Im worried for Casters evolved mode

[Karuya]

Because like, if i think in the state of the footage, having a 30 seconds CD on holy sanctuary... technically means that you can use only 3 heals every 30 seconds, if you use more then you will lose dps because you won't have enough holy sanctuary usages to benefit from it. So the way this skills currently works looks to me like it will actually limitate the numer of heals you want to use... While if they implement it the way i said before, then holy sanctuary won't have a usage limitation, so people will be able to heal as much as they want, they will just have to think about using holy sanctuary every 3 heals they use.

In that case, holy sanctuary would become more useful if it doesn't consume every sanctity stack, but only one every time : you could use 3 heals in order to prepare 3 sanctity so you could have 3 instant casts during an incoming movement heavy mechanic.

[Karuya]

Or actually (sorry for repost), we can mix both options : base damage gcd stays instant, and holy sanctuary keeps a cast time, but holy sanctuary doesn't have a CD and can be used only when you have at least 1 sanctity stack. That way, holy sanctuary would serve as a button "okay, you healed 3 times, now you are forced to stay put and cast holy sanctuary to gain the right to cast other heals without losing dps". That looks fine to me, you are not really limited in the number of heals you can use, and there is some kind of managing your cast time in order to get max dps.

[jrollins89]

To me, the Black Mage is the classic glass cannon. High damage output but low durability, and the powerful skills come with the clear drawback that you have to stand still to cast them. Without this drawback, the Black Mage would ultimately be nothing more than a Summoner or Dancer with a different skin. And that’s exactly what contradicts the job identity you’re trying to strengthen.

I think it’s perfectly fine that there are different difficulty levels within the caster role. They don’t have to be huge. But if you want to play a caster who just runs around dealing damage like a Machinist or Dancer, there’s already the Summoner for that.

Oh HELL NAH.

Summoners didn't ask for this. Jumping around and firing off spells like a machine gun was not even remotely in anyone's description of any Summoner in the franchise prior to the EW lobotomization rework.

And if Summoners have to continue with this playstyle then I hope all the other casters also suffer in equal measure. You know, class solidarity and all. I hope Black Mages gets to keep their cast bars BUT moving doesn't cancel their casts and they retain full mobility. Because I'm petty like that.

EDIT: Also, if we're making the "classic glass cannon" argument then classic Summoner was arguably even more of a glass cannon than Black Mage, with longer cast times/animations, slower ATB gain (when applicable), and bigger nukes. So maybe it is Black Mage that should be the caster running around like the Machinist and Dancer since we're throwing each other under the bus?

[Flowerscody2]

one things that always gets me when ppl bring this up: Does the game ever actually them "casters"? as far as im aware they are always referred to as "magical ranged dps" just like "physical ranged dps". "Caster" is a community term right? I mean i get its a logical thing to call them but you cant be mad about a promise that was never given

So when people complain they dont have enough cast times i cant help but wonder where in the game does it say they are "supposed" to have cast times?

does the game ever actually say casters? genuine q

[Mesarthim]

one things that always gets me when ppl bring this up: Does the game ever actually them "casters"? as far as im aware they are always referred to as "magical ranged dps" just like "physical ranged dps". "Caster" is a community term right? I mean i get its a logical thing to call them but you cant be mad about a promise that was never given

So when people complain they dont have enough cast times i cant help but wonder where in the game does it say they are "supposed" to have cast times?

does the game ever actually say casters? genuine q

Dumb semantics aside, there is also the gear that usually has the suffix of "OF CASTING". Otherwise they would just be magical themed physical ranged dps.

[Azurarok]

It's Magical Ranged DPS under the Job Guide, but even in JP their gear is typically named "[gearset] Caster [bodypart]" and the devs themselves do generally refer to the role as caster (pretty sure YoshiP used the term when they hinted on PCT).
Healers and Casters are then grouped under Disciples of Magic.

[Khryseis_Astra]

A caster casts spells. Whether that cast is short or long doesn’t make them any less or more of a caster. Hopefully we see our current range of short to long casts preserved in evolved mode so people can play to their preferences. But they are all casters.

[Supersnow845]

Alisaie gets whacked in the EW trailer by an enemy because it caught her casting

It’s obvious casting is a core aspect of magical ranged DPS

[Dyvid]

Didn't they say PCT was a pseudo test bed for evolved mode so I think it's fair to say cast timers are going to stay. In a boarder view caster, do retain individual flavor in terms of playstyle; BLM goes from Fire to Ice, RDM still builds up sword gauge, PCT paints, Summoner.... summons. Most button bloat is from the AoE needing separate spells. I think most main can see where they can trim the fat off their jobs.

Now that doesn't mean said jobs don't need some love to make them play better and hopefully removing the 120sec metaverse allow them to develop with more freedom.

[RaionKansen]

Hopefully they show off casters at Berlin or Tokyo.

I imagine PCT wont be much different in evolved mode. Same for VPR.

They have a chance to make SMN really cool with being able to maybe pick different primals as ability reskins and I hope they give RDM some of its melee identity back.