Job action combos one button

[Shurrikhan]

tbh, a few basic combo of some jobs could be consolidated to one button.
out of the jobs I've been playing lately, RPR, GNB and DNC comes to mind.
the RPR slice combo could probably be reduced to one button, and their AoE combos. The scythe combo as well xD
That's 3 free buttons right there, and functionally nothing would change.
GNB can stack edge/shell/barrel to one, like they already did when you used Thancred against Ranjit.
and I'm sure there are others as well.

The same would occur for jobs with multiple combos; it's just that each combo would need its own button.

DRG, for instance, would need a total of 4 GCD keys: Full (+2), Chaos (+2), AoE, Piercing Talon.

(7 buttons saved, or 8 with Jump -> Mirage Dive.)

NIN would need a total of 4 or 5 GCD keys: Aeolian/Fleeting, Armor Crush/Forked, AoE, Throwing Daggers, and perhaps Huraijin.

(5 buttons saved, or 6 if Huraijin's functionality were instead consolidated by just changing Armor Crush's 30s Huton refresh to a 30s Huton gain, as an additional effect instead of a combo effect, and increasing its base potency -- siphoned from combo bonus.)

Samurai would need 8 GCD keys: Iaijutsu (Tsubame), Gekko, Kasha, Yukikaze, Oka, Mangetsu, Enpi, Ikishoten -> Namikiri.

(6 buttons saved)

Monk would need 12 GCD keys, its 9 rotationals, SSS, Anatman (ugh), Perfect Balance -> Masterful Blitz.

(1 button saved.)

PLD would need 8 GCD keys: Goring, Royal/Atonement, AoE, Lob, Circle, Shock, Clemency, and Requiescat -> Confiteor (combo).

(4 buttons saved.)

WAR would need 6 GCD keys: Eye, Path, AoE, Tomahawk, Fell Cleave / Inner Chaos, Decimate / Chaotic Cyclone.

(3 buttons saved.)

DRK would need 5 GCD keys: Souleater, AoE, Unmend, Bloodspiller, Quietus.

(3 buttons saved.)

GNB would need 8 GCD keys: Solid Barrel, Gnashing Fang, AoE, Lightning Shot, Burst Strike, Fated Circle, Sonic Break, Double Down.

(2 buttons saved.)

Similarly, BLM could consolidate the mutually or only sequentially usable Ley Lines and Between the Lines, Flare and Freeze, and Fire IV and Blizzard IV.

(3 buttons saved.)

Etc., etc.

[hagare]

The same would occur for jobs with multiple combos; it's just that each combo would need its own button.

DRG, for instance, would need a total of 4 GCD keys: Full (+2), Chaos (+2), AoE, Piercing Talon.

(7 buttons saved, or 8 with Jump -> Mirage Dive.)

NIN would need a total of 4 or 5 GCD keys: Aeolian/Fleeting, Armor Crush/Forked, AoE, Throwing Daggers, and perhaps Huraijin.

(5 buttons saved, or 6 if Huraijin's functionality were instead consolidated by just changing Armor Crush's 30s Huton refresh to a 30s Huton gain, as an additional effect instead of a combo effect, and increasing its base potency -- siphoned from combo bonus.)

Samurai would need 8 GCD keys: Iaijutsu (Tsubame), Gekko, Kasha, Yukikaze, Oka, Mangetsu, Enpi, Ikishoten -> Namikiri.

(6 buttons saved)

Monk would need 12 GCD keys, its 9 rotationals, SSS, Anatman (ugh), Perfect Balance -> Masterful Blitz.

(1 button saved.)

PLD would need 8 GCD keys: Goring, Royal/Atonement, AoE, Lob, Circle, Shock, Clemency, and Requiescat -> Confiteor (combo).

(4 buttons saved.)

WAR would need 6 GCD keys: Eye, Path, AoE, Tomahawk, Fell Cleave / Inner Chaos, Decimate / Chaotic Cyclone.

(3 buttons saved.)

DRK would need 5 GCD keys: Souleater, AoE, Unmend, Bloodspiller, Quietus.

(3 buttons saved.)

GNB would need 8 GCD keys: Solid Barrel, Gnashing Fang, AoE, Lightning Shot, Burst Strike, Fated Circle, Sonic Break, Double Down.

(2 buttons saved.)

Similarly, BLM could consolidate the mutually or only sequentially usable Ley Lines and Between the Lines, Flare and Freeze, and Fire IV and Blizzard IV.

(3 buttons saved.)

Etc., etc.

I haven't delved that deep into it.
I just picked the combo that has no special gimmick to it besides the increased combo potency.
Because they serve no other purpose other than bloat usually.
But yes, I'm sure there are more.
And I guess people would have a preference on which skill should be stacked with each other.
I wouldn't stack the skills with directionals, myself.

[FudoMyoo]

IMO this should be priority for SE to improve the UI.

Since Aion MMO era, stacked actions is already norm. I'm not asking for drastic changes, as I main pld, I'll use the following example.

1) Fast blade=> Riot blade=> Gloring blade = 1 button, 2nd button Royal authority. This reduces 4 buttons into 2. (However players still have the option to put 4 skills into quick bar if they choose to). Actual usage=1,1,1 for gloring blade. 1,1,2 for royal authority
2) Total eclipse=> Prominence= 1 button. This reduces 2 buttons into 1. (similarly let players choose if they want it this way).

6 buttons becomes 3. Muscle memories can be re-train, at least let us players have this option.

P.S. This is not new btw, already implemented in FF14 PvP.

[Kohl]

Why having the OPTION to simplify linear combos should be available:
1. It makes the game a little more accessible to people with motor challenges
2. It allows for people who play on a controller (Console or PC) to have a smoother experience
3. It allows for DPS combos to be added to Healers without increasing button bloat
4. It allows for additional DPS combos to be added to Tanks without increasing button bloat
5. It allows for more functionality through additional combos or other abilities to be added to DPS
6. It allows players who do not find the current combo setup to be enjoyable to enjoy the game more
7. As an OPTIONAL setting, it allows players who find pressing multiple buttons to accomplish linear tasks to be fun will still have their fun

Only people who are somehow threatened by the idea that they will lose some kind of imaginary edge over other players if this were an optional setting seem to be really distressed by the idea, and I guess I don't really understand that.

[IdowhatIwant]

Why having the OPTION to simplify linear combos should be available:
1. It makes the game a little more accessible to people with motor challenges
2. It allows for people who play on a controller (Console or PC) to have a smoother experience
3. It allows for DPS combos to be added to Healers without increasing button bloat
4. It allows for additional DPS combos to be added to Tanks without increasing button bloat
5. It allows for more functionality through additional combos or other abilities to be added to DPS
6. It allows players who do not find the current combo setup to be enjoyable to enjoy the game more
7. As an OPTIONAL setting, it allows players who find pressing multiple buttons to accomplish linear tasks to be fun will still have their fun

Only people who are somehow threatened by the idea that they will lose some kind of imaginary edge over other players if this were an optional setting seem to be really distressed by the idea, and I guess I don't really understand that.

We will all become summoner eventually.

[ASkellington]

Why having the OPTION to simplify linear combos should be available:
1. It makes the game a little more accessible to people with motor challenges
2. It allows for people who play on a controller (Console or PC) to have a smoother experience
3. It allows for DPS combos to be added to Healers without increasing button bloat
4. It allows for additional DPS combos to be added to Tanks without increasing button bloat
5. It allows for more functionality through additional combos or other abilities to be added to DPS
6. It allows players who do not find the current combo setup to be enjoyable to enjoy the game more
7. As an OPTIONAL setting, it allows players who find pressing multiple buttons to accomplish linear tasks to be fun will still have their fun

Only people who are somehow threatened by the idea that they will lose some kind of imaginary edge over other players if this were an optional setting seem to be really distressed by the idea, and I guess I don't really understand that.

The problem is, I don't see SE making it an option. Perfect example: GNB

Previous to EW it HAD its Gnashing Fang combo 3 separate buttons. For me those buttons were ctrl-4 through 6.

In EW they updated it to one button and while I had the split combo on my bars ctrl-4 which was Gnashing fang lit up as if it was all the same.

I even tested it on an alt of mine: if it wasn't on my bars before hand I do not have the option to split it back into three.

SO if there is no option to op out (and there isn't one in PVP btw!) then we have a right to not like it or want it.

[ForteNightshade]

Why having the OPTION to simplify linear combos should be available

The problem with making it optional is it won't stay optional. At least not in a functional sense. The dev team isn't going to design a whole system specifically for combo consolidation only to also prune out old abilities. So for players who dislike combo consolidation, they'll eventually be forced into it as new buttons are added and none are removed.

You also list a lot of false assumptions. Button bloat has nothing whatsoever to do with tanks or healers having a single combo/button. They're intentionally designed to be simplified for perceived accessibility. What will happen is tanks will just be reduced to spamming 1111111111111 ala Healers for the vast majority of encounters.

In what world would it happen and be optional? I mean, in theory, it would always be optional: just bind the same action to several buttons and hit them in rotation, but in practice, you'd be considered a bad player for not just using a one-button rotation if it was offered.

I've never understood this idea that more buttons = smarter gameplay. For me, spotting mechanics and reacting to them is where the clever gameplay lies. More buttons just means that you need to spend more time whacking on a target dummy building muscle memory until doing them all becomes second nature. That's not smart; that's just persistent. Removing buttons isn't "dumbing down" anything. It's just cutting down on the amount of time it takes for players to become proficient with their rotation.

This is a common, and frankly, irritating misrepresentation of the opposing argument. Nobody is saying 123 is "smarter" or "harder" gameplay. They're saying the feeling of moving their fingers across several keys is more engaging than simply spamming the same one endlessly. Using my own P1S run last night, if Warrior's combo were reduced to a single button, I'd have pressed the 1 key 94 times. It may not seem like much to some but for myself, that feels far more boring. Is 123 harder? Heavens no. But it's something.

And please don't argue, "they'll be able to add new abilities if they consolidation combos!" Look at Summoner. Just... look at it. They had a new slate to work with; an entirely fresh canvas. Look how many buttons it got. Do you really think they'll give Warrior two full combos or replace the 6-7 buttons Dragoon loses? I guarantee they won't.

[Kohl]

You also list a lot of false assumptions. Button bloat has nothing whatsoever to do with tanks or healers having a single combo/button.

You're assuming something I didn't say. I never claimed that was a cause, I simply stated that it would make room without increasing the number of buttons.

This is a common, and frankly, irritating misrepresentation of the opposing argument. Nobody is saying 123 is "smarter" or "harder" gameplay. They're saying the feeling of moving their fingers across several keys is more engaging than simply spamming the same one endlessly. Using my own P1S run last night, if Warrior's combo were reduced to a single button, I'd have pressed the 1 key 94 times. It may not seem like much to some but for myself, that feels far more boring. Is 123 harder? Heavens no. But it's something.

Not assumption, people literally said as much... in this thread, and you just inferred it again in your rebuttal.

And please don't argue, "they'll be able to add new abilities if they consolidation combos!" Look at Summoner. Just... look at it. They had a new slate to work with; an entirely fresh canvas. Look how many buttons it got. Do you really think they'll give Warrior two full combos or replace the 6-7 buttons Dragoon loses? I guarantee they won't.

Again, I didn't say they would do anything, I said it opened a door to more actions without increased buttons. I game on a controller because they give you that option and it makes the game more enjoyable. If they gave me the option to do this I would because it makes more sense on a controller. Other people would want it for different reasons. But the dev team seems pretty keen on giving us a lot of options, especially on things like UI. So I do not share your concerns. I would prefer it as an option and I still want people who don't prefer it to have the UI be how it is good for them.

[ForteNightshade]

You're assuming something I didn't say. I never claimed that was a cause, I simply stated that it would make room without increasing the number of buttons.

Yes. But you're still implying the lack of perceived button space was ever a reason to begin with. Like I said, even if they did consolidate combos, they wouldn't add new ones. We'd just have less buttons to press. Several jobs have plenty of space even now. They still don't want to add additional combos on tanks or DPS buttons on Healers.

Not assumption, people literally said as much... in this thread, and you just inferred it again in your rebuttal.

Who in this thread has even insinuated pressing 123 instead of 111 is harder? Even if there were a few, they're a distinct minority yet every time combo consolidation is brought up, several people act as though this is the only reason people have any opposition towards it. Even your own quote essentially dismissing the opposing perspective as being "threatened".

Again, I didn't say they would do anything, I said it opened a door to more actions without increased buttons. I game on a controller because they give you that option and it makes the game more enjoyable. If they gave me the option to do this I would because it makes more sense on a controller. Other people would want it for different reasons. But the dev team seems pretty keen on giving us a lot of options, especially on things like UI. So I do not share your concerns. I would prefer it as an option and I still want people who don't prefer it to have the UI be how it is good for them.

The problem is it will never be optional. They aren't going to design a consolidation system only to then continue pruning abilities. So in the case of say, Gunbreaker. If three new abilities were added, I'm suddenly squeezing for hotbar space because none were removed. So I either have to put these abilities on awkward keybinds or am forced into consolidating combos. Hence why it isn't optional for those of us who dislike it. At least it won't be at some point.

[hagare]

We'd just have less buttons to press.

less buttons, same APM.
Instead of pressing 123 you go 111
you still have to do it three times.
Less bloat means easier hotbar management.