You're missing the point.
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I don't know what this "Dark Knight" is, but it sounds like Raditz.
http://0.tqn.com/d/anime/1/0/c/B/vegeta.gif
(Fixed That For You)
A RMT/Botter Ban Hammer!... Is what the game needs.
I don't really think that was against the intent. in traditional FF games where i had a DRK I used them primarily as physical attackers. They had elemental magic making them more versatile, but they never out nuked my RDMs or BLMs. so the only time I did use elemental magic on a drk was when physical attacks were not effective.
I'm also not yet convinced that a single class will only have a single job attached to it. I think RDM could easily spawn from GLD or even THM. There's nothing implied in the coding saying you can't equip a different weapon after switching jobs. it could be a little convoluted to equip a short sword/scepter, then equip your rapier after going /job on. but it's not outside the realm of possibilities. we have job specific armor, job specific weapons is a logical step forward.
the only downside is a lot of glad abilities don't make sense for a traditional RDM. of course RDM could tank very well in FFXI. RDM could become the games magic tank. (contrast to PLD and WAR that are more physical tanks) it also helps steer the game into a more versatile direction. there won't be a defacto tank for every situation. right now i think WAR is the closest thing. PLD jsut doesn't do enough damage to be viable in certain situations.
to me, DRK/RDM and WHM/BLM are two sides of the same coin. BLM/DRK are more offensive and RDM/WHM are more defensive. BLM/WHM are more back line and DRK/RDM are more frontline. how this ultimately manifests can be open to may interpretations. many may want to see RDM be more of a backline job. I'd prefer the opposite. It could also provide a counterbalance for MNK's limited elemental damage and provide the other side of the wheel.
and MNK does not traditionally have elemental damage capabilities. the mold has already been broken, so-to-speak.
Tifa Lockheart
I agree with the op. Also, summoners.