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Andrea Jackson · **07-18-2014, 08:14 AM**

So, recently, I was in a dungeon, going along on my usual merry way, stabbing stuff, Captain America'ing stuff, and dodging stuff... When I started thinking. Telegraphs. We as players see it as a tool, something to help us get to the end of a fight and closer to phat lewtz. But, all throughout the story, the characters are supposed to be seen as really amazing and whatnot, saviors of the world, yadda yadda. However, there are so many telegraphs out there that, when thinking about being in a situation like that, would be near impossible to actively dodge all of them and be as amazing as they're supposed to be.

Example, in Dzemael, there's that one boss who summons those adds who throw rocks at you, and you have to move out of the telegraphs. Realistically, it would be extremely difficult in the thick of things to actually notice that, hey, there's a rock that's about to be thrown my way, especially when these extra monsters are at a different altitude. This is a mild example, of course, but I hope the example still sticks.

Idk, I'm not really sure what point I'm trying to make--if any; perhaps I'm just throwing it out here because it was interesting to me. Plus, I thought of it particularly amusing when I imagined Hydaelyn being the one putting down the telegraphs and being like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoIoOu1U...detailpage
(video not for those with sensitive ears. :p)

Warren Castille · **07-18-2014, 08:25 AM**

Arguably an example of story-and-gameplay-segregation, but not unreasonable. I always considered the obvious ones where you see a chimera's head take a deep breath so you figure something bad is about to happen, but that's doesn't really work for the rock situation, or say Garuda windburns or the like.

Also for a moment I straight-up thought you were talking about telegraph wires as opposed to mog mail.

Whittledown · **07-18-2014, 08:57 AM**

Well the in-game story has every player having The Echo which is mysterious and powerful and yadda yadda yadda. It could very easily work like The Force and give our PC's that little Jedi twinge that tells them "Hey, move out of the way!" even if they don't actually see or hear anything coming.

Of course none of the above relates to RP. It's just how I see the in came lore of the single player campaign relating to PvE.

Berrod Armstrong · **07-18-2014, 09:06 AM**

In instances of roleplay combat when I need to emote a dodge I tend to write a little bit about Berrod reading the opponent's movement by observing their musculature -- something he's able to do on an instinctive level, even in the heat of battle. Perhaps similarly, a magically inclined character can sense disturbances/fluctuations in the aether and act accordingly! Of course, sometimes it's fun to get a big ol' fist or a fireball to the face! In the end, it's up to the player.

Andrea Jackson · **07-18-2014, 09:45 AM**

(07-18-2014, 09:06 AM)Berrod Armstrong Wrote: In instances of roleplay combat when I need to emote a dodge I tend to write a little bit about Berrod reading the opponent's movement by observing their musculature -- something he's able to do on an instinctive level, even in the heat of battle.

Yeh, I'm not talking about telegraphs of attacks being wound up--or as Warren stated, a chimera casting a spell. I mean more along the lines of, say there's a Garlean airship up above, and it's firing things down below on a group of adventurers or some such. Unless they were constantly moving, it'd be pretty hard to get out of it without a few bumps and scrapes.

And, I mean, I know it's a separation of game and story. I'm not saying there shouldn't be. I was just thinking about that whole mechanic in a different light--a light in which our characters might see things in that kind of situation, and how it'd affect events or their battles.

Coatleque · **07-18-2014, 09:49 AM**

(07-18-2014, 09:45 AM)Andrea Jackson Wrote: I was just thinking about that whole mechanic in a different light--a light in which our characters might see things in that kind of situation, and how it'd affect events or their battles.

If our characters are anything like the group of adventurers in the "End of an Era" video, we'd just stand there like a deer in the headlights as the world crumbled around us and everyone else fled, just to be saved at the last minute by someone else.

Nebbs · **07-18-2014, 09:52 AM**

Back in the day..

There were no telegraphs, or aggro indicators.. Life was simple and deadly, but you learned what killed you and what didn't. You watched the boss for his movements which I suppose is more direct IC than a telegraph.

Over the years add-ons, mods and evolution made things easier and the fights got more complex.

However if you look in FFXIV at the bosses, often there are actions associated wth their telegraphed attacks.. and some with attacks that aren't telegraphed that you can still avoid.

I'm not sure I answered anything, I hope if I did you managed to dodge Smile

Berrod Armstrong · **07-18-2014, 09:52 AM**

(07-18-2014, 09:49 AM)Coatleque Wrote:
(07-18-2014, 09:45 AM)Andrea Jackson Wrote: I was just thinking about that whole mechanic in a different light--a light in which our characters might see things in that kind of situation, and how it'd affect events or their battles.

If our characters are anything like the group of adventurers in the "End of an Era" video, we'd just stand there like a deer in the headlights as the world crumbled around us and everyone else fled, just to be saved at the last minute by someone else.

...The next time I'm in a dungeon or raid, I'm going to wail the lyrics to Answers on voice while standing in the bad.

LiadansWhisper · **07-18-2014, 02:03 PM**

(07-18-2014, 09:52 AM)Nebbs Wrote: Back in the day..

There were no telegraphs, or aggro indicators.. Life was simple and deadly, but you learned what killed you and what didn't. You watched the boss for his movements which I suppose is more direct IC than a telegraph.

Over the years add-ons, mods and evolution made things easier and the fights got more complex.

However if you look in FFXIV at the bosses, often there are actions associated wth their telegraphed attacks.. and some with attacks that aren't telegraphed that you can still avoid.

I'm not sure I answered anything, I hope if I did you managed to dodge

There are very few telegraphed boss attacks in WoW. Â You either know where the thing is going to be, or you don't. Â When mods have come along that will tell you ahead of time where not to stand, Blizzard has cheerfully broken them. Â Knowing -when- an ability is coming isn't the same as knowing where -not- to stand.

That said, I think most of the improvement has actually been players getting better, not mods and addons. >.>

Naunet · **07-18-2014, 03:28 PM**

(07-18-2014, 09:52 AM)Nebbs Wrote: Back in the day..

Haha, so true. All these newfangled telegraphs painted on the ground are just training wheels, really. Unless it's WildStar and then it's just holyfuckballsareyouinsane.

LiadansWhisper · **07-18-2014, 11:40 PM**

(07-18-2014, 03:28 PM)Naunet Wrote:
(07-18-2014, 09:52 AM)Nebbs Wrote: Back in the day..

Haha, so true. All these newfangled telegraphs painted on the ground are just training wheels, really. Unless it's WildStar and then it's just holyfuckballsareyouinsane.

I'd get PTSD trying to heal in Wildstar. Â People never stay the hell put, get back into my heals dammit!!!!!! Â *starts foaming at the mouth*

Aerghwab · **07-19-2014, 12:34 AM**

(07-18-2014, 11:40 PM)LiadansWhisper Wrote:
(07-18-2014, 03:28 PM)Naunet Wrote:
(07-18-2014, 09:52 AM)Nebbs Wrote: Back in the day..

Haha, so true. All these newfangled telegraphs painted on the ground are just training wheels, really. Unless it's WildStar and then it's just holyfuckballsareyouinsane.

I'd get PTSD trying to heal in Wildstar. Â People never stay the hell put, get back into my heals dammit!!!!!! Â *starts foaming at the mouth*

Luckily, by avoiding PTSD you're not missing out on much. Never regretted a preorder more.

I haven't given a ton of thought to telegraphs, really. To me, they're just one of those mechanics that exist only for us as players. I also think the training wheels aspect of the telegraphs is (at least in part) offset by the fact that most bosses (at the very least, HM primals and beyond) operate on a "move out of the way QUICKLY or LOL 0 HP for j00" design philosophy. *glares at near-launch Titan HM*

Naunet · **07-19-2014, 12:35 AM**

(07-18-2014, 11:40 PM)LiadansWhisper Wrote: I'd get PTSD trying to heal in Wildstar. Â People never stay the hell put, get back into my heals dammit!!!!!! Â *starts foaming at the mouth*

Well that's why heals are mobile! x3 (It's actually one of my favorite parts about healing in WS. Hahaha)

LiadansWhisper · **07-19-2014, 12:37 AM**

(07-19-2014, 12:35 AM)Naunet Wrote:
(07-18-2014, 11:40 PM)LiadansWhisper Wrote: I'd get PTSD trying to heal in Wildstar. Â People never stay the hell put, get back into my heals dammit!!!!!! Â *starts foaming at the mouth*

Well that's why heals are mobile! x3 (It's actually one of my favorite parts about healing in WS. Hahaha)

Yes...

But people still run out of them. Â Big Grin

Jonexe · **07-19-2014, 12:28 PM**

I like to think of it in more of the sense that you would the hero of a movie never getting truly hurt. The things thrown out at our characters would really freakin' hurt, especially as say... a mage or something. So I tend to look at the avoidable attacks as the same things an action hero avoids in the movies. The telegraph itself is there for gameplay purposes, sure... but if a giant is raising his club up above it's head... well it's likely going to swing down; so I'm going to avoid that if possible.Â

Obviously anyone who RPs a character that's actually done the dungeons in some form or fashion is not going to be an average or common person; so I think it's okay to embellish a bit and say they dodged most of the enemy's attacks.

Telegraphs and the Common Adventurer

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes