Why are skill speed & spell speed separate stats?

[Giantbane]

These are the only two secondary stats (i'm not counting parry here) that don't effect all abilities. Why is that?

Accuracy - works on physical attacks & spells
Crit - works on physical attacks, spells & heals
Det - works on physical attacks, spells & heals
Skill speed - only physical attacks?
Spell speed - only spells?

Is there some reason for this?

Obviously it's not a huge issue, but it is weird. If they were one stat, at least the skill speed materia would be more valuable. Also, it's mildly annoying on my PLD that any gear that happens to have skill speed doesn't work on Flash, Sword Oath or Shield Oath.

[Baneus]

Because "reasons". Probably the same "reasons" that Fisher doesn't have an offhand and no use for GP.

[TheRogueX]

Because "reasons". Probably the same "reasons" that Fisher doesn't have an offhand and no use for GP.

The same "reasons" that they just decided to ignore damage types (elemental especially), but left all the resistances? The same "reasons" behind why they completely negate physical/magical defense (and thus negate defense-boosting skills) and remove all utility of aggro-controlling abilities in PvP yet still require a (completely worthless) tank in the party for Wolves' Den?

[Nicobo]

These are the only two secondary stats (i'm not counting parry here) that don't effect all abilities. Why is that?...

I think that is just bcoz the abilities are base on TP (Weapon Skill) or MP (Magic Spell).
For example when a WAR cannot use WS, he still can cast Flash.

Skill Speed reduces the GCD and Spell Speed reduces the casting time.
Flash, sword/shield oath are instant cast spells, I think Spell Speed also no effect on them.

[Baneus]

The same "reasons" that they just decided to ignore damage types (elemental especially), but left all the resistances? The same "reasons" behind why they completely negate physical/magical defense (and thus negate defense-boosting skills) and remove all utility of aggro-controlling abilities in PvP yet still require a (completely worthless) tank in the party for Wolves' Den?

Yes. Those "reasons".

[Giantbane]

I think that is just bcoz the abilities are base on TP (Weapon Skill) or MP (Magic Spell).
For example when a WAR cannot use WS, he still can cast Flash.

Skill Speed reduces the GCD and Spell Speed reduces the casting time.
Flash, sword/shield oath are instant cast spells, I think Spell Speed also no effect on them.

Well, yea I get how it's working now.

I don't understand why there's not one single stat "Speed" that reduces both GCD and cast time. Every other secondary stat works on all skills, whether they're based on TP or MP.

[Nicobo]

Well, yea I get how it's working now.

I don't understand why there's not one single stat "Speed" that reduces both GCD and cast time. Every other secondary stat works on all skills, whether they're based on TP or MP.

I think you have answered the question by mentioning Flash for example.
If flash is affected by Skill Speed, then you may cast it more frequently, apparently the system was designed to restrcit you to do that. ^^

[Grey_Cain]

I think you have answered the question by mentioning Flash for example.
If flash is affected by Skill Speed, then you may cast it more frequently, apparently the system was designed to restrcit you to do that. ^^

Well, no, because you can still stack Spell Speed to cast Flash more frequently; it's just harder to do because tank gear tends to come with only Skill Speed. To your previous example, instant-cast spells like Aero and Scathe still benefit from the GCD reduction, so there isn't really any difference between the two stats except one is for spells and the other is for weapon skills. BRD songs are another example where they have to separate stacking between Skill Speed and Spell Speed (if they actually wanted to) to get GCD reductions on all of their abilities.

[Barboron]

yet still require a (completely worthless) tank in the party for Wolves' Den?

Some tanks are pretty good in PvP. Sure there's no enmity control but PLDs do Crowd Control/Protector while Marauder are the Single Target Control/DPS

[Rikkustrife]

because skills are restricted by the gcd, and spells are restricted by their cast time