[dev1022] Auto-attack system questions and discussion

[ChiefCurrahee]

Once again, it should be noted that this thread is in no way a statement that the combat system should stay as-is. The point is that they shouldn't change the system without any reason behind it.

This thread is, in fact, a statement saying that if S-E changes the combat system this way, it will not be seen in a favorable light by anyone except those who want XI's combat because it's XI's combat.

Did you even read my whole post? Because I did post a reason behind why they should change the battle system to include an auto attack. Or did you just skim and find something to quote and take it out of context to drive this thread in a different direction?

I'll say it again.

As the battle system stands now,It is tedious to navigate the action bar WITH A GAMEPAD. Let me give you the situation.

You action bar consists of:
1) Light attack 2) Guard 3) Provoke 4) Phalanx 5) Red Lotus 6) Circle SLash 7) Cure

A battle goes like this:

1 1 1 2 5 4 1 1 1 5 6 7 1 1 1 2 5

you just took 17 actions which requires 17 inputs.

Now on a game pad it looks like this:
1 1 1 > 2 > > > 5 < 4 < < < 1 1 1 > > > >5 > 6 > 7 < < < < < < 1 1 1 > 2 > > > 5

you did 17 actions and had 41 user inputs.

Even if you hold down the direction pad and are 100% accurate and stop on the desired action it takes 27 inputs for 17 actions.

THE SYSTEM IS TEDIOUS.

*IF* your basic attacks become auto attacks
you input becomes: (AA) = auto attack
1(AA) (AA) (AA) > 2 > 5 < 4 (AA) (AA) (AA) > 5 > 6 >7 (AA) (AA) (AA) < < < < < 2 > > > 5

17 actions 23 inputs.
(or if 100% and hold down direction button 17 actions for 17 inputs)
Trust me PS3 users WILL complain about this.

Now I can't be 100% certain about SE's strategy for marketing FFXIV. But I think they are counting on the PS3 release to be the 2nd chance for FFXIV. You don't want that user base to be upset from the exclusion of 1 input being taken away from the user.

Now before you say it's dumbing down the game. Gamers want immersion, or any other asinine comment about how Auto attack will destroy the game. Think of what it means for the game over all.

You can have gear that has:
variety of DMG vs Delay weapons
Enhance attack speed gear
enhance attack speed / dmg: spells / skills / abilities

Players have a chance to communicate in battle w/o feeling they are "missing" an attack round.

Less overall transmitted data ( probably won't affect anything at all)

Now what does it take away from FFXIV?

............................?

Player input of 1 attack?

.............................?

The Ability to attack at will? (make it so if you select your "1" basic attack again it turns auto attack off.)


Though it's my opinion an Auto Attack will do this game more good than harm. And we all want this game to be good.