Thread: My review of the 1.20 from a GAME DESIGN perspective.

Originally Posted by grandm

thank you for the wall of text, i had less reading in my english exams. ok so from what i can tell you had 2 points that i got too possibly a 3rd that i had got to bored of reading to get too, ok combo system i don't really get what the problem is. it is no hardship to stand at the side. i get the feeling is you are finding it hard to remember where to stand when. don't worry old timer it is not your memory going, it will just ake a bit of practice to work it out

so your second point, every1 using the same cross class abilities. how is that any different than pre 1.19. ppl have always cross classed with second wind, blood bath, cure etc. but what i found really funny about your problem here was, your worries about classes losing their identity, but you hate the combo system and would rather a one shoe fits all system. front and back. where as front back and sides give more variety. so there more individual,

anyway like i said, i didn't get to any more of your points so i can't counter argue :P

His point about teh armory is valid, as of right now, there is so few skills to cross class of any real use, the armory is virtually non existent. Allmost all cross class weapon skills are useless because they cant be comboed, and use the same resource the skills that do combo can use.

I havent even got 10 cross class skills on my bar anymore, i cant think of 10 useful skills from other jobs. Whereas before you could build certain playstyle types, that is drastically lowered. The armory system is barely there now. On the plus side, classes themselves are slightly more unique.. kinda....

In some ways they are a lot more unique, but in other ways they are really similar. while every class now has some specific skills that only they can take advantage of, they basically all play like, get one mob get 1000 to 1500 tp do assorted WS chain while applying buffs.

That said, it is a fun system, i think it needs some tweaks, i think it could be overall a little faster, like 10 percent fast foward on animations recharges and delays. And i think they need to give people more tools to control thier specialties, like pug needs a little more mp management tools maybe some movement tools (pug has to move the most for combos), marauder needs a little more standstill or power build mechanics etc.

I think the 15 skill limit may be holding it back, but then again that has a lot to do with cross class skills being fairly rare. as well the fact that jobs add more skills and would theoretically be in play from level 30+

Originally Posted by Doho

to people who are complaining about positioning, you do know you can run through the mob rather effortlessly and attack from the rear. and a left/right hit is as simple as a strafe. I don't understand the difficulty.

Solo fine, but if you're tank in party you can't do that, because you can't just change the mob position and mess with everyone else's combos.

I pretty much agree with you on Just about everything.

I think attacks from the side are fine when you take into consideration the Limb Breaking system.

The Search system is spot on, just need those impending text commands.

I also think the new Armour System is better, but unlike you I think it needs to be loosened up a little not scrapped. It is not a gimmick. What it needs is a realistic set of Offensive Skills to Cross class. I personally think the Reactive Combat Skills would be the Perfect things for this. The regular weapons skills are by design useless on any class but their native class, despite being able to cross class. You are right, that currently every class will be cross classing the same skills and that is for one simple reason. Each class only has one maybe two skills worth cross classing. If they loosen the restrictions a little, i repeat little, it would greatly improve the system. We certainly cannot go back to the previous system.

As far as Attributes are concerned, we are getting redistribution in 1.21, but I do have to say, I think we need more customization than 45 Points. I'd say closer to 100, with those points being detracted from the current auto points not just stacked on top. This is for the very simple fact that GLA, MRD, and PUG COULD be tank or DD. but without more customization in points they are heavily pigeonholed.