take aggro from the tank, and start running away from the mob without stopping.

this things are a nightmare for EVERYONE.
it's a nightmare for casters, because they get interrupted spells.
it's a nightmare for melee dps, because they have to run to the mob
it's a nightmare for tanks, because they can't take back aggro.

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Originally Posted by Defteros

or THAT bard who feels like it's the right thing to do, and starts running in circles with all the mobs.

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Oh, yes, I hate this so much.
Especially in FATEs when a Bard has aggro and just doesn't stop running around. It only works if everyone else around also plays Bard.
When I'm playing Bard I'm kinda trying to move only when it's necessary or when I want to reposition myself. Being able to run around while fighting doesn't mean you have to do it ALL THE TIME.
It's also annoying when Bards don't have aggro and run around. This running around like crazy drives ME crazy. xD

Oh there is that too, when people pull hate or get extra adds, and figures "Hey, the logical thing to do now would be to run AWAY from the tank"... Most of the time, given i get to run in first and make the pull, i manage to keep them focused on me, but every now and then adds pop on the other side of the room and i cant even reach em with my toma/lob cus they are getting run'd away. Anyway i think this Fluid issue is very much a "new WHM" sorta thing where they use it on cooldown for damage (or whatever o.o) and this was meant as nothing but a heads up that is messes things up for the rest of us. Most healers are terrific, there are just these few that simply cant help themselvs :)
Happy hunting to you all!

I had a WHM in Haukke manor Easy while I was leveling my DRG, that on the trash group before the first boss, pulled aggro from the tank, and started running till the starting point of the dungeon.

Oh you think WHM's are trigger happy in dungeons with fluid aurora? Just wait until you get into a game of frontlines and fighting for the drones..trust me, you will truly see how trigger happy they are with that skill.

I somewhat main as WHM now, but started out DPS. I generally don't use Fluid Aura while in parties because I've already felt that pain. rofl... >.>; I only used it back as a conjurer when soloing to give myself leg room to keep stoning the monster before it reaches me (Stone 1 > Aero > Stone, stone > Fluid > Stone, etc).

I've been in parties where it is used all too often and rather than letting me pull the monster off the healer when I'm right there, the person has opted to eject it in the complete opposite direction - which just wastes time chasing after it. If it was a wrong button, I'm totally fine with that - but I don't think some realize it's annoying if they haven't experienced it themselves.

I can't really say much about the Emerald Carbies, though - not enough Arcanist play-experience for me to make a statement (IE, no idea if they can make the carbs stop using that skill completely) and I know they just sorta do it by themselves...

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Originally Posted by Saseal

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you have to micromanage Carbuncle, to stop him from spamming his knockback.
the fact is, no one cares to learn how to micromange a pet they will lose in a matter of 10-15 lv.
hell, they don't even micromanage pets till they get Garuda, so xD

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Originally Posted by Defteros

I don't know what is worse.

or THAT bard who feels like it's the right thing to do, and starts running in circles with all the mobs.
or maybe, healers that for some reasons take aggro from the tank, and start running away from the mob without stopping.

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Archers too. I know it sucks getting hit - I'm a healer. But stop running around please D:

Fluid Aura is one of my fav things to use - solo. I don't use it whilst in parties because I don't know what bosses are immune to it or not. I try to think of it as: if I were tank, would this annoy me? If it's 'yes' then I don't do it. :D

My main is a tank but I've been leveling whm recently so I've been on both sides of this.

I hate healers who randomly decide, "Oh, better fluid aura that thing." On the other hand I hate tanks that can't be bothered to get the add(s) off the healer because they are tunnel visioning a single target like it's some kind of slow dance. I am pretty good about running to the tank if I get aggro but if they still refuse to do anything about the add I will start fluiding crap away. It's like most abilities in that there is a good way to use them and a crappy way to use them. Inevitably you will meet people of both categories.

There are some legitimate uses of Fluid Aura in 4-man in stances. For example, after a tank has established enmity on a pack of mobs, the CNJ can identify a mob that no one is attacking and Fluid Aura -> Repose it. This is one less mob dealing damage on the tank which A) lessens the risk of the tank dying (the essence of a healer), and B) allows for increased DPS by the healer (ultimately leads to a faster run).

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Originally Posted by Velox

There are some legitimate uses of Fluid Aura in 4-man in stances. For example, after a tank has established enmity on a pack of mobs, the CNJ can identify a mob that no one is attacking and Fluid Aura -> Repose it. This is one less mob dealing damage on the tank which A) lessens the risk of the tank dying (the essence of a healer), and B) allows for increased DPS by the healer (ultimately leads to a faster run).

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Even this usage is generally undesirable, though well-intentioned. Splitting mobs apart reduces the efficiency of AoE damage skills and potentially creates more annoyance for melee.

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Originally Posted by Defteros

you have to micromanage Carbuncle, to stop him from spamming his knockback.
the fact is, no one cares to learn how to micromange a pet they will lose in a matter of 10-15 lv.
hell, they don't even micromanage pets till they get Garuda, so xD

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You click on OBEY. No need to micromanage, it's super simplistic. Case solved.

As per Fluid Aura, It might have its place if healer HP is low and Tank too, to push him for a few seconds so hopefully the tank will grab it if provoke isnt on cooldown, and giving time to cast a Cure Spell.

But more often than not, yes, it's as annoying as the carbuncle ^^

More meant toward soloing I'd say, since it's very situational in Dungeons.

Don't forget Garuda inherits the knockback from Carby, and since most SMN use Garuda instead of Ifrit, this can become a huge problem. Tank pulls a group of mobs, SMN decides to cast right next to the tank, this triggers Garuda to start spamming her knockbacks.

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Originally Posted by Lucke

Don't forget Garuda inherits the knockback from Carby, and since most SMN use Garuda instead of Ifrit, this can become a huge problem. Tank pulls a group of mobs, SMN decides to cast right next to the tank, this triggers Garuda to start spamming her knockbacks.

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Again, Obey makes this a non-issue. There is no excuse for random pet skill usage.

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Originally Posted by Cynfael

Again, Obey makes this a non-issue. There is no excuse for random pet skill usage.

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There must not be a lot of SMN that know what Obey does or use it.

If your WHM hits a mob with Fluid Aura, just ignore it for 10 seconds. It's instant-cast CC that generates minimal threat and gives the party plenty of time to focus fire down and enemy.

Alternately, ask the WHM their intention. The purpose of Fluid Aura's knockback is to push the enemy TO YOU. If a mob breaks free and charges the backline, a good WHM will intercept it (if it's not running directly at them) and knock it back towards you, where you can leisurely pick it up since it's bound in place.

In short: if you have a WHM healer, don't chase the mob. Ignore the guy instinct to run after the breakaway, keep focus on the other three enemies, and let the WHM do their job of sending the enemy back to you.

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Originally Posted by Lucke

There must not be a lot of SMN that know what Obey does or use it.

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Sadly I think this is true. As a SCH main, I always have OBEY set but I've been in countless instances with ACN, SMN and SCH that just have their pet do w/e and it confuses the hell out of me. When I first got my Carbie and it knocked away an enemy with its spell, I set OBEY on because the knockback was hells irritating even as a mage. Not only that, but if I ever forget to set OBEY Eos(who I mainly use) just spams her abilities when they are off cooldown. I dislike this because not having that control definitely makes me (feel) weaker. So I can't understand why someone wouldn't want that control when that control give you so much more power and set ups.

example: Without OBEY I wouldn't be able to move Eos to the middle of the party then Rouse+Fey Illumination -> Whispering Dawn.

Personally, I like to use fluid aura before repose, just to get the mob away from the tank, so that AoE wont wake it up instantly. It helps reduce damage so I can dps. I try to do it as often as possible, but only on the mob not being focused on.

That said, fluid aura's that aren't followed by a repose are just an annoyance.

I only use fluid aura in the following cases:

• I'm in a low level dungeon and my damage with fluid aura is better than the DPS can make so I don't care if I use it for damage, but I always rotate to make sure the mob go to a wall and move the less possible.
• Random player got aggro.
• There's a lot of mobs and you can fluid aura + sleep to keep one away, making healing easier.
• At mobs that I know that will not move no matter what.
• Interrupt casts.

I main whm and I never use fluid aura, haven't used it since lvl 20 ish. It never gets touched in dungeons and if I pull I just run to the tank.

As for pets click obey, it's not rocket science, I always have Garuda on obey so I can use contagion and stop her pushing back. You have no idea how annoying knock backs are until you tank.

Also stun spamming dps too, good god. Then having healers trash talk you in e.g. Ifrit because your not stunning eruption even though you can't because the dps just stun spammed him in the first minute of the fight.

I use it as a finishing move. lol

I rarely use it other then a dps measure when soloing

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Originally Posted by tocsin

Personally, I like to use fluid aura before repose, just to get the mob away from the tank, so that AoE wont wake it up instantly. It helps reduce damage so I can dps. I try to do it as often as possible, but only on the mob not being focused on.

That said, fluid aura's that aren't followed by a repose are just an annoyance.

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Outside of very low-level dungeons with unusually bad tanks, you don't want to be doing this, either. AoE is more efficient the more targets you can hit, and pushing targets away from the group can also be aggravating for melee attackers. There are very few good uses for Fluid Aura at late levels aside from A) extra DPS on a CC-immune target and B) pushing a target back into the tank and the main body of mobs.

The only time I ever use Fluid Aura is:

1) If the tank is not paying attention and I have a relentless enemy in my face. This happens a lot because a lot of tanks don't pay attention

2) If I'm in solo content

3) Constantly in Frontlines to get people away from me, to annoy them, or the most fun, to knock them off the Heliodrome

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Originally Posted by Seoulstar

Oh you think WHM's are trigger happy in dungeons with fluid aurora? Just wait until you get into a game of frontlines and fighting for the drones..trust me, you will truly see how trigger happy they are with that skill.

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They're no more trigger happy than everyone else is with stuns, holmgangs, sleep (constantly, all the time), bind, silence, etc. etc.

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Originally Posted by NorthernLadMSP

They're no more trigger happy than everyone else is with stuns, holmgangs, sleep (constantly, all the time), bind, silence, etc. etc.

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But we are the only ones to take special joy in sending people off ledges. Along with Garuda-egi of course. >D

I'm trigger happy with Fluid Aura... when the monster is about to die. For some reason, I really enjoy finishing off a monster with that spell. Occasionally, I'll also try to save a teammate who's being attacked by using Fluid Aura to push it towards the tank (if positioning allows), or to cancel a monster's spell cast.

But I occasionally accidentally use it early, which annoys my party. But when that happens, it's indeed unintended. x_x

Oh, and of course I use it for extra damage on targets that are immune to pushback.

Using Fluid Aura is best used in Frontlines and when soloing (if someone comes up to help you with a mob and you Fluid Aura it's incredibly infuriating). Be careful with Fluid Aura with the tank and melee in party. I never give WHMs commendations if they Fluid Aura a mob away from the tank as he runs towards it trying to get aggro.

I seldom use it in group dungeons outside of bosses that are immune to knockback. It's nice for a little extra mp-free-insta-damage. Beyond that, I can't think of too many other times I use it except on Titan to fling at Gaols to help break them. Other than those two instances, I reserve it for solo play.