I think this game would feel way more fun for ranged classes if you could cast while moving, so it would be more like a third-person shooter. It only makes sense that if the melee classes imitate close-combat action games, the ranged classes should imitate shooters.

Now, I know that the first reaction of everyone reading this thread will be "OMG but how are the melee classes ever going to touch ranged then??!?!".

Well I have a lot of ideas to solve this problem:

1. Give every melee class a charge & stun or a pull like lancer to reliable get a few hits off now and then.

2. Implement an "accuracy" mechanic for ranged. It could be implemented exactly like it is in Mass Effect - while you are moving the reticle becomes reaaaaly big, and there is a random chance that the shot will land in any direction within that circle. This way you would be missing a lot while trying to kite and you would *have* to stop in order to get a guaranteed shot off.

3. I would still prefer solutions 1 + 2, but if all else fails, at least give ranged a short cast bar and if you move before it completes the shot gets cancelled.

4. You could increase "casting time" or rather "time between shots". E.g. think of Sorcerer's fireballs as a missile launcher shots - it shoots very rarely and the projectile is fairly slow compared to a moving target.

All in all, I would much prefer to be randomly missing or having my cast cancelled while moving rather than being stuck in one place. The current implementation feels very clunky and quite far from a smooth action combat experience. Personally, I think the accuracy idea could be implemented fairly easily and would require the least amount of re-balancing, if any at all.

So here's to hoping other's like the idea as well and the developers listen.

I'm an archer and I just glyphed my main skill. It let me cast and run (with no movement penalty).

Quote: eatyochicken on 04/23/2012, 04:03 PM - view

I would love to see my idea with accuracy implemented on more spells, not just the default attack.

Even though I'm a melee now I leveled a sorc during CBT, and no thanks, it's fine the way it is. It's nice having to actually plan out when to use what abilities and not just run around in circles spamming every spell when it comes off CD.

Most classes only have 1 or 2 charges with a long cooldown. Most hard hitting abilities have a very large charge time.

Archers have escapes and stuns to counter that.

If they can run while shooting, I assure you they would never have to fire a single skill (except escapes) and auto attack any melee to death.

I think you missed the point of action games. It's to be strategic, and to plan your hits, and commit to attacks. There are other easier games that allow this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCKnoyYd7oo

Nitzleplick pretty much nailed the reason why this will probably never change. There's no "skill" in mashing buttons as fast as you can. But TERA, even as easy as it can be, still requires many classes to know their class well to play it well. One of the things involved is knowing the timing of your own animations. When to use them, when to hold off, when you use another ability first, etc. These are judgement calls, and they take practice and patience (for some classes more than others). It's just the way of the game. I can't even imagine the nightmare of easy-mode it would be if everyone could just move while animating/casting.

haven't you noticed that the ranged classes are designed to get intimate and deal more damage at melee range.

it's a different game, it's great the way it is.

your idea to make TERA like Mass Effect negates your idea of casting on the run. confusing.

Quote: LancelotDL on 04/23/2012, 04:06 PM - view

You totally ignored half of my post and my suggestion about ACCURACY. Yeah, you can run around like a noob while your fireballs are flying in all sorts of direction never hitting the target. Please, next time read the post before you answer. With my idea you would still have to stop and plan, but you would have a *choice* to do so.

Quote: pandaisftw on 04/23/2012, 04:06 PM - view

"To death"? You totally ignored my idea about ACCURACY. You would still not be able to hit anything while moving unless you get very lucky.