Bring Skillchains to FFXIV

[Calysto]

An idea of a simple skillchain system :
-each role get a gcd action (separate long recast) : red, blue and green.
-each give a corresponding color debuff with a base duration of 5s.
-each time the debuff change color it gets +1 counter but the duration is reduced by 0.5s by counter.
-when the debuff end it cause damage based of it's counter.

But I don't really see It working in XIV :
-the lack of elemental attribute lessen the point
-it worked if XI because it was a core gameplay element
-in XIV You'd see more people blaming other for missing their turn ; even if it was just for bonus damage

[dspguy]

An idea of a simple skillchain system :
-each role get a gcd action (separate long recast) : red, blue and green.
-each give a corresponding color debuff with a base duration of 5s.
-each time the debuff change color it gets +1 counter but the duration is reduced by 0.5s by counter.
-when the debuff end it cause damage based of it's counter.

But I don't really see It working in XIV :
-the lack of elemental attribute lessen the point
-it worked if XI because it was a core gameplay element
-in XIV You'd see more people blaming other for missing their turn ; even if it was just for bonus damage

In my opinion, the key reason skillchains won't work in FFXIV has nothing to do with the game mechanics. It has more to do with how the game urges us to play the game. Hear me out.

In FFXI, before the level 75 cap was removed, you shouted in Jeuno for a PT. You might have been in a static and occasionally had a random pickup to fill that last spot in case someone couldn't show. Or you played with 5 strangers every time. Then, you headed out to your camp and played with the same players for hours. If a skillchain got messed up, you had time to discuss it and correct it in-between pulls or weapon skills.

In FFXIV, the only "statics" are raiding groups. Every other aspect of the game is designed around tossing you together with 3-7 other random players... for ~20 minute forays into a dungeon. There is little time to communicate. It is mash-mash-mash, wall to wall, boss - repeat. There is no time to coordinate skillchains.

FFXIV is very much a solo game. Even if the content you are doing has 3-7 other players around you, they might as well be NPCs with various levels of AI (some good, some not-so-good). You do your rotation, occasionally pick up the slack for someone that failed a mechanic and then go your separate ways. Skillchains just don't fit with that.

[Bravura]

In my opinion, the key reason skillchains won't work in FFXIV has nothing to do with the game mechanics. It has more to do with how the game urges us to play the game. Hear me out.

In FFXI, before the level 75 cap was removed, you shouted in Jeuno for a PT. You might have been in a static and occasionally had a random pickup to fill that last spot in case someone couldn't show. Or you played with 5 strangers every time. Then, you headed out to your camp and played with the same players for hours. If a skillchain got messed up, you had time to discuss it and correct it in-between pulls or weapon skills.

In FFXIV, the only "statics" are raiding groups. Every other aspect of the game is designed around tossing you together with 3-7 other random players... for ~20 minute forays into a dungeon. There is little time to communicate. It is mash-mash-mash, wall to wall, boss - repeat. There is no time to coordinate skillchains.

FFXIV is very much a solo game. Even if the content you are doing has 3-7 other players around you, they might as well be NPCs with various levels of AI (some good, some not-so-good). You do your rotation, occasionally pick up the slack for someone that failed a mechanic and then go your separate ways. Skillchains just don't fit with that.

This is one of the best descriptions of the differences between FFXI and FFXIV I've ever read!