Originally Posted by
Shurrikhan
I believe that elements differentiating only for element's sake (i.e. by name) have no real advantage. If all elements differentiate within a shared range of under-mechanics, then I believe the elemental wheel has a chance to work. Where one type beats another as a matter of general law, rather than through the particular undermechanics (preferably also with the possibility to still use an element against its resistant (and/or own) type by combination with other elements), I find that gameplay is only simplified and offset, and muddied in endgame content, even if a bit more interesting during leveling processes (unless that process too, is taken with full seriousness/opportunism/efficiency-seeking/etc.).
I like a system in which Fire still works against Ifrit, earth against Titan, and wind against Garuda -- but with dependency on how you use it, and possibly with risk even of absorption at times.