Originally Posted by
Ronik
This is a design choice which was made in order to accomodate both the job and class systems. They could just as easily make the jobs capable of soloing and eliminate classes entirely. Frankly, it would be a lot less work than trying to balance around some kind of in-party, out-of-party role identity. Why should we have to switch? Why would it make a difference if we wanted to solo as a Paladin vs solo as a Gladiator?
For example:
A Paladin could just as easily be given all the tools a Gladiator has for soloing, and then we don't have to worry about switching roles when we're soloing or when we're partying. We will simply be a Paladin the entire time around, regardless of what we're doing. This seems far more elegant and practical than dividing the entire game into "solo vs group" role dynamics. You simply give every Job some way to heal a little in a solo situation, and suddenly they're all perfectly viable for leves/solo grinding.