Class/Job Suggestion: Chemist

[Arcell]

I know this idea has been brought up before but I feel it could us a revitalization. Chemist is a class that could breath new life into the mostly useless array of items we have currently. It is a traditional FF class, seen in FFV (Chemist), FFX (Rikku), FFX-2 (Alchemist) and FFTactics (Chemist).

What is the point of adding Chemist?

Currently there are many items, such as potions, that have a wide variety of effects but lack the potency or range to be effective in any capacity in battle. Chemist could increase the potency of these items as well as possibly making them have AoE effects. This would certainly make these items worth crafting, selling and stocking. Chemists could also alter the effects of items by mixing them with other items. This would make Chemists an extremely versatile class, capable of both offensive and support roles.

What kind of weapon would Chemist use?

In Final Fantasy Tactics Chemists use knives and guns, thus if they really wanted to make it a job it could come off Musketeer. However I was thinking of other possibilities and the first that came to mind was bombs (items mixed inside allowing AoE effect). Going further with the explosive train of thought the next two ideas were a Grenade Launcher or a Mortar. Obviously they would have to be modified to fit the FFXIV world but I feel it's not that far of a stretch. This would further add to the enhanced effects and AoE delivery of items.

What kind of skills would Chemist use?

Traditionally Chemists have the ability to use items on anyone at a longer range and/or with an AoE effect in addition to their ability to mix items. Focusing on these two as the core concepts of Chemist, and using a launcher or gun type weapon, their skills might be something like:

Auto-attack: Strike target with your knife. (Similar to Archer in that it has a close-range AA)

Attack 1: Fire upon a single enemy.

Attack 2: Fire upon an enemy, dealing additional damage to enemies in close proximity.

Mix-Item: Create and ready a special shot by mixing two items. (Like Multi-shot/Trifurcate certain actions would not activate this shot).

Focused Shot: Launch a special shot, increasing potency by focusing on a single target.

Area Shot: Launch a special shot at your target, spreading the effect to other targets in close proximity.

Throw Item: Use a single item on its own. (Increased range over normal player item use).

Item Lore (Trait): Increases potency of all items.

I'm sure they could come up with some other offensive TP abilities. I feel the above covers the core concept of item usage though.

All in all Chemist could be a pretty unique and interesting addition to the game that has FF tradition/lore behind it. It would expand the current market for a lot of things Alchemist makes that are mostly useless currently. Yes it would be an expensive class to play but it would also be incredibly versatile and useful in any party. It would also solve the problem of a lot of those same items being mostly useless at this point.

You all know the drill at this point. Support the post if you like the idea by "Liking" the post or replying. Criticism and additional ideas are welcome, within reason.

[Frein]

One problem: Alchemists were the precursors to chemists. Flavour wise these classes would be identical even if they were of different disciplines. If an item/gadget based class is added, it'd probably have to be called something different.

[Arcell]

Well in the world of FFXIV they would be different things, though I used Chemist because it's a traditional FF name. A class based around the use of items is the base concept I'm getting at. They could call it something else if they wanted to.

I'm not really following you saying they would be the same despite being different disciples though. Alchemists create items through crafting, Chemists mix and use those items in battle. Chemists don't necessarily create much, they just mix things to achieve the desired result.

[Frein]

I'm not really following you saying they would be the same despite being different disciples though. Alchemists create items through crafting, Chemists mix and use those items in battle. Chemists don't necessarily create much, they just mix things to achieve the desired result.

I mean both an alchemist and a chemist do chemistry. They're same thing except alchemists existed before we actually understood chemistry. Even if they function differently in-game, they are based on the same idea: manipulating and mixing elements and compounds. It's like adding a class called Bowman even though we already have the Archer.

[Alaltus]

I would like to see a job/class like chemist it would nice to see items get used more often than they do right now in ffxiv. I can kinda imagine said job/class might use the throwing slot too which is unused mostly right now. They could use the grenades you mentioned as their weapon or what came to me was possibly a techno boomerang that sprays/drops the payload of ethers/potions/explosives. A certain rank/level of Alchemist could be a prerequisite also.

[Arcell]

I mean both an alchemist and a chemist do chemistry. They're same thing except alchemists existed before we actually understood chemistry. Even if they function differently in-game, they are based on the same idea: manipulating and mixing elements and compounds. It's like adding a class called Bowman even though we already have the Archer.

Except Alchemist is a Disciple of Hand, Chemist would be a Disciple of War. The Archer/Bowman comparison doesn't really work since they would both be Disciples of War. The Alchemists make items, the Chemists use those items.

[Frein]

Except Alchemist is a Disciple of Hand, Chemist would be a Disciple of War. The Archer/Bowman comparison doesn't really work since they would both be Disciples of War. The Alchemists make items, the Chemists use those items.

It doesn't matter. Flavour has nothing to do with functionality and everything to do with the idea upon which the classes are based. In this case both are based on what is essentially the same profession.