Is WoL the only one able to master/handle all the classes at once?

I did notice that npcs are very capable of handling soulstones and developing talent toward a specific class, but are "average joes" able to handle multiple classes like WoL?
Also is there like a lore explanation to how WoL swaps class and gears instantly? Cause I hope WoL isn't stripping naked in the middle of a street then changing into different gears

Interestign question. I'd mentionthe Scions but they were in classes prior to SB (lyse and alisale) and Shadowbringers (everyone still alive)

Tataru Taru is both a Receptionist (spy), a failed miner and a failed Summoner (at least level 70) if you can call that taking on multiple jobs.

We see in the Shadowbringer Cinematic that the WoL can switch between his/her different jobs naturally through magical means so it is most likely a magical ability he/she has that allows for job switched.

Being a adventurer is a multi-skill job so it is common for adventurers to be skilled in multiple areas of talents. The creation of the Adventurer Guild was to not only open up a job opportunity for people with different types of talents but one of the major requirements for being a Adventurer is to be talented in multiple areas of crafts, gathering, and combat skills as mentioned by Louisoix when he was summarizing the events of 1.0 when he talked about the founding of the Adventurer Guild

While non-adventurers tend to focus on one job to specialize in for their daily life and earnings, Adventurers focus on having multiple skills for multiple "jobs" and "classes" for their different freelance jobs.

FFXIV 1.0 also showed a npc switching classes mid battle during a cutscene (in the 1.0 GLA class quests there was a cutscene depicting a fight in the Colleseum in Ul'dah, and the GLA npc tried cheating by switching to MRD mid fight - it still didn't help him though and still got his lalafell butt handed to him). Given how the Armoury System works, it's not surprising this is the case, as it's based around the use of a weapon or tool - Soul Crystals work in tandem with that.

Also explains why the Cross-class system was a thing in both 1.0 and 2.0-4.X(?)

Soul Crystals are used to speed along the process of learning a new class. We don't just pick up a weapon and master it instantly, we're using the combat memories of the stone's previous owners as our own. (Garlemald's new Weapon program aims to achieve something similar, albeit using much more horrifying methods.)

It's plausible the Echo has something to do with it, but there's no reason anybody with a soul crystal wouldn't be able to pick up on the advanced techniques we use as well. (Except for MCH, which as a completely new discipline has no memories stored in its soul crystal.)

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Originally Posted by Cilia

Soul Crystals are used to speed along the process of learning a new class. We don't just pick up a weapon and master it instantly, we're using the combat memories of the stone's previous owners as our own. (Garlemald's new Weapon program aims to achieve something similar, albeit using much more horrifying methods.)

It's plausible the Echo has something to do with it, but there's no reason anybody with a soul crystal wouldn't be able to pick up on the advanced techniques we use as well. (Except for MCH, which as a completely new discipline has no memories stored in its soul crystal.)

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Along with BLU, which is stated as having been made literally out of whole cloth on the spot, and the spells you learn for it are you basically winging it (Martyn after all was being accused of being a conman for selling fake Soul Crystals for BLU to unsuspecting adventurers by the Limsan authorities, and hoped that total sucker the WoL would actually exonerate him accordingly by showing the Soul Crystals were real and the Job legitimate. Instead we basically created the Job ourself based on what he told us and our own initiative and Echo filling in the blanks).

MCH is an odd case though, in that although it's Soul Crystal is empty and the Discipline is new, it's technically based on an earlier Discipline, the Limsan Musketeer class (MSK for short), that was never implemented gameplay wise (Merlwyb is a MSK for instance), and combined with Stephanivien's revolutionary theories of magitek (for creating the 'bullets' from the users own aether, rather than using ball and gunpowder that MSK uses for their guns), thus creating the new Discipline of MCH.

Either way, both Jobs you're indeed making it up as go along in a way by the Crystal recording your experiences and imprinting the abilities you're inadvertently creating as you theoretically experiment through trial and error what works and what doesn't.

The WoL is somewhat unusual in that they're relatively quick to draw out a given soul crystal's memories and such. Such things typically require diligent study and training for the average person as "without first attaining sufficient proficiency and tempering one’s soul to mirror the maturity of the crystal’s contributors, a prospective student will be denied even the slightest glimpse of enlightenment" .

Anyway, in terms of classes, that is, GLD, THM, ARC and so on, the average person should ostensibly be able to pick them up given enough time and dedication. Whether they would considering other factors in their lives is another matter. Note that adventurers aren't necessarily representative of the population at large either.

Jobs, I would say, are another matter really, since they're either scarce, have certain cultural ties/requirements, and other such factors in their availability. Then there's the obvious time commitment as well. Like, MNKs were part of the Fists of Rhalgr, so the average MNK would have spent an X amount of time training as a novice, after which they were given a soul crystal. Then they would have to spend X amount of time training further to attune to the crystal's memories and open their chakras. It wouldn't, or at least realistically shouldn't, leave much time to, say, go learn how to be a RDM, which itself requires a foundation in thaumaturgy and conjury, even with a soul crystal, which we know since a certain NPC is stuck having to start over from the beginning as it were after certain events.

Basically, in a vacuum with infinite time, the average person probably could learn all the classes and jobs to the same degree as the WoL. However such circumstances are obviously impossible. Most folks will probably specialize in one or two other things at most that are probably related to whatever their primary interest/profession is. A culinarian, say, might go and pick up some knowledge of alchemy so they can source some of their own ingredients like oils and natron and perhaps botany too to get herbs and spices.

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Originally Posted by Wyssahtyn

The WoL is somewhat unusual in that they're relatively quick to draw out a given soul crystal's memories and such. Such things typically require diligent study and training for the average person as "without first attaining sufficient proficiency and tempering one’s soul to mirror the maturity of the crystal’s contributors, a prospective student will be denied even the slightest glimpse of enlightenment" .

Anyway, in terms of classes, that is, GLD, THM, ARC and so on, the average person should ostensibly be able to pick them up given enough time and dedication. Whether they would considering other factors in their lives is another matter. Note that adventurers aren't necessarily representative of the population at large either.

Jobs, I would say, are another matter really, since they're either scarce, have certain cultural ties/requirements, and other such factors in their availability. Then there's the obvious time commitment as well. Like, MNKs were part of the Fists of Rhalgr, so the average MNK would have spent an X amount of time training as a novice, after which they were given a soul crystal. Then they would have to spend X amount of time training further to attune to the crystal's memories and open their chakras. It wouldn't, or at least realistically shouldn't, leave much time to, say, go learn how to be a RDM, which itself requires a foundation in thaumaturgy and conjury, even with a soul crystal, which we know since a certain NPC is stuck having to start over from the beginning as it were after certain events.

Basically, in a vacuum with infinite time, the average person probably could learn all the classes and jobs to the same degree as the WoL. However such circumstances are obviously impossible. Most folks will probably specialize in one or two other things at most that are probably related to whatever their primary interest/profession is. A culinarian, say, might go and pick up some knowledge of alchemy so they can source some of their own ingredients like oils and natron and perhaps botany too to get herbs and spices.

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It is certainly abnormal that WoL is learning fast and if I remember right it was mentioned sometimes in the Job/class storylines that the WoL is a fast learning compared to normal people that joined and focus on that job/class for their daily life income or personal hobby.

Though some of our quick learning is due to our Master for our Jobs/Classes putting us through a more advance level of training (for example, Monk Job story in 2.0 was basically us being put right into locations full of Chakra to quickly open the Gates in the name of Science when normal Monks spent years searching for those locations to awaken those Gates by themselves) and being adventurers we are "leveling" faster than the normal people due to constant experiences we get through our journey compared to the normal people who get most of their experience by training in the Guilds and only getting experience from tasks given to the Guilds.

Even with current Job story, we see majority of the people we knew from the past Job/Class storylines still have not gone beyond the Guild for their experience and are still focusing mostly on gaining experience through training in the Guild and only tasks provided to the Guild.

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Originally Posted by Edax

Tataru Taru is both a Receptionist (spy), a failed miner and a failed Summoner (at least level 70) if you can call that taking on multiple jobs.

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She didn't even make it past arcanist. I don't think she'll be summoning egis any time soon.

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Originally Posted by Edax

Tataru Taru is both a Receptionist (spy), a failed miner and a failed Summoner (at least level 70) if you can call that taking on multiple jobs.

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Apparently she also has skill in some DoH classes because she made quite a few outfits for the Scions, and us. So at least leatherworker and weaver, maybe goldsmith and armorer as well.

I mean Thancred went from a rogue to a gunbreaker if that counts..? (and his "rogue" at the start was actually a gladiator)

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Originally Posted by Nioh

I mean Thancred went from a rogue to a gunbreaker if that counts..? (and his "rogue" at the start was actually a gladiator)

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In addition to that: Y'shtola started out as a conjurer and went on to become some kind of blackmage (or at the very least someone who uses black magic - so shes able to use both black and white magic spells).

Alisae used to be an arcanist aswell, considering that Louisvaix gifted the Twin-Grimoires to her and her brother (whos still an arcanist...) - and now shes a RDM.

Urianger was an arcanist too, but became an astrologian with Shadowbringers.

Well if Dark Knight quests were any indication, of course anybody can pick up a job through a soul crystal. The WoL is rather talented though, given that up to level 50 is the strangest way a mentor has been implemented in the game. After 50 there's a couple of skills that we learn directly from Sidurgu, one of them is Plunge.

Plunge shows up in the level 70 PLD gladiatorial match up against Black Lotus, who is a Gladiator/PLD type job. This shows that not only are other people on Hydaelyn capable of learning other jobs, they are in fact capable of using multiple disciplines at once, despite the fact that we cannot in terms of actual gameplay.

Later on down the road, this same NPC is shown to have mastered the Samurai job to the point that he can catch a glimpse of the power of someone's soul. So I guess the answer would be, it's just a matter of personal proficiency with learning to fight.

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Originally Posted by Canadane

She didn't even make it past arcanist. I don't think she'll be summoning egis any time soon.

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Well she """fought""" in a level 70 battle wearing level 60 gear, so she must have made some progress beyond level 5.

https://i.imgur.com/efB9bnz.png

Presumably level requirements are more of a gameplay thing than a lore thing. I doubt the clothes in "reality" resist being put on by someone who is too weak like like-ended magnets.

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Originally Posted by Stepjam

Presumably level requirements are more of a gameplay thing than a lore thing. I doubt the clothes in "reality" resist being put on by someone who is too weak like like-ended magnets.

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What is the canon explanation for that? Does the sheer power of the gear overwhelm the user and melt their face like they just looked into the Ark of the Covenant?

There are some things that just don't need a Watsonian answer, guys...

Though the use of Soul Crystals seems like it is possible for anyone with base level skill. It seems like our characters ease and swiftness to control the various powers of the crystals seems to be what separates them from most others. It is nearly commented in every job quest on how quickly it seems like our character seems to be able to take on any fighting style that is presented especially considering some of those powers like Warrior's Inner Beast or Dragoon's connection to Nidhogg’ s power would generally be too much for most people to handle on their own at the same time. Given nearly every combat form we have is mastery over A ether in various forms, it probably makes sense giving the background they seem to be pointing about our Warrior of Light.

However, I'd probably also say this flexibility does come with a few weaknesses, given that many of the Scions display abilities that do not exist in our job archetype such as Alphinaud’ s different carbuncles or Y’shtola unique spells she utilizes. We seem to be limited to the memory of the crystals or in the Case of Machinist or Blue Mage where we are literally shown what to do specifically, we're heavily dependent on the crystals to define the abilities our characters use. Though much of that may simply be gameplay convenience.

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Originally Posted by Edax

What is the canon explanation for that? Does the sheer power of the gear overwhelm the user and melt their face like they just looked into the Ark of the Covenant?

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Possibly. At least, the lore for one of the monk Artifact gears describes it as doing that.

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Originally Posted by Encyclopedia Eorzea

“Only elders of the Fist of Rhalgr are permitted to don this attire. Though the thread used in its creation is the same as that woven into the standard temple habit, the veteran monks looming the tantra cloth imbue each stitch with concentrated energy, resulting in a significantly higher rate of aetherial conductivity. A monk’s chakras are thus greatly expanded when swathed in such material, but without the training required to moderate the excessive outpouring of aether, an unseasoned wearer would bleed out his entire life essence in a matter of moments.”

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There was also an old bit of 1.0 lore concerning WHM AF that has since been not only retconned but completely scrapped (specifically, the WHM AF body piece the Healer's Robe) - in 1.0 the robe was unique because it was actually an elemental that had changed itself into that robe (I'm not entirelly sure of the exact circumstances but it was something along the lines of like why Midgardsormr turned into a minion late in ARR, to follow the player's character and ensure that they really were who and what they claimed to be). Hence, this naturally explained why only a WHM can wear that robe.

Of course ARR changed all that, but it still makes sense why only a WHM is permitted to wear such vestements - the outfit is aetherically attuned to only WHMs.

I always chalked up the WoL's ability to easily pick up new disciplines as a manifestation of their Echo. Just like their uncanny knack for finding things that give other people trouble.

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Originally Posted by Edax

Tataru Taru is both a Receptionist (spy), a failed miner and a failed Summoner (at least level 70) if you can call that taking on multiple jobs.

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She was also a weaver too, if we count the tailored stuff she made for Yshtola and the WOL in two different portions of cutscenes.

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Originally Posted by Morningstar1337

Interestign question. I'd mentionthe Scions but they were in classes prior to SB (lyse and alisale) and Shadowbringers (everyone still alive)

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Yshtola was a Miner in the beginning of ARR as well!

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Originally Posted by Edax

Well she """fought""" in a level 70 battle wearing level 60 gear, so she must have made some progress beyond level 5.

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It went about as well as a Lv60 player in a Lv70 battle would expect, too.

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Originally Posted by Edax

What is the canon explanation for that? Does the sheer power of the gear overwhelm the user and melt their face like they just looked into the Ark of the Covenant?

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I figure maybe it's that whatever stat-boosting enchantments are in the clothes make them feel uncomfortable (if not outright dangerous as in the quote earlier) if you're not sufficiently trained to wear them.

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Originally Posted by Elkanah

Yshtola was a Miner in the beginning of ARR as well!

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She dressed up as a miner at one point in post-ARR, but that's all.

You may be thinking of Minfilia who is mentioned a few times to have been a miner previously.

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Originally Posted by Ryphen

I always chalked up the WoL's ability to easily pick up new disciplines as a manifestation of their Echo. Just like their uncanny knack for finding things that give other people trouble.

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Considering what we know of Shadowbringers...

It could have also been something they had the power to do way back in Amaurot as the 14th Member of the Convocation.

Into a nearby phone booth!

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Originally Posted by Minnel

I did notice that npcs are very capable of handling soulstones and developing talent toward a specific class, but are "average joes" able to handle multiple classes like WoL?
Also is there like a lore explanation to how WoL swaps class and gears instantly? Cause I hope WoL isn't stripping naked in the middle of a street then changing into different gears

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This is actually answered to a degree in the lore book. I can't remember the exact passage, but it states that soul crystals are actually a huge drain on a person's aether due to the attunement required. One soul crystal is safe for most people with 2 being possible amongst the highly aetheric. The pc by contrast generates a whopping amount of aether by way of the echo or blessing of light which is how Anima and Fray could draw on them to sustain themselves temporarily.
It should be noted that job crystals get more aetherically costly as they get older, the MCH one for example doesn't have any aether drain which is why the less magically inclined can use it. It should also be noted that whenever the pc swaps out of a job, they temporarily unattune to it as evidenced by the level 80 drk journal.

many adventurers and even none adventurers train in at least 2 classes as we know them, so classes by themselves are not too strenuous- they just take time. Why else would so many guildmates cross train in conjury, or even Thancred having rogue and gladiator training pre gunblade.

it should also be pointed out that the WOL at least in previous iterations of the game could use multi class abilities before SE sadly removed them.

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Originally Posted by Recon1o6

This is actually answered to a degree in the lore book. I can't remember the exact passage, but it states that soul crystals are actually a huge drain on a person's aether due to the attunement required. One soul crystal is safe for most people with 2 being possible amongst the highly aetheric. The pc by contrast generates a whopping amount of aether by way of the echo or blessing of light which is how Anima and Fray could draw on them to sustain themselves temporarily.
It should be noted that job crystals get more aetherically costly as they get older, the MCH one for example doesn't have any aether drain which is why the less magically inclined can use it. It should also be noted that whenever the pc swaps out of a job, they temporarily unattune to it as evidenced by the level 80 drk journal.

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Can you provide a source for your claims as I am unable to find any mention of a "drain" on a person's aether within the soul crystal lorebook entries that I've thus far been able to find. Furthermore, I've looked over the level 80 DRK journal entries and have found no mention of this "unattunement" that you speak of.

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Originally Posted by Wyssahtyn

Can you provide a source for your claims as I am unable to find any mention of a "drain" on a person's aether within the soul crystal lorebook entries that I've thus far been able to find. Furthermore, I've looked over the level 80 DRK journal entries and have found no mention of this "unattunement" that you speak of.

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While I can't speak for the lore book entries, for the lvl80 drk quest journal entries, certain passages written by Fray only appear if you are wearing the dark knight soul crystal. If you take it off, those passages disappear.

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Originally Posted by MrThinker

While I can't speak for the lore book entries, for the lvl80 drk quest journal entries, certain passages written by Fray only appear if you are wearing the dark knight soul crystal. If you take it off, those passages disappear.

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Ah, I see. Garland tools only shows one conditional entry in the journal section and considering the majority of it seems written with Fray's influence anyway, I didn't think much of it.

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Originally Posted by Wyssahtyn

Ah, I see. Garland tools only shows one conditional entry in the journal section and considering the majority of it seems written with Fray's influence anyway, I didn't think much of it.

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There seem to be two formats for conditional entries. If a word or phrase within an otherwise consistent text box varies, it shows up as highlighted text on Garland. If the entire text box gets substituted or included/excluded depending on conditions, they're not marked and both versions just show sequentially in the list.

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Originally Posted by Iscah

There seem to be two formats for conditional entries. If a word or phrase within an otherwise consistent text box varies, it shows up as highlighted text on Garland. If the entire text box gets substituted or included/excluded depending on conditions, they're not marked and both versions just show sequentially in the list.

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I see. Interesting.

I always saw it likes this: it takes a toll on your body and aether to master a high-end job. Imagine learning several martial art techniques, it just takes time, practice and hard work. That is why, usually, people focus on one while the ones who are gifted or are really hard workers can double tkme it with 2 jobs. WoL, however, is an adventurer of whole another level so this is why they go, "20th job? Alright, let me master it in about a week."