Branching jobs and WOW’s specialization

[Kemonologist]

I’m interested with current extra jobs. However, in future expansion I think the more extra jobs will make weapon pool crazy. The armors are always limited at 7 sets and accessories are limited at 5 sets even we have any expansions. But for weapons pool, we will have of 15 weapons in 4.0. I think at some point branching jobs should revamp and implement in future.

WOW’s specialization system is good example for making branching jobs. All class in WOW can spread in 3 sub class (2 or 4 in some class) from choosing specialization. Players can swap specialization outside combat anytime when they want. Even they are same class based but each spec have very different gameplay and role such as Shaman can choose to be Melee DPS, Ranged DPS, or Healer and they are play differently role in party. Moreover, all DPS spec like Warlock can spread to 3 different gameplay i.e. Affliction spec for DoT based attack, Demonology for pet based gameplay, and Destruction for direct based attack.

The advantage of branching jobs help to reduce number of weapon type, make class more diversity gameplay, and players don’t need to leveling new jobs when new expansion add. They can play new job by using their current job. This is an example idea for create new branching jobs.

MRD
Tank - Warrior
DPS - Berserker (can use MRD’s axe but change their gear to maiming like ACN use healing gear when change to SCH)

GLA
Tank - Paladin
DPS - Pirate (can use GLA’s sword but change off-hand to off-pistol, shield related action can swap to dps action by using ROG’s kiss passive mechanics) (Use striking gear instead of fending)

ARC
Support based DPS - Bard
Attack based DPS + Pet job - Ranger/Beastmaster

ROG
Attack based DPS - Ninja
Support based DPS - Dancer (Melee DPS that can regen MP/TP like BRD/MCH)

CNJ
Healing based healer - White Mage
Support based healer - Geomancer

In term of balance, I think it isn’t different from AST case. Up to level 50, AST are similar with CNJ, most of their kits aren't different from CNJ as following and you should think AST’s unique card buff like WHM’s unique job actions for CNJ.

Basic healing

• Cure
• Benefic

Expansive healing

• Cure II
• Benefic II

Healing + effect

• Regen* (WHM)
• Aspected Benefic

Instant healing

• Benediction* (WHM)
• Essential Dignity

AOE healing

• Medica
• Helios

AOE healing + effect

• Medica II
• Aspected Helios

MP regen

• Shroud of Saints
• Luminiferous Aether

Rez spell

• Raise
• Ascend

Cleanse spell

• Esuna
• Exalted Detriment

Casting speed buff

• Presence of Mind* (WHM)
• Lightspeed

Healing power buff

• Divine Seal* (WHM)
• Synastry

Attack spell

• Stone II
• Malefic

Heavy spell

• Stone
• Stella

Instant Dot

• Aero
• Combust

Casting Dot

• Aero II
• Combust II

Cross class

• Cleric Stance
• Protect
• Stoneskin
• Aero

CNJ Unique

• Fluid Aura
• Repose
• Cure III
• Stoneskin II

WHM Unique

• Holy

AST Unique

• All card buff related action

When all level 50 AST kit are similar with CNJ, I don't it isn't hard for create new support based healer brancing from CNJ.

[kazeandi]

that's not final fantasy

[Reaperking386]

No. Not because it would not be a welcomed thing with more option, but because the balancing is a nightmare. Go to WOW's forums and see how bad their balancing is right now.

[Vaer]

players don’t need to leveling new jobs when new expansion add. They can play new job by using their current job.

Depending on who you ask this may or may not be a benefit.

[Aronys]

They said they will never do branching jobs again after Scholar and Summoner. They can't balance it and they're even throwing away the whole classes thing. Which is why HW didn't have base classes in new jobs and neither will Stormblood.

[ReplicaX]

Considering they want to streamline the system in the future and possibly remove classes entirely 5.0+. This would be a waste of resources.
As stated, balancing would be a nightmare as well.

As far as weapon types, I will use Rogue and Ninja as an example.

5.0+ Rogue is removed as a class. All Dagger assets are moved to a new job. (DNC)
Ninja weapon standardizes as a short style Katana. (There are various types within this alone)

RDM is another example. Weapons are a Rapier with an attachment to the weapon.

The weapon types are not limited. The past practice of removing daggers from GLA/PLD is evidence to it as far as reassignment/repurpose.

[Savagelf]

leave my rogue and Ninja alone replicaX

[Iromi]

No thanks. WoW isn't FF.

This stuff doesn't sound like final fantasy at all.

[Ibi]

From a 4Gamer Interview with Yoshi-P, around this time last year:

4Gamer: We got several posts from players who wanted to be able to customize not only their character's appearance but also their skills and equipment for a particular job so that they could show some more individuality. This is a topic we've seen come up since the initial release of A Realm Reborn.

Yoshida: Right. So, if we did something like add mode A and mode B for dragoon, eventually people on the internet would examine them and choose which one was stronger. Then, when we created new content, the content would have to be based on whatever was strongest. There would be a lot of discussion about the job states like "that job is too strong" or "that job is too weak" and people would always choose what they felt was best. That's not to say a skill system like that would be negative, but the armoury system itself already allows you to play all of the different jobs. Since we already have that system in place, I'm not expecting that we'll make branches for jobs for the time being.

It's something they've considered and decided against, feeling that the armory system already solves this issue.

[Saccharin]

I’m interested with current extra jobs. However, in future expansion I think the more extra jobs will make weapon pool crazy. The armors are always limited at 7 sets and accessories are limited at 5 sets even we have any expansions. But for weapons pool, we will have of 15 weapons in 4.0. I think at some point branching jobs should revamp and implement in future.

WoW's classes have been changed so that they are more like three separate classes. The job system in FF14 is similar in some respects.

No. Not because it would not be a welcomed thing with more option, but because the balancing is a nightmare. Go to WOW's forums and see how bad their balancing is right now.

If you actually check logs on fights and not forum QQ you'll see the balance is quite good. People complain if they are 20k lower than the top performer. that's nothing considering the classes do hundreds k dps.