[dev1022] Auto-attack system questions and discussion

[Lebannen]

Seeing as to how they have a stamina bar, I think implementing auto attack would ruin the pace of the battle. Besides having to push a button per attack just feels more interactive if you ask me. I would want them to increase the execution speed of the actions instead of having too wait a couple of seconds before the action is carried out.

[Velhart]

I welcome auto-attack. It would give me the opportunity to be more flexible with my abilities. As a tank, I don't like having to keep having to come back to basic attacking when I need to do everything I can to make sure that I keep the enemy in my sights. So having myself auto-attack while I use abilities to keep hate will greatly help me.

[northernsky]

Auto attack ruins the other "attacks" each class gets that you purchase with marks. If they add auto attack I hope they don't do away with the flexibility of things like close shot, heavy shot, far shot, heavy slash, heavy swing etc...

A lot of people don't know they exist, and they think all they have for options is "light attack" which isn't the case. If people started using the other optional "standard attacks" you can purchase with marks, they wouldn't be asking for auto attack.

They are attacks that come at a stamina cost greater than "light swing" but have additional effects like generating more TP for the player, reducing the monsters TP each swing, increasing enmity and hitting multiple targets.

These are "standard attacks" that are not TP moves, so if used correctly should make most of the rants about "all I do is push 1 button anyway" moot.

Go buy your class skills, and start using them.

You bring a very good point.

Something I could see is that all attacking abilities that cost no point to equip could be used as auto attack.

Let's say you equip them on your bar, but when you select one of those auto-attack moves, the first hit throws in, then other hits follow at a given interval, that is different for the different moves.

If you hit the same auto-attack move again, it turns auto-attack off, which lets you stack ferocity/bloodbath/hawk's eye/ TP move etc.

If you hit another auto-attack move, it kicks in when the previous move's cooldown is done and this is your new auto-attack.

It could be a nice way to combine the current system with an auto-attack, what do you think?

[Geist]

That's a good suggestion.

Myself, I haven't been feeling the need for a mandatory auto-attack feature - making it an available option is all right, but really... combat is hardly that fast-paced. To each their own, though.

[Whax]

I think auto attack could be implemented as on/off feature. I can see myself using like that, on for farm and rank up and off for more strategic battles like NM.

[Malakhim]

You bring a very good point.

Something I could see is that all attacking abilities that cost no point to equip could be used as auto attack.

Let's say you equip them on your bar, but when you select one of those auto-attack moves, the first hit throws in, then other hits follow at a given interval, that is different for the different moves.

If you hit the same auto-attack move again, it turns auto-attack off, which lets you stack ferocity/bloodbath/hawk's eye/ TP move etc.

If you hit another auto-attack move, it kicks in when the previous move's cooldown is done and this is your new auto-attack.

It could be a nice way to combine the current system with an auto-attack, what do you think?

The problem with this idea is that you don't take the stamina bar into account. There's an action cost, but each action uses different amounts of the stamina bar. Certain abilities are also dependent on the use of others, such as flurry only being able to be set off after a successful heavy strike. At least as a pugilist, auto attack wouldn't make sense. In order for auto-attack to work effectively, they'd need to revise a whole slew of abilities and probably do away with the stamina bar/cost idea, which I'm personally not a fan of. That isn't to say that I wouldn't be in favor of it if they were able to come up with a creative solution that doesn't destroy the game for a subset of players.

[Alcide]

Seriousely, I really can't seem to understand how can someone think the battle system is spammy, i NEVER spam auto attack.

If you feel the game is spammy just learn how to play your class, don't blame the devs.

[northernsky]

The problem with this idea is that you don't take the stamina bar into account. There's an action cost, but each action uses different amounts of the stamina bar. Certain abilities are also dependent on the use of others, such as flurry only being able to be set off after a successful heavy strike. At least as a pugilist, auto attack wouldn't make sense. In order for auto-attack to work effectively, they'd need to revise a whole slew of abilities and probably do away with the stamina bar/cost idea, which I'm personally not a fan of. That isn't to say that I wouldn't be in favor of it if they were able to come up with a creative solution that doesn't destroy the game for a subset of players.

I think auto-attack could just be taken out of the stamina system, and readjust the cost of the moves that consume stamina accordingly.
Higher stamina cost of existing base attacks (that would be converted into auto-attack) could translate into higher delay between strikes.

Why do you think it would not work with your pug reflex moves?
I think it gives you even more time to focus on these types of moves. Also, I can throw in a feint even after I have launched a successful attack after having missed as long as my ~3 seconds feint timer is not over

[Griss]

If the #1 slot is converted to an auto attack on/off toggle and these attacks are at no stamina cost say at a set interval or delays are added to weapons i am all for it honestly. it wouldn't "Ruin" guild mark attacks or secondary's it would make them more valuable, they stay at will attacks at the cost of stamina that have nice effects and generate extra tp.

Now mind you i am pro auto attack for melee/mage classes i am very weary of putting archer and any future ranged classes on full auto.

[RodimusPrime]

Might as well increase the damage by all abilities, rather than implementing auto attack. Honestly don't see the point in it.