Easy way for devs to make combat no longer dependent on tab-targeting

[MikeWW]

It would be quite easy for the devs to implement a way to do combat without tab-targeting enemies.

You might ask, why would we want this? 1. Because manual tab-targeting of enemies takes time, can get tedious, and may be immersion-breaking for some. And 2. Automated enemies targeting that occurs whenever you use a skill could also give the game a bit of the magic of real action combat games.

What would be needed is an option that will make the player automatically target and use the last skill used if that skill is:
a. Supposed to target an enemy
b. Used when no enemy target is currently selected
c. Used when there is an enemy within range of that skill

What we have right now is, if no enemy target is selected and a skill is used, the player is told that there isn't a valid target selected and nothing else happens. By having the option I just described, players will no longer have to target enemies first before attacking, because attacking without prior targeting will result in targeting and then attacking, and we could thereby have an option that can be used to almost fully-supplant tab-targeting if the player wants to.

Please note, I am only suggesting this as an OPTION, not trying to replace the current tab-targeting system. And also note that it would actually give players an advantage over others using the existing system by no longer punishing players for accidentally using skills without having a valid target already-selected, and by allowing players to attack things with one less step (manual targeting is made automatic).

There could also be another option for use in conjunction with the above or separately: make automatic targeting only select enemies within a cone or straight-head area in the current screen and in front of the character, preferably allowing the player to customize cone/straight-line width. Currently, tab-targeting area is narrowed down to only what is visible on the current screen. What adding the option to narrow it further down to an area in front of the character would do is allow players to selectively target enemies by simply getting closer to them with the view of the screen by moving the camera, and then executing attacks (if used in conjunction with the auto targeting option).

Maybe as another option which should be at the sole discretion of the player since it would ultimately put the player at a disadvantage, this automatic targeting option could de-select the current enemy target (if any) and a new enemy target selected (or attempted to be selected) every single time a player uses a skill that targets enemies, which would make the game feel like some degree of aiming is required before executing attacks. Would probably not be worth it though, especially since this game doesn't have an in-game mouse-look toggle option.

[aesteval]

Can we get the current click targeting system to stop targeting the furthest thing in viewable distance first? XD

[viewtyjoe]

Can we get the current click targeting system to stop targeting the furthest thing in viewable distance first? XD

This is a setting you can already change. Options are farthest to nearest and left to right, iirc.

[aesteval]

This is a setting you can already change. Options are farthest to nearest and left to right, iirc.

Controller or mouse? I only see enable / disable for "Enable auto-target when no target specified." Would be useful to know where this setting is.

[Lendle]

Set two different targeting keys, I have one key specifically set for target closest enemy and I leave my tab key to scroll through mobs.

[Cakekizyy]

I would like it to stop selecting npc allies.

[Silkerin]

I would like it to stop selecting npc allies.

pretty sure you can filter the tab targeting to only target enemies and stuff

[aesteval]

pretty sure you can filter the tab targeting to only target enemies and stuff

You can, but the filtering works for tab targeting. Controllers ignore the filter when you press the X button to initially target / click. That's what gets wonky with weird stuff with NPCs and far away targets. You can press left and right on the d-pad, but that's not readily accessible when targeting while moving. Usually controllers initiate targeting with the X button. I'll end up tab targeting with filters once I have the initial target with X. Tab targeting also acts really weird if you don't have a starting point to work from.

[Cakekizyy]

You can, but the filtering works for tab targeting. Controllers ignore the filter when you press the X button to initially target / click. That's what gets wonky with weird stuff with NPCs and far away targets. You can press left and right on the d-pad, but that's not readily accessible when targeting while moving. Usually controllers initiate targeting with the X button. I'll end up tab targeting with filters once I have the initial target with X. Tab targeting also acts really weird if you don't have a starting point to work from.

It's especially bad doing FATEs that spawn npc guards.

[Kallistra]

I wouldn't mind a minor change to the enmity list as well. A big thing I'd like to see is for things to flash when you're about to lose aggro, a lot of newer tanks have a hard time dealing with a lot of targets and it would cut down the need to cycle through to check your enmity against the party's.

My second thing with the enmity list, relates to tabtargeting a bit. The way the list works now is you need to aggro the mob in some way for it to be on your list. Line of sight/initial aggro, hitting it, healing someone who has aggro on it, your pet hitting it/healing someone with aggro. I think they should show up on your list as soon as someone in your party aggros it, regardless of if it actually puts you in combat or not. This would make them easier to select (through the list), allow tanks to see if there is anything someone else accidentally pulled, and allows healers to know when trouble is coming and can react on it.