Suggestion: The Spear

[Izmeaih]

Can we please have this effect be able to be used retroactively? It sucks that I generally have no way to stop and ask someone (in the middle of a dungeon or otherwise), what buffs they have used, or have not used, and do they intend on using them in the future? However, if the spear were retroactive in reducing cool-downs that are already on cool-down, I wouldn't' have to worry if I've used it on the right person at the right time. At this point, I feel as if they planets have to align (pun intended) for this card to feel useful to anyone other than myself.

[Nekotee]

Well it does work that way.
Only it change the maximum cooldown only... Not the ongoing cooldown that reloaded.

It's pretty useless... Unless you're ready to use your mana regen and CO or if your tank just used invicibility

[416to305]

Is it still the same in that you have to use the Spear card before someone uses an ability? (Off topic a bit but is Disable still the same or can a boss be casting a large attack and then still use Disable vs being psychic and knowing something is coming? I've been using it when I see it cast a large attack so hopefully that is working!)

[Izmeaih]

Disable works on duration now, so you can use it being slightly less psychic, just by knowing kinda when a mob is going to use its move. However, I think that it will not nerf the attack unless it's used before the attack started. I'm pretty sure the game checks once for the debuff, then moves forward instead of actively checking at the beginning of the attack and then again on execution.

[Izmeaih]

It doesn't work that way. It reduces the cooldown of OCD actions by percentage, but not retroactively. So, if my tank "just used invicibility" [sic] that cool-down is spent, and there is no way for me to help that tank regain it. However, if the card is on him BEFORE he uses his move, that cool-down would be less, allowing for OCD actions like raging strikes, etc. to be up more often. If the card was changed to allow for retroactive reductions, it would work on OCD actions that were already on cool-down thus taking the portion of time off their respective cool-down remainders. This would make the card universally useful, and not useful per situation. Again, my main complaint is that I am unable to psychically know when cool-downs will be used, or if they have already been. If it's retroactive, I no longer have to worry, I can just use the card and everyone will receive the benefit.

[Anova]

I always just use the timer on the side and mark time when the battle starts. At about 2 minutes in to the fight, I know it's going to be about time for those big buffs to come back up and I should use Spear on them if I have it. Fights being the way they are, you will only use be able to refresh it once per fight. Otherwise, the other buffs have CDs of less than 1 minute, and last for at least 10 or 20 seconds. So, if I don't see they have that buff active the moment I draw Spear, I am fine with just tossing spear on them knowing the buffs will be available within that 30 second timeframe.

Of course, there's a few classes who are you can always stick spear on (ninjas, dragoons, and summoners) and expect a faster burst.

I do wonder if there's some kind of raiding tool that keeps track of buffs though. Buff cds are really easy to track since it has the same cd and duration even after a death.

[Seryl199]

Disable works on duration now, so you can use it being slightly less psychic, just by knowing kinda when a mob is going to use its move. However, I think that it will not nerf the attack unless it's used before the attack started. I'm pretty sure the game checks once for the debuff, then moves forward instead of actively checking at the beginning of the attack and then again on execution.

Just to clarify, if you use Disable during the cast bar of an attack, it will still reduce the damage of the attack. If you use Disable after the cast has finished and the animation has begun, or similarly, after the mob has used it's GCD and begun an attack, then, like you said, the game has already checked for buffs/debuffs and Disable does not affect the attack.

On topic, I sure wouldn't mind an adjustment for the Spear to function this way. It relies heavily on coordination and communication that simply aren't present in your everyday pug. It's great when Spear lines up with a DPS check or you can drop it as your opener, but that's not always the case. Don't forget, though, that Spear's Royal Road effect is extremely safe, providing a 1:1 card advantage so you don't fall behind on your Draws.

[416to305]

Great thanks, and yes that's what I meant by Disable, like when you see it casting an attack if I can use Disable to stop that. Figured it would be that way since it only lasts 6 seconds so wasn't sure when it had to trip. I usually wait until it's at like 80% casting the attack and then hit it with Disable. Spear is annoying to me since I've never played as a tank before and have ZERO idea what their cool downs are or anything. So instead I tend to use it more on myself where I know it will be used.

[pushin_tin]

If you have a MCH, DRK, SMN, SCH, or DRG in your party, you can safely use Spear on them without worrying about it going to waste, and those are just the classes that immediately come to mind.

[Izmeaih]

I get what the card does. I understand how it works. In reply to some of the treads here, I simply do not want to count 1-mississippi when engaged in an encounter. What I am more interested in are outlier variables. What I am suggesting is a mass improvement over the card itself to just be easier to time/use, which benefits us all equally. Every card in the Astrologian's kit is equal in its application. They are all used in a universal sense, and hence are all effective boosts. With many skills in the game having a large OCD time - such as 150, 120, 90, etc. One can never be too sure when your spear will overlap with another. The dev team has, of course, done a wonderful job with this class, as they have with so many others. Retroactive reduction would be quite amazing in almost every type of group especially where communication is lacking or not possible.