Adding Stances

[Wawachume]

I think part of my problem could be my own neurological issues. I get the feeling my right brain works, not necessarily better, but much faster than the left. Which I know is true for everyone, but I mean the difference is bigger for me.

That could be why I find it easier to constantly switch between healing and DPS than to mode-switch between cleric and non-cleric stances---because the latter requires you to organize actions into a particular sequence, and linear thinking is the function of the left brain. (This is also why I'm worse at DPS than healing, because "rotation" is weird for me.)

That could also be why I found cleric stance stressful. I've never quite understood people who say they know when bosses are about to use particular abilities, because I feel like it's always a surprise to me. If you asked me when Boss A casts Ability B, I would have no idea. But actually, if they suddenly cast an unscheduled spell, I think I'd be shocked. So it's like I know, but not on a conscious level?

I think if they added back cleric stance, there's some chance I'd be constantly thinking, "This is so stressful; I have no idea when to use this ability, so I'm just doing it all randomly," while actually pressing the button at the right times. O.o

I think if there were to add it back in, I think there would be some tweaks, maybe make it less clunky for some? Perhaps my saying "old cleric stance" was a bit misleading, because I'd rather healing drop and damage boost instead of swapping INT and MND around, what I meant of course was for it to be an actual stance rather than a temporary buff as it was in SB.

Which would also make it less punishing DPS-wise not to use the stance, because they could control how big the damage/healing modifiers were instead of it just being "heal with 0 mind" or "DPS with 0 int".

[Rivinhal]

Which would also make it less punishing DPS-wise not to use the stance, because they could control how big the damage/healing modifiers were instead of it just being "heal with 0 mind" or "DPS with 0 int".

Exactly!

Cleric Stance could easily be reworked to be way less all-or-nothing, but to allow for more intricate play. It's all comes down to balancing it correctly...
You don't want it to be so powerful that's it's necessary to use, but you don't want it to be so weak that no one bothers with it.

There's a very fine line there, but I think it could be done. And I also believe it could help make the job that much more interesting.