When you Love the Story, but are Really Bad at the Gameplay

[TaleraRistain]

I guess that isn't bad advice. I don't know - just feel like I'm still missing something; that those who (in the other thread I referenced) say that there isn't any excuse to be useless at the game at this point are right. I mean, I shouldn't be struggling against a B-list 'Boss' such as Venat, should I?

You aren't missing anything. We all have different levels of ability or off days or need to tweak our setup or whatever. The people saying those things in that thread lack empathy. There's also a tendency in that type of person that they have to put down others to make themselves feel better. I can guarantee you there is something in their life that they fail at, too. They have to lord over others about their ability in a video game because they feel inadequate elsewhere. That is why you should really just ignore them and not let that negativity bring you down.

I'm glad you passed the Venat fight! Congrats! The fact you made whatever adjustments are necessary (even if it was just a mental adjustment of trying another day) should make it crystal clear to you that you're not useless at this game. You're just a normal person who is challenged here and there and from what I've seen has managed to overcome them all. That's something to be proud of.

In regards to setup, everyone is different but I use keyboard and mouse. I have abilities I use all the time on a hotbar on keyboard. I never got in the habit of using Ctrl or Shift so I have just one single hotbar of abilities. I've tried having 2 or 3 stacked bars but trying to hit Ctrl or Shift with my pinky and then hit an ability at the same time just doesn't work for me. Lots of people are used to this and it works for them, though, so it's worth looking into.

I move with my mouse. And I set off my songs or things like Apex Arrow/Blast Arrow with a mouse click on another hotbar that's easy to click a button or two on because it's a quick one-and-done click and then I'm back to moving around. The important thing is finding what works that allows you to use abilities effectively, rely on muscle memory instead of having to stare at the hotbar, and react to mechanics when needed.

[IdowhatIwant]

Keep in mind the people who post on the forum are more of the hardcore elite. The problem the developers have is they sort of have to ignore the loudest voice which is them because if they listened to them there would be no ARR and FFXIV 1.0 would of been good enough.

Think of most of the hardcore elite as people who like BDSM they like pain and get pleasure from it. In the gaming world they refer to this pleasure as accomplishment. Every time they get whipped its like them in game uttering, "Oh yes give me more accomplishment"

They do not understand basic facts why people like New Game + even though you gain no XP. In fact there has been topics with them utterly confused by this because they do not understand playing a game for the story and not getting an 'accomplishment.'

Even after FFXIV failed they the hardcore elite/minority felt the game was still easy. Keep in mind in FFXIV 1.0 if you played more then five hours a week you could not gain XP but you could lose XP and delevel. Pretty much the hardcore elite are sadists. Don't try to understand them.

That whole rant is one of the dumbest things I have read on these forums since the last time you posted it. If you don't have any input on how to assist post the crap some where else.

That's an interesting point actually - was discussing this with some friends earlier, one the UK (same as me) and one in Australia. The conversation was basically this:
"need to consider that we're playing on a NA server with relatively high ping and I know I have died loads of times when I can clearly see I am out of the area of effect but the high ping has skewed things…… that makes it harder".

Certainly makes sense, and the login screen does sometimes show my connection as being 'Poor'.

This is possibly a large root of your problems, with high ping you are going to have to know scripted mechanics a lot more because you will have to react to them quicker than most players. For anything with random mechcanics good luck it will be pain. Your class is also going to feel wonky, as a bard you will do a lot of weaving and with high ping that becomes more troublesome. I would avoid Skill Speed stat all together because it will make weaving even more troublesome.

Taking time to set up keybinds and practicing on a dummy to develop better muscle memory will be a key component to improving as well specially if you are some one that has to look at there skill bar a lot. Way back in ARR and HW I took a lot of time to set up my keybinds the way I feel most comfortable and it took a good amount of time. Once this is done though it can be applied to almost every class as they all have a similar tool set.

[kaynide]

That whole rant is one of the dumbest things I have read on these forums since the last time you posted it. If you don't have any input on how to assist post the crap some where else.

I wasn't really sure what he was saying either; While I play the game a LOT, I'm the least hardcore regarding content/accomplishments.

I haven't done a single "Savage" thing; I barely touch any "endgame" raid except to do the story once; I haven't done PotD/HoH except in passing; The Endgame Relic stuff like Bozja or Eureka I've maybe done..like.. 1/2?

You could say I'm "hardcore" as far as playtime and leveling all my jobs goes.. but actual "accomplishments" of difficult content...? not really.

[hagare]

It's almost definitely more an issue of my lousy reaction speed and inability to get past using either keyboard & mouse or gamepad & mouse. I just can't seem to get my head around using a keyboard-only setup

can't you just use the set up you're comfortable with?
Even on PC you can use a controller right? right?

And as for the practice part, I usually DF trials or dungeons to freshen up if I get stuck at something.
Or do crafts. Or gather

That's an interesting point actually - was discussing this with some friends earlier, one the UK (same as me) and one in Australia. The conversation was basically this:
"need to consider that we're playing on a NA server with relatively high ping and I know I have died loads of times when I can clearly see I am out of the area of effect but the high ping has skewed things…… that makes it harder".

Certainly makes sense, and the login screen does sometimes show my connection as being 'Poor'.

just need to ask this first.
You do know you have to get out of the AoE before the cast bar finishes right?
Because sometimes people gets tricked by the animation. When the animation here doesn't actually matter.

I second taking a minute to tweak your setup.

Like Kage said, make sure you're using legacy keyboard setup.

If it helps, here is my bard setup: (Apologies any spelling errors; I just slapped it together)

stealing this *yoink*
I'm kinda impressed with people who are comfortable using 6 and above.
I always gotta check the keyboard to see I'm not pressing the wrong number for those xD

[IdowhatIwant]

I wasn't really sure what he was saying either; While I play the game a LOT, I'm the least hardcore regarding content/accomplishments.

I haven't done a single "Savage" thing; I barely touch any "endgame" raid except to do the story once; I haven't done PotD/HoH except in passing; The Endgame Relic stuff like Bozja or Eureka I've maybe done..like.. 1/2?

You could say I'm "hardcore" as far as playtime and leveling all my jobs goes.. but actual "accomplishments" of difficult content...? not really.

There are people that play this game that believe it is essentially hardcore raiders vs casual players. You see this mostly from the casual player base this idea that there should be no challenging content and everything should be designed around only casual play. These are typically your players that will throw out terms such as elitest, elite, gate keeping, toxicity, and minority/majority claims ect. They are also the people that will shut down feedback or criticism to claim the game is perfect the way it is and if you don't like it go unsub. Really just terrible people in general. Is what these people do not realize is like the world it takes different types of players to make the game function right. The idea of the casual vs hardcore is nothing more than ignorance and both types of content and players should exist to maintain a healthy online player base.

His whole claim is that the dev team has to filter the majority which according to him "the hardcore elite" is majority of the player base when in fact it makes maybe 15% - 20% of the total player base if you look at the rate of savage content clears and participation. In a nut shell it is best to just ignore him like a homeless person begging for change everyday at the corner and trying to tell you wild conspiracy theories.

[kaynide]

stealing this *yoink*
I'm kinda impressed with people who are comfortable using 6 and above.
I always gotta check the keyboard to see I'm not pressing the wrong number for those xD

Using the numpad to the right is where it is easy to do. Especially you just go up or down a row for AoE/single target.

[hagare]

Using the numpad to the right is where it is easy to do. Especially you just go up or down a row for AoE/single target.

you mean taking your hand of the mouse!?
I can't even imagine doing that xD
The more I think about it, the more I think the mouse with extra buttons will suit me better

[Adeacia]

you mean taking your hand of the mouse!?
I can't even imagine doing that xD
The more I think about it, the more I think the mouse with extra buttons will suit me better

I play purely with mouse and keyboard. I recently got one of those mmo mice with lots of things to press. I'm having a hard time actually using it though. Just not used to it at all.

I wouldn't want to take my hand off of the mouse either.

[Carin-Eri]

Edit!: Prefacing this to say it's a general reply to a lot of your comments here and on that other thread.

So I suggest never comparing your competency as a level 90 bard who has only been barding since December last year (you wrote that, right?) to the competency of other players who have been playing the game for years. Ignore anyone who says your level dictates how good you should be, because it is a fallacy to think that, not least with level skips being a thing. If you truly want to "get good", it takes practice, perfect practice, and then the all-important component of time, and lots more of it for some more than others. You might want to note just how much time some of the posters have over you, and take heart and comfort that they may have been absolutely awful at playing at one time they wouldn't care to remember. But also consider they know stuff as a result, they may have the sacred knowledge! Acquire that knowledge, regardless of its delivery.

Then you have to add in technical issues, your innate gaming ability, and then any additional health considerations. Some of this stuff you can practice or "train" to overcome, some of it may require you to compensate in some fashion you will figure out for yourself. There is no shame in this, and the key factor is identifying the fact you need to improve, so you can feel better about what is essentially your happy fun time. We are all different, and it's only the truly hard of thinking who are going to give you short shrift for not being sublime perfection within a few months of playing, sprout icon or not.

I heartily recommend you take that bard and hammer the heck out of it in whatever fashion amuses you best. After all, it won't get better unless you whack it into submission, right? Do it in whatever way is the most fun for you. There's also a good number of Free Companies out there that are happy to help people learning as well if you want it.

I also recommend you get on some other jobs as well, even the ones that don't appeal. I've always found this one of the best ways to improve at the content (not just the jobs themselves), and a learning opportunity not to be missed. Looking up rotation guides helps a lot, hitting a dummy, then running some content. If you keep at it, keep asking the questions of how to do stuff (rather than complaining about things being impossible), then it will click.

Also, as an ex-bard main, people change mains all the time. Don't lock yourself down too tightly to one role.

Look, I'm fairly flakey at the moment with game time, but if you can ever get over to my data centre/server, I'll be happy to try and help you out if you want the assist. Or just want a chat!

Thank you - appreciate the encouragement!

[hagare]

I play purely with mouse and keyboard. I recently got one of those mmo mice with lots of things to press. I'm having a hard time actually using it though. Just not used to it at all.

I wouldn't want to take my hand off of the mouse either.

IF I buy the multiple buttons gaming mouse, I'd be looking for the ones with the multiple buttons on the left side so I can use it with my thumb.
IF.