We lost 70% of our player base half a year in

[VeyaAkemi]

You know you can literally play this game on controller right ? The fact a game like PoE has the same amount of buttons as an MMORPG doesnt bother you ?

Of all problems the combat has, number of buttons being used isn't it, do consider that BLM is agreed to be the most complex job in the game, and it uses some of the fewest buttons used, and I personally don't think using more buttons would make anything better, because... well let me give a small bit of context.

I am a tiny woman, I am 157cm tall, which roughly translates to 5'1" and a fraction(like, 0.8 of an inch?) in Imperial, I have tiny hands, and I need to strain my hand to reach 5 on my keyboard's top row while also keeping reach of WASD to move on a moment's notice, more buttons than most jobs use could push into making the game unplayable for me, or at least push me to outright not use a portion of my kit on every job, which would be very bad and disatisfactory to me, far worse than what we currently have

I just don't think that the number of buttons the game uses is the issue, especially when games like GW2 manage to have substantially more complex gameplay than FFXIV with only 10 skill buttons ever(though in part because the weapon swap allows you to effectively have 15 skills with those 10 buttons), rather the issue is extreme rigidity in rotations where there is an optimal way to do most things and save for extremely externuating circumstances, the flow will always be the same, and that this flow tends to be rather similar between jobs, that's, from my understanding, the core of people's complaints.

[EgilTheStressedMage]

I know exactly what I want, and it's to not repeat the same rotations regardless of class, in the same exact dungeons, in the same exact order, with 0 randomness or failure. The only variable in any of these dungeons is how quickly they're finished, nothing else matters. Everything is scripted and simple, just how a bot would prefer it. So who are we really making these dungeons for? lol

If anyone finds that fun to repeat, they likely have a very boring and scripted life. Because these dungeons are 100% pre-designed to just be a waste of time and nothing more.

What version of Earth do you live on where no one dies or messes up ever in video games? Because that sure as hell isn't on my planet. I see at least one death or vuln stack in every single one of my roulette sessions. I calculate on every encounter the best times to use Ley Lines. I can't stick to a rotation because aoes exist and they force me to break them every time so I improvise. You mention that this is what a bot would prefer yet you seem to be the one sticking to every single button The Balance tells you to, Weakness and Brink of Death be damned, while I adjust when needed. Not a waste of time, I learn and come up with new ways of optimization every time without consulting The Balance.

[R041]

What version of Earth do you live on where no one dies or messes up ever in video games? Because that sure as hell isn't on my planet. I see at least one death or vuln stack in every single one of my roulette sessions. I calculate on every encounter the best times to use Ley Lines. I can't stick to a rotation because aoes exist and they force me to break them every time so I improvise. You mention that this is what a bot would prefer yet you seem to be the one sticking to every single button The Balance tells you to, Weakness and Brink of Death be damned, while I adjust when needed. Not a waste of time, I learn and come up with new ways of optimization every time without consulting The Balance.

You're probably the one dying? Regardless, even if someone dies 1/10 roulettes, that doesn't mean it's engaging. They probably just fell asleep doing their 2-3 button AoE rotation on a pack.. You also don't need to look at guides, rotations are all 95% pre-determined. Just like the hallways.

Again, I'm glad you find it fun. I only wish I could be excited for plain white bread every morning.

[Atelier-Bagur]

FFXIV is Street Fighter where all characters are sub-versions of Ryu. They're basically all Shotoclones that are good at everything.

hit the nail on the head with that analogy haha

[Amenara]

More buttons doesnt equal complexity or depth. Its why you can have a game like Street Fighter be relatively easy to play with less moves to memorize but still have a layer of depth in how to properly use them.

The problem is that FFXIV's combat design isnt deep enough to warrant the simple job design to be fun.

100% agree. I have been playing fury warrior in wow and the rotation is very simplistic but because of how fast the job plays and how good it feels when I pop my CDs and melt groups of mobs it is fun to play for me. I really want SE to go back and completely revamp combat again and make it so we can have a job whose rotation is largely reactive and less static. Give us jobs with actual priority rotations that change based on your ability CDs instead of static combos that you spam till the fight is over.

[EgilTheStressedMage]

You're probably the one dying? Regardless, even if someone dies 1/10 roulettes, that doesn't mean it's engaging. They probably just fell asleep doing their 2-3 button AoE rotation on a pack.. You also don't need to look at guides, rotations are all 95% pre-determined. Just like the hallways.

Again, I'm glad you find it fun. I only wish I could be excited for plain white bread every morning.

Why do you have to be so damn rude?

[R041]

Why do you have to be so damn rude?

Mama didn't raise me right. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Atelier-Bagur]

100% agree. I have been playing fury warrior in wow and the rotation is very simplistic but because of how fast the job plays and how good it feels when I pop my CDs and melt groups of mobs it is fun to play for me. I really want SE to go back and completely revamp combat again and make it so we can have a job whose rotation is largely reactive and less static. Give us jobs with actual priority rotations that change based on your ability CDs instead of static combos that you spam till the fight is over.

I absolutely understand where you are coming from as Ive been intoxicated with how fun and adrenaline rush Fury Warrior is. The priority CDs doesnt need to be long or complex either, but at least give on the fly priorities to which buttons and combos you do to keep the rotation less static and also get majorly rewarded with getting into your burst window (that doesnt involve aligning everyone else's in a 2 minute window mind you)

[EgilTheStressedMage]

Mama didn't raise me right. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

She also didn't tell you how to engage in a discussion either.

[R041]

She also didn't tell you how to engage in a discussion either.

You just keep comin' back huh? Must be boring in those roulettes. Be sure to get your homework done while you're at it.