Thread: So... Why IS the GCD 2.5 seconds?

Not that I mind (though I did pick monk specifically to negate it, kind of,) I was just curious where the decision came from.

Was it because of PS3/4? Or is it like a thing that the eastern market prefers? Or is it supposed to be like a minor callback to other FF turn-based stuff?

Juuust curious!

No. It's because filling your TP bar to 1000 before you could launch a weapon skill wasn't cool enough.

This was argued to death in the beta testing, but I think the general idea is that they didn't want a button-mashing spamfest. 2.5 seconds gives you time to dodge during the GCD so you really aren't losing much time on major boss fights like Titan Ex, Twin, etc.

Originally Posted by Ulathskullsplitter

Because the original 3 seconds in beta was deemed too long. So we got 2.5 seconds.

jesus friggin christ. thank god that was dimmied down.
tbh when i get in the grove as a pgl/mnk i just wanna keep going but the GCD is a setback ...
i still spam my buttons anyone coz im waitinf for the CD to go off. XD

Honestly I prefer it to my WoW Rogue and Warrior.

Originally Posted by Eissels

Not that I mind (though I did pick monk specifically to negate it, kind of,) I was just curious where the decision came from.

Was it because of PS3/4? Or is it like a thing that the eastern market prefers? Or is it supposed to be like a minor callback to other FF turn-based stuff?

Juuust curious!

It's one of the reasons I prefer monk. The 2.5 se4c global isn't too bad but there are problems with it. When tanking it can limit your responsiveness to things if you have to wait for a global.

T

Originally Posted by Shake0615

This was argued to death in the beta testing, but I think the general idea is that they didn't want a button-mashing spamfest. 2.5 seconds gives you time to dodge during the GCD so you really aren't losing much time on major boss fights like Titan Ex, Twin, etc.

The combo melee classes feel like that already, although monk positioning makes it more interesting. The buff to BLM was sort of related to that. This game is basically a dodge game and that's not an issue but if you're on a long cast and just before the end you have to move it's infuriating and a massive waste of damage.

Personally I think the 2.5s GCD exists so that healers using a controller can compete with those using a mouse and keyboard. If the GCD was short then 'tabbing' through the party list with the controller would likely put the average user at a disadvantage compared to a mouse and keyboard user. I find the GCD pretty excessive as a DPS since for the most part I already know what I am going to press next and this results in spamming the next button more than I do on other MMOs but maybe that's just me.

Originally Posted by Eissels

Not that I mind (though I did pick monk specifically to negate it, kind of,) I was just curious where the decision came from.

Was it because of PS3/4? Or is it like a thing that the eastern market prefers? Or is it supposed to be like a minor callback to other FF turn-based stuff?

Juuust curious!

Alpha and beta testing found it to be the sweet spot.

It was deemed the best time in the Beta and it beat the old way (in 1.#) where you could burn all your TP then be stuck auto-attacking for a few minutes while your TP recovered. That or a Bard could use the TP song. In fact, Bards were more useful as Bards in 1.#. Would I want that back, hell no.