We need an option to drop AOE's below a selected target.

[Marcus]

It's actually easier to drop targeted aoes with a controller.

Then I guess it's a matter of opinion. For me it's harder. Unless you know some other really smooth method to place them with a controller that I'm not aware of, for me it screams "made with mouse users in mind".

[Cakekizy]

Half the time when placing Flaming Arrow the reticule vanishes and I have to reuse skill several times to place it.

[Felis]

I don't like that I have to take look down and locate my mouse, move the mouse around until I find the mouse cursor on my screen, then drop an AOE where I need to.

You can change the size of the mouse cursor

[Marcus]

You can change the size of the mouse cursor

I think OP's idea is the best solution for players who have to/like to play like they do.
But your palliative alternative is good,

[Gamer3427]

I can see why it would be a nice tool for those who plays with a controller (or OP's case... ._.), because using control stick to place it is a bit sluggish (at least for me, I played the PS3 version quite a bit).

I play the PS4 version, and I've never had trouble placing AoEs, (beyond perspective issues in certain fights that make it hard for me to tell how far out something is, but that's a personal problem, since I'm bad at that in any game). The only issue I ever have is that if I accidentally click AoE targeting on and off too quickly in a row, I sometimes glitch my targeting system so that it stays stuck in the middle of the screen and I have to log out and back in to fix it. Still, I can see the OP's idea being useful in certain situations, particularly in raid content where there are a lot of enemies, but you want to get the AoE under a specific one or group......

[Marcus]

I play the PS4 version, and I've never had trouble placing AoEs , (beyond perspective issues in certain fights that make it hard for me to tell how far out something is, but that's a personal problem, since I'm bad at that in any game).

I know that it's not terrible to use it to place AoE, it's just that I think it's easier on keyboard + mouse. As I said, I think they made it that way for better use with a mouse in mind. I don't think keyboard + mouse is better for everything, I think both methods to play the game has its downsides. Imagine this situation: as SCH during Giga Flare on turn 13 you have to use virus on boss, place sacred soil and walk to the correct place (at least during 2.x era). I can't imagine how clunky that must be for controller users... On mouse, you could easily use WASD to walk to the correct place, while moving the reticle there, use the right button to move camera around and the left button to use the ability. I think it's way easier this way.

[Ayamia]

EDIT: just to clarify: I think OP uses keyboard FFXI style. WASD to walk and arrows to control the camera.

Wait, who used WASD to move in FFXI? Numpad for movement and arrow keys for camera ftw. Left hand is mainly for abilities and weaponskills.

But yeah, I've wanted this as well and it's the main reason I'm not going to touch Machinist. Yoshida promised before ARR that it'll be possible to play the game with keyboard only. So far it haven't been possible to FULLY play without a mouse. One other thing I've always wanted back from 1.23 was that I could use arrow keys to move in menus as well as move camera. And to make it advanced, you could also move camera with shift + arrow keys while a menu was open (this was also in FFXI). Now I have to use WASD to move the cursor in menus.

[Gamer3427]

I know that it's not terrible to use it to place AoE, it's just that I think it's easier on keyboard + mouse.

Well, to be fair, most PC users claim it's easier to aim guns in FPSs using a keyboard and mouse, but I have a lot easier time using a controller to aim precisely. I think it's just a matter of preference, and what you're used to in that regard......

[Cid_Grim]

I also have wrist problems and don't use my mouse too often, unless I'm sorting inventory or moving the map. I use the arrow keys to move the camera and the num pad to make most menu selections.

I also support this idea. Just because you don't have wrist pain doesn't mean everyone else is so lucky.

[Kiara1]

I hope they do this.
I hate casting shadowflare only to accidentally click another player, and then stand still for 3-4 seconds, a bit confused.
Ending up trying to cast my dots on the targeted player.