How games can have less scripted encounters

[Tunda]

This also comes down to class and fight design. Casters have movement tools. Even BLM has enough to handle a few unexpected mechanics. If FF shuffled mechanics to be truly random in existing content that would strain casters, but we could also step away from complex puzzle like mechanics or space them out.

I completely agree with you that the simple route of making everything a dice roll has problems, but we don't limit ourselves to only doing that I think it opens up a lot more possibilities. Class abilities should probably be tweaked in response too and move away from totally rigid rotations. They wouldn't have to be completely free form but they would need some amount of flexibility built in. I'm in favor of that even if content stays the same.


Major mechanics absolutely would need some kind of restriction. In a purely random setting you could encounter something like an infinite loop of M2 hearts. Pure randomization might be better used on smaller and less complex mechanics like stacks, raidwides, TB's while major mechanics are space out and perhaps just swapped in order.

If SE were to seriously consider revamping fights it would probably be best to limit it to a dedicated zone at first like Eureka or Bozja. That would let the devs and players experiment while also avoiding the need to revamp old content or disrupt current content grinding.

burst phases should be scripted.. we want 50% of the fights have some kind of shuffle or randomness

I am curios to see what they will do in bozja content.. I still remember that raid and how hard and fun it was, but they require to add more variant..

what do I mean by variant: Not all runs will be the same there is always a differences.. mechanic, stats, job comb, just anything that is easily noticeable could make a difference

[Raikai]

I have been playing games since I know games exist
I would like to share How FFXIV can have less scripted fights:

1- add variants that can be manipulated
2- encounters should have decision making based on the current situation
3- rage mechanic is always scripted but with a twist.. it can manipulate variants like boss attack speed been increase, boss move in unpredicted way.. boss can change his mode between being defensive or offensive based on situation.
4- taking advantage of some jobs skills to trigger more unpredictable boss behavior.

These things are not a new thing.. it is a lack part that I feel from shadowbringers that could come back in a modern more fun more engaging way

Adding variants could go a LONG way, especially things like 'dpsbusters' or something that the healers need to pay attention to. Heck, the fact that healers can literally spreadsheet their whole healing plan says volumes about how stiff their design is. And what's even interesting about following a spreadsheet instead of improvising and thinking on the go?

I'm of the opinion that healer dpsing kits should remain with the level of complexity they have today (although I strongly disagree with a filler nuke+dot copy paste for everyone), but they need to look more to the act of healing, and by that I don't mean "give more hard hits to heal", but instead they should allow players to express their healing skills by putting their brains to work.

[Payadopa]

Precisely the reason why we'd be terrible judges on how to 'fix' this issue. Seeing it on some surface-level "we want more variety in fights" like no duh. Thanks for the input. I'll definitely subscribe to your news letter where next week we learn that if you add variance to a fight, it won't be so scripted.

Sir, this is a feedback forum.