Okay, look: I know it’s been discussed before and bounced around and yes’d then no’d by the ANet team. On the one hand people want to keep playing and not get in trouble, but on the other hand there is a necessity for things like Combat Mode.
Skipping all the useless reading I would otherwise put you all through, I’d simply like to ask ANet’s attention, and the support of the community over a very…irritating issue.
I know you wonderful people at ANet HQ put LOTS of work into this game. I know that you feel that the system is pretty good as is, minus a few minor things that can be left alone for the time being. However, there are somethings that are very much in need of some attention. Namely, some bits of your combat system.
As it is, there are 2-3 (maybe more) BIG issues with it, and I shall go over them in sequence.
1) Having to hold the right-mouse button. It is no secret, and no surprise, that people tend to hold their right-mouse buttons the majority of the time. It’s a big part of the game, despite being something very simple. Some mods, like Combat Mode, essentially remove the need to hold down RMB. This is good. It means players can do a little bit more with their skills in combat.
So why isn’t it already a feature? If this is something people are going to use as often as they do, why haven’t you made it that much easier for them? Why have you allowed such a great system get in the way of itself? Why can’t you add something similar to Combat Mode and make it that much better?
All that’s needed is a crosshair (for reasons like number 2) and a “mouselook toggle” option. Done. If third party “mods” can do it, a professional bunch like you can, too. And it won’t even ruin the game for those who don’t want to use it, since it’s pretty much the same thing.
2) This one ties into the first, but only just. Ground targeting. I’ll start by saying that, at the basic level, this is a very good feature. Very useful…Until you turn “fast ground targeting” on and start holding RMB.
How is it bad? Let’s just say that, since you haven’t perfected issue number 1, the cursor sometimes gets “lost”. The result? Misplaced ground-targeted spells. Annoying, and sometimes a very costly error. This can be solved by getting around to number 1.
3) This one is my one and only true major annoyance with this game: the auto-casting system.
For melee, it is a dream. I will not deny it. But for ranged attack? It’s the worst. Why? Because it is neither a toggle nor is it a hold-to-toggle function. If a situation calls for the player to stop attacking, too bad. You can’t unless you run out of range, which in many situations, isn’t practical.
I will openly say that, until this one feature is implemented, I will take advantage of Razer’s wonderful software or other macro software and loop skill 1 in a way more suited to my play style to get around such an absolutely ridiculous limitation.
Honestly, I don’t understand how this one was overlooked. As I said, it’s the one thing I can’t get over until it’s “fixed”.
4) Opening up Left and Right mouse buttons to configuration. Specifically: make them open to rebinding.
For me, these are the main features that would essentially quell the majority of mod discussions on the forums. Also, it would turn what is called fast-paced action into actual fast-paced action, instead of the paradoxical/contradictory/bipolar system currently in place.
It is also important to note that the changes I am proposing might not fit with most people’s ideas/setups, as I have specialized hardware that already ease the playing experience of Guild Wars 2 (a Razer Naga and a Wolfking Warrior). However, this does not mean that the proposed changes wouldn’t benefit those who do not have such equipment.
I strongly urge you guys at ANet to consider things like this, and I strongly urge my fellow fans and players to give input into this topic, as I’m sure most are bound to have.
Thank you for your patience.