[dev1022] Defining Auto-Attack and how it relates to MMORPG.

[Verecund]

Auto-Attack can be define as: The ability to use an action automatically on a target based on a predetermined time interval.

The reason we need to define this is because people ask for it without fully understanding it or what they truely want. Auto-Attack is neither fast or slow by nature but rather the time delay given to them. Two examples of this are as follows.

World of Warcraft: Fast paced combat based on the use of abilities rather than standard attack with fast cooldowns (seconds).
Final Fantasy XI: Slow paced combat based on standard attacks rather than abilities with slow cooldowns (minutes).

Now the question is do you want a fast paced battle system that burns through enemies quickly commonly dubbed "Tank and Gank" or a slower approach using tactics and strategy?

Hmm...



I fail to equate how having a more interesting, dynamic, and fast-paced battle system even equates to lack of strategy, just because "things are happening faster." Numbers can be changed.

Also, the WoW battle system has undergone millions and millions of changes.. the current system is incredibly more dynamic than its original system. Probably the biggest thing I've noticed is that each class's skill set has a sort of synergy... some skills do effects that feed into other skills, other skills generate a special secondary resource that can be tactically used depending on occasion (in FFXIV they use TP, but it is extremely generic by comparison... every class generates TP with their basic non-TP attacks, and there is no variation to the system among classes... it's all just 'TP')

Just because a system is more energetic and fast-paced doesn't mean everything in the game will be an insta-kill themepark ride. Numbers can (and should be) constantly tweaked and re-balanced to provide a good experience for the gamer. If anything, having more meaningful buttons to press would make what you have to actually do in the game more interesting.

(Though I think the biggest immediate downer to FFXIV's current system is the Stamina bar... which was mainly installed to stop hardcore grinders from clearing everything too fast, so no big surprise there I guess... )