2 minute meta: Rework or Remove?

[SargeTheSeagull]

For me, I'd go option 2. As far as I can tell there are really only three jobs whose fantasy is built around buffing allies (DNC, BRD, SCH) and the whole "buff allies" thing has been spread to so many jobs that it seems to have lost all thematic punch. I mean if I were a FF fan (who hadn't played 14) and were asked "name a job who's all about buffing allies" i probably wouldn't say ninja or dragoon or red mage. Beyond that, it also seems like the issue isn't so much the timing of raid buffs but more the volume of them. If there were only two or three in the game total then screwing up a buff window wouldn't be such a big deal. On top of that it also seems like raid buffs are stifling job design more than aiding it. You can't really have a job without a burst window anymore and though a lot of people like that, i don't think the point of having multiple classes in an MMO is so you can pick your favorite VFX to see every two minutes.

[Valence]

For me, I'd go option 2. As far as I can tell there are really only three jobs whose fantasy is built around buffing allies (DNC, BRD, SCH) and the whole "buff allies" thing has been spread to so many jobs that it seems to have lost all thematic punch. I mean if I were a FF fan (who hadn't played 14) and were asked "name a job who's all about buffing allies" i probably wouldn't say ninja or dragoon or red mage. Beyond that, it also seems like the issue isn't so much the timing of raid buffs but more the volume of them. If there were only two or three in the game total then screwing up a buff window wouldn't be such a big deal. On top of that it also seems like raid buffs are stifling job design more than aiding it. You can't really have a job without a burst window anymore and though a lot of people like that, i don't think the point of having multiple classes in an MMO is so you can pick your favorite VFX to see every two minutes.

So, if I get it correctly, because you feel it's too punishing to miss a buff, or play within those, or align too many jobs having them, which can be valid arguments, you want to just nuke the whole concept instead of reworking or adjusting it? Do you work for SE? Because it kinda feels like you're advocating for what they've been doing since ShB with the removal of things with no real addition or compensation behind...

I really don't see the problem with buffs, because frankly them being on 2min timers or staggered all around is a fake debate on what actually matters to my eyes (mechanical intricacy), but I could definitely remove all the little buffs that are just "press that button on cooldown", and focus on working on more intricate ones on the actual buffing jobs (DNC, BRD, and yes MCH), which would probably fix/address rphys's identity crisis in the process.

Bring back stuff like Foe Requiem and buffs that are actually more than just "press this every 2min kthx". Radiant Finale went in the right direction, but it still remains a fire and forget button unfortunately. But even if you still want to use those buffs at certain specific intervals, it's already something if they require some manner of class kit interaction to build up and activate.


Edit: I actually like the idea of having adjustable buff gauges for a more restricted amount of buffing jobs (all of rphys notably), which would for example allow casting the buff at half gauge or less, but casting it at full gauge would obviously bring bigger buffs. You know which gauge worked very well for that, was flexible on demand, and offered tactical play and team coordination? The... MP bar on bard for Requiem. Make us use our MP again ffs, else why do we even have those bars?