It is a interesting turn in their combat development. Looks like they're trying to latch onto GW2 already and try to improve their idea. I have a feeling though, with telegraphed combat and a active dodge system that they may be going the path of getting rid of the holy trinity as well. If everyone can just dodge and avoid the damage, what do you need a tank to soak it up for? or a healer to heal back your hps that you didn't loose?

I'm interested to hear some more about how their combat is going to work, but yeah right now it feels like a simplified version of GW2 already.

WOW and TSW had telegraphing before GW2. 

Also, from what I've seen in the videos, WildStar's telegraphs are more in the vein of TSW than GW2.

I also dislike that the game has to show us the exact area of effect beforehand, as some mystery is always good in my book; it keeps things exciting. Plus, I'd say it's part of learning individual encounters as well as learning to read encounters in general.

But I guess people really don't like having to die on a new mob type a few times to learn it, so it looks like we'll have to get used to this stuff. 

At first I wanted to disagree with the OP because he sounds a little ridiculous with all his nerd-rage.

However, I watched the attached video and then instantly agreed. I think some telegraphing is good. If there is something that will kill you if it lands, you probably should be able to see it; at least on non-raids. However, the amount of telegraphing they are showing just makes combat look boring. The mob telegraphs enough without the stupid red box

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PgFo28scfYM#!

Simple fix to this problem. Add a button in game to turn them off for players who don't want to see them.

I agree with the OP.  I was all aboard the Wildstar train until the telegraph release.  I think it's a really really bad idea.  I can learn enemy attacks on my own after getting hit with it.

Originally posted by Rossboss
Simple fix to this problem. Add a button in game to turn them off for players who don't want to see them.

I disagree with your fix. It's not about whether I want them or not. It's about what is good for the game. If the game is holding everyone's hand this much, it's typically a bad sign. 

If I am the only person who turns them off, obviously I will be gimped compared to the player who does not. Instead, the game should tone them down so they are only shown in more extreme cases. i.e. big attacks. That means everyone has to learn how to watch the MOB for queues, not the ground

I just think the orange box is way too obvious.  If it were more subtle, it wouldn't bother me.  As in, easy to miss, unless you're actively looking for it - and easy to ignore, once you don't need it.

Maybe they just emphasized it for demonstration purposes?

I agree. It's over the top. Some here or there is alright but they've gone completely overboard. Gameplay will consist of staring at red and blue ground patterns instead of watching the action.

Some warning is good, but I think that's a bit too much. Players should be fighting against the mobs, not dancing with different shapes projected on the floor.

Oh no :(  I just watched that video also.  Damn, ya i get what the OP is saying.  It's Alpha so this is not the games final direction at all.  However, if I had just bought it today and seen that mechanic I would be very dissapointed.

Take them out, or take off your "originality" pin from your chest WildStar. Telegraphs are a freaking TERRIBLE idea.

 

Thanks for the heads up OP.

Originally posted by Zuvielify

Originally posted by Rossboss
Simple fix to this problem. Add a button in game to turn them off for players who don't want to see them.

I disagree with your fix. It's not about whether I want them or not. It's about what is good for the game. If the game is holding everyone's hand this much, it's typically a bad sign. 

If I am the only person who turns them off, obviously I will be gimped compared to the player who does not. Instead, the game should tone them down so they are only shown in more extreme cases. i.e. big attacks. That means everyone has to learn how to watch the MOB for queues, not the ground

It's not good for the game to exclude those of us who don't have the fastest reaction times, and it certainly won't hurt you if you have good reaction time. It's not holding your hand, it's telling you where the rails are.

If you want to gimp yourself, go for it. I feel like this will be a welcome addition. It's often difficult to tell what is going on with what queue if you never do the boss fight.

I'm really interested in what they mean by "it gets harder later," I can think of them using these telegraphs to trick players or intentionally make the wrong pattern with a boss or even expect players to be more precise in their character placement in boss fights (Think about the Touhou games).

The point is that what you may see as a threat may be something that players don't even pay attention to in the end. You really can't judge off of this because in every other MMORPG out there, mobs don't really threaten you until the mid to upper levels.

replace the orange squares and circles with subtile spell effects... problem solved

Give it time and flashing up what keys to press and when will be the norm in mmos.

 

Press Heal now.

Press Stun now.

 

Watched the video. The game has much bigger issues than combat telegraphing.

I don't think I like this.  And they plan to have it in PvP too?  I'm sure that's going to go over like a fart in an elevator.

Originally posted by Rossboss

It's not good for the game to exclude those of us who don't have the fastest reaction times, and it certainly won't hurt you if you have good reaction time. It's not holding your hand, it's telling you where the rails are.

It is not about reaction time.

 

This is not Dance Dance Evolution.

 

I thought RPGs was about learning encounters and how the skills works. Otherwise what is the point? Some classes and abilities (especially tanking or healing) have no point if there are instructions and indicators on how to avoid all damages.

Originally posted by Zuvielify

At first I wanted to disagree with the OP because he sounds a little ridiculous with all his nerd-rage.

However, I watched the attached video and then instantly agreed. I think some telegraphing is good. If there is something that will kill you if it lands, you probably should be able to see it; at least on non-raids. However, the amount of telegraphing they are showing just makes combat look boring. The mob telegraphs enough without the stupid red box

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PgFo28scfYM#!

Same, that is a lot of telegraphing.

Originally posted by bunnyhopper

Give it time and flashing up what keys to press and when will be the norm in mmos.

 

Press Heal now.

Press Stun now.

 

There were alrady games that flashed "propositions" what to press - like in example TERA had it a little.
Console mechanics will continue to pour in mmorpg's also because significant part of future titles will be made also on new gen consoles.  

Only question is if there will be lively and big enough niche of conceptually difftent mmorpg's and if it will spawn games with enough quality.