Incentives to NOT queue as DPS

[Zojha]

I really hate to say this blunt, but it is the fault of people who are DPS only mains (Of which there are a truckton) that the issue exists.

Except that being a DPS only main is perfectly fine if the content didn't require tanks, healers and DPS in a ratio that doesn't match the preference ratio of the community. Shafting people over this design failure is asinine and supporting such is rotten.

In a pass-time activity that you are meant to enjoy, I don't think it is the responsibility of the players to play something they don't enjoy so that the failure of the devs works out. It's the responsibility of the company to match and accommodate the preferences of the players.

[JumperX]

Almost all MMOs got this structure. If you want to dps and dont wanna deal with tank/healer/DPS roles then go and play video games. When i was not in the mood to sit patiently waiting for queues, I closed this mmo window and play a video game. Or you can make friends so they can help you.

[HyperSMB]

Except that being a DPS only main is perfectly fine if the content didn't require tanks, healers and DPS in a ratio that doesn't match the preference ratio of the community. Shafting people over this design failure is asinine and supporting such is rotten.

In a pass-time activity that you are meant to enjoy, I don't think it is the responsibility of the players to play something they don't enjoy so that the failure of the devs works out. It's the responsibility of the company to match and accommodate the preferences of the players.

So what, 6 man dungeons with 4 DPS? Because that's about the ration here.

That's silly. There are stright up too many DPS only players.

[The_Profezzor87]

I don't get it, it's an MMO so of course dps times are large. I purposely didn't main a dps because that's just how it is in MMO's.

[AphraelAmarantha]

snip

You are missing the point. Why should I be forced to play a role that I suck at or do not feel comfortable playing as? Do you want people to bring down groups because they aren't good at being tanks or healers or are just not clicking with that role? I really do not understand your logic. It's like saying force people to be a repair person even though they are not good at it and will just cause more problems for their customers in the future because they suck at it when they could have been a civil engineer because that is what they like doing and they are very very good at it. Besides, DPS already does self punishment as it is due to long queue times, lel.

[MoroMurasaki]

I just played BRD (first time playing any DPS since leveling THM for Swiftcast way back when) and dear god it was fun. I understand why people play DPS now, the lack of almost any reslonsibility is really pleasant. That being said I've not changed my main because I like healing as well and it provides a service to the community.

The thing that seplayers FFXIV from other video games is the idea that it is an mmo. I'm not saying tranking and healing should be compulsory but I think anything to encourage players to help out other players should be icing on the cake that is helping people (and instaqueue).

Why not level a PLD and give it a shot? You might enjoy it and find your new main! The problem is that while its easy to go from tanking or healing to DPS because DPS was already part of your role switching from DPS to another role must be that much more intimidating.

If only we had a part of the playerbase dedicated to helping others learn, maybe we could even mark them with some sort of identifying logo near their name...

[Yahallo]

Part of me feels that additional incentives would just be a band aid fix at best. People switched to DPS for a reason, they just found the DPS classes to be more fun. Offering incentives is basically making the game into a sort of job. You are basically paying people for doing something they don't like doing and any negativity that incurs during this can spill over into their fun time. Incentives don't solve the underlying issue.

The only real solution is to make tanking and healing classes more fun somehow.

[Paladinleeds]

Except that being a DPS only main is perfectly fine if the content didn't require tanks, healers and DPS in a ratio that doesn't match the preference ratio of the community. Shafting people over this design failure is asinine and supporting such is rotten.

From what I've seen, single player Final Fantasy games always had that 1T/1H/2D setup, and thus it is a carryover from that here and the devs consider it core to what makes FF, FF, and thus won't change it. I agree, DPS queue times are an issue but I don't think the devs are willing to budge on this.

If only we had a part of the playerbase dedicated to helping others learn, maybe we could even mark them with some sort of identifying logo near their name...

Anyone on the Chaos datacentre needing this, I'm happy to help. I'll also provide a supportive and encouraging approach (as mentors should) and support you in picking up the role. More people giving the tank/healer role a go and getting comfortable with it can only be a good thing even if it increases mine own queue times as a tank/healer.

[Zojha]

So what, 6 man dungeons with 4 DPS? Because that's about the ration here.

Sure, why not? Where's the issue?

There's no such thing as too many DPS only players. You just have to adapt the content to suit. More slots is a good first step without breaking the mold.

You can also make content work even with only DPS and it doesn't even need to be less engaging than the usual content, because tanks and healers are only needed for tank&spank. You don't need them for gaze attacks, you don't need them for stack mechanics, nor spread mechanics, nor placement mechanics, nor soaking mechanics, nor telegraphed AoEs, nor standing on platforms, nor add priority, nor meteors, nor any other mechanic where you are supposed to do something specific to avoid damage, because you can always make people avoid ALL damage if the mechanic is done correctly.
One dungeon that's all mechanics and no trinity per patch and the problem would be alleviated. And people who are dead set on the trinity can just queue for the other. That's another way to alleviate things.

Incentives are just a reward for having a certain preference, or a punishment for not having it. They're on the same level of stupid as rewarding or punishing people for belonging to a certain religion. And the mandatory quota of 1 muslim, 1 catholic and 2 jehova's witnesses is completely arbitrary - it can and should be changed if there's a considerable surplus of any of them.

[The_Profezzor87]

Sure, why not? Where's the issue?
One dungeon that's all mechanics and no trinity per patch and the problem would be alleviated. And people who are dead set on the trinity can just queue for the other. That's another way to alleviate things.

That idea might work, but then people would complain that it's too easy or that the rewards aren't good enough. If it's too hard then healing or tanking might be needed and if the reward isn't good enough no one will run it. It'll be hard to balance it, and end up like POTD.