Frontlines sucks Ultra megathread

[IDontPetLalas]

Play with friends =/= playing as coordinated premade

I might also queue with a friend or two from time to time, but when we do this, we play individually giving no extra focus or coordination with them than I would with any other random player. We don't religiously select our classes to make the classic DRK-DRG-RPR/GNB/WAR etc. combos, we won't focus our attention solely on launching coordinated LB attacks with each other and will instead play as part of the wider team, and we don't abuse a discord chat to deliver instantaneous attacks.

Playing as a random team, as much as you may try to coordinate things (utilising vokes etc.), there tends to be a few moments delay in which the DPS see the DRK begin the run in to voke and their LB cast. And these casts vary across the DPS depending on CD, cast, and how quickly they noticed the DRK. All of these delays, while only tiny, give the opponent the chance to Purify/Recuperate/Guard/run, resulting in a lower death count. In most premades, obviously this is not the case, with attacks being delivered practically instantaneously

Sure, that's one way of "playing with friends" however the way you described the way you - "play with friends", and my l "play with friends" in other games was quite different. It was a coordinated, static premade often using voice comm .

So I'm aware of various types, and the degree of effectiveness that various modes of communication can have in coordinating attacks. That is just part of the reason ly why I have stated multiple times in the past that all premades are not equal. That is why I don't have a major issue with the current way that premades are included in FL.

Also, what you neglect to mention is that as most people group with friends over time they do tend to recognize each other's habits and become more effective- which gives them an advantage. I would expect that give your premade advantage as well if you group together regularly enough.

[Scintilla]

snip

Yes, I was just trying to highlight that there was different ways of 'playing with friends', some which involved being a coordinated premade and some which didn't. If you like to play alongside friends, it shouldn't be assumed that that automatically means you have to play as a coordinated premade would. It's perfectly possible to play with friends without falling into the category of 'premade' which many players take issue with.

And I agree communication methods and being familiar with those in your team matters too. As you say, premades are not all identical: some are easier to work around than others depending on these factors.

Where we seem to differ, though, is how much of an impact we feel such teams have on FL as a whole.
I feel that these coordinated premade teams have a very negative impact on FL. The strength of this impact does obviously vary based on the approach of the premade (classes used, voice chat used or not etc.) but, from my own experiences, the effects on the wider FL community remains negative. My apologies if I'm wrong, but you don't seem to feel this to be the case.

While I can add my voice to highlight the issues from my experiences, I'm afraid I cannot really offer a solution. I would be sad to see FL team sizes reduced or for party queues to be stopped. That said, I don't feel that it would be good to leave things as they are currently.

[Mawlzy]

.

While I can add my voice to highlight the issues from my experiences, I'm afraid I cannot really offer a solution. I would be sad to see FL team sizes reduced or for party queues to be stopped. That said, I don't feel that it would be good to leave things as they are currently.

Like you, I don't want to remove players' ability to queue with friends. Any reduction in playstyle options is a step back. Thus by far my preferred solution is to have separate queues for solo players and parties. The usual objection is that this would lengthen queue times. On Aether at least, this would not be an issue for the solo queue. I can see the party queue being more of an issue, but that's not entirely clear since it's hard to determine how many players currently queue with friends rather than an oppressive premade. SE, of course, does have that data.

Further, if there was a party queue, I'm convinced many current solo players would try it. Indeed it might even help Olivia's dream of having many skilled premades all following her guide and producing high-quality matches. I'd certainly attempt to form a semi-static and participate.

But then again, is this really what current premades want? Would they be happy moving from seal clubbing solo randos to testing their wits on a level playing field against other premades? That 55% win-rate is going to be hard to maintain. And sometimes you might even have to step back and let someone else command the team. Hmmm.

[OliviaLugria]

But then again, is this really what current premades want? Would they be happy moving from seal clubbing solo randos to testing their wits on a level playing field against other premades? That 55% win-rate is going to be hard to maintain. And sometimes you might even have to step back and let someone else command the team. Hmmm.

Lol, I doubt they would exposit the golden land that is JP FL and que sync together if they didn't want better quality games. Some groups do just want to grind their achievements and roll over others. They have crystal for now, but I'd prefer that this just wasn't an option for them. I don't know why you're jabbing at me though XD. I have my guide posted everywhere relevant, and try to spread the good word. I'd keep it to myself if I just wanted to farm easy wins. Finally, my FC is focused on FL commanding so I don't have to command (please get good at calling so I can dance and black mage, thank you everyone.)


Guide Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing

[Mawlzy]

Lol, I doubt they would exposit the golden land that is JP FL and que sync together if they didn't want better quality games. Some groups do just want to grind their achievements and roll over others. They have crystal for now, but I'd prefer that this just wasn't an option for them. I don't know why you're jabbing at me though XD. I have my guide posted everywhere relevant, and try to spread the good word. I'd keep it to myself if I just wanted to farm easy wins. Finally, my FC is focused on FL commanding so I don't have to command (please get good at calling so I can dance and black mage, thank you everyone.)


Guide Link: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/

My "jabbing" is hopefully perceived more as friendly banter than malice. I suspect I do it because I regard your guide as a menace that will take FL into a worse place. I've presented my reasons, you disagree. All good.