if you watch the telegraphs video it  becomes pretty obvious that they grow in complexity , most action games you just wait for the mob to 'load up' on a powerfull attack and just roll out of the way in one of 4 directions. The telegraphs system actually is MORE challenging because it won't be just cirlces and X's it will be complex patterns frankly i think this will be more challenging than standard action combat. Frankly the people that are mad about this just don't get it, its going to be more challenging not less.

Telegraphing is nothing new,  Raid games like Rift use a heavy amount of telegraphing in raids and in group dungeons  while only a very small amount of telegraphing on solo mobs. Generally reserved for special solo mobs.

What is different about Wildstars telegraphing is it used by players to let the group and raid know their actions so they can take advantage of that action and at least in those videos it seems to be used on all mobs and used mroe frequently and randomly.  I agree with some the amount of telegraphing and apparent rsandomness of the telegraphing in the video might become anoying.  But if it is that is something that can be tuned in their Alpha and coming Beta.

In regards to players using it.  Gaffney has mentioned that one could put a heal totem letting players know where it will be plaed in advanace.  Or a buff area letting players get in range.  It may also help work with group or raid synergistic attacks if they include such a feature like other games like  FFX!, EQ2, LOTRO or Vanguard which had  group synergy type of attacks.

Originally posted by Reehay

Wildstar just took a radically wrong turn with their combat design. in one stroke, my interest in Wildstar just completely deflated.

S'okay, we're all into snap judgements.

I like the telegraphing mechanic.  It's a great part of some action styled combat mechanics.  It's really smooth in TSW and, to me, simulates my anticipating the enemy attack.

What would make the mechanic more interesting is to have checks against combat knowledge that allow for misleading or inaccurate telegraphs that simulate the character making a poor judgement call.  Also surprise attacks that don't telegraph information would also shake things up a bit.

I agree with the OP. I don't want another game where they're holding my hand the whole time. Guess I can pass on Wildstar. Too bad, the housing looked pretty cool.

It’s a children’s mmo isn’t it?

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#!

 So I watched the video and have to say a few things. First the guy narrating sounds like he's trying to hard to make something very simplistic sound difficult.

Now me personally I would be moving constantly in combat so those telegraphs are more of an annoyance then anything. I would rather see the telegraph in more of a fast flashing, 3,2,1 sequence just before it goes off. Not litterally 5-7 seconds before I mean how much warning does this gaming generation need? And on non-raid mobs none the less. I wouldnt even expect that much warning on an end-game raid boss of <insert game here>.

Also come on just a hollow ring will do I dont need huge red dots to know to move. What are we 8?

One thing I do like which should happen in other games more often in my opinion is other attacks from other mobs doing damage to the mob you are focused on. Why should any game assume that all the mobs in the game are on the same team just because they are against you.

We need lots more of that in every mmo. That would help with strategy.

Awww damnit! Just another to try first then cross off the list later...lulz

Originally posted by itgrowls

One thing I do like which should happen in other games more often in my opinion is other attacks from other mobs doing damage to the mob you are focused on. Why should any game assume that all the mobs in the game are on the same team just because they are against you.

We need lots more of that in every mmo. That would help with strategy.

In that case if a player casts an AoE spell and you are in the Area of Effect you should also take damage.

Like I can see that happening lol.

Bet its gonna be like this for PvP...omg just imagine LOL

I think some kind of warning is sufficient, those telegraph boxes on the ground its just too much, its a nice idea but it doenst seems pratical, imagine a huge group of mobs...

A warning over the mob head its enough, a learning curve ,knowing the mobs skills and their abilities, try and error mechanics.

What exactly is this 'telegraph combat mechanic' ?

 

NVM: Just watched the video... wow

I think this is a good thing, the combat feels more alive in guild wars 2 then in WOW, sure I have to agree that the boss fights are harder and usualy more fun in games like wow but then again it only takes a couple of weeks before you download addons who tells you everything about every boss and how to kill it and thats even more boring. 

I get that if WOW would say no to all addons then people could have the right to hate the way GW2 or Wildstar has its combat structure but fact is WOWs dungeons are always gonna be easy with all the addons.

Sure people don't have to install the addons and by that way they don't have to make so easy for them selfs but thats like saying, "you don't have to play the dungeons with both arms play it with only one". Fact is addons are a huge part of the game and we don't want it any other way. 

But what is clear is that the game industri isn't just making wow clones anymore it looks like they are now making gw2 clones aswell :) 

I just wish the gaming industri would try to make something new for us insteed of all of these clones. 

 

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#!

That is pretty damn awful. I was looking forward to this game and I don't mind some telegraphing but this gaudy excessive telegraphing mechanic makes this a pass for me. Thats just awful...