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

[Albio]

I think it is funny that we're all talking about being able to "specialize" how we see fit. I have never seen such a generic set up of abilities. For example, we all set protect, shell, cure, sac, raise, second wind, voke, defender, shockspikes, siphon MP, stoneskin and some buffs like Raging Strike. Every person I have played with has this generic set up. All our stats are pointless, since they make no difference right now, not a substantial one at least, it doesn't matter that we can allot them as we see fit. There is no difference in races, we're all the pretty much the same. I am not seeing how this armory system is creating individuality. I do not know if a job system will fix it or not but I know right now I see less variety than I ever did in XI. I guess what I am saying is, the class system is not the best idea SE has had for character advancement.

[akisato]

I think it is funny that we're all talking about being able to "specialize" how we see fit. I have never seen such a generic set up of abilities. For example, we all set protect, shell, cure, sac, raise, second wind, voke, defender, shockspikes, siphon MP, stoneskin and some buffs like Raging Strike. Every person I have played with has this generic set up. All our stats are pointless, since they make no difference right now, not a substantial one at least, it doesn't matter that we can allot them as we see fit. There is no difference in races, we're all the pretty much the same. I am not seeing how this armory system is creating individuality. I do not know if a job system will fix it or not but I know right now I see less variety than I ever did in XI. I guess what I am saying is, the class system is not the best idea SE has had for character advancement.

Let me ask you this, Where those ppl play solo? If they were, having the same set up came out of necessity. but if they were in a pt with you there just being lazy and not changing there set-up for pt. we all know stats don't do anything meaningful atm (one more bad idea by the old team) but thats not really a hit against the armory system.

[Leeloo]

Let me ask you this, Where those ppl play solo? If they were, having the same set up came out of necessity. but if they were in a pt with you there just being lazy and not changing there set-up for pt. we all know stats don't do anything meaningful atm (one more bad idea by the old team) but thats not really a hit against the armory system.

Right now when I'm being positive about the system it comes along with expecting so many other things to be fixed/improved with it. Stats starting to matter more & working like they should. One of the biggest ones I bring up a lot is the ability to have your actions saved for each different class. Stat setups as well perhaps. That alone would help me enjoy the current class system & upcoming job additions so much more.

[Chiz]

I think it is funny that we're all talking about being able to "specialize" how we see fit. I have never seen such a generic set up of abilities. For example, we all set protect, shell, cure, sac, raise, second wind, voke, defender, shockspikes, siphon MP, stoneskin and some buffs like Raging Strike. Every person I have played with has this generic set up. All our stats are pointless, since they make no difference right now, not a substantial one at least, it doesn't matter that we can allot them as we see fit. There is no difference in races, we're all the pretty much the same. I am not seeing how this armory system is creating individuality. I do not know if a job system will fix it or not but I know right now I see less variety than I ever did in XI. I guess what I am saying is, the class system is not the best idea SE has had for character advancement.

This used to be the case somewhat prior to 1.18 but one simple change with the removal of the Stamina bar, along with the increase in MP cost for heals changed all of this. The Stamina bar removal was the biggest change because most abilities from other classes just weren't used often due to the fact most people were usually in a Stamina-deficit while building TP with attacks and WS'ing. The new system with no Stamina concern changes all of this and rewards you instead for popping abilities on CD as much as possible.

The cost of MP change has also forced players, particularly melee-types, to rethink their survival strategies. You can't just spam C3 or S3 endlessly as a GLA anymore to keep yourself up and hold hate, you really have to save those for when it counts. But you have other options like Featherfoot, Foresight, Decoy, Diversion, Second Wind, Defender etc. to help keep you alive and reduce damage taken. All of these abilities except for maybe Decoy/Diversion can be obtained quickly at a relatively low level, so if you want to tank there's really no reason not to have them.

Anyways, point is that a few changes to specific abilities or gameplay mechanics can have a profound impact on defining class-roles and capabilities. These are the kinds of tweaks I would advocate in an effort to fix the current system rather than the much ado about nothing approach the dev team is currently taking. I hope I'm wrong, but I think we're just going to end up with a more restrictive, less enjoyable class/job system in lieu of 6-8 months the dev team could've been working to produce actual content for the current Class system.

[Albio]

This used to be the case somewhat prior to 1.18 but one simple change with the removal of the Stamina bar, along with the increase in MP cost for heals changed all of this. The Stamina bar removal was the biggest change because most abilities from other classes just weren't used often due to the fact most people were usually in a Stamina-deficit while building TP with attacks and WS'ing. The new system with no Stamina concern changes all of this and rewards you instead for popping abilities on CD as much as possible.

The cost of MP change has also forced players, particularly melee-types, to rethink their survival strategies. You can't just spam C3 or S3 endlessly as a GLA anymore to keep yourself up and hold hate, you really have to save those for when it counts. But you have other options like Featherfoot, Foresight, Decoy, Diversion, Second Wind, Defender etc. to help keep you alive and reduce damage taken. All of these abilities except for maybe Decoy/Diversion can be obtained quickly at a relatively low level, so if you want to tank there's really no reason not to have them.

Anyways, point is that a few changes to specific abilities or gameplay mechanics can have a profound impact on defining class-roles and capabilities. These are the kinds of tweaks I would advocate in an effort to fix the current system rather than the much ado about nothing approach the dev team is currently taking. I hope I'm wrong, but I think we're just going to end up with a more restrictive, less enjoyable class/job system in lieu of 6-8 months the dev team could've been working to produce actual content for the current Class system.

I understand what you're saying but still, with all those "tanking" abilities set, we're all still doing the exact same thing. Same abilities are still set, same fighting style still used. I understand that the job system also has limitations but at least when I am partying with a job system I have unique role to fulfill that no one else in the pt has, and same for my party members. Why everyone wants to be able to do everything from one job while we're on an MMORPG, where we're supposed to be interacting with other people is beyond me. If you want to solo everything, not you specifically, but anyone in general, go play a console game. I like having to rely on my fellow players for things and I like that they have to rely on me for things. It's fun and gives a sense of adventure, well the most you can get from sitting on your ass playing a game. Lol.