This game needs depth, Please implement a second weapon (playstyle) for each job

Hi there guys,

I've been un-subbed since a month before the release of the Leviathan patch. The reason I left is because I got bored of playing my jobs and classes the same way. The only variety I experienced with my bard was merely upgrading gear and seeing more DPS output. This was interesting for a while, but got stale real fast, especially since everyone else was also forced into playing the same way.

I just recently tried out WoW, (good but nowhere near the potential that FFXIV has) and while playing, I couldn't help but continually tell myself things like, "Hmm, this system is just what FFXIV needs". The system I'm referring to is the ability to change specs. Wouldn't it be cool if a Paladin had the option of choosing between a sword and shield, greatsword (or hammer), or a staff? Or even just a choice of 2 weapons? This choice would alter the way you play the job (tank, DPS, healer), and would add variety and uniqueness to the game. It seems like a logical thing for an expansion but this would go against the philosophy that Yoshi seems to be operating under (simple). I believe a system like this could be implemented without complicating the game too much. In my opinion, this is the area in which this game fails miserably (depth and variety).

Do you guys think that this may be implemented at some point during the life of the game? It's probably what it would take to make me return. Thanks in advance for your responses guys.

I agree, the game needs more depth. But I don't think your suggestion would be easily implemented, given that they've based the entire class/job system around the weapon itself.
They could allow you to tweak your build more or to improve abilities via a talent spec, such as what you probably grew fond of in WOW.
Honestly though, this would be met with a lot of resistance from this community.

Technically, this is completely fulfilled by the fact you can change your job/class on the same character. Unless what you're getting at is something along the lines of a PLD using a bow to tank with... which just seems odd lol. Or even under the idea of role changing based on it, you already have that option, as I indicated on the first sentence. Unlike other games, your character, through changing weapons here (effectively changing your role/job/class), is actually doing exactly what you're thinking of.

The idea for multiple weapons could be interesting, but it'd certainly have to be VERY limited. This game, unlike others like WoW, is more about the flashiness of it than otherwise. The way this game is set up to play (slower/fluid action animation and combat than things like WoW) wouldn't allow for such options in the near future. Classes themselves would have to be altered, both abilities and stats, which really is just not going to happen here. FFXI also had things like this, and while it was fine at first, it kinda just came boiling down to a specific weapon type per job.

XI did this right. Jobs could use a range of different weapons, weaponskill was independent of your own level, you chose what to master and how fast.

If you want more specialization you'll have to wait for the expansion when they are supposed to add second jobs to each class.

That... sounds like the armoury system!? We'll get branching jobs per class eventually.

Honestly I would have thought they'd try to experiment with equipping two different weapons at the same time i.e one in main hand, the other in off hand for more customization, with the upcoming rogue/ninja class. It'd seem perfect for different "Poisons" being applied to each blade thus having more of a way to really focus dots. (Instead of just spamming every single dot onto a target you can weigh up what would be best in that situation, something I'd think would be useful for specific long boss fights.)

Hmm, my line of thinking was that with different weapons, come an entirely different set of skills with which to use for your current job. For example, a Paladin would have the option of choosing between a sword and shield, or a greatsword. Each weapon would change the core of the build, obviously a shield would give you tanking abilities while a greatsword would grant you DPS abilities. This choice would be made early on in the character's career in order to create some uniqueness among every Paladin. This would mean that not every Paladin is simply a cookie cutter of every other Paladin. The option grow even further if you add a third weapon, like a staff or Hammer. Idk, I just really really wanna play this game again, but the lack of depth in character customization (which imo is the very heart of any mmo), is preventing me from becoming excited at the prospect of returning

Whilst that would certainly make for a more interesting experience in terms of personal customization and preference, it'd be much more complex. For example, we already know that currently FFXIV:ARR is all about balancing. Everything is balanced in some way. (You can play any dps class as a team and it won't have too much effect overall, as an example) Most of the time what you stated is done in RPG's or primarily single player games. Because it's 100% PVE it doesn't necessarily matter if it's unbalanced. However in an MMO you have to take into account the stats and how it'll effect other players at the same time. Unfortunately I think that this method of being able to wield a Zweihander over a sword and shield if you prefer comes down to how the game mechanics have been built from the start. Perhaps it'd take too long for FFXIV to change to fit this idea as at the moment it's been all about balancing and unfortunately fallen into that cookie-cutter safe zone.

don't you know you can level all class in this game and some classes share gear set with other classe from same role?
If my BLM equip a book he keep all his gear and have a totally new skill set (the SMN one)
if my whm equip a book he become a sch but keep gear set
my pld can't equip GA but it's only becaus i havent leveled war yet.
ROG/NIN might share gear with some existing class (PUG/MNK?).

All you ask for is the current existing armory system without having to bother leveling other classes, and more multi class EG Gear