Tab Targeting vs Action Combat: Reviving The 'Ancient' MMO Debate | MMORPG.com

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Tab Targeting vs Action Combat: Reviving The 'Ancient' MMO Debate | MMORPG.com

With Throne and Liberty's launch, Chris wants to examine how the game--for at least him--has revived the ancient MMO debate: Tab Targeting vs. Action Combat?

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Scot

There is a golden rule which needs to be followed when you replace a staple form of gameplay in a genre or franchise. It is the same rule that should be adhered to if you replace lore, be it in game, book or TV. It has to be good, preferably at least as good as what it replaced.

I have seen action combat systems in MMOs that were rather average and you wonder why change from tab targeting then? There is simply no point in such changes unless they are good examples of such a new system.

MMORPG's have an inherent disadvantage in that massively means the action combat is not as good as you get in good solo and co-op games. Where as for me anyway tab targeting in the best MMOs is as good as anything I have seen in solo land.

So because it is seen as more modern we have seen a lot of "just about average" action combat systems fostered on MMOs and you have to wonder has it been worth it?

KnightFalz

Scot said:

There is a golden rule which needs to be followed when you replace a staple form of gameplay in a genre or franchise. It is the same rule that should be adhered to if you replace lore, be it in game, book or TV. It has to be good, preferably at least as good as what it replaced.



I have seen action combat systems in MMOs that were rather average and you wonder why change from tab targeting then? There is simply no point in such changes unless they are good examples of such a new system.



MMORPG's have an inherent disadvantage in that massively means the action combat is not as good as you get in good solo and co-op games. Where as for me anyway tab targeting in the best MMOs is as good as anything I have seen in solo land.



So because it is seen as more modern we have seen a lot of "just about average" action combat systems fostered on MMOs and you have to wonder has it been worth it?

It is worth it to those that enjoy the differences action combat brings. That is quite variable as while tab-target is largely consistent between games action combat is not.

ESO, DCUO, and BDO all play quite differently from each other for example. With the last you may as well be playing a one-on-one fighting game with the complexity of some of the weapons as many of your abilities can require different sequences and combinations of keystrokes to trigger, never mind pushing a button.

MrJatobi

KnightFalz said:

Scot said:

There is a golden rule which needs to be followed when you replace a staple form of gameplay in a genre or franchise. It is the same rule that should be adhered to if you replace lore, be it in game, book or TV. It has to be good, preferably at least as good as what it replaced.





I have seen action combat systems in MMOs that were rather average and you wonder why change from tab targeting then? There is simply no point in such changes unless they are good examples of such a new system.





MMORPG's have an inherent disadvantage in that massively means the action combat is not as good as you get in good solo and co-op games. Where as for me anyway tab targeting in the best MMOs is as good as anything I have seen in solo land.





So because it is seen as more modern we have seen a lot of "just about average" action combat systems fostered on MMOs and you have to wonder has it been worth it?

It is worth it to those that enjoy the differences action combat brings. That is quite variable as while tab-target is largely consistent between games action combat is not.



ESO, DCUO, and BDO all play quite differently from each other for example. With the last you may as well be playing a one-on-one fighting game with the complexity of some of the weapons as many of your abilities can require different sequences and combinations of keystrokes to trigger, never mind pushing a button.

Yeah, certain games that utilize action combat, do a pretty good job at it. I think BDO and ESO do it well, but you have to be into those kind of games right?

Then you've got GW2 that does a pretty great job at a hybrid like system.

As I mentioned above, I honestly don't care which system it uses as long as its "good." If it's poorly implemented, or overly complex, it's not fun. I'm playing games to enjoy them and have fun, not play it to learn micro-min-max keystrokes etc. etc. etc. basically making it a second job. I'm getting older, those kind of games don't interest me anymore.

I'm hoping Ashes does a really good job at their system.

kitarad

I look at it from a 'me' point of view if I can handle it  then it's a good combat system for action otherwise it sucks.

KnightFalz

MrJatobi said:

KnightFalz said:

Scot said:

There is a golden rule which needs to be followed when you replace a staple form of gameplay in a genre or franchise. It is the same rule that should be adhered to if you replace lore, be it in game, book or TV. It has to be good, preferably at least as good as what it replaced.





I have seen action combat systems in MMOs that were rather average and you wonder why change from tab targeting then? There is simply no point in such changes unless they are good examples of such a new system.





MMORPG's have an inherent disadvantage in that massively means the action combat is not as good as you get in good solo and co-op games. Where as for me anyway tab targeting in the best MMOs is as good as anything I have seen in solo land.





So because it is seen as more modern we have seen a lot of "just about average" action combat systems fostered on MMOs and you have to wonder has it been worth it?

It is worth it to those that enjoy the differences action combat brings. That is quite variable as while tab-target is largely consistent between games action combat is not.



ESO, DCUO, and BDO all play quite differently from each other for example. With the last you may as well be playing a one-on-one fighting game with the complexity of some of the weapons as many of your abilities can require different sequences and combinations of keystrokes to trigger, never mind pushing a button.

Yeah, certain games that utilize action combat, do a pretty good job at it. I think BDO and ESO do it well, but you have to be into those kind of games right?

Then you've got GW2 that does a pretty great job at a hybrid like system.

As I mentioned above, I honestly don't care which system it uses as long as its "good." If it's poorly implemented, or overly complex, it's not fun. I'm playing games to enjoy them and have fun, not play it to learn micro-min-max keystrokes etc. etc. etc. basically making it a second job. I'm getting older, those kind of games don't interest me anymore.

I'm hoping Ashes does a really good job at their system.

Those that enjoy action combat will of course enjoy the games that have it more than those that favour tab-target. I've played all kinds and have no strong preference for one or the other. I like the fluidity of action combat and the precision of tab-target.