Consolidated White Mage 4.0 Feedback Thread

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

The knocback was great.



in PVP.

In other words, it was primary used for the damages in PVE.
So it becomes useless.

And the fact most oGCD CC losing their damage component is hinting fairly strongly that CC could be a lot more important come SB. I wonder how many times that's been stressed in this thread. "Fluid Aura does no damage!" Should really be a meme.

[Keridwyn]

The knocback was great.



in PVP.

In other words, it was primary used for the damages in PVE.
So it becomes useless.

I will agree with you there. It saved my life a few times. I wonder if that's ultimately why it's sticking around.

[KDSilver]

Why are you attacking us on the fact that nobody here understand why they remove the damage on Fluid Aura that now become a useful skill on pvp only?...

The removal of the damage was totally free.
Make a meme if you want but that's not the entire problem anyway.

It's just one of those change that are changed for nothing.
But the main problem isn't here so.

If you're just focused on the fluid aura problem, please just say nothing.

[Reiryuu]

I will agree with you there. It saved my life a few times. I wonder if that's ultimately why it's sticking around.

Remember! Skills in PVP and PVE are now separate. This means you can have it in PVP and not in PVE (get something actually useful instead like... stoneskin =p) . Or they could have completely different effects like protect does in PVP/PVE.

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

Why are you attacking us on the fact that nobody here understand why they remove the damage on Fluid Aura that now become a useful skill on pvp only?...

The removal of the damage was totally free.
Make a meme if you want but that's not the entire problem anyway.

It's just one of those change that are changed for nothing.
But the main problem isn't here so.

If you're just focused on the fluid aura problem, please just say nothing.

Well, I'm pointing out that it's not a change that only affected WHM, so it's a moot point to try to pursue the lack of damage because CC has lost its damage effect across all jobs, not just WHM. If you really think I'm attacking you because I'm pointing out your own inconsistency...

[Floortank]

I think Square-Enix made an error in believing the class fantasy is just healing. It's not! People want to play a SCH because of books and fairies. They want to play AST because of time magic, cards, and space nukes. But they're both mainly healers. So if you have a class that is just a healer, without any other identifying features, you don't have a White Mage at all. You have nothing. People want to be WHM to be an instrument of divine power. This requires more varied divine magic—a choice between healing and offense.

To accomplish this, Square-Enix should put Holy II in the game and make it prohibitively expensive, but let you instantly cast it for free by expending all Lillies. They should introduce Banish and Exorcism spells for damage and CC / enfeebling options and variety. They should introduce tactical conflict by giving the WHM the choice of whether to expend all Lillies on Holy II, a huge damage burst, or Great Gospel, a huge buff to one's own healing potential for a short time. I think they should also look at using Confession stacks for more than just healing. They should let you eat a minimum number of stacks to instantly cast certain offensive spells for free. But that would require giving WHM more offensive variety, and that would mean shifting to the idea that WHM's class fantasy is about being a conduit of divine power. Because it comes down, essentially, to “how” you heal, and in the case of AST and SCH, how they heal is colored entirely by what they do other than healing. That is my assessment as a professional game designer.

On the subject of Lilies as power representation, Aerith in FFVII was originally going to be a Geomancer, and Conjurer draws much of its power from the nature-forces of the Shroud (and I suppose the whole planet), so they should make WHM's "style" a push and pull between the divine / holy magic of a priestly divinity (ala Rosa, Yuna, and various others), and the geomantic healing of Aerith. I think Lillies are trying to point to lore elements of Conjurer, but it's been done in a somewhat obtuse way. Moreover, people are looking at White Mage expecting more of the priestly, divine power character less than an evolution of the Conjurer.

I think Square-Enix could use both of these aspects to improve the feel of White Mage overall. If I could expend all Lillies to do Great Gospel—and say that it makes me invincible for a short time and amps up my heal speed and potency—and that decision was in conflict with another choice, like the chance to rip off Holy II for free instantly, then WHM would have the edge it needs to color the way it heals. It would also feel more like an instrument of divine power, as well as an evolution of the Conjurer's lore.

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

So, one last thought before regarding the level 70 WHM ability - what if the confession stacks worked in reverse? In other words, what if stacks of confession happen on the players that DON'T get directly healed by Cure 1 or Cure 2? Everyone else BUT the healed target would be gaining Confession stacks, and when you need that emergency AoE heal that isn't Assize, BAM you have it. Instant synergy with base WHM healing style, the mechainic suddenly doesn't feel like it's tacked on AND works in all party scenarios. If it needs a proper balance, increase the CD of this ability in accordance.

[Reiryuu]

So, one last thought before regarding the level 70 WHM ability - what if the confession stacks worked in reverse? In other words, what if stacks of confession happen on the players that DON'T get directly healed by Cure 1 or Cure 2? Everyone else BUT the healed target would be gaining Confession stacks, and when you need that emergency AoE heal that isn't Assize, BAM you have it. Instant synergy with base WHM healing style, the mechainic suddenly doesn't feel like it's tacked on AND works in all party scenarios. If it needs a proper balance, increase the CD of this ability in accordance.

It still begs the question: UI elements were implemented to get rid of these stacking buffs and all and make them easy to track... so why do we get one we never had and why is it on the whole party?

[Exiled_Tonberry]

I think SE is planning on obtaining questions from their OF to use in their upcoming live letter tomorrow, so just a heads up for all us worried WHMs out there. Please ask some questions, maybe some will get answered.

It still begs the question: UI elements were implemented to get rid of these stacking buffs

>Create UI elements for easier tracking of buffs.
>Creates confessions which not only isn't on the UI, but isn't even a personal buff so it's even harder to track than ever.

As if we needed more proof that this entire system was poorly thought out and implemented.

[Angelic_Magic]

>w<

Yes, please! SE read this! That's exactly what I feel when I play any of the healer classes. You worded it perfectly.