Feedback on changes to Black Mage

[EverettSpair]

First off, im posting this here because there is not adedicated feedback forum for the game.

Now the removal of the Black Mage timer is a terrible decision. Its clear this is a kneejerk reaction just to make the job much simpler in order to not scare away new players. The big problem is that this change removes all the complexity and fun with the job. I play BLM because its complex. its fun to try and do mechanics while maintaining the timer. Sometimes i succeed, sometimes i fail, prompting me to change things up and do better.

Purely removing the timer also means that the big action you get at lvl 90, Paradox, is now wholly and fully useless. The action is there so you have an instant cast action that resets your timer. With the timer gone, why is Paradox still there?
Next the Firestarter status. This status gives a free Fire III cast and at high levels is primarily used to reset the timer. Why does this still exist if the timer is gone?
Next is Triple Cast. This skill (at least for me) is mainly used so you can cast while on the move in order to do mechanics while maintaining the timer. I concede that this action still has some use (casting while moving) but is mostly useless now as well. Why does Triple Cast still exist?

All of this is to say. Put the timer back on. Your quest to simplify all jobs so new players can do all of them is completely the wrong choice. What about us players who want complex jobs? We're not part of your job balancing at all? You need to think about ALL your players and have at least one or two highly complex jobs while keep a bunch simplistic so everyone gets something they want.


Again. I cant find anywhere else to send feedback to Square Enix about this issue. if a modder or whoever sees this, please pass this on to actual developers.

Einar.

[Jodynn]

I am a black mage main; I have successfully completed end game content and love the challenge black mage provides as well; I am sad to see some of that go.

First let me put up a rebuttal to you calling skills useless:

Paradox/Firestarter: it's your single target damage in the level 1~59 phase and should not be ignored.
Later it can be a movement skill (and was a refresh skill); ever done Minstrel's Endsinger or Barb Extreme? You need all the movement skills you can get.
More importantly and more often, once you have paradox and guaranteed Firestarter, it is used to ignore blizzard 3 potency penalty and a weaved transpose with Firestarter->fire 3 because that will always be more potency than Blizzard 3.

Triple cast is not useless and never will be, only in content that you never have to move now. Dungeons/AR with mob-to-mob movement and trials with high movement are just a couple of examples.
Honestly, I'd say give access to triple cast sooner because doing low level dungeons with mobs going to end of the field is annoying as hell as a black mage, you're either scathing or thunder spamming.
I will miss the risk of using it for damage instead of saving it for movement, but this has been done with all other movement skills so it's our turn.
In fact, it can still be a damage buff, it can still be used for damage so you can weave transpose to Firestarter on umbral phase without using high thunder potentially early or stacking another Xeno for the 2-minute buff window.

There are strengths and weaknesses for changes to black mage:

Weakness:
1. Every bit of complexity loss makes loss of identity increase
2. Spell speed is a lot less important now offering less build options, long live Crit. I guess
3. Change is bad for some, they like stability
4. If you're still learning black mage rotation you lose out on the frustration -> gratification.
5. Every bit of complexity loss makes skilled players closer to being bored
6. Scathe still didn't get reworked...

Strength:
1. I don't have to cast fire 1 past level 60
2. Solo content or cutscene content is less annoying if you don't have time to go to umbral and use umbral soul.
3. New players obviously
4. Change is good for some, they like flux
5. If you're already good at black mage the timer doesn't matter, your rotation is already tight especially once you have paradox.
6. Loss of complexity makes facing complex mechanics easier.

(char limit making another reply)

[Jodynn]

My biggest concern is the future of the game for skilled players.

I can deal with this change as is, sure, but if there are no future changes to end game to allow the addition of complexity or personalization, I think that will be disastrous.
I think if we the developers think outside the box and allow more skill and more power by choice, then we can cater to new and end game players alike which I think is needed. We need to cater to BOTH.
Example with this change in particular: A black mage mastery passive you can toggle on: I want to challenge myself, so give me a toggle to make cast times longer, make astral and umbral have a timer, but make me do more damage because I'm trying harder.
They said they did not want to raise level past 100, perhaps this allows for more customizability and allowing choosing some skills, mastery or passives later rather than only really choosing slightly different gear and Materia.

I don't struggle in general with the timer as it was in group content in general in content I'm comfortable in, to me it's (almost) purely quality of life for over world, solo content, or for prog.
I will mourn that the growing phase people will miss out on.

[EverettSpair]

well. having played more BLM now i can safely say i hate it. its so braindead. its less or same complexity as attacking with a healer. Good job devs on destroying my favorite job.

Revert all BLM changes NOW.

There is no redeeming this trash. I thought to be more constructive but i cannot condone just trashing a job with no thought about it whatsoever.

But who am I kidding? no dev is ever going to read this so im just talking to a wall.