Conjurer advanced classes?

[Ryuko]

Hi, everyone. I've done a bit of thinking about this one, and I really feel like 'advanced' classes can go one of two ways...

1) You reach a certain level (let's say, level 50 for simplicity) and are asked to choose a 'specialization'. From that point forward, your 'class' is split into two (or more!) and they level separately with different weapons and abilities.
Or...
2) You reach a certain level (assuming it's 50 again) and you undergo a 'difficult' quest to unlock other jobs... similar to the way you unlocked 'advanced' jobs in FFXI... except it's higher than before... or perhaps they'll add it at a lower level (when they DO add it).

Or, there's a third scenario... it could be a mixture of both!

As far as right now, I see CON+THM in a very clear way.
CON: Direct effects. Direct healing, direct nuking. (The two most obvious examples are WHM and BLM.)
THM: Indirect effects. Buffing, enfeebling. (The 'main' en-feebler would obviously be a RDM, but what about someone that specializes in buffing? Perhaps a BRD would be the best equivalent?)

A WHM specializes in healing, but could still do a little bit of damage... a BLM specializes in damage, but could still do a little bit of healing. Same with an en-feebler and buffer. A bard was obviously best at buffing, but they had a few important enfeebles too... a RDM was great at enfeebling, but had some irreplaceable buffs...)

The most important thing to note here is the fact that like with all things SE produces, these classes are heavily dependent on each other. Yeah, a Conjurer or a Thaumaturge could heal or do damage alone... but TOGETHER, they are the ultimate team.

As far as summoner -- and believe me, I'm looking forward to pet classes too -- perhaps that will be an 'advanced' class unlocked through one (or both!) of these classes. Summoners in FFXI were more or less the 'jack of all trades' in many situations. They could do damage, heal, buff, and enfeeble... They weren't the masters at anything, bu they could pull off most things... and that is where they came in useful. What if that class requires you to 'master' the entire discipline of magic before unlocking it?

I'm thinking other classes will branch off in a similar way. Will a Lancer become a Dragoon and a Samurai? What about a Ranger and Beast-master from archery? Will a combination of a melee class and a magic class mean you can play BLU? Only time will tell, but I think the most important thing to ponder is whether or not these 'advanced classes' will be unlocked and then count as a completely new class, or if they will be continuations of one class once you reach a certain level.

One thing's for certain: The best part about FFXI (compared to other MMO's) was the stories and the sort of identity you got because of it. With many different classes to choose from, you were KNOWN for your job (at least before everyone leveled 3+ 75's). Those 'moments' that were required to excel at that job really defined you and the people that went through them. Each combination of classes had a way of working together (remember when people specifically looked for certain classes to achieve certain skill-chains?)... And I hope that comes back.

As for FFXIV -- I love, love, LOVE the changes they've done thus far in functionality. It's more enjoyable to play... the only thing really missing besides a bit of sprucing up is the lack of special 'moments'. The 'community' feeling is already there.. now we just need the glue to keep it together. (I'm sorry for being THAT corny. It's 2AM where I am.)

And finally, I'd like to mention the fact that I think the classes were made in such a simple way at first is because they were rushing to get the game out. It was easier to shove all of these different abilities into one class (until 50, which probably won't remain the cap) than to separate them into many different ones when they had plenty of other things to worry about. I have a lot of confidence that these classes WILL split (or be added to) eventually... the only question is when.

[Favz]

I hope they just leave mages the way they are. You can respec with a macro.

I agree although I wouldnt mind seeing a few more mage options such as Blue or Summoner of some kind.

I, for one, would love to have a pure healing class in the game, though that actually can happen now by mixing and matching conj and thaum spells.

the conj quests dont really seem very white magey on their own either, they seem more like elementalists or something since they are always so keen on emphasizing the sacredness of the wood and such.

One of the things I like from having played the game so far is that you can swich so easy between the classes. So when I get bored playing on class I can swich to a nother one just swiching weapon. I also like the option that you can make your "own" caracter. And re-specing with macros ís optimal and fun.

That way the player could make a "Summoner" if they add diffrent summon spells to the game. And they could make a "elementalists" if they add more diffrent types of elemental damage spells to the game. And you could make a fun healer if there are a enough variation of healing spells.
So basicaly i comes down to how many diffrent spells there exists.

[Favz]

One thing's for certain: The best part about FFXI (compared to other MMO's) was the stories and the sort of identity you got because of it. With many different classes to choose from, you were KNOWN for your job (at least before everyone leveled 3+ 75's). Those 'moments' that were required to excel at that job really defined you and the people that went through them. Each combination of classes had a way of working together (remember when people specifically looked for certain classes to achieve certain skill-chains?)... And I hope that comes back.

As for FFXIV -- I love, love, LOVE the changes they've done thus far in functionality. It's more enjoyable to play... the only thing really missing besides a bit of sprucing up is the lack of special 'moments'.

I think Ryuko hit the right spot.
There are many subjective advantage with "advanced class names":
1) Communication - If people see from you class that you are a ranged DPS class you don't need to explain when you get into the party that you don't heal.
2) Identity. I can be realy fun with thinking yourself into a special class.
3) And special 'moments' like Ryuko spoke about.

Having a few unique abilities that set you a side can also be a good thing, that makes you feel special

I think you can get that without liminting the current system to much.

I think Conjurer should have 4 advanced classes that gives it flavor.

Elementalists - Conjurer are about elementals: Wind, Water, Lightning, Fire, Earth, Ice. Conjury calls upon elemental forces present in nature and concentrates them to a potency at which spells can be weaved. There should be the following advanced classes:
*) Light Elementalists. Focused on Lightning and Fire. Focused on dealing direct damage from distance.
**) Translucent Elementalists. Focused on Wind, Ice and Water. Focus on controlling the enemy by making them not beeing able to move.
***) Healthgiver ( or possible Earth Elementalists). Absorb the power from the nature (earth) using it to heal. A dedicated healer.
****) Summoner of Elementals. Using elemental forces present in nature to summon earth elementals, fire elementals, ice elementals, water elementals and air elementals (lightning and wind combined).