Thoughts on a new dps class

[Lemuria]

People who want RDM as a DPS almost always claim that it's because they want a swordmage, which is the strongest identity that BLU can lay claim to.

An interesting argument, but horribly flawed. Red Mages have had the ability to wield swords since the very first Final Fantasy game, while Blue Magic wasn't even introduced until the 5th installment. Strago Magus, the next blue mage in the series, had rather low strength and used wands instead of swords. Quistis Trepe used a Whip. Quina used forks (she's a cook), Kimahri used a spear. Need I go on? I really can, as you must surely realise.

Exactly where did this this idea that Blue Mages are synonymous with swords come from? Where most of these concepts originate is Final Fantasy Tactics. A single game. Granted, it's one of the few that has a class system, but I remind you that in that game also Red Mages used swords. Rapiers, to be precise.

Both RDM and BLU have a fair claim to the DPS throne, so it's up in the air as to which one gets the gold. We can't really use past games as an example after Dark Knight, a long-time DPS class, was turned into a tank.

[Tanathya]

Snip.

Well said, all of it. After seeing what they did to DRK, one can expect anything as long as it doesn't require much effort, which is the only reason why I can see SAM introduced as a tank. Even if it was a DD, it wouldn't change my mind as to what I think of what they're doing and how they're handling things so far.

[Yasuhiro]

Exactly where did this this idea that Blue Mages are synonymous with swords come from?

The game it originated from
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/B...l_Fantasy_V%29

Unlike most other spellcasting jobs, Blue Mages can wield not only the common spellcaster equipment, but also swords and shields, giving them more offense and defense than a regular mage.

I believe in that game that's pretty much the only thing they can equip, not played V in a while. I have a hard time imagining what a Blue Mage and Red Mage would play like in this game since they both have swords and can cast long range magic, might be my "disturbing lack of imagination" as some people here put it.

Wouldn't it be neat if they took some notes from Quistis Trepe's weaponary though? a mid-range weapon like a whip for the Blue Mage would be great.