Red Mage as possible new tank class

[Gandora]

*balanced.

I am talking about GLA because it was mentionned by Yoshida, to be a requierment for DRK if I recall correctly. I am using current game mechanics to state case, in which it would be silly to do X thing in a way instead of another.

Whatever they will do, I really hope they will consider it well.

[Techro]

I can see something like fencer being a class and from fencer one can be a red mage, which will be a dps/support class and maybe a mystic knight which can be a mage tank of sorts. I can not see red mage being a tank at all. Granted they can just create abilities and make it into a tank but I do no think, they will do that. Someone said this in another post and i'll quote " The devs create classes/jobs based on can this person tank yes/no, can this person heal yes/no, if the answer is no to both he is dps." Which makes sense. There has to be a look and feel to it.. i mean you are equipping cloth and trying to tank a titan punching you in the face..it doesn't feel or look good.

[Exstal]

I am talking about GLA because it was mentionned by Yoshida, to be a requierment for DRK if I recall correctly. .

Do you have proof of this statement? If so, then maybe DRK will be another tank class and not a DPS. They will use shield but their class skills do different things than Paladin (obviously).

[Dale]

It's an interesting idea to make Red Mage a tank. But I highly doubt it happens.

My guess is they will be a Dps/Support class similar to bard that uses a combination of En-Spells and nukes to do damage.

[Techro]

For everyone saying to give RDM Magic Sword, that is a Mystic Knight's ability traditionally. I think that's the job name you're really wanting.

Edit: Also Kitru, instead of expending a trait to do that, they could just program the DEX modifying attack into the Rapier weapon type similar to how they did it with BRD and then change the tooltip to "DEX influences the attack of Rapiers and Bows." They could then expand that to include daggers for rogue/thief as well.

^This guy. he knows...he knows too much. lol. I completely agree with this dude!

[Gandora]

Do you have proof of this statement? If so, then maybe DRK will be another tank class and not a DPS. They will use shield but their class skills do different things than Paladin (obviously).

Well I find it ridiculous too, don't remember on which forum I read that tho.

[Kitru]

I am talking about GLA because it was mentionned by Yoshida, to be a requierment for DRK if I recall correctly.

He mentioned DRK being built off of GLA as a DPS, referencing how they could remove the high enmity modifier from the attacks. It was said in a relatively off-handed manner, so I wouldn't expect it to be a definitive indication that DRK will be DPS. It does mean that they've been thinking about DRK, however.

My stance has always been that I'd *prefer* to see DRK as a tank job with a new class just for it so that you can actually have a DRK that doesn't just feel like a slightly tweaked PLD, but, if it's a DPS class, I fully expect it to come out of GLD, both because of this comment but also because it's hard to see them adding a new class just for DRK to be a DPS when they've got plenty of other DPS options out there and not too many viable tank ideas.

[Gandora]

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Well me I think it could be quite easy. Remember that in FFXIV class/jobs are tied to the weapons, they could easily add great sword.

Also, in the 1.0 version was "Spinning slash" I don't remember which class gave it back in the time, it has been removed from ARR but i'm pretty sure they could add it back on said class job.

[Giantbane]

It's possible (it's possible to think up tank variations by applying enmity generation and mitigation increase mechanisms for any class), but I don't think it really fits with the lore at all. Red Mages have always been generalists. They were never as durable as "true" melee classes so it really wouldn't make much sense.

Honestly, Fencer/Red Mage would most likely be a DPS class using a fusion of melee and black/white magic attacks.

The next tank class they add will, in all likelihood, be Dark Knight. Samurai could be a possible second.

Whatever they add next, they will probably branch it from one of the existing base classes and probably won't perform the same role as the Job that already exists. Yoshi already said as much when he stated the difficulties in bringing in an entire new class over adding a single job (new guild location, more quests, new gear, etc).

With that said, DRK & RDM fit perfectly into the existing scheme, but they would work better as DPS classes.

DRK could work well as the DPS version of either MRD or GLD (However, I think MRD, with its health regen abilities and more melee focused base dps set works better in this regard) with LNC & THM as appropriate subs. Soul eater is a must, with perhaps a few drains thrown in to take better advantage of the BLMs abilities. The biggest problem with DRK as a tank is soul eater (sacrifice hp for damage) has been in just about every incarnation of the FF DRK I can think of. It's the iconic ability. And sacrificing HP for anything while a tank sounds like a bad idea.

RDM on the other hand would make an excellent GLD/THM with a WHM or ACN sub (WHM is more thematically appropriate, ACN might be more useful). GLD already has some innate magic focus with flash and riot. Flash can have its threat removed for the RDM, providing an solid AoE debuff, and riot blade to restore MP when needed. Riot blade could have some additional RDM specific effect that empowers the next spell cast so that the RDM is free to concentrate on normal melee stats while getting the most out of any spells he has. This sets up Fast -> Riot -> [CAST SPELL] as part of the appropriate RDM rotation. Throw in a blade enchant or 2 and your golden. However, the RDM would probably need to inherit more of the BLMs current skill set to provide a little more casting oomph. And maybe change Rage of Halone to provide some sort of casting buff such that the Halone combo acts to buff your Riot spell casts further, much in the same way a WAR uses the storm's eye combo.

However, you're right in that the game could use another tank class more than anything right now (and maybe another heal class). To that end, PUG or LNC are probably the best base classes to work from. They already have some tanking abilities (a slow and evasion or parry+). Not sure what the best jobs would be that utilize the LNC or PUG base move sets and weapons.

[Giantbane]

I am talking about GLA because it was mentionned by Yoshida, to be a requierment for DRK if I recall correctly.

I believe he said it as a possibility when he was thinking off the top of his head. He also stated that maybe you could have it as an Advanced version of PLD, where after you complete the PLD quests you can further quest to become a DRK and then never become a PLD again. This, of course, is a HORRIBLE idea given the current flexibility of the class/job system. But he was just throwing out ideas off the top of his head.

Using existing classes, I think DRK works better with MRD personally. Some of the Axes you use while leveling closely resemble scythes (the "bill" weapons) which is another DRK appropriate weapon. And the health restore abilities would work better with soul eater.

Either that or a separate base class that uses a great sword and/or scythe is a possibility. But it would take longer for them to release that. I think they're looking for Jobs that extend existing classes first since it requires less work.