Comments from the Devs

[Gulkeeva]

Maybe when ffxiv allows "3rd party addons" someone will make a addon that "auto buffs" for you by pressing/moving in some way.
I use something similar in wow that tracks my groups buffs, the classes that need a certain buff, and how long it has left... if anyone is below a set "time" before the buff runs out I get a notice. If I scroll my mouse, it automatically buffs said person needing a buff once in range.

Anyway... speaking of 3rd party addons... it was mentioned long ago he would like the game to have it, but no "interviews" have really asked him if and when it may happen ;/

[Grey Jorildyn]

They've still got a ways to go in 1st party development so I wouldn't count on that seeing the light of day for a very long time.

[Hyan]

Anyway... speaking of 3rd party addons... it was mentioned long ago he would like the game to have it, but no "interviews" have really asked him if and when it may happen ;/

They're all hush-hush when it comes to server+engine adjustments.

Those will seriously make or break this game. I just have no clue what to reasonably even expect. A heavy performance increase in both latency and the way the game runs would be glorious, with a client side UI on top of it.

Either way, we can entertain ourselves with what 1.19 and such have to offer, but they're still meaningless additions until we get the increase in overall performance.

[Kurokikaze]

They're all hush-hush when it comes to server+engine adjustments.

Those will seriously make or break this game. I just have no clue what to reasonably even expect. A heavy performance increase in both latency and the way the game runs would be glorious, with a client side UI on top of it.

Either way, we can entertain ourselves with what 1.19 and such have to offer, but they're still meaningless additions until we get the increase in overall performance.

So much truth right here.

[XalienLevi]

They're all hush-hush when it comes to server+engine adjustments.

Those will seriously make or break this game. I just have no clue what to reasonably even expect. A heavy performance increase in both latency and the way the game runs would be glorious, with a client side UI on top of it.

Either way, we can entertain ourselves with what 1.19 and such have to offer, but they're still meaningless additions until we get the increase in overall performance.

Honestly this is what continues to kill the game for me. The overall sluggish feeling of doing everything. Bores me to sleep.

[Lucavi]

Thanks for clearing that up.

Isn't that the point? The game is failing at handling short term buffs properly. I dunno, you seem to think they're doing just fine.

[Jamison]

So much truth right here.

/agree

I believe that Yoshi-P has pretty high standards, but the question remains how much of what's been done in years past can realistically be undone.

[XalienLevi]

Isn't that the point? The game is failing at handling short term buffs properly. I dunno, you seem to think they're doing just fine.

Not sure how it was done in WoW since I never played. But if anyone makes throwing a temp shield up on someone look badass and feel good, it's Arenanet. Jedi Sage does it well in TOR also.

This is just, "Ok everyone stop, I'm casting buffs again," terrible. Part of the problem is this whole strategic positioning bullshit Tanaka was trying to create. I'm not saying it won't turn out to be fun, but maybe they should change the rules for casting party buffs at the very least. 30 yalm radius? /shrug

[Jamison]

This wouldn't be very final fantasy-like, but have it cast on the mage (only) and be active on anyone within a radius of the mage.

[miokomioko]

That's nudging in on what Arcanist is going to be. (totems/auras/etc.)

[Lordender]

Not sure how it was done in WoW since I never played. But if anyone makes throwing a temp shield up on someone look badass and feel good, it's Arenanet. Jedi Sage does it well in TOR also.

This is just, "Ok everyone stop, I'm casting buffs again," terrible. Part of the problem is this whole strategic positioning bullshit Tanaka was trying to create. I'm not saying it won't turn out to be fun, but maybe they should change the rules for casting party buffs at the very least. 30 yalm radius? /shrug

In WoW someone just hits their buff spell and wham, there you go, 1hr buff or 30min buff, 100 yard range.

[Lucavi]

^ This. Click button on hot bar, everyone in your alliance gets the buff. Stays for an hour or 30 minutes or until you die, and its 100 yards. Set it and forget it. There are other "instant" buffs to use mid-battle, like Bloodlust, but they follow a similar format. There's no click >> long, drawn-out looped casting animation >> spell effect that locks characters in position when the effect hits on them >> you have the effect, provided you were in the small radius.

It doesn't have to be as "easy" as WoW, but this drawn out nonsense is annoying as hell. Its a fucking defense buff, not some game-breaking ability that will single-handedly win the day on some massive cooldown.

[Kaylia]

Not sure how it was done in WoW since I never played. But if anyone makes throwing a temp shield up on someone look badass and feel good, it's Arenanet. Jedi Sage does it well in TOR also.

This is just, "Ok everyone stop, I'm casting buffs again," terrible. Part of the problem is this whole strategic positioning bullshit Tanaka was trying to create. I'm not saying it won't turn out to be fun, but maybe they should change the rules for casting party buffs at the very least. 30 yalm radius? /shrug

If they wanted positioning to matter, protect should drop a giant anti-magic bubble on the ground that you have to stand in it.

This is the kind of stuff that add interesting gameplay dynamics

[miokomioko]

Again... they are making an entire mage class based on positioning.

That doesn't solve the problem of the existing Conjurer's Protect/Shell having such incredibly short durations and small areas of effect... when the current events are an hour long and involve constant roaming.

[Celeras]

It doesn't have to be as "easy" as WoW, but this drawn out nonsense is annoying as hell. Its a fucking defense buff, not some game-breaking ability that will single-handedly win the day on some massive cooldown.

2-3 second cast every 7 minutes. God, please somebody save me from this unbearable monotony.

[Lucavi]

2-3 second cast every 7 minutes. God, please somebody save me from this unbearable monotony.

Just another drop of acid in the bucket of "stay the fuck away from this game - no wonder its free to play". Its cool, though.

[Celeras]

Troll on brudda.

[Niiro]

More like 10 seconds for both and gathering everyone in an unreasonably small radius when you seldom spend time in any one spot for long.

edit: 15-20 if you want to do spikes and stoneskin too

[Celeras]

I can see how that is an issue with a strategy-less party where everybody except the tank is taking damage with only one mage to buff everybody.

As for everything I do, I'm not seeing it. Buffs get cast a whole two times inside DH for 100% uptime before everything is full cleared, and both times are on portals to spawn bosses where everybody gathers anyway.

[miokomioko]

Unfortunately, groups of players who have complete, predetermined strategies and are fully familiar with all aspects of an event... and can follow directions... are a minority.

I know people in general should "suck less" but they won't... Something should be done to make it less of a chore for even a competent Conjurer to place its arsenal of party buffs on its entire party when dealing with people who do occasionally get hit and do like to run off mid-spell.