Quote Originally Posted by Ahrana View Post
I would agree that giving a non-cure V alternative to red mage and/or scholars would be preferable, but the fact is that SE has done a terrible job of adding unique job specific spells to red mage and scholar. Additionally, because of the way NM's work I don't think anything other than a large, direct heal will do the job. I know that over on the scholar forums the idea has been kicked around for a helix type healing spell, but with SE's current track record of job specific unique spells they would be underwhelming at best, and likely completely unworkable. For reference, how often do people use the hate up, down, and regain spells scholars possess?

SE has been driving to make white mage and black mage the best at what they do, and they've succeeded. The problem is that they've become so overwhelmingly good at their roles that they aren't replaceable anymore, which marginalizes the jobs that are in between them. Add on top of that SE has made many NM's immune to enfeebles, what is supposed to be the domain of red mages, and it's making the mage support role two dimensional: white and black. I don't see this as a good thing, even though I primarily play white mage as my main, and scholar as my "fun job."
This is exactly the way I look at it. I play WHM and SCH exclusively in groups anymore, mostly WHM for obvious reasons, but SCH is my favorite. I love the concept of SCH having a unique way to ensure survival as well as WHM, but am very doubtful that SE can pull this off given the last year of lemons the jobs has been stuck with. I'd rather spend the next year with boring Cure V actually using SCH than test out their healing helix and watch it suck.

I also agree with Cure V being available only through Addendum White. I don't want to keep up with WHM and BLM at the same time, I just want to fill either role adequately.