Why the netcode issue exists, and why it cannot be fixed.

[Sinth]

When you hit spacebar (or whatever you mapped jump to) your character immediately jumps. If it was controlled by the server you would lag between when hit you space bar and when you jump. There's nothing unusual with the way your client renders any of the information. The only thing unusual about this game is that server gets to call all shots.

No. Your character jumps on your screen, but does not immediately jump on the server. Whereas, in the client live-state you hit the space bar, and when the command resolves with the server, you then jump on your screen.

Basically speaking, everything you see on your screen is a lie. None of it is real-time on your screen (except for maybe turning your camera angle, which is not negotiated by the server).

But there's no way this is true. That'd mean we'd have cases where you pop an invulnerability ability (say, Ice Block), have its CD charged, and still die. Can you imagine the amount of crying in a PvP forum if there's even a slightly chance that you use your 'save self' ability only to see it not only not work, but you're charged the CD for using it? So the only conclusion is that other games do not use the same kind of design.

You can test this on your own by saturating your connection (start a bunch of downloads). When you hit an ability, the animation instantly goes off, however, the cooldown is not proc'd until the server responds. You can sit and spam abilities that would normally have a 2 minute cooldown repeatedly (while seeing their animations) until the server receives the information and tells your client to pop the CD timer.