People who ask for marks in DF

[Supersomething]

I mark targets because not every dps class in this game is an AOE power house. In addition most pugs I have been in communicate hardly at all aside from maybe saying hello, and unless humans have developed a new sense of telepathy I like having some order and direction in my dungeon runs so I mark my desired kill order. Honestly the only time I would not mark is when I am with my FC in a full group because I can trust them to kill quickly and efficiently unlike many pugs.

I do not think it is such a terrible thing for pugs to ask for target marking, because they are probably asking so they can avoid the wrath of the Tank or Healer potentially chewing them out for pulling aggro and dying. Now in runs like CM or things of that nature I could understand the smaller need to mark but in other dungeons it is helpful.

[g1cbr]

play a range dps, and you'll know how annoying it can be when tanks dont mark target

[Karleguarth]

First I'd like to share my view on AoE kills vs 1-after-1 kills:

AoE kills may net each player more damage per skill used, but when the damage dealt on each individual mob is checked, it won't be quicker than a series of focused single target damage skills.
It means, 1-after-1 can reduce the overall damage dealt to the tank, in case no Sleep is used; Whereas AoE kills will have the tank reduce its HP throughout the fight with the full damage from all mobs.

[Karleguarth]

Marking the mobs before a fight not only make a sign for other members to know what's the order of kill, it also speed up the fight.. I'll provide some sequence example:
Without Marking:
1. Tank initiates
2. DDs target tank, use "Target's target", or check the game screen to target the tank's target manually.
3. DDs start fighting
4. Repeat

With marking:
1.Tank marks order number
2.The DDs had already targeted number 1, mages have their target set to 2 or onwards for sleep.
3.Tank initiates, DDs and mages can adjust their attack / sleep to register right after tank's action on their targets.
4.Mob 1 dies, immediate switching of targets from DDs to continue on mob 2.

Overall marking reduces a lot of idling time for whole party to waste on "Whats the tank gonna do next?" situations.

[Sebastien]

Isn't it awkward to use the Numpad? I'm assuming you take your hand off the mouse to do it.

As for OP, it hasn't been my experience that AOE is always faster. Actually, the only time that it seems *definitively* faster is when BRD's or SMN's are involved. (And in the SMN's case the dotted mob CAN be slept if needed/helpful.)

[Lumines]

That's a good point, what works for me may not for you! However, at this point it's gottten very natural and I don't really think about hand placemt when I mark, so I can't really comment on the awkwardness. I can see issues if you use something like a naga were all your abilities are on your mouse. I didn't even realize my hand would be off mouse until you pointed it out, the time it takes to mark is so short anyway.

[dark494]

...I don't even use a mouse. Keyboard only!

[Zumi]

Nobody in my FC marks mobs ever because I already explained it slows runs down. It just annoys me when random groups ask for this.

[Maku]

Nobody in my FC marks mobs ever because I already explained it slows runs down. It just annoys me when random groups ask for this.

Then don't do random groups. Problem solved.

AoE does not make fights faster though. Single target abilities all have much higher attack ratings and focus killing kills faster and is safer. In random groups even if you look at gear you can never be sure how skills the rest of the group is so playing safe is simple something you gota do or risk death and thus slowing your progression down. I always mark because it in fact makes things go faster.

[RapBreon]

Then don't do random groups. Problem solved.

AoE does not make fights faster though. Single target abilities all have much higher attack ratings and focus killing kills faster and is safer. In random groups even if you look at gear you can never be sure how skills the rest of the group is so playing safe is simple something you gota do or risk death and thus slowing your progression down. I always mark because it in fact makes things go faster.

Not to ruin your lovely sentiment, but there is a breakpoint where the combined potency on multiple targets > single potency. That break-point depends on class but is usually three. Packs usually come in three's (e.g Overpower on three targets is a potency of 390). No argument that focus firing is safer, but it's almost never faster on trash packs. And the more you pull the more your efficiency sky-rockets. If you always ride close to your maximum limit, the amount of time you can shave off is pretty crazy.

Personally, I only mark high value targets like Dullahans and Succubi, and that's mainly because I fear for the nubs getting hit by Iron Justice or Void Fira.