Rune Fencer's a very good job so far and only needs a couple of things to make it an attractive option--particularly quicker casting and some better ability to take a hit while spelling a Paladin. As I played the job through to 99, I've found myself calling it Red Mage v2.0.
This, however, leaves it's predecessor in great crisis as to what it's identity is. I am, of course, speaking about Red Mage. A lot of people in the job forum have been clamoring for better melee aspects for years only to now see it thrust upon an entirely new job. The imposition of Tranquil Heart practically took away much of it's tanking ability now that the job cannot generate hate through enfeebling and curing--moreover, it proves the saying "rare cases make for bad law" as Red Mage tanking through enfeebling was really only done with Jailer of Love.
Estoqueur's Armor, while providing good stats for the mage side, really does nothing for the melee side of the job beyond improving Composure. This was the original reason I bought the NQ Dux Scale Mail set for melee purposes. As fortune would have it, Red...err, Rune Fencer can use the same armor.
What I'd like to know from the Devs is how they plan to get Red Mage caught up with this new job. "Pink Mage" will not do in Adoulin, nor do I even want it to go down that road again.