Is the game really going to have a GCD system?

[Zehira]

The problem with such a long GCD without independent ability cooldowns is that you have no reason to use anything aside from your strongest attack every single time.

Indeed, 2HR scared me.

[Reynhart]

The problem with such a long GCD without independent ability cooldowns is that you have no reason to use anything aside from your strongest attack every single time.

Yes, no reason.
Except:
- Cost reason. We should assume that stronger WS will cost more TP than weaker ones, so if you need a quick hit with what TP left you have, go for it.
- Additionnal effect reason. Several WS have a little bonus that you'll need. Like an enmity boost, a bleeding, flash or stun effect.
- Radius reason. WAR won't spam Steel Cyclone over and over, because you don't always need an AoE WS.
- Combo reason. Every combo starts with an early WS (Probably a weak one), so you'll use them at least to pull off the entire combo. And for "why using combo", see the "Additionnal effect reason".
- Break reason. WS can still break parts on bigger mobs, regardless of their damage output. They should design combat strategy based on breaking the right parts.

I think that's a bunch of good reasons already but we could imagine others too, like...
- "Skillchain" reason. We know "battle regiments" are still on the to-do list. They'll probably use some of our WS that could be deemed as "useless"

[EinSoFZ]

I'd prefer every skill have an individual timer as well. I mean, logically to me that's how it's supposed to be and it worked really well in 1.0. GCD just plays with my head because I don't understand how it makes logical sense. It certainly doesn't prevent spamming. The only thing it actually does is stifle combat despite speeding it up.

But before I complain too much, I do realize it's just alpha and maybe they have different intents for the long gual.

[Wolfie]

It certainly doesn't prevent spamming.

what the hell?

[EinSoFZ]

what the hell?

I mean it doesn't prevent it anymore than having an individual cooldown on each ability would in the sense that you use the ability over and over again without regard for tactics. I'm not talking about how we'd use abilities if there were no cooldown at all. Obviously that's something else.

[Wolfie]

I mean it doesn't prevent it anymore than having an individual cooldown on each ability would in the sense that you use the ability over and over again without regard for tactics. I'm not talking about how we'd use abilities if there were no cooldown at all. Obviously that's something else.

With no GCD and no animation lock, you could fire off all of your abilities at once. That's bad, okay?

[EinSoFZ]

With no GCD and no animation lock, you could fire off all of your abilities at once. That's bad, okay?

Then they should just switch back to a system similar to 1.0 in terms of TP use and regeneration. Seems a better choice than having GCD and constant TP regen. As is, the use of skills is even less about practical skill than it was before ARR.

[Eekiki]

Keep in mind you only have 1000 TP, and from the looks of things, it does not regenerate that quickly in battle.

So regardless of the cooldown, your capacity to "spam" abilities will be limited.

[Reynhart]

Keep also in mind that the capacity to spam doesn't mean you will have to spam.

In fact, people will have to learn when to hold back by themselve without the game holding their hand.
I'll really laugh at the first "spam-fest" : WS-WS-WS-ws-get_hate-die

[RoninDarkchild]

So ppl woudl rather have your combo choices taken away from you (1.0), instead of you choosing which one you want to use? :-\