Red Mage looks Incomplete

[Claire_Pendragon]

Seriously, I too played RDM in FFXI, I liked it, I had a great time, it was the only job that I was happy playing really, but ever since then I've always hoped that XIV's RDM, if they'd ever add one, would look nothing like the disaster it was in FFXI. I don't care whatever exploit people could pull off with /nin, I don't care what you were able to solo, it simply was just nowhere as fun to play as XIV's incarnation looks. It seems to have an interesting rotation and every single one of its animation has a character that was almost absent in FFXI beside the AF.

But in all fairness, there actually was a way for RDM to nuke, heal, buff, debuff, and melee in XI, and actually be effective in all levels of content. (it's just that everyone refused to do it, until the end of the Lv75 cap era, partly because people didnt KNOW it could do it, due to lack of proper tooltips on abilities.)

[Ageofwar]

But in all fairness, there actually was a way for RDM to nuke, heal, buff, debuff, and melee in XI, and actually be effective in all levels of content. (it's just that everyone refused to do it, until the end of the Lv75 cap era, partly because people didnt KNOW it could do it, due to lack of proper tooltips on abilities.)

Oh I knew that RDM could Melee and Nuke in ffxi it's just all I was asked to do in LS end game content was heal buff and debuff and that was it

these days I spend my time as BLU meleeing and Nuking

[Claire_Pendragon]

Oh I knew that RDM could Melee and Nuke in ffxi it's just all I was asked to do in LS end game content was heal buff and debuff and that was it

these days I spend my time as BLU meleeing and Nuking

Same here.
But what I mean is, RDM started to become the go to tank by the end of Lv75 era, as RDM had a lot of nasty debuffs, which generate a buttload of threat.
mix in self healing, and buffs, RDM can even tank at lower levels nearly as good as BLU or PLD. (with a few levels being better for certain jobs when they gain access to certain skills another lacks)

Most people didnt know this.

So given the stats we COULD see easily, RDM was best suited in the support role, and second best int he healer role.
(its 99% never good in the pure DPS role, except a few level ranges where they gain something thats potent for a short bit, then dies off a few levels later.)

So if you wanted to contribute damage, you either waited for magic bursts, which never happens in NA PTs, but did all the time in JP PTs, or you tank, as you will be in a constant state of melee. (Casting offensive magic at nearly the same rate, except for when a mob was on the way from a puller, as its a nice burst in starting threat compared to any other tank)

Tanks are always the jack of all trade roles, as they must have some range(if they lack it, then movement), some buffs, and in most MMOs have AoEs, and melee dmg. Self healing is still an acceptable mitigation when done right. (and healing/protecting/buffing others too)

problem is no one sees them as such, since they have a designated role. (And its why I like tanks, I like the jack of all trade feel tanks give)