Aetherial Manipulation should be more like Shukuchi

[Kiokin]

None of those are bad though. One-Ilm Punch is godlike in PvP, Haymaker is really useful at low levels, and Arm of the Destroyer is a silence in Opo-opo Form (situational yeah, but still actually useful).

Because I want my level 45 job skill to be taken up by a PvP oriented ability in a game that launched with no PvP. Haymaker was of dubious use while leveling and moved straight to complete garbage at max level. Arm of the Destroyer is weaker than an auto attack and its silence is more work than its worth to use, just get someone else to do it.

[Clarkamite]

Because I want my level 45 job skill to be taken up by a PvP oriented ability in a game that launched with no PvP. Haymaker was of dubious use while leveling and moved straight to complete garbage at max level. Arm of the Destroyer is weaker than an auto attack and its silence is more work than its worth to use, just get someone else to do it.

While I tend to agree with everything you said, nothing beats the feeling of going into a T1 back in the day and everyone asking, "Who's got first silence?" or even the dreaded, "No BRD? Let's quit." and me simply saying as a Monk, "It's alright. I'll solo silence. Watch."

Then proceeding to solo silence every High Voltage. Very situational, yes, but you have to admit solo silencing on a monk feels pretty badass. At least they have that ability.

[Clarkamite]

Another way is
/action "Aetherial Manipulation" <4>
(target number 4 partymember on your list and it is usually WHM if you go with current 2 tank 2 healer)
If you wanna focus target something else.

I actually focus target my WHM most of the time anyways! Though recently started focus targeting our BRD in T12 since he moves in the second phase where I also want to be. Much easier to move across the map with the click of a button. Keeps my uptime on the boss high.

[Defteros]

I'm willing to bet, as is, Aetherial Manipulation is one of the least-used skills, below even Tri-Disaster.

[DarkLordCthulhu]

this sounds like "SE I don't know how to use Aetherial Manipulation correctly, pls nerf it so it suits my needs."

[whiskeybravo]

I'm willing to bet, as is, Aetherial Manipulation is one of the least-used skills, below even Tri-Disaster.

I use it all the time just for fun, macro to #4 so in the middle of turreting I just port over to the healer if 8-man or other dps if 4-man. Hard to say if it's ever actually saved me from anything (porting close to the healer has come in handy) but it's fun to just randomly slide across to room to say 'sup to whoever :P

[StouterTaru]

I have it macro'ed onto <2> to go to the tank, I'll use it in dungeons when I see myself about to pull hate with AoE.

The biggest issue is that most spell casts take up the full GCD, so if you need to dodge you have to start running anyway.

[Cynfael]

Mouseover macro.

So much this.

AM is incredibly clunky without the use of appropriate macros, and <mo> makes all the difference here.

[Maero]

I also use and have a macro for Aetherial Manipulation that uses a <2> or whichever party member at the time as i do change number from time to time.
It is actually fairly useful in certain fights

[NorthernLadMSP]

No. Just no. I actually hate having to use the circle AOE target on the NIN version. Much quicker to just target a person and use Aetherial.