SMN is now the least popular caster again barely one expansion after its rework

[ZephyrMenodora]

The problem with this is that it's an assumption that BLM was reworked because it was the least popular. We don't know if that's why or if that's the only reason why.

They stated the reason. It’s cast times we’re interfering with combat design.

[Supersnow845]

They stated the reason. It’s cast times we’re interfering with combat design.

Yet BLM was not the least mobile class in the game

And their potency tweaks on PCT made new PCT less mobile than old BLM

When they can’t even apply their own balancing “logic” internally across all the classes it just comes off as fake and vapid

[Kaurhz]

They stated the reason. It’s cast times we’re interfering with combat design.

Honestly, I find their reasoning a bit bad...

BLM had a good amount of mobility, it just required some skill to do it effectively.. Which is OK in a video game, now they've just had it as effortless as humanly possible whilst also removing many of the fail states.

This is why they are never going to accomplish anything because any given implementation they go for... They always have to take something away from other classes.. "Ah we've gone with new fight design, so now we have to neuter part of a job kit"

[ZephyrMenodora]

Honestly, I find their reasoning a bit bad...

BLM had a good amount of mobility, it just required some skill to do it effectively.. Which is OK in a video game, now they've just had it as effortless as humanly possible whilst also removing many of the fail states.

This is why they are never going to accomplish anything because any given implementation they go for... They always have to take something away from other classes.. "Ah we've gone with new fight design, so now we have to neuter part of a job kit"

I was mostly responding to the person who couldn't find why they had done it, when they provided the rationale. If it was just a popularity thing they could have left everything alone and just threw out more potency until the effort BLM took was more worth the effort over EZmode Picto. Especially since many people will gravitate towards higher performing classes when it comes to higher-end raids, over casuals who may gravitate more towards easier to play classes.

I honestly do not love the direction. I play casters because I like to cast. I always liked the playstyle of Long Cast Times = Big Damage. Now the classes are just all feeling more and more alike.

[Jeeqbit]

I play casters because I like to cast. I always liked the playstyle of Long Cast Times = Big Damage. Now the classes are just all feeling more and more alike.

You know, I felt that way about Paladin when they had the casts removed from Holy Spirit. Sure it was slightly annoying, sometimes, but I loved that it was half-melee half-caster in Stormblood. It did feel good having all the Endwalker spells despite being instant cast, but it makes you wonder if it's still truly a spell if it has no cast. Isn't that what a spell is in an MMO?

[ZephyrMenodora]

You know, I felt that way about Paladin when they had the casts removed from Holy Spirit. Sure it was slightly annoying, sometimes, but I loved that it was half-melee half-caster in Stormblood. It did feel good having all the Endwalker spells despite being instant cast, but it makes you wonder if it's still truly a spell if it has no cast. Isn't that what a spell is in an MMO?

I didn't even like them lowering the cast on Holy - since it was always a spell that took a WHM long to cast. Just little flavor losses over time.

Sure, it's easier to use now, but it doesn't feel the same.