Anyone disappointed with the new Red Mage asthetics?

[Duelle]

The only reason I slightly dislike it is because I was hoping RDM would have the traditional 'hand on small of back' stance fencers use. But I realize they need something to cast with. Every caster (and that is part of what RDM is) channels their magic either from or through some aether enhanced object be it metal, stone/bone, plant, enchanted ink or combination thereof.

An option would have been having the jewel as part of the hilt or pommel of the rapier. If something needed to be held in the offhand, the alternative would be a small scepter used to cast weaker spells and that combines for bigger spells. Of course, I could argue that RDM is not a master mage and wouldn't really need a pseudo staff to cast big spells, since they'd know basic magic but nothing big and flashy. This was the case since the first FF, even if turn-based RPG limitations forced SE to give RDM gimmicks to make them stand out (Double Cast, Arcane Magick, Forbidden Magic, Refresh).

Having simply a sword with magical properties would be interesting but the sword/staff trick weapon appeals to several types of casters who prefer the more traditional staff/rod/wand weaponry for mages. Give it a chance.

The thing with this is that if people want a mage with a staff, BLM and WHM already exist. It makes the "need" for yet another staff-that's-not-really-a-staff misguided at best, a waste at worst. It's very questionable from an aesthetics perspective, even if their going with a trick weapon can be lauded as clever.

[Genaxx]

Red Mage
Red Mage
Red Mage
Red Mage

[Krystalmethot]

I like the look of the red mage and the weapon and the combat for it looks interesting.

The only thing I'm on the fence about is it starting at 50 instead of thirty. And that's not because of people not having a lot of time in 20 lvls to get use to all the skills but because you only get 10 quests for an interesting job story and background on said job. Granted starting at 30 would only add another 4 quests but that can be the diffrence between a quest line feeling rushed and disjointed or people clicking with the job and enjoying it. But this isn't about lvl start or storyline so back on topic

So like I said I like the look thus far and hope they go back to giving the artifact looking gear at the end of the job quests like they did in ARR and not have it be tomestone gear that u can miss out on like in heavensward

[Serilda]

I love the aesthetic they have gone with.

you only get 10 quests for an interesting job story and background on said job.

I think this is a valid point, but if they can integrate the job story and themes into the main quest more it would help a lot. One of my friends only plays one job and he's missing a whole load of really interesting lore about HW and the game's world because he has no idea that it's stuffed into various job quests he's never seen; to him the Domans and Au Ra have almost zero relevance along with a lot of pretty decent side characters. I would prefer it if the job trainers can sometimes have relevance to the main story too; I know it then becomes hard if the writers want to kill them off but it would help connect everything together.

And 100x yes to the suggestion of having the AF-style gear be more meaningful this time (JSE is a lot less of a burden if it can go in the armoire too...)

[myahele]

It looks like the floating crystal should hopefully look aesthetically the same as the sword, unlike MCH silverpack ... hopefully.

Otherwise, I'm sure they can have a /crystaloff option if enough people ask for it

[Jandor]

I love the aesthetic, I think it looks cool af.

It's the possibility it might start at level 50 that proper triggers me.

(I would have liked sword main hand, crystal off hand, but whatever not a big deal)

[Averax]

It looks like the floating crystal should hopefully look aesthetically the same as the sword, unlike MCH silverpack ... hopefully.

Otherwise, I'm sure they can have a /crystaloff option if enough people ask for it

Crystal and sword are 1 item, designed together so they can fit together, and match each other.

It would look wierd to have this robust sword in one hand and a floating chocobo in the other hand, and then having to squeeze them together for magical attacks.

[Dualblade]

The only thing I'm on the fence about is it starting at 50 instead of thirty. And that's not because of people not having a lot of time in 20 lvls to get use to all the skills but because you only get 10 quests for an interesting job story and background on said job. Granted starting at 30 would only add another 4 quests but that can be the diffrence between a quest line feeling rushed and disjointed or people clicking with the job and enjoying it. But this isn't about lvl start or storyline so back on topic

So a little fun: 30-50 is 5 quests, while 50-60 is 6 quests. Because we got two at lvl 50 that means each Job gets 11 quests. We will most likely get another 6 quests for 60-70 since they will probably have a second lvl 60 quest to start of the Stormblood portion of it.

Job wise while RDM and the second job would still have less overall starting from 50 they would still have plenty of time to get that story and background fitted in.

[ADVSS]

So a little fun: 30-50 is 5 quests, while 50-60 is 6 quests. Because we got two at lvl 50 that means each Job gets 11 quests. We will most likely get another 6 quests for 60-70 since they will probably have a second lvl 60 quest to start of the Stormblood portion of it.

Job wise while RDM and the second job would still have less overall starting from 50 they would still have plenty of time to get that story and background fitted in.

yes this is true, however they described red magic as being both white and black mixed I think, so technically you got background from 2 classes?

[RaijinSupreme]

I like the look of the red mage and the weapon and the combat for it looks interesting.
(snip)
So like I said I like the look thus far and hope they go back to giving the artifact looking gear at the end of the job quests like they did in ARR and not have it be tomestone gear that u can miss out on like in heavensward

Very true, but I think the proper design for the class since it will only have 10 quests would be to write the entire fleshed out story, and find ways to properly pace them throughout the 10 quests, even if it means each quest would be longer than usual. That way, the story can be just as compelling as the rest, and not leave you wanting more.

So far, the writing and design teams have been able to tell good stories, and I'm sure a feat like this can be accomplished. I would be disappointed if they didn't though.