Setting sights on the future of physical ranged DPS

[Sylvain]

* Static rotation (<-- this is where everyone except Dancer is right now)

I'd Argue RDM and BRD to some extent are also part of the exception

[Carighan]

I'd Argue RDM and BRD to some extent are also part of the exception

Hrm... fair enough. Debatable. I'm used to thinking about it from an EverQuest perspective, and in the "old" design (granted, 6 combat roles and all back then) they'd be static-y, but I get what you mean. RDM is in fact a bit special, as they're like the inverse of a priority based design in their core mechanic, but due to the abundance of energy-generation tools and in particular the procs at higher levels, this rarely has a big gameplay effect. Balance of energy is never difficult or meaningfully complicated. If it were, it'd truly be a priority-job, having to maybe not use a skill you want to use because zomg damage, but it'd unbalance your energy if you did. It's close to a really cool design, yeah.

[Valence]

BRD is not static. The burst also follows a priority triage system similar to DNC, just less packed. It also has procs on the GCD and oGCDs, similarly. The gauge generation is variable.
RDM is also not static with some priority baked into the filler combo combined with swiftcasts and accelerations acting as old MCH ammo, and a variable gauge generation.

But that's about it. Even AST lost its rng, and I'll not mention MNK because that's just on ogcd chakras.

[mallleable]

With some not-so-scientific testing in Wolves' Den Pier, I can conclude that regular Sprint almost fully negates the walking part of walking casts. So Peloton could actually be reworked so that it grants Sprint to the player for 10 seconds, and has a 60 second cooldown -- to be later lowered to 40 seconds in the level 90-100 range when used in combat, and when used out of combat, grants the small party movement buff like it does now, and has its cooldown refunded. Having 2 sprint cool downs would be more than enough for any fight, for any mechanic.

[Carighan]

With some not-so-scientific testing in Wolves' Den Pier, I can conclude that regular Sprint almost fully negates the walking part of walking casts. So Peloton could actually be reworked so that it grants Sprint to the player for 10 seconds, and has a 60 second cooldown -- to be later lowered to 40 seconds in the level 90-100 range when used in combat, and when used out of combat, grants the small party movement buff like it does now, and has its cooldown refunded. Having 2 sprint cool downs would be more than enough for any fight, for any mechanic.

I don't think further removing the "caster" part of being, well, a caster, is helping the game's design at all. If anything we need the polar opposite, even Black Mage is so mobile they feel like a Dancer used to, nowadays.

[mallleable]

I don't think further removing the "caster" part of being, well, a caster, is helping the game's design at all. If anything we need the polar opposite, even Black Mage is so mobile they feel like a Dancer used to, nowadays.

It isn't a game, but I gotta reference Frieren. There is a character that the speed at with they can cast spells was notable, and we got to see them in action as they machinegun out spell after devastating spell when fighting an enemy. So from a purely fantasy standpoint, I think spellcraft like that is well within the general mage identity, and like works in XIV. Similarly, as a marksman one should be able to camp a spot, and lay down fire with deadly precision, but also be able to run, and gun like John Wick. However, in XIV our 'marksmen' are forced to run, and gun all the time, and it has no flavor. They need contrast between marksmanship styles -- it needs to be a choice.

[Valence]

I don't think further removing the "caster" part of being, well, a caster, is helping the game's design at all. If anything we need the polar opposite, even Black Mage is so mobile they feel like a Dancer used to, nowadays.

Imagine playing in the current encounter design with HW BLM hahaha, have fun

[mallleable]

Koana is shown using the sniper rifle from PVP in the Crossroads trailer in what appears to be a solo duty cutscene. Do it! Commit to further PVPifying MCH, and BRD, and give them walking casts as well! Get mad!! Physical Ranged tax, yer days are numbered!!! It will be on the one that has to pay us this time!!

[Carighan]

Koana is shown using the sniper rifle from PVP in the Crossroads trailer in what appears to be a solo duty cutscene. Do it! Commit to further PVPifying MCH, and BRD, and give them walking casts as well! Get mad!! Physical Ranged tax, yer days are numbered!!! It will be on the one that has to pay us this time!!

PvP is a treasure trove of fresh design ideas for most jobs, I wish the PvE designers would lean heavily into the ideas (not the actual implementation) of the PvP kits.