First off, it's nice to finally see the merit spells got the scroll treatment. That's been one of my forever requests from ages ago. Though, the new categories can be a harder choice, with the pure caster sorts likely wanting nothing to do with the Accuracy and Enspell ones. Those that do have a harder choice to make.



I still stand behind the belief that RDM should get its own unique type of DW that's limited to Sword main-hand and Dagger off-hand, further then able to use WS from either weapon type. Basically as good as /NIN would be adequate, for the obvious reason of opening up melee sub options a bit more with /WAR for damage or even /DRK for its own damage perks and some added spell utility via Drain/Aspir/Stun.


Nonetheless, there's always been the perpetual problem of casting interrupting melee, and if you are being expected to buff others, the cycle will lead to some significant DPS downtime. Frankly, I've always wanted some means to extend buff durations relative to a specific action, like using a WS or opening a SC adding on to remaining timers for all party members you've cast on depending on the tier. Alternatively, I'm also for the old idea of RDM taking on an MP DoT to instead passive reflect their own buffs onto nearby allies, excluding things like Stoneskin, Blink, and Aquaveil due to their variable status nature. This would regain time by not having to buff everyone else, while also opening the door to other uncommon buffs you'd otherwise need /SCH to share or simply couldn't (winkwinkTemper). I still also want a Dummy spell that would block full buff wipes and be consumed in its stead.


Gear is also still an issue, even if it's better than it was in days of yore. As Due mentioned, the CM sword isn't exactly something you can expect every RDM to have or to be able to get, and likely let alone coax people to help you get it because lolmelee stigma. At the very least, it'd be nice for a weaker version to pop up somewhere in the game that maybe has 50-75% the potency. Something else to help here would also be a tiered trait that converts a portion of offensive magic stats to additional melee stats. This would allow various caster pieces to double as TP or WS items, particularly if a given slot is lacking. The added MACC on the caster gear would also help Enspells to land better on the harder opponents, but there's sadly not much that can be done about MDB here hard cutting output since MATK has never affected Enspells at all.


I'd also say there's something to be said about hybrid-friendly food. Long as resists or whiffs can be minimized with a decent gear investment, I'd say it's okay to not hit as hard as the true damage dealers. It just still can't be so far behind that people would never accept the class in the role. And like others, I don't think we should ever be tanks, and more spitefully, main healers. I'm chill with the debuffer role, albeit more unique spells or JAs here would help and not just higher tiers of things others could use passably. Would also welcome an enfeebling equivalent of Occult Accumen.