Why is PVP not fun?

[Malevolence]

Biggest issue for me is targeting. I play on PS4 and have targeting set to 'cone' which in theory is supposed to target the closest enemy to me, but it never does. I have to continually cycle through enemies furthest from me to get to closer ones. By the time I do, the Ninja right on my six has finished killing me. Super frustrating. I think getting rid of 64 player maps would help (stick to 24), but really, they targeting function should be fixed to auto-target the closest enemy to you. Full stop.

[Esmoire]

Biggest issue for me is targeting. I play on PS4 and have targeting set to 'cone' which in theory is supposed to target the closest enemy to me, but it never does. I have to continually cycle through enemies furthest from me to get to closer ones. By the time I do, the Ninja right on my six has finished killing me. Super frustrating. I think getting rid of 64 player maps would help (stick to 24), but really, they targeting function should be fixed to auto-target the closest enemy to you. Full stop.

I think targeting might be one of those things FFXIV has to rebuild, from the ground up. It's so awful, compared to other tab target MMOs. It just needs some tightening and perhaps an algorithm that is better at doing what the player probably intended. Like, there is probably never a time the player wants to select the random player 35y away leaving the fight in the corner of their monitor compared to the melee bearing down their throat. Mouse & keyboard, gamepad, PS4 or PC, whatever setup, PvE or PvP, the targeting system of FFXIV just kind of feels awful.

[Waaltar]

Biggest issue for me is targeting. I play on PS4 and have targeting set to 'cone' which in theory is supposed to target the closest enemy to me, but it never does. I have to continually cycle through enemies furthest from me to get to closer ones. By the time I do, the Ninja right on my six has finished killing me. Super frustrating. I think getting rid of 64 player maps would help (stick to 24), but really, they targeting function should be fixed to auto-target the closest enemy to you. Full stop.

I wonder if you know about one of the targeting methods I use a lot as a controller player. Basically, you hit the y button to untarget anything then point your character at the target and hit the x button and you will get whatever you are approximately pointed at. It works pretty good for close up players and actually as a Black Mage the problem with it is that I often target the one tank heading for my main group instead of the enemy group. It works much better for me on Gunbreaker.

I agree though that targeting is tough and a big part of high dmg total etc. Maybe especially so on a controller, but there are plenty of awesome controller players too. I suspect all the best players are doing something similar to each other related to the control scheme that I don't know about, and targeting is probably a part of it, like some targeting macros or maybe a particular controller setting or something. I feel like I've plateaued as a Black Mage and I would have to fight all match long and not die to get 200-400k damage and I saw some BLM with like 1.5 million damage a few matches ago and while a little inspiring it is also a little discouraging.

[Malevolence]

I wonder if you know about one of the targeting methods I use a lot as a controller player. Basically, you hit the y button to untarget anything then point your character at the target and hit the x button and you will get whatever you are approximately pointed at. It works pretty good for close up players and actually as a Black Mage the problem with it is that I often target the one tank heading for my main group instead of the enemy group. It works much better for me on Gunbreaker.

I agree though that targeting is tough and a big part of high dmg total etc. Maybe especially so on a controller, but there are plenty of awesome controller players too. I suspect all the best players are doing something similar to each other related to the control scheme that I don't know about, and targeting is probably a part of it, like some targeting macros or maybe a particular controller setting or something. I feel like I've plateaued as a Black Mage and I would have to fight all match long and not die to get 200-400k damage and I saw some BLM with like 1.5 million damage a few matches ago and while a little inspiring it is also a little discouraging.

Does anyone know/have a macro to target the closest enemy? I appreciate the tips from you (and everyone else) - will have to play around a bit. I have more luck as a ranged DPS but not by much; for whatever reason, targeting in PVE is much easier - even with tons of adds. Might be that it's more forgivable - HP burns pretty fast in PVP. I find when I select 'Ignore Distance' it's no different than 'Cone' as far as targeting goes - with 64 players on a map and 2/3 of them enemies, it's frustrating and difficult to engage in battle in a smart way. I mostly play for EXP and marks, so I don't care much about winning, but I would if I felt I had half a chance in a fight.

[Commander_Justitia]

Does anyone know/have a macro to target the closest enemy?

I find when I select 'Ignore Distance' it's no different than 'Cone' as far as targeting goes

The difference between the two options is; the one setting circles/tabs through all enemies from one side to the other side (like left to right), ignoring how far the distance is to you.

The other setting tabs through all the enemies aswell, but it prioritizes closer ones from left to right before switching to the further away ones left to right. It is preferable for melees that didn't get the right close target right away.

It will make no difference if the enemies are all more or less the same distance away.

If you set it up correctly you will have no disadvantage and no lost time with targeting between gcd, it can be really efficient if you know how to. Frontline and 10+ enemies will still be hard to pick the right one yes, but even then you have ways to improve it. Check out the possible targeting macros. And your target filter.