Target Nearest vs Target Next - Guild Wars Forums

Young_Ranger · Jan 11, 2010, 03:04 AM // 03:04

I work my minions and heroes much to hard. This weekend I finally realized why. I overuse the Target Nearest when fighting mobs. As a Ranger, I kill whats closet to me (say its north of me) then the next nearest creature is south of me, I pivot and shoot behind me. My poor minions run across the field trying to catch up with my less than optimal targeting.

I stopped Target Nearest, C Space when doing PUG quests as I often agro'd more than one mob but never new why.

Any comments or insights on using Target Next in lieu of Target Nearest ?

Thanks

jackinthe · Jan 11, 2010, 03:43 AM // 03:43

target next will target the nearest, and then the next nearest, etc.
so just cycle thru and kill each group off XD

GWfan#1 · Jan 11, 2010, 05:41 AM // 05:41

I would just use target next for the majority of your targeting and use target nearest if you need to well...target the nearest enemy w/o having to cycle through all the other enemies.

Another thing you might want to pay attention to is your Radar/Compass. You will notice that the enemy your targeting is highlighted with a thin yellow circle. This is helpful with direction and aggro of course.

Arduin · Jan 11, 2010, 05:51 AM // 05:51

What's a creature doing behind you? That creature shouldn't have been able to get through your minions wall to your squishies.

subarucar · Jan 11, 2010, 08:56 AM // 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arduin

What's a creature doing behind you? That creature shouldn't have been able to get through your minions wall to your squishies.

I believe he is using minions as a metaphor for H&H since minions do not follow calls as far as I am aware.

I Angra I · Jan 11, 2010, 10:01 AM // 10:01

just be aware of what's closest to you when using target nearest, and use a combination of that, target next, and physically clicking on targets to have complete control over what you're targeting.

**cosyfiep** · Jan 11, 2010, 10:31 AM // 10:31

I usually just c space, unless I know there is a healer(s)..then I target them first THEN c space. never had much of an issue. the h/h could use the 'exercise' for the amount of times they have wandered off to agro with out me

HigherMinion · Jan 11, 2010, 10:42 AM // 10:42

Generally, as a MoP nuker, I will target the most threatening creature in a mob, calll it, then switch to the physicals charging toward me and Reckless them, then back to the previously targeted creature to finish them off.

If you call, you can pretty much C-space. If you're in a pug team and someone is already calling, you must always attack their target; T-Space spamz.

Sharkinu · Jan 11, 2010, 10:46 AM // 10:46

I just use Tab - Space (and Shift+Tab). Rarely use C - Space, only when I see that my target tabbing gets far away from me usually when i start selecting foes from another mob.

And selecting with the mouse(very rarely usually I'm tabbing faster than clicking:P) when is a high priority target like a hard resser, or a wardkeeper, or a Searing Flames ele, or healer etc.

Snograt · Jan 11, 2010, 10:56 AM // 10:56

Ah, now I'm different.

I have a 5 button mouse, so the two thumb buttons are programmed for target nearest and target next. I heartily recommend it.

Dzjudz · Jan 11, 2010, 11:57 AM // 11:57

I always use Tab-Space. My C button is assigned to something else, I don't even have a 'target nearest' button any more...

Gift3d · Jan 11, 2010, 12:41 PM // 12:41

self-target, tab for nearest enemy
tab to scroll forward through
shift+tab to scroll backward through

make a big compass cause it's good and watch where the yellow circle goes. eventually you'll know the pattern and can select targets a lot quicker as well.

Shayne Hawke · Jan 11, 2010, 01:30 PM // 13:30

C + Space or Tab + Space is only really that good in teams where you know your allies are taking your target and you're either going to be able to spike them down quickly, or there's absolutely no danger in fighting this mob and you don't have to worry about targeting.

In almost all situations, I still say that manually finding the right target is going to be superior. Mouse over until you find the healer, or res bot, or warder, or pretty much the target that's going to make your battle the most annoying or the most drawn out and kill it fast.

Dzjudz · Jan 11, 2010, 03:01 PM // 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shayne Hawke

Mouse over until [...]

You know you can press Ctrl to show enemies right?

Quaker · Jan 11, 2010, 04:27 PM // 16:27

Well, first of all, the OP's problem is not that serious. It happens to me quite often if I'm just doing random stuff in NM. I just let the H&H run back and forth - the mobs die anyway, maybe just a little slower.

If I'm paying more attention or doing something in HM, I will shift target to the nearest one before the first target is killed - often before the H&H have gotten too far. Ofc, I usually run with an MM hero, so there's most often minions to keep all the enemies busy until I get to them.
Also, depending upon the situation, I will target the enemy healer (or w/e priority target) and then switch to the nearest (w/o targeting) - or - do just the opposite and target the nearest and then go for the priority. It depends somewhat upon what sort of mob I'm facing, what the priority target is, and whether or not the "nearest" foe is after my healers, etc.

I've noticed that, if you have auto-targeting on, it seems to act as "target next". But I use auto-target with melee characters - with spell casters it tends to mess up skill combos.

About mouse buttons - my wife recently got a Chihuahua which sometimes likes to sleep in my arms while I play (NM). This means that I basically have only one free hand, so I have one thumb button (mouse4) bound to "target nearest" (C) and the other, mouse5, bound to "Attack/use" (space). (The mouse buttons are directly bound - that is "target nearest" is bound to the "C" key and mouse4. I don't map the mouse4 button to "C".)

Young_Ranger · Jan 11, 2010, 06:13 PM // 18:13

I almost didn't post my message feeling it was to basic. I didn't want to look like a fool. I can not tell you how much practical advise I have gotten from these replies. Thanks to all for your help.

jonnieboi05 · Jan 11, 2010, 06:44 PM // 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Ah, now I'm different.

I have a 5 button mouse, so the two thumb buttons are programmed for target nearest and target next. I heartily recommend it.

This, this, this and this! Agreed so much.

Dzjudz · Jan 11, 2010, 07:37 PM // 19:37

Hmm, I like the two mouse thumb button idea, going to try it.

jonnieboi05 · Jan 11, 2010, 07:52 PM // 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dzjudz

Hmm, I like the two mouse thumb button idea, going to try it.

A fun tip for the inexperienced with mouse buttons: Have 2 of your mouse buttons set up as the following: Select self, Cast Hero Skill Number X (Splinter Weapon, Ancestors Rage, Prot Spirit, ANYTHING that you can think of).

Also you can set one of them to "command all" and do quick quick-flagging. The possibilities are endless and this is the beginning of where the push starts for players who want to be "pro" (so to speak).

Dzjudz · Jan 11, 2010, 08:08 PM // 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnieBoi05

A fun tip for the inexperienced with mouse buttons: Have 2 of your mouse buttons set up as the following: Select self, Cast Hero Skill Number X (Splinter Weapon, Ancestors Rage, Prot Spirit, ANYTHING that you can think of).

Also you can set one of them to "command all" and do quick quick-flagging. The possibilities are endless and this is the beginning of where the push starts for players who want to be "pro" (so to speak).

Yeah already got that going on:

C = remove flags
V = flag hero 3 (mm discord hero who lags behind casting death nova

0
B = flag all
F1-F4 = certain hero skills

Jan 11, 2010, 10:31 AM // 10:31	#7
cosyfiep are we there yet? Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: in a land far far away Guild: guild? I am supposed to have a guild? Profession: Rt/	I usually just c space, unless I know there is a healer(s)..then I target them first THEN c space. never had much of an issue. the h/h could use the 'exercise' for the amount of times they have wandered off to agro with out me __________________ where is the 'all you can eat' cookie bar?

Jan 11, 2010, 10:56 AM // 10:56	#10
Snograt rattus rattus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London, UK GMT??0 ??1hr DST Guild: [GURU]GW [wiki]GW2 Profession: R/	Ah, now I'm different. I have a 5 button mouse, so the two thumb buttons are programmed for target nearest and target next. I heartily recommend it. __________________ Si non confectus, non reficiat

Jan 11, 2010, 04:27 PM // 16:27	#15
Quaker Hell's Protector Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Guild: Brothers Disgruntled	My 2 cents Well, first of all, the OP's problem is not that serious. It happens to me quite often if I'm just doing random stuff in NM. I just let the H&H run back and forth - the mobs die anyway, maybe just a little slower. If I'm paying more attention or doing something in HM, I will shift target to the nearest one before the first target is killed - often before the H&H have gotten too far. Ofc, I usually run with an MM hero, so there's most often minions to keep all the enemies busy until I get to them. Also, depending upon the situation, I will target the enemy healer (or w/e priority target) and then switch to the nearest (w/o targeting) - or - do just the opposite and target the nearest and then go for the priority. It depends somewhat upon what sort of mob I'm facing, what the priority target is, and whether or not the "nearest" foe is after my healers, etc. I've noticed that, if you have auto-targeting on, it seems to act as "target next". But I use auto-target with melee characters - with spell casters it tends to mess up skill combos. About mouse buttons - my wife recently got a Chihuahua which sometimes likes to sleep in my arms while I play (NM). This means that I basically have only one free hand, so I have one thumb button (mouse4) bound to "target nearest" (C) and the other, mouse5, bound to "Attack/use" (space). (The mouse buttons are directly bound - that is "target nearest" is bound to the "C" key and mouse4. I don't map the mouse4 button to "C".) Last edited by Quaker; Jan 11, 2010 at 04:35 PM // 16:35..

Jan 11, 2010, 03:04 AM // 03:04	#1
Young_Ranger Academy Page Join Date: Sep 2009	Target Nearest vs Target Next I work my minions and heroes much to hard. This weekend I finally realized why. I overuse the Target Nearest when fighting mobs. As a Ranger, I kill whats closet to me (say its north of me) then the next nearest creature is south of me, I pivot and shoot behind me. My poor minions run across the field trying to catch up with my less than optimal targeting. I stopped Target Nearest, C Space when doing PUG quests as I often agro'd more than one mob but never new why. Any comments or insights on using Target Next in lieu of Target Nearest ? Thanks

Jan 11, 2010, 03:43 AM // 03:43	#2
jackinthe Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jan 2007	target next will target the nearest, and then the next nearest, etc. so just cycle thru and kill each group off XD

Jan 11, 2010, 05:41 AM // 05:41	#3
GWfan#1 Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jul 2009 Guild: My Character Liked Gwen [First] Profession: R/	I would just use target next for the majority of your targeting and use target nearest if you need to well...target the nearest enemy w/o having to cycle through all the other enemies. Another thing you might want to pay attention to is your Radar/Compass. You will notice that the enemy your targeting is highlighted with a thin yellow circle. This is helpful with direction and aggro of course.

Jan 11, 2010, 05:51 AM // 05:51	#4
Arduin Grotto Attendant Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Netherlands Guild: Limburgse Jagers [LJ] Profession: R/	What's a creature doing behind you? That creature shouldn't have been able to get through your minions wall to your squishies.

Jan 11, 2010, 10:01 AM // 10:01	#6
I Angra I Krytan Explorer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Napa, CA Guild: Inadequately Equipped [GeAr] Profession: R/N	just be aware of what's closest to you when using target nearest, and use a combination of that, target next, and physically clicking on targets to have complete control over what you're targeting.

Jan 11, 2010, 10:42 AM // 10:42	#8
HigherMinion Forge Runner Join Date: May 2008 Location: East Anglia, UK Guild: Order of [Thay] Profession: N/	Generally, as a MoP nuker, I will target the most threatening creature in a mob, calll it, then switch to the physicals charging toward me and Reckless them, then back to the previously targeted creature to finish them off. If you call, you can pretty much C-space. If you're in a pug team and someone is already calling, you must always attack their target; T-Space spamz.

Jan 11, 2010, 10:46 AM // 10:46	#9
Sharkinu Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Romania Guild: Smells Like Bear Spirit [Norn] Profession: R/	I just use Tab - Space (and Shift+Tab). Rarely use C - Space, only when I see that my target tabbing gets far away from me usually when i start selecting foes from another mob. And selecting with the mouse(very rarely usually I'm tabbing faster than clicking:P) when is a high priority target like a hard resser, or a wardkeeper, or a Searing Flames ele, or healer etc.

Jan 11, 2010, 11:57 AM // 11:57	#11
Dzjudz Furnace Stoker Join Date: Jun 2005 Guild: gwpvx.com/user:dzjudz	I always use Tab-Space. My C button is assigned to something else, I don't even have a 'target nearest' button any more...

Jan 11, 2010, 12:41 PM // 12:41	#12
Gift3d Forge Runner Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Las Vegas Guild: Enraged Whiny Carebears [oR] Profession: W/E	self-target, tab for nearest enemy tab to scroll forward through shift+tab to scroll backward through make a big compass cause it's good and watch where the yellow circle goes. eventually you'll know the pattern and can select targets a lot quicker as well.

Jan 11, 2010, 01:30 PM // 13:30	#13
Shayne Hawke Departed from Tyria Join Date: May 2007 Guild: Clan Dethryche [dth] Profession: R/	C + Space or Tab + Space is only really that good in teams where you know your allies are taking your target and you're either going to be able to spike them down quickly, or there's absolutely no danger in fighting this mob and you don't have to worry about targeting. In almost all situations, I still say that manually finding the right target is going to be superior. Mouse over until you find the healer, or res bot, or warder, or pretty much the target that's going to make your battle the most annoying or the most drawn out and kill it fast.

Jan 11, 2010, 06:13 PM // 18:13	#16
Young_Ranger Academy Page Join Date: Sep 2009	I almost didn't post my message feeling it was to basic. I didn't want to look like a fool. I can not tell you how much practical advise I have gotten from these replies. Thanks to all for your help.

Jan 11, 2010, 07:37 PM // 19:37	#18
Dzjudz Furnace Stoker Join Date: Jun 2005 Guild: gwpvx.com/user:dzjudz	Hmm, I like the two mouse thumb button idea, going to try it.