Make the dodge roll viable

I've been in combat a number of times agains various enemies, and— when you see the enemy wind up for an attack— will instinctively double-tap to "dodge roll" out of the way (habit from playing Guild Wars 2). Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work that way, and I still get hit.

Example: I'm an archer in light armor, fighting a Mountain Troll. So kiting and damage avoidance is very important. So when I see the troll quickly run the opposite direction, I know he's about to toss a boulder at me. I rush after him, he starts to pick up the rock, I use Gust and blow him over, yet I still get smashed with a rock. OR, I'm in melee range, he lifts his foot to stomp on me, I back up and dodge roll, and I still get hit. What's the point in dodge rolling if it doesn't do anything?

I've had people suggest to me that it was machine/internet lag... but it happens every time. And if ArenaNet can do it with Guild Wars 2, then I'm hopeful that you can do this as well. PLEASE make Dodge Roll a viable ability... maybe have a greater chance of success with a higher DEX and higher Damage Avoidance skills?

 

So for troll leap, jump. That negates the leap. For rock throw, yes a dodge roll working would be nice. On rare occasions I have out ranged the boulders as a result of a back flip. It is certainly atypical to do so though.

 

You mean the troll stomp, yes?

 

Yes... I understand that it's probably going to have a decent area of impact, but a chance to backflip away and take a shorter stun and/or less damage would be nice...

 

As Jefe said, if you jump right before the troll stomp then you will not be effected (no stun, no damage).

 

I guess I need more practice, then... I have never been able to effectively dodge roll or jump away from damage. I dodge, I jump, I still get hit.

 

Combat rolling does nothing except consume focus. I actually have it turned off in the options.

 

Need to make sure you are in the air when the troll lands and you will not be affected by it. Does take a bit of practice. May try to vary the jump timing based on ping. However, for me I have to time it with the landings. I have had cases of jumping after the troll jumps and landing before the troll stomps and getting knocked down. So timing, and remember that holding shift gives a slightly higher leap, thus more air time.

 

Holding down the shift key does nothing. Holding down the space bar for a few seconds before letting go, however, will make you jump a little higher.

 

I guess my biggest issue is when the attack damage hits me. If the actual "hit" from the enemy attack happened at the end of their attack animation, then we could have a chance to avoid or interrupt their attack... but it doesn't. Once their attack animation starts, we might interrupt the animation, but the actual hit still takes place regardless. They can interrupt US in mid-cast or mid-weapon charge, why can't we interrupt them? And if it IS interrupting, it would nice to know that.

 

Sorry yes, distracted by shiny objects while typing.

 

To do that, there would need to be some sort of ability in the game to measure casting interruption tolerance. I gotta say though, the Troll's devotion to lifting rocks while while players swing weapons at them at the waist high level is astounding. I'd consider worrying about other stones in that situation. ^^