The harp is a lie.

[NoctisUmbra]

I will admit that a good portion of my negativity is based on speculation, but I am not pulling that speculation out of thin air. My speculation is based on actual things Yoshida has said in regards to the job system. I can take all my opinions and speculations point by point with reference to Yoshi's comments if you like.

I won't apologize for my negative view though. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. And to everyone who is intolerant of any negativity on these forums you are not being realistic. If you want things to get better it doesn't happen by waiting and seeing.

I wasn't targeting you with that Ferth. Looking back though I understand why it may seem that way. I don't expect an apology from a negative view or anything of the sort. I don't expect anything really.

I'm perfectly fine with posts that may be negative in nature but actually bring up a solid argument as opposed to posts that say "...and then this system will fail and become useless, and then that will be destroyed and eventually the sky will fall on Eorzea." See what i mean by an unyielding sense of foresight?

I can respect a post that points out possible flaws and backs it up. Forget about my respect, it will clearly be something useful for the community reps to read and pass on to the devs unlike typical Armageddon posts.

I don't mean to be rude, but that's a crappy point, honestly.

Magic and mages wielding wands are an accepted, longstanding, and actually pretty logical staple of Final Fantasy and the fantasy genre in general. Bow-harps and bard-archers are not, in the slightest.

Different is bad!

[Travesty]

Honestly, I thought it was a fantastic point. :P Throughout the Final Fantasy series we encounter new worlds, monsters, stories, characters, and even jobs. I really don't see how this can seem outlandish at all, especially in this ever-expanding franchise. If they added bow harps this time around, I personally would welcome it. I already wanted to play Bard, but if they do end up turning out this way, I think I would have even more fun playing it.

Name one job in the final fantasy world, that isn't a jack-of-all-trades job, that combines 2 things from so far on the opposite ends of the spectrum as bard and archer? They are categorically different. It's like a ninja white mage. Or a summoner theif.

[Ferth]

In all honesty I would be far more forgiving of the Archer/Bard if they didn't give us this frustratingly bad transforming bow. If archers could equip an instrument off hand and switch between using a bow and an instrument I would not be as angry as I am.

This contraption is unforgivably awkward and pointless... Even with anonymoose's diagram... There is no conceivable reason anyone who understood the physics behind bows... and the physics behind harps... would ever create an item like this.

And I'm sorry but Magical Fantasy Land doesn't excuse bad design. I'd wager Akihiko Yoshida has diagrams on functionality for all the other devices and contraptions he's designed for this game.

[Tsuga]

Uh, It's confirmed by Bayohne that it is a bow that "transforms". He said so in response to the speculation about the harp, which seems to confirm that it indeed "transforms" into a harp.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...l=1#post349656

I don't really see where there's room for speculation, it was pretty much confirmed by a community rep.

Edit: Note, this is in response to the OP, I haven't read the entire thread, so not sure if anybody else brought this post up.

[Travesty]

Different is bad!

No, stupid and silly is bad.

[NoctisUmbra]

In all honesty I would be far more forgiving of the Archer/Bard if they didn't give us this frustratingly bad transforming bow. If archers could equip an instrument off hand and switch between using a bow and an instrument I would not be as angry as I am.

This contraption is unforgivably awkward and pointless... Even with anonymoose's diagram... There is no conceivable reason anyone who understood the physics behind bows... and the physics behind harps... would ever create an item like this.

And I'm sorry but Magical Fantasy Land doesn't excuse bad design. I'd wager Akihiko Yoshida has diagrams on functionality for all the other devices and contraptions he's designed for this game.

I can agree with the lyre/bow design being weak. They did point out that it is concept art and not final.

I'm not against a transforming lyre/bow. In fact I welcome it. That being said I would definitely appreciate a more interesting design.

No, stupid and silly is bad.

Thanks for sharing your opinion.

[Travesty]

Thanks for sharing your opinion.

You're welcome. I'm just happy it's clearly shared by many.

[NoctisUmbra]

You're welcome. I'm just happy it's clearly shared by many.

As is mine!

Aren't opinions just wonderful?

[Travesty]

As is mine!

Aren't opinions just wonderful!

Indeed they are.

In all seriousness though, it seems to me there are far fewer people excited about bow-harp than questioning it. I'm glad you're excited, but I don't think you're the majority.

[Ferth]

The idea of a bow that bends, folds or moves in any way counter to it's primary function as a bow almost seems sacrilegious to me. And it would have to be designed extremely well before I'd be willing to accept it.

If they are going to play with dual function items I'd rather they did it with something else. Of course that's purely a personal opinion.

I still do think that the Archer to Bard decision is awkward at best, not because I don't think it will work but because I think they can find a way to bring bards into play in a much better fashion.

And until an actual plan of action is released for jobs I will be more anxious than hopeful.