Battle Formations

[Shurrikhan]

Would love to see something similar to battle formations, but wish its need/advantage came from the groundwork of the game. It's not that I wouldn't want to memorize a library of formations if there should end up being a lot. It's just that I'd rather create whatever works for the situation on my own, based on finer and more nuanced details than prescribed formations could probably supply.

However, that would require additional programming within range--damage conversion complexity (including damage taken, and % damage sharing when stacked), enmity calculations, enemy weak points (not just for damage taken), and a lot of other things that you might not notice separately, especially if playing on your own, but altogether would make huge differences. I'll give some examples if wanted, as I come up with better ones.

As for chain-casting, I almost thought FFXIV was going to make that a trademark game feature from the beginning. But, better late than never. : P

My only contention is whether or not chain-casting should be purely movement based, such as moving across the before-mentioned mana channels between the original caster and the mob, or through a sub-targeting system instead, which could redirect the mana channels, or simply combine upon reaching the mob, with differing effects.

Do you want to ignite the mob, and then create a whirlwind on it with which to rip off and throw smoldering hide and armor, or do you want to intensify the flames before reaching the mob in order to increase its penetrating force, etc?
I'd also like for there to be times where separate casts are more advantageous, just some times.

Either way:
Something to make movement and positioning more important, preferably in a realistic manner -- love it.
Chain-casting -- sold by default, as long as it doesn't force strategy.