Past experience, however, is kind of irrelevant in this angle of game.

The only real dividing line that keeps Red Mages in the back or things they can be allowed in the front in is pretty much the assumed 'difficulty' of mobs. These are the same arguments that kept lesser dedicated DD classes from meleeing.

I'll be as clear as possible of where I believe RDM's Melee allowance should be. The discretion of whether or not a Red Mage should be allowed to melee should be, more or less, in direct correlation with their Blue Mage Cousins. Meaning, if the Blue Mage hesitates to take out his swords to TP with, and sticks to his spells, Red Mage shoulden't be thinking about it.

Below that point, however. Whether through damage increase or Utility gains, RDM should have no issues taking to the front line.

Dulle believes this should come primarily through damage. I believe Utility is the more important aspect, and our Damage aspects are in need of only minor improvements comparatively.

There is the argument about Red Mage as a Support/Healer role. However, this is mainly a preference situation. Again, most situations in which this would be a heavy discussion would call for a White Mage as a main healer anyways. And again, if BLU hesitates to melee it, we'd be in the back anyways. So it all boils down to what jobs you bring to a situation.

inb4 'play [a different job] then'

As much as I understand the concept of putting your best foot forward for the team, there needs to be some allowance in that for personal tastes and styles.

That, and simply switching jobs will not fix this glaring problem.

If Red Mages are going to get teased with new high end gear toys, they need to be given an acceptable use for them.