On Red Mage melee...

[Supersun]

Stances aren't necessarily a bad idea in of themselves since like sch the drawback of one stance is usually enough to justify the near specialist power of that stance. I just don't feel that is "Red Mage" though. I more feel we should be generalists with a niche. (and by niche I don't mean a specialized role. I more mean specialized benefits that synergize well with others that along with our generalist abilities justify a spot. Dia III is a niche. It's a powerful def down effect that synergizes well with mostly everyone (if only attack mattered for heavy DDs now >.>))

[Duelle]

Stances aren't necessarily a bad idea in of themselves since like sch the drawback of one stance is usually enough to justify the near specialist power of that stance. I just don't feel that is "Red Mage" though. I more feel we should be generalists with a niche. (and by niche I don't mean a specialized role. I more mean specialized benefits that synergize well with others that along with our generalist abilities justify a spot. Dia III is a niche. It's a powerful def down effect that synergizes well with mostly everyone (if only attack mattered for heavy DDs now >.>))

The only other way I can think of creating some semblance of balance is through gear, but as I've mentioned, that approach is moot in a game where gear-swapping is the norm. Gear is usually a decent factor for this sort of thing, but alas it simply would not work here.

The lack of restrictions is what feeds the "RDM shouldn't get A or B because they're overpowered and can already out-survive everything" sentiments. I'd love to be able to shut them up once and for all. Then again, so long as the class is adept at the sword and has access to white and black magic, it doesn't stop being a Red Mage to me.