Final Fantasy XIV:ARA (A Realm of Aoe)

[frostmagemari]

AoE's are a part of MMO's now, no way around it.

That being said, however, it's clear that Super-Damage AoE's are quickly beoming Square's "Go-To" mechanic. There can be other fight mechanics aside from AoE spams and I think the fact that Square does not seem (at present) to agree with that sentiment is where people are finding problems..

[Eisah]

...
That being said, however, it's clear that Super-Damage AoE's are quickly beoming Square's "Go-To" mechanic.

I think that's precisely it. I wouldn't mind AOEs if the fights didn't boil down to, "Dodge this or die". Many FF's have had a boss that would cast something like Ultima and do 9,999 damage. And that was fine. It'd be "that one dude", and you'd find a way past him, and you'd move on.
This is just repetitive. And for people who have problems with the latency (which is many, and there are videos to prove it) it's game-breaking.

Fights can be creative and challenging without resorting to spamming AOEs everywhere.

The other day I was hit by a cone AOE I was never in from a normal mob when I wasn't having lag problems. Because where it is on my screen isn't where the mob truly is. When this can happen in your game, you shouldn't base everything around it.
I was disappointed every fight seems to boil down to, "And now we added BIGGER AOEs!"

[soshifood]

Isn't it a little too early to say it's their go-to mechanic? If Caduceus or King Tonberry are anything to go by (even though they're easy), I would say they're still aware that there are other methods. I've always found the trials to be notorious in the AoE department. Crystal Tower and some of the new dungeons might offer a change of pace. This is the first major patch for the game. When 2.1 hits, then it'll be alright to make complaints.

[Livi]

Saying aoe is their entire go-to mechanic isnt true. You have garuda, t4-t5 not many aoe to avoid.