The problem with "Instant OFF GCD" abilities makes combat feel less rewarding.

[Calypsx]

I usually just press my instant off GCD abilities when the GCD timer hits the half way point after a skill. It always works and comes out when I press it then.

I actually kind of like it, it's improved my timing and play so I don't mash keys anymore and all my moves are smoothly transitioning into each other with added buffs in between each attack. I'm also learning to read patterns and study enemies instead of twitch reacting to them.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[JiaYow]

... I'm also learning to read patterns and study enemies instead of twitch reacting to them ...

Your sentence is a spot-on explanation of how fights are going to work in FF because of this broken system. You're not fighting, you're playing Super Mario.

You know, where you know the first level by heart because you've played it dozens of times and can run through it blindly? You jump even before something shoots at you because you know that a monster is going to appear in 3 seconds?

Fighting in a MMO (and every MMO i've played until now except for FF seems to agree with this) should be about reaction, tactics and dealing with hard mechanics. If FF actively prevents you from *reacting* to something, what's left is to run out of circles and press your stun when your timer tells you to. I refuse to believe that this is intended - it's simply a hefty oversight that's very hard to fix now, so they just ask us to "base our strategies around this".