But every class learns at least one non-TP based ability before level 6. And level 6 takes like, 20 minutes to reach even for a new player. Btw, only lancer takes that much to learn a non-TP skill, however even their level 1 weaponskill has positional bonus. The Level 2, by the way, has a bonus when used from behind. Guess how you should initiate combat whenever you have spill over TP from the previous fight?

Now, we can all argue that there's no TP-free attack ability, which is true. However, why exactly is that "bad"? Even at low levels, when fighting an even match mob, you need 3 attacks tops to reach 1.000TP, which then can be used to combo into two weaponskills at lower levels, 3 when higher. Also, many enemies have skills that can be avoided, so if you are just standing still and doing nothing while charging up TP, you are likely doing it wrong. Yes, server lag screws that up currently, but this should be much more important (and easier to do) when 2.0 hits. And Yes, Invigorate exists and this game *does* encourage us to level multiple classes. Heck, they even made 90% of the cross classable skills obtainable before level 30, and some of the most useful ones (Second Wind, Invigorate, Cure, Sentinel) are relatively low level.

Also, when leveling up normally, more often than not you will end battles with extra TP to spare - so, most of the time, you *can* start a battle right away with a weaponskill

I do not stand still waiting on TP with my level 10 marauder. I'm always buffing up, trying to use Brutal Swing from the sides for the extra damage, using Heavy Swing => Skull Sunder combo every 10 seconds or so, trying to avoid a few enemy attacks, etc, etc. I may not be always proactively using skills all the time, but I'm not just standing still either.

FFXIV does take a different approach when it comes to skill usage. You are not supposed to trounce everything with skills all the time, specially not at the beginning of a fight. Sure, you can burn up your MP as a mage, but you will need to recover afterwards. Melees, however, have to build up a resource beforehand - and then are able to use several skills in succession via combos, before having to rebuff, evade enemy attacks and ready up for another chain.

It's a somewhat different philosophy and surely there will be people wishing for a much faster combat, but then it's a matter of personal taste and not exactly a flaw within the game. Not saying the current system has no flaws, but it's far from being broken and completely dull.