Job Personalization: Can I Have It?

[Sanadaiyeve]

I really love that FFIX inspired gaining of skills and traits by spirit bonding gear. That sounds absolutely beautiful. Thank you :}

[Colt47]

I agree with the OP that the system available in FFXIV needs to offer at least some choice in specialization for each job. Right now World of Warcraft actually beats this game hands down in their class system because even though you can't play every job on a single character, each "job" offers three different play styles within that job and players can freely switch between two of those styles. This allows for hybrid classes to actually fill two different roles, damage dealers can experiment with different kinds of play, etc. Heck, even though we can play every class on the same character in FFXIV, it's really no different from starting a new character in WoW and leveling that character up, only they have a seperate inventory so they don't run into the issues we have with the FFXIV inventory.

I mean, we could have Dark knights that could be a DPS or a Tank if we used that idea of offering multiple paths. Or a Bard that could specialize in healing or be a sniping savant.

[MilesSaintboroguh]

*brings elemental wheel back*
*watches black mages flail about trying to do big damage to Ifrit with low potency Blizzard spells*

[Belhi]

I agree with the OP that the system available in FFXIV needs to offer at least some choice in specialization for each job. Right now World of Warcraft actually beats this game hands down in their class system because even though you can't play every job on a single character, each "job" offers three different play styles within that job and players can freely switch between two of those styles. This allows for hybrid classes to actually fill two different roles, damage dealers can experiment with different kinds of play, etc. Heck, even though we can play every class on the same character in FFXIV, it's really no different from starting a new character in WoW and leveling that character up, only they have a seperate inventory so they don't run into the issues we have with the FFXIV inventory.

I mean, we could have Dark knights that could be a DPS or a Tank if we used that idea of offering multiple paths. Or a Bard that could specialize in healing or be a sniping savant.

And what about BLM? Give them healing? I don't think it works well for all classes.

I also wouldn't list WoW as a great system. Specs are as restrictive as Jobs in many ways and WoW has always had serious struggles with balancing its classes.

Your basically asking for a system like Jobs but with less themes.

[Mikhaill]

*brings elemental wheel back*
*watches black mages flail about trying to do big damage to Ifrit with low potency Blizzard spells*

I wish I could be either a Ice Mage or a Fire Mage....hell or even Lightning or something.
I honestly like the ice element better than fire. :/ I wish they could give us a choice but both be equal.
The game kinda sucks with the 'one way street' type of deal. Literally everyone is the same person.

EDIT: They could of made a more supportive bard, and a DPS bard.
A MCH that relies on Turrets more, or a MCH that relies on his own gun more.
Holy Paladin? Dark Paladin? [Well we have DRK...] Uhh...WHM that focuses on more Water based healing or a WHM that uses more Wind based healing?
Dragoon focused on Lance skills and a Dragon that uses Wyvern pet things? Idk lol.
It'll be nice to have more stuff. I'm not sure if I'm with the topic right though.

[Bishop81]

You want "class" customization? You have to detach it from raiding. There will be no customization so long as "classes" are tied to the limitations imposed by raid balance.

One solution I can think of (and I have posted it before) is to,

1. Make raids Job-only. They practically already are so no change there.
2. Release skill books that teach class-only cross-class skills - they may or may not be restricted to specific classes.

Problem solved.

Jobs can be designed specifically for raids - with all the accompanying restrictions. Classes can be used by those that desire customization in dungeons and open world content. (Seriously, who gives a rat's bottom about balance in those areas?)

With the class-only cross-class skills, the sky's the limit as you don't have worry about "raid balance". Class-only cross-class skill A is OPed? Great, the dungeon gets completed quicker. Want big old school appear-attack-disappear summons? Sure. No one is going to QQ about a big summon blocking their view in a FATE or Rank S/A Hunt.

[LandricFrey]

Ok what I hear a lot is: "Everyone will just pick the optimal build."

That's just not true. If it were, then why are we all not playing the optimal dps, tank, or healer jobs?
Because we all don't enjoy playing the mathematically solved "best" job. Build choice wouldn't be any different.

If we don't like choice so much, then why isn't there just three jobs; one for every role so we're all equal? Why don't they just start us all in BIS gear so no one gets bullied and we can all clear content more reliably? Sounds fun to you?

[RethDaron]

Where WoW has 3 builds (sometimes 4) per class XIV makes up for that with the amount of classes. Instead of picking a spec we pick an entire class, as the typical FF formula goes.

[justinjarjar]

The skill differences in current games are not that good of examples for big change. Wow each class has three builds (more like three different classes). Within those the only thing that really gets changed is if you are pvping or pveing (we have a system for that already). The whole 1% this 1% that over the top skill three will not change the class that much and overall you are still playing with the same package of skills (if i am still playing the class i like why would someone play an suboptimal build?). These systems are flawed and would not be a welcome addition to the game. The classes are not the same in how their kits work, for example DRG is the "best" dps, but monks can pull similar dps. DRGs have two three set combos with BoTD up have a random proced 4th skill and have their oGCD attack skills buffed for the most part. It has 4 positionals and the buff skills are similar to monk as well as the fact that they both are melee dps. Monk stacks GL with an interchangeable 3 style combo with 8 skills that can be used all but two (aoes) with postionals. Very different classes, while with I can just change "x" skill for y or z, when z gives better dps and you still play the same kit (nothing changes enough to matter). Why would you chose y? That is what people mean by people will pick optimal build, since most skill trees do not offer enough change to he class. When they could change the class enough, why not just make a new class instead?

[Colt47]

And what about BLM? Give them healing? I don't think it works well for all classes.

I also wouldn't list WoW as a great system. Specs are as restrictive as Jobs in many ways and WoW has always had serious struggles with balancing its classes.

Your basically asking for a system like Jobs but with less themes.

Blm doesn't need anything other than being blm. The only choice they'd make is between doing more strait up damage as they do now or focusing more on DoT and gaining mobility.