Opinions on Positionals

[JunseiKei]

Curious to see what thoughts of positionals are going into the next expansion. This last raid tier was extremely bad for positionals, often forcing hitting the targets from the front, yet, mechanically the fights are a lot more fun than any of the previous tiers (imo).

So the question I am asking. Do you enjoy positionals and why?

I'm really on the fence about positionals.

When the game was blander, which let's face it, ARR's combat was MUCH blander, slower and more straight forward, I'd have said, yes, positionals are absolutely necessary. Most of the fights didn't require going to the front of the boss, outside of maybe Nael (that's really the only fight I can think of that you spent a prolonged amount of time at the front).

However, as the game ages, more and more fights have you do more mechanics that move you (it's becoming more of a challenge to reduce your time not hitting the boss than simply get your correct positional while correctly resolving Y mechanic). More and more bosses abruptly turn and go where they want (Seiryu is really bad about this, but things like handling Pantokrator exist, too, or even God Kefka's stack to Futures Numbered / Pasts Forgotten, in correct circles, etc.). Even with fights tuned to knowing players will be handling these mechanics and positional potencies lost, I'd rather they'd forgo those adjustments and slowly moved away from positionals in light of fights being scripted to have bosses face around willy-nilly or have mechanics force you to miss them.

Would like some expansion for the Ranged classes, though instead of direction, have it be distance.

You mean like in PvP that was then removed? BRD and MCH did less damage the closer to a target they were.

[Kabooa]

You mean like in PvP that was then removed? BRD and MCH did less damage the closer to a target they were.

No, I mean like on specific abilities, or mechanics that make use of their ability to be literally at any point on the arena.

[Lumadurin]

Positionals are fine. The game just needs to give more feedback as to when you actually land them. An audio cue, a change to the damage text popup; anything, really.

[JunseiKei]

No, I mean like on specific abilities, or mechanics that make use of their ability to be literally at any point on the arena.

>_< The only thing that keeps coming to my mind is "BUT MY DEEPS!" *stands in Narnia like a BLM that refuses to move.*

[Kabooa]

>_< The only thing that keeps coming to my mind is "BUT MY DEEPS!" *stands in Narnia like a BLM that refuses to move.*

I was discussing possibilities with a friend, and the idea is not to create a situation where they are rooted, but rewarded for utilizing their mobility in well planned scenarios.

Something like Bards having trick arrows that fire, but land on the other side of the enemy. Trick shots being some of your more rewarding abilities to use, but throw an arrow into an area that a boss is about to aoe bomb, and that's not great for you - Delays you ability to go and grab it.

Machinists who alter their position forward and back for Wildfire set ups (Though this may change, if that 'leak' is credible). For example, a slow velocity rocket that strikes the enemy on a timer based on how far it is. Fire it off, then move in closer while setting up Wildfire - Get an extra shot into your Wildfire that you wouldn't get if you used it point blank.

Stuff like that.

[JunseiKei]

I was discussing possibilities with a friend, and the idea is not to create a situation where they are rooted, but rewarded for utilizing their mobility in well planned scenarios.

Something like Bards having trick arrows that fire, but land on the other side of the enemy. Trick shots being some of your more rewarding abilities to use, but throw an arrow into an area that a boss is about to aoe bomb, and that's not great for you - Delays you ability to go and grab it.

Machinists who alter their position forward and back for Wildfire set ups (Though this may change, if that 'leak' is credible). For example, a slow velocity rocket that strikes the enemy on a timer based on how far it is. Fire it off, then move in closer while setting up Wildfire - Get an extra shot into your Wildfire that you wouldn't get if you used it point blank.

Stuff like that.

Ah, that sounds much better than what I was thinking.

[Brightamethyst]

No, I mean like on specific abilities, or mechanics that make use of their ability to be literally at any point on the arena.

Problem is that often you can't be at literally any point in the arena. Many fights, especially as you get farther into the game require standing in very specific places, or have bigger or smaller arenas. Melees at least get a free pass on positionals on certain fights (Shinryu) but where is ranged supposed to go in situations where the safe zone shrinks to almost nothing?

[Kabooa]

Problem is that often you can't be at literally any point in the arena. Many fights, especially as you get farther into the game require standing in very specific places, or have bigger or smaller arenas. Melees at least get a free pass on positionals on certain fights (Shinryu) but where is ranged supposed to go in situations where the safe zone shrinks to almost nothing?

Dunno.

Sure would suck if they had to figure that out for once, huh?

[Fendred]

Like most mechanics meant to add challenge to a job, they have their downsides when hitting raid bosses. Transitions, damaging zones or cliffs, and tank positioning all play a role. It can make things appear greener on the ranged side of the fence until one looks at the mch and bard. Then they realize its just replacing one type of mechanical difficulty for another. Basically, in most cases you're going to perform just as well as the other DPS.

[Phoenicia]

I'm indifferent. I don't hate positionals nor like them.

I don't hate them because True North exists. True North has a short enough CD that it's always up for when I need to land that one or so odd positional into the boss's face when mechanics force you to. Otherwise I don't mind them even if I believe they're being overused on some jobs (*cough*monk*cough*).

That said, only melee I really enjoy is monk. I do SAM and/or DRG from time to time but melee is never a choice a default to when I want to DPS.

Positionals are fine. The game just needs to give more feedback as to when you actually land them. An audio cue, a change to the damage text popup; anything, really.

Other than monks, jobs that have positionals only get the "combo cue" sound if they land that part of the combo in the correct positional. So it's already there.

Would be nice if the MNK got something other than: "Oh bootshine didn't crit" because you can't tell unless you have a good sense of what damage your abilities should be doing.