Will Auto attack be implemented?

[Jennero]

I just want a firm answer on if it will be in the game or not. I saw on the producer's letter it is possible. Probably need to overhaul the whole battle system and add delays. Seems like a a lot of work to be put in for it.

[Gokulo]

Most of the things need a lot of work at the moment to make the game more enjoyable and playable. But they seem to understand that and are really trying.

I'm all for auto-attack myself.

[Zahak]

I am up for auto attack only if it's faster than XI's auto attack.

[Xeno]

They're overhauling the battle system right now and we should expect to see a patch in two months. With that said, I hope auto-attack is one of the features that is included in that update. However, I really hope it's not as slow as FFXI's auto-attack because FFXIV's battle is faster than that of FFXI's.

[KorakeGorgon]

If they do implement auto-attack, I'm hoping that Haste from FFXI will make a return.
You might say XI had slow auto-attack, especially for 2H fighters, but it gets so much faster with Haste equipment and spell buffs.

I'd really like the same system of Weapon Delay for XIV, it would make more weapons unique too, as they would vary with delay and TP gain per hit. It opens up new tactics for equipping yourself.

[Powercow]

I'm of two minds about the whole autoattack thing.

Like anything in FFXIV that's unique, it'd be sad to see it go, but it might be for the better. The implementation of it would significantly enhance class uniqueness (i.e. letting a Marauder feel like they're swinging slow and powerful swings because the swings are actually slow and powerful) and would make balancing a bit easier (autoattack speed would make a great "tuning knob" for class balance, to quote a developer from another game.)

Lastly, while it would require a complete overhaul (which is coming either way), it could allow the developers to better balance things like Weapon Skills and abilities from the stamina bar.

I just really, really, REALLY hope the stamina bar doesn't go the way of the dodo (and I don't mean killed for a leve, I mean extinct). It's one of the most unique and interesting things about this game and it has a lot of potential with abilities and weapon skills, even if basic attacks are removed from the stamina bar. It could even have more potential without things like Heavy Strike or Light Slash.
I also really hope it's not the lazy way out with "okay, autoattack is now simply Heavy Strike being used constantly until you toggle it off, and it's just gonna eat through your stamina bar." That would be awful.

((the title of this post is me trying to figure out the tagging system for the forums))

[Colino]

I'm of two minds about the whole autoattack thing.

Like anything in FFXIV that's unique, it'd be sad to see it go, but it might be for the better. The implementation of it would significantly enhance class uniqueness (i.e. letting a Marauder feel like they're swinging slow and powerful swings because the swings are actually slow and powerful) and would make balancing a bit easier (autoattack speed would make a great "tuning knob" for class balance, to quote a developer from another game.)

Lastly, while it would require a complete overhaul (which is coming either way), it could allow the developers to better balance things like Weapon Skills and abilities from the stamina bar.

I just really, really, REALLY hope the stamina bar doesn't go the way of the dodo (and I don't mean killed for a leve, I mean extinct). It's one of the most unique and interesting things about this game and it has a lot of potential with abilities and weapon skills, even if basic attacks are removed from the stamina bar. It could even have more potential without things like Heavy Strike or Light Slash.
I also really hope it's not the lazy way out with "okay, autoattack is now simply Heavy Strike being used constantly until you toggle it off, and it's just gonna eat through your stamina bar." That would be awful.

((the title of this post is me trying to figure out the tagging system for the forums))

Completely agreed.

I think auto-attack is a necessity at this point mostly because of the social aspect. As it is it's extremely difficult to communicate with team mates while in battle. And while their is a battle system overhaul on it's way I also hope they don't get rid of stamina bars because they're really unique and contribute to class and skill balancing greatly.

[DeadRiser]

I used to be against the whole auto attack thing, but WHATEVER can balance out parties and make battles last longer has my vote. I'm sick of the zerg fests in this game

[Surian]

I feel it would not be a very enjoyable feature to include.

At the moment we can pace our own attack speed by use of Stamina. You either blow through it, making some quick attacks, or you save up stamina by not unleashing as many standard attacks so you can use that stamina on more special attacks right after each other.

This adds a sense of tactics, planning ahead and in general makes you feel more like you're the one performing the actions. I personally feel that Auto-Attack would severely hinder that. In general, it would mean that the Stamina feature this game has would cease to exist. There's very little fun to be had in just engaging an opponent and having everything be done for you, regardless of it being more battle efficient.

[Lonni_Bonni]

The simplest way to introduce auto attack is via a macro: /autoattack on or off. With it on, your character only auto attacks the default normal attack when Stamina is at 100%. The player may, if they wish, manually speed up the normal attacks if they click the Heavy/Light attack commands.

It's really the best of both worlds. And it's plain and simple. You can turn it off or on to your liking. And you can even speed it up to your liking. Keep in mind, this mechanic still depends on the Stamina bar to function.

-Lonni