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

[Neptune]

I would prefer it if they would not half ass it and just implement the job system and banish classes from existence. It would be necessary to let people class change once, or swap classes around once into something they're comfortable with.

My primary choice would be for them to not use the job system at all and only use the Armoury system but they've already strung the whole world along too far. So I hope they see that having a half assed character system is going to really hurt this game's appeal, no matter how hard they can convince themselves that it makes sense. I'm fairly certain that anyone taking an objective, fresh look at whatever they finally cook up will just conclude that it's a terrible system.

An example of half assing it: saying they're keeping classes but then reassigning some class actions. Say what?? It's like grafting a monkey head onto a cow. Just be done with it and put the class system out of it's misery.

[Gennosuke]

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.

Exactly right. Actually, it's more sad than funny. :/
Armoury system while theoretically sounds fun and versatile, is quite short sighted.
There are far too many issues with it to count.
I think that's given, with SE's plans for drastic changes and overhaul of battle/class system and introduction of Jobs.
It just never ceases to amaze me how mind-boggling it is that some people are still defending this Abomination System when SE is trying to fix the damn thing and overhaul the whole system from the ground up and introduce a new Job system on top of that.

To get back on topic though, Job system while not entirely addressing this Abomination System, it is an attempt at a step forward in the right direction, it is the series defining trademark afterall as Yoshi put it, but i'll have to agree with OP. As i had mentioned in another thread, Keep one simple yet deep system rather than two. They're opening a can of worms. The Armoury system, after one year is still far from efficient and is still being addressed and will continue to be addressed. Now they have 2 systems to work on, cater for and balance, as well as the fact that the whole rest of the game will be thoroughly involved by this decision - content, mobs, difficulty, casuals/hardcore/solo/party, lore/story.
Is that a wise decision to make in the current state of the game?
Why not ditch class system and just have full focus on new job system and expand on it to cater for all sorts of players?

I would prefer it if they would not half ass it and just implement the job system and banish classes from existence. It would be necessary to let people class change once, or swap classes around once into something they're comfortable with.

My primary choice would be for them to not use the job system at all and only use the Armoury system but they've already strung the whole world along too far. So I hope they see that having a half assed character system is going to really hurt this game's appeal, no matter how hard they can convince themselves that it makes sense. I'm fairly certain that anyone taking an objective, fresh look at whatever they finally cook up will just conclude that it's a terrible system.

An example of half assing it: saying they're keeping classes but then reassigning some class actions. Say what?? It's like grafting a monkey head onto a cow. Just be done with it and put the class system out of it's misery.

Yes, This is the harsh reality and outcome of these plans. half assed system.
The Abomination system is no more and job system is not solid enough for all players to use.

Just be done with it and put the class system out of it's misery.

Just Pull the trigger now SE, you know you want to. do it! This will be your turning point for this game. You wont look back.

You already replaced the whole dev team, your redesigning the whole world, let the past team's work R.I.P. Bring on the goodness, let this game shine as it's meant to!

[akisato]

Armoury system while theoretically sounds fun and versatile, is quite short sighted.
There are far too many issues with it to count.

If they're so many you wouldn't mind listing some for us would you? (other then the names are wrong.)

[Chiz]

Exactly right. Actually, it's more sad than funny. :/
Armoury system while theoretically sounds fun and versatile, is quite short sighted.
There are far too many issues with it to count.
I think that's given, with SE's plans for drastic changes and overhaul of battle/class system and introduction of Jobs.
It just never ceases to amaze me how mind-boggling it is that some people are still defending this Abomination System when SE is trying to fix the damn thing and overhaul the whole system from the ground up and introduce a new Job system on top of that.

Likewise, it never ceases to amaze me how people are willing to advocate change toward a new system that is worst than the existing system in just about every way.

I get the main complaints about the Armoury system, its usually from people who want their class to have their 1 special thing without being encroached upon by others who can spec it on another class, or those who don't want to feel like they have to level every class to 50 to ungimp themselves. And I get all that.

But there's very easy fixes to accomplish this balance/class/job flavor within the existing contruct of the Class system. Just lock more abilities to main Class only. Limit how many abilities you can use from other classes. Hell, even lock crossover abilities to 1/2 of main class. Then you'd ultimately have the XI job system but you would have ALL jobs to choose from for any class, not just 1.

Given how many XI fans seem to want the Job/subjob system, yourself included, I find it hard to believe you don't see this as a better alternative to a strict Job system that limits its abilities to a subset of a single Class. XI's subjob system was ground-breaking for an MMO, but everyone knows it still had its limitations as the number of useful subjobs were extremely limited.

You mock the Armoury system as an abomination that limits actual choices where everyone flocks to the same abilities.....but somehow the SJ system is OK? The difference is that XIV actually allows you to choose abilities individually because they are better.....XI made that choice for you and you only get to choose which one is the best available.