Throne and Liberty launched in early access last Thursday, and while much of the conversation has focused on the MMO's business model and accusations of "pay-to-win" mechanics, I’d like to shift the discussion to a different topic: Tab Targeting. Although I haven't had as much time as I'd like to explore the game (thanks to Hurricane Helene!), I’ve played enough to get a decent feel for the flow of combat. As someone with a long history of MMO and MMORPG experiences dating back to 1996, I have a few thoughts on the matter.
With every new MMO release, the same debate inevitably resurfaces. If the game uses tab targeting, some claim: "This is an outdated mechanic!" Others lament if it’s action combat: "I wish we had tab targeting. I can’t keep up with all the hyperactive movement." The truth is, not every game will please everyone. Every MMO has its own design quirks that appeal to specific audiences, and that’s okay. However, one recurring argument I’d like to address is the notion that tab targeting is "ancient." Is it really? Let's take a step back and examine the history of MMOs to see if that holds.
By definition, "ancient" refers to something from the distant past that no longer exists. So, strictly speaking, tab targeting can't be considered ancient. If we look at gaming history, I’d say that mechanics from before the 1990s might qualify as ancient—things that, while still around, feel old-fashioned. And this is where I believe people are coming from when they call tab targeting ancient. However, they often forget that the first 3D MMORPG, Meridian 59, was action-based.
Even older than that were MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons), which were text-based and didn’t have any targeting mechanics at all. In fact, tab targeting is relatively young compared to action combat. Don’t believe me? Check out a video of Meridian 59 (via MMO YouTuber Josh Strife Hayes) and you'll see it’s closer to Doom than you might expect, but still qualifies as action combat.
All this is to say: Throne and Liberty uses tab targeting, and that’s not inherently a bad thing. As I mentioned, every game has its own appeal, and tab targeting brings accessibility to a broader audience. Not everyone has the lightning-fast reflexes of a 16-year-old hopped up on energy drinks, darting across the screen at breakneck speed. Consider people with disabilities—action combat can be significantly more difficult for them. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but tab targeting offers a more manageable alternative for many, including older players whose reflexes may not be what they once were.
Another point to consider: Throne and Liberty is a very “mobby” game. Wherever I go, I’m constantly surrounded by groups of enemies. If it were an action-based game like Black Desert Online, I feel like I’d be accidentally pulling too many enemies and getting overwhelmed. Sure, Black Desert Online is designed for this kind of gameplay, with the mechanics and power to handle hordes of enemies.
But in Throne and Liberty, my character doesn’t feel equipped to survive such situations. Tab targeting allows me to carefully pick off enemies from a distance, making it easier to control encounters. Though, in all fairness, those giant murder birds still get the better of me sometimes!
Now, some people argue that tab targeting doesn’t require any skill. But I disagree. In fact, I’d argue it can take just as much, if not more, skill than action combat. In tab targeting, you’re often stationary while attacking, which means you have to be extremely aware of your surroundings and know your character’s abilities inside and out to dodge mechanics effectively. You have to balance dealing damage, managing cooldowns, and avoiding attacks, all while staying within the limitations of your movement. In action combat, on the other hand, you can jump around, spam abilities, and stay constantly on the move. Sure, it’s fun to be that agile, but does it really require more skill?
This isn’t to say one system is better than the other. I enjoy both to a degree. Some games, like Black Desert Online or Elder Scrolls Online, are designed around action combat, and it works beautifully for them. Meanwhile, games like Guild Wars 2 blend tab targeting with action combat in a hybrid system that feels like the best of both worlds. However, I do think we’ve drifted away from the complexity that older MMORPGs were known for, in favor of simplifying mechanics for more action-oriented gameplay. In the past, things like crowd control, mana management, and buffs/debuffs played a significant role in everyday gameplay, not just during raids or PvP. By removing these elements, we’re arguably lowering the skill ceiling, despite the perception that action combat is more challenging.
I understand why people enjoy action combat—it’s more engaging and keeps you on your toes. As Joseph in his 2020 article on this very subject, I sometimes find myself zoning out while playing games like World of Warcraft, especially during content I’ve done repeatedly. Tab targeting can facilitate that kind of detachment, but let’s be honest: after thousands of hours in any game, whether action-based or tab-targeted, we all start playing on autopilot.
In the end, Throne and Liberty has taken heat for its tab targeting system, as well as its perceived pay-to-win mechanics. But what do you think? Is action combat the future of MMORPGs? Or should we embrace hybrid systems like Guild Wars 2? Personally, I don’t mind as long as the game is fun. What’s your preference?
