Quote Originally Posted by Gemina View Post
So you guys are ok with a butchered version of BLU so long as it makes it in?

We learn abilities three ways in this game: Innately after a certain level is reached; partaking in a class quest that upon completion, grants ONE additional ability; and through cross class assuming the ability has been learned from the respective class. So with BLU, you're either willing to accept this kind of progression for the class, or you are asking that this system change to fit BLU in to accommodate the lore surrounding the job.

Make no mistake, adding BLU to this game under the current system will be a totally different class with a 'blue mage' tag. Much like the afore mentioned SMN.
First, the "this x1000" comment you quoted was in reply to a "they can easily" (i.e. 'are just as likely') "do this to" (this being "butcher") "BLU." Hardly seems like a "hey, as long as it's in there, I'm happy. *Wink*"

We learn abilities in three ways, thus far. Such systems can change or be added to in ways no consistent with that pattern at any time. There is no "the elbst was blue, therefore it must always be blue," in game design. Whatever reasons you might have for standardizing difficulty or complexity of skill acquisition go irrelevant with BLU being an expansion class/job. Unless that differentiates from the norm as well, you will need the minimum level to enter the expansion's content just to unlock the job. Even if you had to run a dungeon or fight a world boss for almost every ability at that point, it still wouldn't significantly affect balance, because there are always other jobs, which you would have already had to have leveled most of the way just to play this one. The job itself can be a sort of extravagance, if so desired. As long as a raider-to-be can hit level cap and have all his necessary skills before hardcore progression starts, there's really nothing to worry about. Beyond that, all systemic patterns of how you get there, precedent or upcoming, are irrelevant.