Why not abolish the Class system entirely in favor of Jobs? [@ Devs]

[Ronik]

I've been putting a lot of thought into this lately. We already know from developer letters and posts that a Job system is coming which will feature specialized combat roles. Once this system is implemented, there will be little to no reason to ever use a class role. Why would I play Gladiator when Paladin is better equipped to tank? Why even have the option to be a Marauder if I am fully expected to use Warrior in any and every combat situation? In short, the class system will go unused once we have access to jobs. Why should we bother keeping the class system in-game if it unnecessarily complicates things?

What I propose is the following:

A) All current classes are renamed as follows:

Gladiator → Paladin
Marauder → Warrior
Pugilist → Monk
Lancer → Dragoon
Thaumaturge → Black Mage
Conjurer → White Mage
Archer → Ranger

B) Class abilities are re-assigned as necessary. E.g. Black Mage would receive the nukes/debuffs from Conjurer, but the buff/heal spells would go to White Mage.

C) All references in-game to the previous classes are simply edited and updated. Guild names are updated, NPC references to classes are edited, etc.

I firmly believe that having a job-only system would be an improvement in every which way over the current plan of classes co-existing alongside jobs. For one, traditional job names are part of long-established "Final Fantasy" lore. This will make the game feel more familiar to all the FF fans out there. Secondly, I cannot fathom a single situation where we would want to be entering combat as a class rather than as a job.

The way I see it, the class system is a relic from the old-development direction of this game, and we no longer need it. I cannot see any cons to removing the class system. Cross-job abilities would need to be examined, but surely the cost of doing so is greatly compensated by the benefit of an elegant and simple system which, due to experience with FFXI, we KNOW will work.

[TheVedis]

1 big reason

by keeping classes, each "class" will end up with 2 possible roles in a party
that role which is created by not using a job, and another created by using the job which lets them specialize

[ViolentDjango]

1 big reason

by keeping classes, each "class" will end up with 2 possible roles in a party
that role which is created by not using a job, and another created by using the job which lets them specialize

This would be the one I'd go with.

Think of Seiken Densetsu 3 -- each character had two career paths they could follow: Light and Dark.

Basically, as it stands, FFXIV has potential to bring A LOT of jobs in ontop of the current classes. This will help in a lot of ways, because it means a White Mage and a Black Mage can access each others spells for the sake of leveling up, but then switch to their specialized job for boosts their specific abilities (assuming BLM and WHM are both CON).

As it stands, I'd like to see:

Gladiator - Paladin / Warrior
Marauder - Barbarian / Dark Knight
Conjurer - White Mage / Black Mage
Pugilist - Monk / Berserker
Thaumaturge - Red Mage / Oracle (or Time Mage)
Lancer - Dragoon / Beastmaster (somehow, I see Beastmasters as making more sense as spear users)
Archer - Ranger / Gunner

[Felis]

As it stands, I'd like to see:

Gladiator - Paladin / Warrior
Marauder - Barbarian / Dark Knight
Conjurer - White Mage / Black Mage
Pugilist - Monk / Berserker
Thaumaturge - Red Mage / Oracle (or Time Mage)
Lancer - Dragoon / Beastmaster (somehow, I see Beastmasters as making more sense as spear users)
Archer - Ranger / Gunner

Don't forget the 2 missing classes
Musketeer would be Gunner /ok
Arcanist - Geomancer

I hope Sheepherd get Beastmaster ^^

[redmage]

Don't forget the 2 missing classes
Musketeer would be Gunner /ok
Arcanist - Geomancer

I hope Sheepherd get Beastmaster ^^

Shepherd appears to be a DoL class according to an npc in LL =) But that does make me wonder... will gathering classes end up also unlocking Jobs?

[MrKupo]

I think I also read somewhere that its made to be difficult to solo with the jobs. idk tho

[TheVedis]

I think I also read somewhere that its made to be difficult to solo with the jobs. idk tho

you read right

jobs are specialties, youll basicaly lose all non job related abilities when you do it(no more healing unless your a healer for instance) and this can make it extremely difficult

classes are gonna be the new low man/solo methods
and jobs are gonna be meant for raiding when you can afford to specialize(that archer doesnt need healing during a raid for instance, he perhaps needs more damage and such)

[Cairdeas]

you read right

jobs are specialties, youll basicaly lose all non job related abilities when you do it(no more healing unless your a healer for instance) and this can make it extremely difficult

classes are gonna be the new low man/solo methods
and jobs are gonna be meant for raiding when you can afford to specialize(that archer doesnt need healing during a raid for instance, he perhaps needs more damage and such)

Its too bad the archers going to be singing and dancing instead :P

[TheVedis]

Its too bad the archers going to be singing and dancing instead :P

lol yeah no kidding, thats gonna be hilarious

but it was just an example

[Zenaku]

Its too bad the archers going to be singing and dancing instead :P

you really think that archers still getting bard? lol it be funny and dumb if they do.