Animation Lock: Why don't you like it?

[KaiTBF]

Most of the animations I saw from the alpha videos looked fine. I think many of the LNC combos in particular were quick enough that I didn't really notice any sliding. The spear throw move in particular is a great example, as the character does a full-body leap as he performs the throw. It would look great if the character were charging the enemy. So it's a matter of animating the characters in such a way that they don't appear to slide.

As for spells, I'm pretty sure they cancel when the player tries to move. This was a decisive change to 1.0's system for mages, and I'm sure they will leave it that way.

Just as a heads up, everything I say regarding animation lock applies only to weaponskills. Casting is fine without animation lock since it cancels when you move anyhow. I wouldn't be against a similar system for weaponskills, a straight cancel would let you move if you had to but force you to abandon your damage. SE would have to calculate damage after the animation finished though, and I wouldn't be surprised if that turned into an issue.

I'll agree the spear throw thing looks fine, what I'm concerned for is the flashy things like chaos thrust, dragon kick, simian thrash, etc. where moving in the middle of the animation would look terribly awkward.

I could go for a compromise - cheaper, less-powerful skills have a shorter recovery time while flashier, high-powered attacks might lock you into place for a third to a half a second longer.

Regardless, only concern regarding this topic is the sliding. If SE could somehow creatively incorporate sliding/gliding as an intended aesthetic, I wouldn't mind it so much, but I don't think the fanbase is going to be happy with Advent Children/Dissidia air-dashes or DBZ-style levitation. Jehuty-skating, maybe?

A compromise would be nice to see. I'm afraid I can't offer any suggestions for the sliding though.