Buffs that last a bit longer

[Martyr]

That wasn't an argument, that was a statement. And yes, increasing the timer on something because it is "tedious" is a way of dumbing down something...

Coming up with a more efficient way of doing things is not 'dumbing it down.'

Is driving a car to work just 'dumbing down' walking?

The only 'strategies' that I've seen that are applicable to buffs are that they require better aggro management, since casting buffs in the middle of a battle draws a lot of aggro, and that casting buffs draws your attention away from other things (nuking/healing) causing you to have to prioritize what you're doing.

Make buffs an hour long, up the aggro on healing spells, and have enemies do more abilities that require you to cleanse statuses. Yes, the maintenance on buffs is gone, but the extra healing aggro forces healers to play smarter with how they heal, instead of just spamming AoE heals on everyone, and having more enemies with status effects effectively makes it so you have to juggle if it's worth it to stop healing/nuking in order to clear an ailment, or if you should ride it out.

There are ways to add strategy without adding tedium. The above is just an example of how you could do it while keeping buffs longer.

I'm still for multiple abilities that require thought and awareness of the current battle situation in order to use effectively without getting munched on by the enemy.

[RichardButte]

everyone wants a dumbed down game, people don't wanna think and use their brain, a challenge is tedious and should be removed... wow, and i thought i heard it all. this community seriously wants hands outs...

You're right: buffing is SUCH a challenge.

Every time I go to buff my party, I'm thinking "Oh man, this is SO HARD! Is my buff going to go off?! Is one of my party going to wander out of the AoE range?! I'M ON THE EDGE OF MY FRIGGIN' SEAT!!!!"

With such pulse-pounding excitement like this, who WOULDN'T want to do it EVERY 5 MINUTES!?!??! WHOAMG!!!!

Move over, Russian Roulette! There's a new exciting thrill to be found in BUFFING!

...

You see, here I'm using sarcasm to make a point...

[LazyKz]

With such pulse-pounding excitement like this, who WOULDN'T want to do it EVERY 5 MINUTES!?!??! WHOAMG!!!!

lmao.... you see??? this is stratagy to keep mages from falling asleep like WHTs did in FFXI with NIN tanks.

Who knows... maybe they will make us go upto the mob after its downed to loot it!!! OMG this is going to get hard everyone...

<also sarcasm>

[Jinko]

That wasn't an argument, that was a statement. And yes, increasing the timer on something because it is "tedious" is a way of dumbing down something...

Some people just want the game to be punishing for the sake of it also, fact is games are supposed to be fun not tedious.

[DeadRiser]

Some people just want the game to be punishing for the sake of it also, fact is games are supposed to be fun not tedious.

Tedious? In MMO's, don't you grind? Isn't that considered being tedious as well? That was a very hypocritcal statement.

I think they should make the buffs more powerful than a 30 minute timer.

[RichardButte]

Tedious? In MMO's, don't you grind? Isn't that considered being tedious as well? That was a very hypocritcal statement.

Not really.

Having to grind is like being stabbed. Just because you've been stabbed, would you mind being stabbed again any LESS?

[DeadRiser]

Not really.

Having to grind is like being stabbed. Just because you've been stabbed, would you mind being stabbed again any LESS?

I never felt a stabbing sensation when buffing. It's not that much of a pain to buff every 5 minutes or so. I'm with the other guy, everything is easy/simple enough.
And the deal with the 30 minute timer for Defender and whatnot, they are giving up a percent of their attack for physical/magical defense. Unless you want to give up some of your defense for others, or reduce you're magical/physical attack for others defense, I'd keep the buffs as is (just make them a little stronger as you rank up).

[Rentahamster]

Holy cow, how did this thread get so huge?

Buffs need to be longer. Spell buffs, self buffs, all of them.

Spell buffs like protect and shell need to last at least 5 minutes, with stats playing a great role in modifying its effectiveness, and its duration.

There are a bunch of more fun things to do besides buff every 3 minutes. Nowadays, I don't even bother buffing besides the occasional shockspikes, because it's more effective if I just all out nuke.

That means the need to:

1. Make the buff last longer since I probably won't bother to cast it again when it wears off after 3 min

2. Actually make it more useful so that I care when it wears off. Back before the November patch in the raptor party days, we actually cared and took notice when protect and shell wore off since it was a large factor in the battle.

[Jinko]

Um Renta both Protect and Shell last 5 minutes on CON, only on THM do they last 3 mins.

I agree though that before the nov patch both spells were actually worth casting now I couldn't care less if they wear off.

Tedious? In MMO's, don't you grind? Isn't that considered being tedious as well? That was a very hypocritcal statement.

I think they should make the buffs more powerful than a 30 minute timer.

Hardly Hypocritical, I actually enjoy grinding if there is a complex and interesting battle system, casting buffs in this game is comparable to being a haste-whore in FF11, who the hell could possibly enjoy that ?

... Waits for I enjoyed playing RDM in FF11.

[DeadRiser]

Um Renta both Protect and Shell last 5 minutes on CON, only on THM do they last 3 mins.

I agree though that before the nov patch both spells were actually worth casting now I couldn't care less if they wear off.


Hardly Hypocritical, I actually enjoy grinding if there is a complex and interesting battle system, casting buffs in this game is comparable to being a haste-whore in FF11, who the hell could possibly enjoy that ?

... Waits for I enjoyed playing RDM in FF11.

I mean grinding is tedious. You do the same thing, over and over again. But whatev.
Nope, didn't play XI so sorry to burst your bubble.
This is the last time I'm gonna say it, just increase the effect of it then you have a useful spell.