I've been looking at this game from an Enfeebling point of view (I used to be an RDM and enjoy the art of Enfeebling).

I notice that a lot of the enfeebling skills from pre 1.20 are gone, however there are still a handful that remain in a different form (Heavy, Stun, etc, disguised as 'specials' on an elemental attack).

However, my question really is: Is there really a need for Enfeebling Magic anymore?

Granted, I'm only a lowly Level 35ish THM and have much to learn, but so far:

Solo Play -- Enfeebling is an option, but often it is easier to start with an elemental attack rather than try to enfeeble (and get hit before moving onto more powerful spell). Also, the mob tends to die relatively quickly so that the benefit of the Enfeebling is not overly enjoyed.

Party Play -- So far (two parties, do not know if this is the norm) a massive group of mobs are gathered and then slaughtered at once. Usually so quickly that there is no point to enfeeble them.

In FFXI (before most of the recent patches, lets talk early CoP era) Enfeebling was needed as each monster fight was long enough to take advantage of the mob being enfeebled. Therefore, Enfeebling's biggest advantage is in fights that take a while to complete.

So far, up to level 35 at least, this is not the case. Each fight is so quick there is no great gain from enfeebling them.

Therefore, enfeebling may only be needed for battles that take a long time (HNM, Boss Fights?). Which makes the Enfeebling Skill rather 'limited' (in comparisson to other types of skills like healing and elemental attacks).

So my question is: What is the future of Enfeebling Magic?
Is it meant to be only of significant use in boss/HNM fights?
Am I doing something wrong that I am not fighting the right type of 'grind mobs' that could take advantage of the enfeebling?

(Note, this is different from other discussions on future jobs/classes that have better enfeebling skills. This is not THM or CNJ specific, but rather, a question on the concept of Enfeebling itself and how this mechanic works in the present battle/grinding/HNM system.)


Thank you.