Should we consider combat QOL improvements/changes ?

[Shyle]

Removing skill bloat and shortening the GCD would go a LONG way in terms of combat. I've said this several times, but it's like SE is 5-7 years behind other MMO's when it comes to certain systems/mechanics/designs with XIV. Don't get me wrong, I like the game, but the combat leaves a lot to be desired in the end.

Frankly, I think that the combat system relying so heavily on hard rotations is a crutch. Most classes are basically the same (although some *minor* differences). They all have some form of buff or "form" to watch and keep up at all times, of course they have a debuff/bleed or two to watch on the mobs, and they have standard "1-2-3" combos. Rotations aren't 'bad' as long as they're not so hard-lined and restricting. I always preferred priority based skill rotations, not "RNG" skill (e.g. mch procs) where there's still a loose structure but you're given more freedom.

While not combat related, I'd like to see an overhaul of the glamour system. Just make it a wardrobe system like every other modern MMO, change the dye system where you just unlock the colors, I know it's supposed to be some form of GIL dump, but let's be honest, it's not expensive, but it's just inconvenient overall.

[SpecialKK]

SE will need to make a dramatic choice for 4.0 as they cannot simply add more skills to the existing ones. But elemental? I think we're past that point

[Veerne]

I actually like the 2.5 sec global cooldown in this game. It makes the fight a lot more visually appealing and each ability feels more important. In games like WoW and SWTOR where the GCD is 1.5 seconds or less, the combat start feeling spammy and uninteresting. 2 sec GCD could still work, but going much lower just breaks the animations.

[Xanikk999]

I actually like the 2.5 sec global cooldown in this game. It makes the fight a lot more visually appealing and each ability feels more important. In games like WoW and SWTOR where the GCD is 1.5 seconds or less, the combat start feeling spammy and uninteresting. 2 sec GCD could still work, but going much lower just breaks the animations.

To each his own. I like the fast paced combat and really don't care to watch my characters animations play out entirely every time.

[Azazua_azura]

i did play 1.0 and wasn't to fond of that. What your proposing effects a lot more then just combat, that was what i was trying to say. by lore cnj has earth air water spells and thm has fire ice thunder spells. what ur proposing would have to change that to make either viable in all content. And its alot more work then most think. Wows classes had lil to no lies to lore. So not really a good idea to compare. And ff11 had this stuff and it made certain jobs viable in different content. Which made it un-fun if ur main job was not the flav of the mnth. all classes/jobs need to be viable in the df system due to it being all inclusive.

[Gamer3427]

While I disagree with most of the posts in this thread, I would like to see some sort of "specialist" skills implemented that work off of a more traditional leveling tree with branches that lock each other out, with you perhaps picking one or two skills that work in a separate slot from your normal skills or cross class skills. If this was implemented of course, it would need to have a way that you can reset your progress to level up the skill differently, though perhaps at a cost of so much gil/tomestones.....

These skills ideally would be balanced to have decent benefits from doing one leveling path compared to another, such as drastically changing the skill's effect. Mass Effect is one of the better examples I have of this, where the same basic skill had a few upgrade options that could result in drastically different end results. Of course, there will always be an "ideal" set up for each class for end game content no matter what, as no matter what there is an "ideal" set up players will devise in any game, whether or not it's truly ideal, or just what one popular group decided was best. What matters though is that players can decide whether they want to be using the "ideal" set up, or the one that works best for them and their group. Players in different statics will also be able to figure out their own best set up for their particular composition based on their members.....

EDIT: I also have another idea for an improvement for combat in general, but I made a separate thread since this one has mostly become a discussion about elemental attributes.....

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...24#post3456824

[WinterLuna]

@Yellow, I do think every class would have to change as they would become a lot less powerful than those with elemental attributes against bosses with weaknesses and strengths etc. Of course this happens already, but I see a very large imbalance if this were to happen.

And of course, discussion is always good. ^^

[Shyle]

I've been playing Blade and Soul a lot (KR/CN beta and now the NA beta), and one thing I find that's interesting is that each *skill* has it's own talent/skill tree. You can change/alter how the skill works. Like for Force master (mage type) a fireball can either do more damage, or aoe burst damage, then further down the tree it may add a burning effect, or a debuff and depending on what you want to do with your class, you can build it a certain way based on your playstyle (whether it's pvp, aoe, direct damage, or control, etc). of course there's optimal builds as there will be with any form of skill/talent tree, but it still gives a fair amount of customization and play style differences.