Thread: Cutting number of abilities in 4.0

Originally Posted by Khalithar

1. DoT effects are an easy way to increase someone's dps without having to actually buff how hard their other abilities hit. However, they aren't really very exciting and (in my opinion) are no different than the "maintenance" buffs like straight shot, heavy thrust, maim, etc. I wouldn't mind not having to hit Scourge every 24~ seconds on my drk, Goring Blade isn't so bad, it gives Paladin a nice steady rotation to work with (Goring, RAx2, Goring, RAx2, repeat), most Warriors don't even use Fracture nowadays, iirc Fracture is actually a dps loss unless they have Berserk up.

2. <snipped: ability trim suggestions>

1. They are 100% maintenance buffs, but they also have a larger range of output. Moving dps output from ST filler to ST DoTs increases "cleave", for one thing, and whereas most buffs are either short enough or strong enough never to forgo them, even if the fight is nearly over, a DoT will often be forgone due to an enemy dying to quickly. It's not an especially interesting mechanic by any means, but it's, sadly, one of the more interesting practical gameplay concepts we have, be that as a tank or anyone else. The longish durations also highlight windows of stance dancing (Fracture less so than Scourge or Goring Blade, as it's oddly weak).

I'd say we're better off with than without, but that's not at all to say that just about anything in that mix could be improved.

2. I have to say I'd be far more annoyed by the removal of these CDs by turning them into passives, however. I enjoy thinking about when to use a particular ability. While I'd enjoy additional interplay, opportunity cost, and so forth, I'd fine nothing entertaining about simply making tanks more passively overpowered rather than having to timely deploy our defensives.

:: Awareness is probably an ability rather than a tank-passive not because XIV is trying to be "different" but because there are so many abilities and adds/bosses that, under a given buff or phase, will auto-crit, making it a hard-counter ability. Tanks could gain an ability that makes them immune to trash mob critical hits, but then Awareness would feel a waste. I personally find the CD fine as it is, and, if anything, want there to be more crits taken. If it ends up a cross-class skill, the CD could then also be reduced to 90 seconds.