Post-patch AOE indicators are too distracting

[ShadowDan]

Like some others, I found the new indicators somewhat annoying in my first runs after the patch. But it did not take me long to get used to them and I much prefer them now. The timing of the pulses is totally irrelevent. If you're in it, get out. The pulse is there to catch your eye, so you'll notice it even if you fail to spot the colour, which is quite hard to miss.

Overall, i'd say good job with this change, devs.

[Senfei]

I'm still confused about the "timing" aspect of the pulses people have mentioned. I don't know about you, but my timing upon seeing an AOE is "GTFO".

[EasymodeX]

Tank is my primary, BLM secondary, WHM tertiary. There is rarely a good reason to stay inside an AoE regardless of class though.

No: good tanks and mDPS will move back into position immediately. Immediately means moving back in when the indicator is fading but when it is still visible. However, with the pulsing AOE animation, the timing of when the AOE is complete is now conflicted between the fade animation and the pulse animation (e.g. the pulse animation distracts from the fade animation). You now have 2 different animations that intuitively disagree with each other and tell the player different things.

This also becomes relevant for multiple AOE mechanics where you need to move out of zone A, then move back into zone A to avoid the mechanic in zone B. This can be observed in Titan EX (although for that fight the zones are invisible bomb explosions, not the strobing indicators -- in other new content like Leviathan or Turn 6-9, I would not be surprised when multiple indicators are placed next to each other).

Bottom line: the fade-out and expiration of the indicator zone is much less clear with the random strobing introduced in the patch. It needs to be synchronized with the spellcast in some fashion or removed entirely. If not, then the strobing needs to be able to be toggled off because as it stands it makes the indicator timing less clear than it was pre-patch.

[Arkghyom]

Too flashy! Please remove it!

[NyssaElf]

I do like the animation, it's funny when its multiple enemies with round attacks.. Woo look at the pretty ripples its like wate....oh crap

[Lullololita]

The only thing I don't like about it is if it's a full room AoE (like the final boss of Haukke Manor) it really hurts my eyes for some reason.

[Yukiko]

If the design is good or bad, we can discuss...
But: They have added it now means they fixed the big problems and are now adding stuff we already had in ALPHA/BETA...
That alone lets me hope the fixed quest tracker will be added soon too!

[whiskeybravo]

Hmm.. I really like the new indicators, they stand out much better. As for the pulsing/fading, none of the enemies attacks changed so the casting time is still the same, exp. players should have a feel of when to move in and out already.

[Tridus1x]

AOE changes are great. Quite a few color-blind people in my FC are loving it, I personally love the new look as well. It's not distracting at all.

[Phaydra]

I like the new AOE indicators. People stop being so resistant to change. This is an improvement. The fact they distract you means they are doing their job. Stop being selfish as well. This change is not for you. It's for colorblind people who pay the same monthly fees as you and were having a hard time seeing a game feature.