Abilities can't be used till animation ends.

[Strifex]

Guys thanks for the options I'm glad to finally see this issue discussed.

I've mainly been experiencing this problem on my 50 PLD when running dungeons, I cannot silence an enemy while an animation (ex: rage of halorne) is going on nor can I use abilities such as Circle of Scorn while I'm using fast blade or some other ability even though Circle of Scorn is off the GCD.

For those of you who feel that this "makes the game more challenging", I believe that for truly exciting gameplay that our input should be as smooth and responsive as possible and that the "difficulty" should be responding to mechanics and executing strategies correctly. If we can't use an ability while an animation is occurring the UI should at least reflect this, but isn't that what the GCD is for? I see no point in locking out our actions during animations if we already have a GCD to prevent "spammy gameplay". That being said...this's games animations are beautiful

TLDR: Gameplay > aesthetics imo

[Strifex]

I'm still trying to figure out what this topic is actually about. Except for perfect balance(which I have to spam to get it to activate even when I'm not doing anything), I've never had a problem using an off-gcd during an animation. Considering monks have two attacks with animations that last nearly the entire gcd(dragon kick and demolish), it seems like I would've noticed not being able to use steel peak and internal release during them, especially since I weave off-gcd skills during those two specifically because of their long animations.

This is interesting I'll have to re-sub sometime in the next few days and try leveling monk (I'm mainly seeing these issues on PLD). What classes do you guys notice this on? (For those that notice at all).

[Mikara]

The only skill that is even slightly delayed for me on PLD is Hallowed ground, but that has nothing to do with interrupting the animation, that is all about gaining the effect after the full amount of time it takes for the animation to finish before you are granted the effect.

[Strifex]

The only skill that is even slightly delayed for me on PLD is Hallowed ground, but that has nothing to do with interrupting the animation, that is all about gaining the effect after the full amount of time it takes for the animation to finish before you are granted the effect.

Try to use Circle of Scorn or Spirits Within while Fast/Savage Blade or Rage of Halorne is happening, it won't go off. It should as its lit up and not on the GCD but it won't and this is because you have an animation playing...and Hallowed Ground is a VERY long delay but that's due to other reasons as you've said.

[Mikara]

I have, you are wrong, sorry. Try pressing the button more than once.

[Calyanare]

I have, you are wrong, sorry. Try pressing the button more than once.

This. It's not the animation that's preventing you from using the skill, you just can't spam skills back-to-back because there is an invisible 1s cooldown. You can interrupt the animation, just not within the first second. Hit the button a couple more times and it will work.

[Tashigi]

I dunno, anyone I've played with hasn't complained about this so I can't sympathise.

I've played countless MMOs and can't really see what the OPs pointing out. Unless I've jaded over time and gotten used to it.

Really?
Because there is countless of MMO out there that separate the movement section of your animations from your upper portion, to allow you to move and cast.
In games like WOW, GW2, etc. Abilities that are advertised as "instant" cast are truly instant as well. These will instantly stop your previous animations and merge/sync with a new animation; making it seemless and while not perfect, it's more than good enough.

Yet, none of the problems we have here, exist there.

[necrosis]

I feel that anyone who says the "animation lock" is fine never played WHM and watched the benediction animation on a dead body.

[Strifex]

This. It's not the animation that's preventing you from using the skill, you just can't spam skills back-to-back because there is an invisible 1s cooldown. You can interrupt the animation, just not within the first second. Hit the button a couple more times and it will work.

Ok fair enough, if there is an invisible 1sec. cooldown...was is it invisible? Should that not be something reflected in the UI?

[Mikara]

Probably, and I can even agree that it should be reflected, but it also doesn't make the combat broken.