So, there's several factors that I process when I'm dealing with an aoe marker: which role I play, what role my party members play, how many people are being targeted by aoes, distance and most importantly, damage done by aoes. There's ways to deal with these factors and the best way to deal with them is to effectively retain in your head your party numbers and composition and taking note of dmg and type of aoe done by boss for future reference. Another thing that people tend to forget: not all aoe maked players need to be perfectly far from one another. If anything you can still take the same amount of damage you would if you were completely separated even if your circles overlap a little. But that's the keyword: a little.

Exhibit A: I'm melee dps (typically samurai) and most of my co-dps are ranged. Me and two other dps in a 8-man situation get targeted by aoes and there are no hot zones in the arena.

My solution: I don't move. Ranged dps have the advantage of dpsing from anywhere. There's no cost for them to move (with obviously some of it for BLM). I don't. If they do stack on me, I will only move if:

-The stacked dmg that I remember will 100% kill me or

-There's leg room for me to move AND dps.


Exhibit B:

I'm ranged dps with a mix of other ranged jobs or melee jobs. Everyone gets targeted but the boss has turned certain sections of the arena into hot zones.

My solution: I stay put in the safe zone. Gotta remember that most aoe marks actually give you time to deal with it so there's no sense to immediately if you are in a safe spot. That being said, make sure you maximize the spot. Try to give leg room in the direction that has the least players but don't overreach. Normally, by maximizing the safe area and staying put, party members can focus better on their own safety rather than yours (that's what usually trips up people).

Exhibit C:

You got no marker on you but some people do and they're headed your way. You have no way to outrun them or you try but they still follow you (any role, them or you).

My solution: Stay put and take the dmg. Again, it's all a matter of knowing if a mech is going to kill you outright or not. If you know it's not, better to stay and avoid messing other players who executed their situations better.


I was going to initially give a very simple "just take the dmg and move on" but I felt like that was going to communicate the wrong type of message I'm sending.