Does WoW have a faster pace than FFXIV?

[linay]

Actually, it sort of does. A lot of the fights don't operate under the assumption of allowing you dodge time; A lot of mechanics have cast timers that assume you will be in the right spot (or near to it) before the area graphic hits the floor, and if you're not near where you should be before the warning graphic lands, you get hit.

It's still reactionary and you are still dodging.

And thing is.. this doesn't make the fights at all harder; this simply makes the fights a test you need to study for.

Harder than what? And a test can be hard, especially those you have to study for.