Leveling Up Weapons Skill Level

One dynamic that I feel the game needs to improve on would be the ability to have multiple classes be able to equip different weapons. Right now classes are tied to the weapons they equip. Sword/dagger - Gladiator, Great axe - Marauder, etc.

Currently right now the game lacks the ability to specifically level up weapons skill levels. When you fight something as Gladiator the log says you earn 'x' amount of sword skill points, but it doesn't level your sword at all in fact the skill points go towards leveling your Gladiator. In FFXI they had not only Job Level but they also had weapons skill level/evasion/guard etc. Each job was able to use an array of weapons with varying degrees of skill levels. This means that although multiple jobs can equip this type of weapon theres classes that may be better or worse depending on what their rank with the weapon is (A+ A A-, B+ B B-, etc.)

Since over 75% of FFXIV players votes to remove physical level I feel that by adding this to FFXIV it would add more of a character progression feel. This would allow multiple classes to use different weapons and freedom to choose to switch things around. For example a Lv 50 Marauder can equip sword and has a B- ranking (skill level 230) which means it would have decent attack and accuracy but a Lv 50 Gladiator has an A+ ranking (skill level 275) meaning he'd be slightly better suited to use a sword but the Marauder would be able to switch it up as he sees fit. Just like in FFXI weapons skill levels would have a chance of being increased by making successful hits on mobs that are Even Match difficulty or above. Skills would subtly be increased like +0.2, +0.4, etc. depending on the mob difficulty.

I think SE would be able to easily add a class change section in the main menu to allow users to select what class they want to change to rather than what weapon is equipped. Not to say that every job can use any weapon cuz that shouldn't be the case either.

Sorry for the rant. Let me know what you guys think.

I see a couple problems here.

1. Your rank in FFXIV is your skill in using a weapon. The class is just a name given to those with proficiency in said weapon. Adding in weapon skill is redundant.

2. This is NOT FFXI. Nor should it ever be.

Well that's understandable and you're correct this is not FFXI. But, when they remove physical level and all stat bonuses are based on Job Level I'd like to have weapon/evasion/guard skills that I have to work for rather than just clumping Job Level, all stats and weapon/evasion/guard skill together.

I agree with removing physical level and giving allotment points to each class based on class rank, but having weapon skill levels again is tedious and a big turn off...
{Skill Up} {Party} {Do you need it?} {No fucking thanks!}

I just posted a very similar thread. I don't think anyone wants to have to skill up weapons as well. I think they could have a similar system however. Maybe your weapon can just automatically be capped in a sense. Do not add weapon skill levels, but just the ranking system: A+, A-, B+, B-, etc.

The reason I'd like a system like that is I'd like to be able to use more than just ONE weapon on the same class. Let me use a kick ass sword on more than JUST GLA. I'm glad to see other player's thinking about it as well!

Dark, I see you play a lot of Archer. Let me ask you something. Do you use a bow because you are an Archer, or are you an Archer because you use a bow?

Before you ask me wth I'm talking about, let me explain what I mean. Your idea and the idea the OP posted are completely incompatible with the FFXIV armory system. In FFXI I used H2H weapons because I chose to be a Monk. In FFXIV, I am a Pugilist because I chose to use H2H weapons. Even without skillups, the systems are not compatible with each other. It's like flipping a coin and wanting it to come up heads AND tails.

@OP

No, you're playing the wrong game.

I understand what we're suggesting is not the armory system. Players did agree they would accept drastic changes however. Classes could still be weapon specialists by having an A+ rating with their current weapon. The main reason I thought about this was say you obtain a rare weapon drop from an NM with really good stats, stats you'd find useful on another class as well. I'd like to be able to use that same weapon on two or more classes, and was thinking of ways they could make it possible in FFXIV. Yes, that would go against the armory system, the question is would most players be accepting of that?

To answer you, in XIV I wanted to use a bow so yes I am an archer. Down the line, if they add new weapons and classes, I would love being a Samurai with a Great Katana and still be able to be useful with a Bow if I so choose. Some players choose class based on that classes stats (when they make stats automatic based on class) and abilities, not weapon alone. Some in XI choose the WAR job because it had pretty decent skill with a wide variety of weapon types. In XI I liked being good with both a Scythe and a Great Sword on Dark Knight. It may not be for everyone, but I would just welcome a similar idea in XIV.

@Dark.

I can understand entirely where you're coming from. I'd really like something similar as well. Maybe GLD could be similar to a WAR class and was able to use not only sword, but great axe and polearm too. Who knows though, we'll have to see where things go and hope for the best with regards to the way the game turns out.

Again the armory system is just a name of a type of weapon, you're always A+ on the weapon.

the only change we can do is pierce/blunt/slash.

And then you have to graft the DoM line to it.

It's just going in a circle. You can't use 2 weapons at once, except for the flirt that's throwing weapons (which is really bad at this point).

If we want to go back to FF11, then we have to go back full tilt, Armory system is just that restrictive.