This is awesome... Why couldn't we have this?

[Colorful]

I think the battle system before the devs changed it for the job system?
Let's see:

no auto-attack

stamina bar

90% of all skills was able to equip with every other class after learning them (how many was dependent on the current class level). Exceptions were the standard attack skills that cost no TP and skills bought in the guilds with guild marks earned by leves.

TP bar - fill up the TP bar with standard skills that cost no TP (comes with the equipped weapon) to earn enough TP for weapon skills.

Exp from an enemy was dependent on the total hits (not dmg) on the enemy before it died. DoTs and debuff skills was seen as exp-killers, because they reduced the amount of hits before the enemy die. The longer a battle needed, the better the exp at the end.

AoE toogle for DoM - it allowed to switch between Aoe and single target for all spells like in the classis FF games (Nintendo and PS1 era).

Thanks for the explanation, it does share similarities with WoW in some ways though. TP bar is similar to Paladin's resource (whatever it was called) and Rogue's energy, Warrior's rage, and others too I believe. You used normal abilities which were rather weak to build up a resource in which you spent on stronger abilities. Never liked that myself too much, but it was quite common in MMOs for whatever reason. AoE toggle also existed on some classes, namely Rogue (as I mained one).

The skill sharing is interesting though, I want and don't want that in FFXIV at the same time. It might force me to level up every other class which I'd hate, but it would bring some much needed variety at the same time. >_< I do wish they'd bring back the ability to wear any armour set, why can't I be an armoured Ninja when I can be a Ninja wearing a Reindeer suit?

I disagree with your views on crafting. Crafting already is complex enough and I like it how it is. The worst thing they could do is replicate FFXI system where you had a minute chance of gaining skill points at any level and you always had a random chance of failure and to lose all your materials. Sorry but I did not find it fun at all.



What do you mean? There isn't a single craft that doesn't required materials made by other professions. With leatherworking many recipes require weaving. Many weaving recipes also require leatherworking still contrary to what you are saying. Maybe you could elaborate?



Do you enjoy being punished? What is fun or engaging about a fatigue system? It's a punishment for playing the game. Why would you want that?

That part of the post was a joke, in case you missed it.

[Preypacer]

Thanks for the explanation, it does share similarities with WoW in some ways though. TP bar is similar to Paladin's resource (whatever it was called) and Rogue's energy, Warrior's rage, and others too I believe. You used normal abilities which were rather weak to build up a resource in which you spent on stronger abilities. Never liked that myself too much, but it was quite common in MMOs for whatever reason. AoE toggle also existed on some classes, namely Rogue (as I mained one).

XIV's means of gaining TP through regular attacks to use more powerful skills would be closer to FFXI's combat system, which worked similarly. In XI, TP is gained through standard attacks, or being hit (or through some skills or items), and then used for more powerful skills. Of course, the idea of "fill meter, use powerful skill" is something that's been used throughout the FF series in one form or another for a long time now. So, they didn't even have to leave their own series to find the inspiration for that system in XIV 1.x.

The skill sharing is interesting though, I want and don't want that in FFXIV at the same time. It might force me to level up every other class which I'd hate, but it would bring some much needed variety at the same time. >_<

That system is still present in ARR.

You can use cross-class abilities now. Classes have access to more of them, to allow for the flexibility the Class system is designed around. Jobs are more restricted, and have access to fewer cross-class abilities, but gain a number of unique Job-specific abilities.