Gameplay lacking excitement?

[Phr3nic]

So, after a while of playing the game I think that the game is a bit... well, luckluster, maybe even outright boring. I do not mean to flame, mind you. Rather, I want to ask if I'm the only one feeling like this about the game.

While I haven't arrived at endgame yet and understand well that the early levels aren't as challenging so casuals can get into the game as well, in my book there's just NO challenge at all mid-game, at least as a DPS.

Archer I can play with one hand, having to press merely 3 buttons and sometimes a forth while waiting for the huge GCD. I don't even have to look at the screen really, but can without much effort watch some cartoons on the side. While this may change with bosses being heavier on mechanics, the general "wait... button... wait..." scheme stays the same, since there won't be that many new skills to come that are really useful (except for BRD spells which are situational).

Then, BLM is hugely the same. Stand still, spam fire, transpose, spam ice and refresh thunder. This will only get "more challenging" by adding firestarter and thundercloud procs. Also, with rather long casttimes having to dodge an AoE just means no damage for 3-5 seconds. That's not challenging, that's just bad design, as those aoes aren't that predictable.

Even playing as a healer isn't that challenging. You mostly stand around and heal or do a bit of damage as well and while some of my guildmates told me that endgame content will be heavier on boss mechanics I can't help but feel like the combat itself is quite boring. On the other hand, I used to play games with action combat like TERA and Vindictus before, so maybe I'm just a bit spoiled.


What do you guys think? Is the combat system fine or not, and if so, how could it be improved? Do you think small changes like lower GCD are enough or that fighting had to be completely revamped to get better?

Personally, I still think the game is fun, however I am progress oriented and love me a good challenge, whereas the game is designed to be friendlier towards casual players. I think getting rid of the tab targeting and replacing it with action combat would be amazing (what is this, 2003?), mostly because I highly dislike evade rate as a stat. Or rather, I think that gameplay styles like those in FF14 are mostly a comparison of stats. It's the same in Skyrim for example. You hit a mob, mob hits you, and if your stats and gear are good enough you win. There's just not that much skill involved. Completely reworking this game aspect is practically impossible though, so yeah. Maybe making the combat faster by reducing GCD and cast times might be a change for good.
Also, I want to note again (just to be sure) that I haven't yet done endgame content, so please consider this before yelling at me

[Cold_Raven]

While I haven't arrived at endgame yet and understand well that the early levels aren't as challenging so casuals can get into the game as well, in my book there's just NO challenge at all mid-game, at least as a DPS.

You are true.
When you are a low-level DPS (<40 or so...) you simply do not have that many skills and it can be boring.

Being tank or healer can make this area of leveling more interesting because there's more going on.
But for DPS, yeah, you just need to level up and get your skills.

...which is part of the fun of an RPG, learning your skills as your character grows in power.
I never found it boring, but I like RPGs.

Maybe RPGs aren't for you?

You hit a mob, mob hits you, and if your stats and gear are good enough you win.

Again, yeah... that's pretty much the formula for any RPG.
In non-RPG games, it's simply "if you hit the buttons in the right order/time, you win."
Some games have combinations of both.

The point isn't to make all games something you find fun.
The point is to find what's fun for you, and move in that direction. Don't worry, there's lots of people who like many different things. There will be lots of people who like the same thing you do, just figure it out and move in that direction.

[Phr3nic]

...which is part of the fun of an RPG, learning your skills as your character grows in power.

True, except that you have most skills you need at level 20-30. Afterwards you still get a useful skill or two, but the base is pretty much set.
I'll just use BLM as an example because that's what I main. At level 28 you're set in regards to gameplay mechanics. You got your fire and ice aoe spells, can stack UI/AF to two and have Thundercloud, which implements the "proc = dmg burst" mechanic of blackmages. At that time, there's nothing new to learn about how to play your character, basically. Firaga and Icega change your rotation slightly so you don't use transpose anymore, and firestarter adds a second proc to watch out for while playing, but those are just adding to mechanics you've already been introduced to, namely transpose and thundercloud.

I think after this point - after the player knows about the mechanics of their class - it is time to give them something new, either a playground to use the skills they've acquired or introduce them to something new: bossmechanics. Tank'n'spank is boring, so why not make fights exciting. Apparently this is the case in endgame, so that's something at least...

Also, I want to add that RPGs do not have to be your standard turn-based fighting style. There can be action. A lot of it, actually. Just take a look at Mass Effect or EYE: Divine Cybermancy. Those are shooters and yet are to be classified as RPGs.
The thing that bothers me about FF14 is just that it requires you to pay little to no attention. Like seriously, after a while you get the hang of when to change from fire to ice and back as a BLM, so all I would really need are 2 small LEDs to tell me when Thundercloud/Firestarter procced. That's just... UGH! One step further into that direction and you're already at "press X to win".

Maybe RPGs aren't for you?

Oh, they are. I can look back at about 7 years of playing MMORPGs now. Heck, my first game back on the SNES was an RPG and it got me hooked even back then. The thing is, with singleplayer rpgs that are turn based or leaning towards it you usally get to control a whole group of people, which allows for tactical gameplay. Who should heal whom, and when? Should I focus all my chars on mob X, or maybe let one of em hit mob Y as well because the others can take X out just fine... ya know, stuff like that. Thing is, that doesn't work with an MMO, because the different jobs are split up. Player 1 gets to decide who gets healed, Player 2 has to focus on keeping the mobs' aggro, which are fun and challenging, because you actually have something to do and need to be constantly aware of the situation. Whereas as a DPS, you sit around drooling, hitting your buttons at an awfully slow speed and all the thinking you have to do is watch a proc or position yourself to the side/back as a meelee.


Let ranged DPS have skillshots that you actually have to aim with your mouse, maybe even hit specific parts of your enemy for bonus damage or let them move while casting (or at least reduce casttime. 2,5s wtf??), give the tank a block ability that has to be timed because it only gives a few iframes but the mobs hit harder so you actually have to block (blocking will cost TP though) and let their attack restore TP so you can't just block forever as a tank, but need to look for openings and attack in between your blocks. Now THAT would be something.

[BellaEyria]

Real challenges are lvl 50 primal trials, some dungeons and raids. Really.
leveling 1-50 is kind of a very long tutorial, and I must admit that it can be boring. Do your story line (if you did not already) as this is the one which will unlock all cool stuff later (so you are not late in your story line when you hit 50).
I know it can be frustrating to wait that long but I think the game was designed like this to allow casual gamers, and even people for who this is the very first MMO (PS3 and PS4 players mainly) to learn how MMO work (the other day I met a new player playing a tank, he did not even know what a tank was or what he was meant to do, did not know what enmity was and did not know much in general... he was level 28 and he was so thankful that I explained all of this to him. He said that people were always insulting him because he was "doing his job" but no one ever told him what it was...)

Let the game another chance and when you are about to kill EX primals (first ones are considered easy but then next ones are harder and harder) you will be able to judge if the game is really not for you I think
When you hit level 50 it is not the end of the game at all, you got a lot of things to do and trials to unlock and of course to win :]

[Sentinillia]

the game is designed to be friendlier towards casual players.

Isn't it a bit early for you to make such a statement? Considering, like every other MMO out there, the real game starts at maximum level.

A lot of the points you have made have to do with the design of the job you've chosen, Black Mages come down to properly managing your cooldowns and procs in the heat of battle rather than keeping tabs on a rotation like most other DPS jobs in the game. BLM also lacks off-GCD abilities that other jobs have to manage while staying true to their rotation. Firestarter and Thundercloud procs are on an instant cast and you can also utilize Swiftcast for when you are forced to move to dodge aoe. BLM is more about being able to never stop casting in order to maximize DPS. Believe it or not but a half decent BLM is really hard to come by a lot of the time because of how much awareness it requires.

If you're finding the game dull (which many people not familiar with the intricacies BLM often do), I suggest you try out another job that is more APM intensive such as MNK/SMN/DRG.

Hope you find a job that suits your tastes!

[Dervy]

Get to End Game.

1-50 and Primals doesn't reflect the game what so ever. There's a good reason why people play this game, despite the slower combat.

[Wintersandman]

True, except that you have most skills you need at level 20-30. Afterwards you still get a useful skill or two, but the base is pretty much set.

You should try Monk, Dragoon, or Ninja. You did pick the easier of the dps classes. The melee classes don't finish until 50 for most of them and require more focus.

[AzraelX]

True, except that you have most skills you need at level 20-30. Afterwards you still get a useful skill or two, but the base is pretty much set.
.

Thats completely false here. I recently got to level 50 and I thought the same as you. The game makes a big turn once u get in the level 40s and another big one post 50. I play as dragoon and ninja and my rotation/options have changed quite a bit.

I just can't wait for the new skills in the expansion that will change game play again.

[Wizarus]

I know one thing. Whatever class I'm playing as, I love to see someone using Flare.

[Cold_Raven]

At level 28 you're set in regards to gameplay mechanics. You got your fire and ice aoe spells, can stack UI/AF to two and have Thundercloud, which implements the "proc = dmg burst" mechanic of blackmages. At that time, there's nothing new to learn about how to play your character, basically.

I can't speak much to BLM. My BLM is only 33 or so, and I'm in the same kinda slower-paced area you're describing.

But I do know that for my other DPS (Bard, Summoner, and Monk so far) I was in this same place at the same level... then things picked up after level 40 or so. And picked up much more after 50, when all the boss mechanics start kicking in.

I'm expecting the same thing with BLM.. that things will pick up.
Maybe I'm wrong, I dunno... any BLM 50s that can add some specific details?

Let ranged DPS have skillshots that you actually have to aim with your mouse, maybe even hit specific parts of your enemy for bonus damage or let them move while casting (or at least reduce casttime. 2,5s wtf??)

Those sound like cool suggestions. But I don't think they fit with the game-flow of this specific game. It seems like a fundamental game-changer. Like you said, other games do things differently. Maybe your "style" and this game's "style" simply don't line up?

But yes, many people find this game extremely fun and challenging (there's millions of subs).

Also, yes, many people find this game boring and laughably ridiculous (there's billions of people not playing at all).