Skill Bloat/ FFXII Gambit System

[Jhett_Magnum]

My current fear is with the new expansion there will be new skills. Why? The introduction of double tap cross bars. Now I primarily play tank role because it's easier on controller, but I can't play DPS as well especially MCH.
Which got me thinking why not use the Gambit system from XII!?
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Gambits
Now you might be saying..well what --about macros? Don't. They suck and I don't see them updating them anytime soon or at all.
Some examples would be:
Self MP ≥ ??% Dark Arts
Tank HP ≤ 10% Benediction

I know Bad examples but you can see where I'm going with this. Less buttons the better.

[Moqi]

Gambits are macros. They just need to fix the ones they have already.

[Tint]

Gambits are macros. They just need to fix the ones they have already.

Gambits are not macros. Gambits are a programmable intelligence.
(the best i have ever seen in any game so far)

[AlFarabi]

Gambits were useful and fun (to plan) because you multiple characters to control.

Using a gambit with one character would mean less playing.

[Tint]

Gambits were useful and fun (to plan) because you multiple characters to control.

Using a gambit with one character would mean less playing.

all what i did in FF12 was running around and move the camera. all the battle-stuff was working 100% automatic xD i even beat zodiak, ultima and waht-was-the-name-of-the-boss-with-almost-endless-life? without pressing buttons by myself :x however, i had fun, it was not boring at all... i loved the 12. and i loved the gambits. but yeah, i don't think they will work in this game.

[Enkidoh]

No, just no. I hated the Gambit system in FFXII and feel the current macro system is good enough - if you don't like pressing buttons then why are you even playing a game for? A game requires input from the player (i.e. you) - just having the program do everything automatically turns it into a simulation and not a game, you may as well just be watching a CG movie.

Really, the whole point of the gambit system was a concession for trying to implement an MMO-style battle system into a single player game, and it was set up specifically for the other characters in the party that the player was not controlling. And AI being what it is, means that your best laid plans will inevitably come crashing down just because the AI does something stupid at the worst possible time. I'm sorry to say, but no, it just would not work here in FFXIV.

[AskaRay]

I liked Gambits but since you could essentially run the game by itself, they won't do it.

[Shurrikhan]

Maybe if you eventually had controllable companions and could swap between them for additional direct control... Until then I just want my pet to be able to move semi-intelligently, cast-cancel in favor of silence/stuns, etc.

Generally put, I would love gambits, but I want worthwhile direct control (made worthwhile not just by unnecessary or obvious faults in whatever alternatives exist). Take that as you will.

I do not however think that we'll see it in game unless companions are integrated (perhaps as part of a catch-up system meant to feel more "FF" than being able to solo instances), or in something like LoV, etc.

[MPNZ]

Yeah, the number of skills per class (with cross class skills) makes it so that I've had to move some of the less used skills of every class to my class-switch bar, which doesn't sound so bad until you realize that you will have to put duplicate actions to keep from lagging too long during combos. So you end up taking to 2-4 of the sixteen slots of the new crossbar, which means having "more skills" could just forcibly shift everyone to Keyboards and kill crossbar use permanently after 4.0. I think this could be prevented if they primarily release passives or updates to skills instead of new ones, limit users to 30 slotted combat skills each, and/or combing buttons by making stance switches into a single key, IMO. I think that there are a lot of users that want more skills though, so those would probably make them throw a fit or something.

[Katchoo]

all what i did in FF12 was running around and move the camera. all the battle-stuff was working 100% automatic xD i even beat zodiak, ultima and waht-was-the-name-of-the-boss-with-almost-endless-life? without pressing buttons by myself :x however, i had fun, it was not boring at all... i loved the 12. and i loved the gambits. but yeah, i don't think they will work in this game.

Yeah but it took a long time to get to that point. You started out having to do a lot of micro managing.

A better example would probably be the system from Dragon Age Origins which was very similar but not as integral.