Mouse over actions should really be officially supported.

[Arcadious]

I know this is a commonly requested change, and I know there are workarounds available, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so squeak I will.

To start, I'd like to share the opener for Astrologian. Assuming the boss is already targeted, a card was drawn pre-pull, and no redraws were necessary:

Fall Malefic

Lightspeed

--Pull--
Combust III
Target -> ally (mouse click)

Play

Draw

Target -> boss (tab)
2.5s
Fall Malefic
Target -> ally (click)

Play

Draw

5s
Target -> boss (tab)
Fall Malefic
Target -> ally (click)

Divination

Play

Target -> boss (tab)
7.5s
…


“So what? Just play a job with a less complex opener”

The issue isn't complexity, I like how complex it is. The issue I’d like to focus on is the target changes. Within 7.5 seconds, an Astrologian performing the optimal rotation (with ideal RNG) takes 17 actions (roughly 2.2 actions per second), with over a third of these actions being target changes, actions where you’re not casting an ability at all! This does not only happen at the opener, but also at every 2-minute DPS window.

Within 1 GCD, an Astrologian requires both the ability to quickly identify the correct target for your drawn card and the physical dexterity to select them with a click, before quickly switching your target back to the boss. Supporting mouseover actions preserves the gameplay skill aspect of identifying the correct target, while reducing (but not eliminating) the physical dexterity required to target them, effectively cutting the hard inputs required by a third.

“Targeting is a part of the skill required to play the game”

Everyone’s physical dexterity is different. I argue the game design of MMOs should seek to remove as many barriers relating to it as possible, instead relying on class design and encounter complexity to add depth and challenge. This isn’t an FPS where precise and rapid muscle movements are a core aspect of gameplay.

To emphasize a keyword above; barrier. The act of casting a skill on its correct target is still happening, with nothing being done for you. The only thing that changes is the way we communicate these actions to the game.

“Just use mouseover macros”

Mouseover macros are insufficient, full stop. The queueing of abilities is vital for a plethora of reasons I won’t go into here. Those who suggest this should note the difference between a solution and a work around.


“But controller players tho”



Thank you for reading.

[RobynDaBank]

I think your little jab towards controller players will make a lot of people resent your idea no matter how sound it is.

[EaMett]

Mouse over macros for healing abilities won't set you back much. Given how little healing goes on you can still easily get your orange/pink parse with them. They're perfectly sufficient. Not ideal but absolutely, 100%, sufficient.

Still wouldn't hurt if SE would allow queuing on macros. And fix queuing for pots/sprint while they're at it

[Arcadious]

I think your little jab towards controller players will make a lot of people resent your idea no matter how sound it is.

It's not a jab, I'm acknowledging things are worse for them, but this post is for mouse/keyboard players.

Mouse over macros for healing abilities won't set you back much. Given how little healing goes on you can still easily get your orange/pink parse with them. They're perfectly sufficient. Not ideal but absolutely, 100%, sufficient.

I realize it's totally possible to play well using the macros, but you also note that it isn't ideal. Why shouldn't this change be made?

[Shurrikhan]

I think your little jab towards controller players will make a lot of people resent your idea no matter how sound it is.

Controllers have different, but equally useful, solutions. See pre-cast snapping directable with one's joystick, for instance. (Hit Icarus, pan joystick towards an applicable target with the soft-target reticle noting current selection --which notes both angle and depth-- then confirm. Or hit and hold until release. Or even hit and use dual-indicators for ally and enemy and use RT-LT to cast to the enemy or ally in snap range, defaulting to target or target of target if none is soft-targetted. Etc., etc.)

Heck, there are a lot of functions that'd flat out work better on controller (see analog functions of any sort, two-stage buttons, etc.), so it's not as if any and all UI innovation will favor M&KB. Innovate on control systems wherever practical and let each setup acquire new advantages if that so happens; that's really not an issue, especially given how much our current barebone systems already favor M&KB.



Additionally, controllers would likely be more positively affected by certain shared QoL changes, like the ability to simultaneously hold one friendly and one unfriendly target (though with still just one or the other being the main target) such that on-friendly-only and on-unfriendly-only actions can be cast without hitting the Target Focus or Assist Target keys (which can typically be bound much more handily for M&KB). The last thing we need is for changes that can aid both being thwarted, down the line, over any camp-ism.

[Liam_Harper]

Not much to say here. I fully support this. Mouseover functionality as an option should definitely be a thing.

[ACE135]

Within 1 GCD, an Astrologian requires both the ability to quickly identify the correct target for your drawn card and the physical dexterity to select them with a click, before quickly switching your target back to the boss.

Just want to add that you also can select party members with the keyboard. With F1 through F8 I think.

[Arcadious]

Just want to add that you also can select party members with the keyboard. With F1 through F8 I think.

That's a fair point! But I thought about mentioning that in the OP but I've honestly never met anyone who does that.

I imagine it's probably more accurate than clicking, but at the end of the day it's the same number of inputs.

[Euphares]

I doubt most people will support this considering most people don't even know what a mouseover action does/how useful it is until they try it themselves. Which requires forbidden knowledge.


You get my bump + like though.

[Shurrikhan]

That's a fair point! But I thought about mentioning that in the OP but I've honestly never met anyone who does that.

I imagine it's probably more accurate than clicking, but at the end of the day it's the same number of inputs.

Personally, if I have a KB with my F1-4 keys near enough, I'll use Caps key (rebound to Ctrl) in place of F5-8.

Or, at present, I just use an MMO mouse with F1-3 for dungeoning. ~ for myself, F1 for first party member other than myself, etc. In raids, I'll just mouse over the DPS, but at least those give me quick binds to co-healer and either tank.