Thief Treasure Hunter

[Nebo]

Lots of discussions on the Thief boards about job updates. I'm not really a fan of debuff things, only because there are already so many support options that it likely wouldn't give THF any competitive advantage

I'm more for the DD increase with enmity utility these days. My current favorite is my most recent revamp suggestion found here:

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...l=1#post449038

Aside from the fact that THF has weaker overall potential for damage, even when able to meet its positional requirements 100% and ride SATA timers as they are available...

...the greater problem with the whole "positional requirements" shtick is that no other jobs HAVE to play by those rules to do well. Yeah, SAM has overwhelm, and NIN has Innin, but not fulfilling those requirements does not cause their WS to suck immensely. So you have THF, trying to run around and play the positional game solo.

It is a hassle for groups to try to accommodate THF's positional DD nature. THF DD is too weak to create a positional strategy around. So groups invite jobs with greater DD potential that they don't have to think about.

If they REALLY wanted to bring back tanking and tactical positioning they'd make it so that certain enemies have damage resistance and the only way to break it is to keep the monster still and not constantly changing enmity targets. They could even add a system similar to stagger in FF13 which granted a damage multiplier that was increased by magic damage and sustained by physical combat.

OR they could limit the types and amount of jobs that can be in a party. You want a challenge? Ok now you HAVE to fill party slots with one of: 1 Tank (PLD/NIN/RUN) , 1 Light DD (THF/PUP/BLU/BST/DNC), 1 Heavy DD(RNG/DRK/SAM/WAR/MNK/DRG) 1 Healer (WHM/SCH/RDM) 1 Support (BRD/COR/GEO) and 1 Magic Damage (BLM/SMN/SCH).

Create a situation where the most efficient way to deal damage is to coordinate skillchains and MB, control monsters positionally, etc.....but eh, that's a different topic.

I think all the THF mains I know have long since given up that SE is going to throw the job a meaningful bone.

I really don't think the problem is so much that THF deals less damage than other DD's. It's that we don't get to participate as a result. And short of a complete overhaul of current battle mechanics, I don't believe anything other than a DD boost is going to allow THF to participate. The best utility a melee can offer is to be able to make things deader faster with dramatic increases from proper support. THF gains a lot less from proper support than other jobs.