Positioning

[Pocahawtness]

Having just started the game I am wondering if this is important. Most people seem to be all over the place, but maybe thats becuase we are al noobs. Do you get better damage with backshots, or doesn't it matter? Do you get any protection from standing behind the tank or is it better to stand opposit ethe tank? any other things I need to know?

[Tivz]

it depends on the move, hover over the action and the pop up window will tell you

[Phantasm]

as well, later on you'll unlock an ability that removes positionals for 15 seconds, so you'll keep the damage boost etc. but wont have to move.

[LOLtheSystem]

As a general rule of thumb, you want to stand behind the boss/mob to avoid possible cleaves (that's why most tanks make the mobs face away from the group).

That being said some classes, like Monks, have "positional attacks" that need to be done in a specific position (back or sides) to do more damage or proc certain effects, so they move a lot.

There's also some bosses that need to be attacked from certain angles due mechanics (for example, Ravana's shield) to do damage.

And avoid all orange flashing AOE's as possible, of course.

[xyz]

Originally posted by ｢C❤A｣ Pocahawtness:

Having just started the game I am wondering if this is important. Most people seem to be all over the place, but maybe thats becuase we are al noobs. Do you get better damage with backshots, or doesn't it matter? Do you get any protection from standing behind the tank or is it better to stand opposit ethe tank? any other things I need to know?

Melee DPS (Monk Dragoon, Samurai Ninja) are the main classes to get benefits for standing to the side or behind of enemies like more DPS depending on the combos they us. Certain attacks and Aoes (like the Healing AST or WHM ones) require you to stand in them to get the best advice is just do what other players do.

[=TKE= Tagora]

Sorry to bump an old thread but since my searches for an answer have proved fruitless for my little question on positioning, I thought I'd give it a shot here rather than starting a whole new thread... Here goes my noob question:

So when it comes to positional attacks, say with a monk where being at the target's rear or flank is important, does it matter if your character is pointed at the target's flank/rear, or is it a matter of simple positioning (i.e. being in the right spot rather than looking at the right spot)? In other words does this mechanic operate based on being in a certain position rather than facing a certain way?

I ask this because I need to know if I can execute the skill while facing away but still within the range of the target's flank/rear areas.

[Ausdrake]

Originally posted by Taggy:

Sorry to bump an old thread but since my searches for an answer have proved fruitless for my little question on positioning, I thought I'd give it a shot here rather than starting a whole new thread... Here goes my noob question:

So when it comes to positional attacks, say with a monk where being at the target's rear or flank is important, does it matter if your character is pointed at the target's flank/rear, or is it a matter of simple positioning (i.e. being in the right spot rather than looking at the right spot)? In other words does this mechanic operate based on being in a certain position rather than facing a certain way?

I ask this because I need to know if I can execute the skill while facing away but still within the range of the target's flank/rear areas.

Unless there's an option that turns it off, using moves should automatically make your character face your target anyway, so it shouldn't matter. Just position your character accordingly and don't worry about the direction you're facing.

[=TKE= Tagora]

Originally posted by Ausdrake:

Originally posted by Taggy:

Sorry to bump an old thread but since my searches for an answer have proved fruitless for my little question on positioning, I thought I'd give it a shot here rather than starting a whole new thread... Here goes my noob question:

So when it comes to positional attacks, say with a monk where being at the target's rear or flank is important, does it matter if your character is pointed at the target's flank/rear, or is it a matter of simple positioning (i.e. being in the right spot rather than looking at the right spot)? In other words does this mechanic operate based on being in a certain position rather than facing a certain way?

I ask this because I need to know if I can execute the skill while facing away but still within the range of the target's flank/rear areas.

Unless there's an option that turns it off, using moves should automatically make your character face your target anyway, so it shouldn't matter. Just position your character accordingly and don't worry about the direction you're facing.

I've never found nor changed any such setting as far as I remember. I just tested what you're referring to in terms of attacking auto adjusting the way you're facing towards your target and the results were mixed.

This is with Monk. When I use skills like Boot Shine or Demolish it does exactly what you said it should. My characters will automatically turn to face the target. These skills are "multi-hit" skills which could factor into it.

Whereas when I use skills like Snap Punch or True Strike, my character fails to turn towards the direction of my target. These are "single hit" skills.

So the follow up question is really just the same one I posed earlier: Is the way your character facing towards your target factor into whether you get the bonus dps or not assuming you're standing in the correct positioning? Further, if it does matter, then in using skills like Snap Punch which is a single hit skill, should you make more of an effort to correct the way your character is facing versus when using a skill like Demolish?

Thx.

[Ausdrake]

Originally posted by Taggy:

*snip*

Huh well what do you know, I learned something (I'm primarily a caster so melee dps are a bit alien to me), I figured it was a universal rule. Well based on what you said, I'd say just always make sure your character is facing the target and in the right physical position. Holding right click while you're positioning yourself makes it easier, that's always how I do it. There's also a lock-on function designed for controller which you can use with num5, though while it looks nice it's not as reliable as manual imo. (If I had to guess about how the rules work exactly, I would say it's your physical position that matters when factoring in bonus damage. But of course, if a move doesn't make you face the target, it won't be used :P )

[Tempus animae]

As long as you hit the target, this game dosn't care what you look at, just where you are in relation to the center of the target/mob.
In some cases(Lag) you even get the right position for your hit, if the target moved, but you initiated the skill, wile it was positioned right.

As you already noticed, some skills make you turn and some not, so it's best to face the target anyway.
If you know your Skills, you can just run around the target and push buttons at the right time.^^

[Mikaru]

if you are really worried about facing the enemy for certain skills that don't auto face. You can always put it into a macro with /facetarget before the action line(This is very useful for certain BLU mage spells)

[Viper]

Positioning is very important as you go on. As you progress through the game Boss fights will involve more and more moving around to stay out of AOE and directional attacks. However the area of effect is almost always indicated on the ground. Some will involve almost constant movement if you want to stay alive. However it does matter if your a Tank or if your a ranged fighter such as a mage or healer. A Tank tends to stand toe to toe with the Boss and just turn his attention in directions away from the party. If your a mage or healer you will be moving a lot.

[=TKE= Tagora]

I appreciate all the great responses guys. I'm still a bit confused, as one person has mentioned I could try to use a macro, but then again I could just try harder at facing my targets when I attack with these types of skills--that is if it does really matter. I was watching a monk pvp video on youtube and from what I could see, this guy doesn't bother looking at his targets, he just positions himself in the right places when he attacks. I'm going to try and double check it when I get some free time later tonight, tho.