Suggesting Ideas for Blue Mage with feedback & Removing Limited Job Status

[basketofseals]

So for my suggestion IF the devs really want make BLU as official jobs , please make 2 version of BLU. 1 with current BLU that we already have and another 1 is the standard job BLU with job gauge and rotation (perhaps we can use the skills that we already have as glamour skills for the standard job version).

I mean this is kinda the issue with the whole idea. Either you pare away all the different stuff about BLU that its current incarnation becomes pointless, or you make essentially a whole new job.

And at that point, what reason does SE have to not just make an entirely new job? It would certainly drum up more excitement, and it would avoid the inevitable storm of complaints whenever BLU is even so much as mentioned.

[Mariel_Crystallie]

I mean this is kinda the issue with the whole idea. Either you pare away all the different stuff about BLU that its current incarnation becomes pointless, or you make essentially a whole new job.

And at that point, what reason does SE have to not just make an entirely new job? It would certainly drum up more excitement, and it would avoid the inevitable storm of complaints whenever BLU is even so much as mentioned.

I'm seeing it from PoV of the fans from FFXI that really love BLU at this point and really hope they could make the same for XIV , but yeah if they gonna make a new jobs it will be on the next expansion anyway. But in this case perhaps they can make it on this expansion? well not really sure anyway since they should be really busy with the new stuffs like Unreal Primal fights on 5.3 , last savage tier on 5.4 and ultimate on 5.5.

[Stepjam]

While it would be sweet if BLU could be a standard class, I don't think there's a solution that'll make everyone happy. XIV's jobs are all so tightly kitted that having a freeform class like BLU just doesn't mesh with parties that well. And the alternative is that they make it play like normal classes do, but it loses it's freeform "learn skills from enemies" nature that is such an inherent part of the job's identity.

Really adding BLU at all was just asking for people to be upset because there's really no way everyone would be happy. But I guess I appreciate that they tried.

[SpiralMask]

While it would be sweet if BLU could be a standard class, I don't think there's a solution that'll make everyone happy. XIV's jobs are all so tightly kitted that having a freeform class like BLU just doesn't mesh with parties that well. And the alternative is that they make it play like normal classes do, but it loses it's freeform "learn skills from enemies" nature that is such an inherent part of the job's identity.

Really adding BLU at all was just asking for people to be upset because there's really no way everyone would be happy. But I guess I appreciate that they tried.

i can respect that, even if I'm largely of the sort-of opposite opinion.
that BLU's current form is a monkey's paw wish and it would have been better to have nothing than the current iteration, being not only actively repellent to others (never able to do relevant content due to level limits, never able to interact with other players unless at gunpoint due to lack of party mechanics, likely unable to do the solo- and side-content (deep dungeon, eureka, pvp) due to mechanical complexity of having to integrate their current design), is paradoxically called a field class yet most of it's gamplay is acquired in instanced content--but then blamed for the design they themselves chose and used to justify it's lack of the above "because it's too OP/unbalanced for party play". it is implemented in such a way that they've checked off the BLU box and never need to actually add it to the game or do anything of consequence with it, and can deflect all requests for a BLU that can walk and talk like a real boy with "what are you talking about, BLU is rihgt over here in its quarantine corner never to see the light of day, now please use self-destruct if you have any issues" rant RANT

[Seraphor]

I just don't think the limit job system is that bad.

Sure you don't use it as much as 'real' jobs, and it doesn't have as much content to use them in, but it's side content.

There are only so many jobs they can make, we're already feeling the effects of this game having too many jobs. Job Quests making way for Role Quests, fewer unique weapons, etc. Pretty soon they're going to switch to one new job per expansion to cope.
This means that not every classic final fantasy job will ever become a real job, even without the limited job system.
BLU could theoretically have gone either way, but there are some, like Beastmaster and Puppeteer, that would not work in FFXIV's system. They've already stripped away all semblance of the pet system from SMN and SCH, there's no way they would ever release another pet job now. So for these jobs, it's Limited or nothing. Beastmaster in particular could be vastly improved by being a Limited job, as instead of have 2 or 3 preset pets that are perfectly balanced, it can have dozens that you can choose from, like a pokemon-style system.

BLU has had use. It was incredibly fun when it was relevant, and it will get updated again in the future, and if Beastmaster or Puppeteer join it, it'll double the longevity of that content as well.
This game can't rely purely on savage clears and mount farms for all of it's life. In fact that's why people take hiatuses, because that content isn't enough for them to stay subbed constantly. We need decent side content as well.

[MsQi]

Within the superset of all learnable spells there should be 3 sub sets, one for each role: DPS, Healer, Tank. these spells could be distributed across the level range much like any other job. Having all the spells up to a certain level within each of these sets would make blue viable for that role in that level ranges. Having the right spells unlocks duties for the blue mage for that role. Most o the role require spells would be available in the world or easily solo-able dungeons.

Blu would need to have 3 dedicated spell configurations, in addition to the freeform ones, that automatically filled as you you learn the appropriate spells. They would also need 3 additional bar configurations and a convenient way to switch between them. When they enter a dungeon they would be force into the configuration designated for the role they queued for.

[SpiralMask]

. . .

[EDIT] making my ranty bits a bit harder to see so folks can ignore it if they want.

it's 'only' side content because it was specifically made that way as a conscious choice by the designers, rather than taking the time/effort to do the job right (so to speak) for the game and setting. and imma be real, if i had to choose between [room-under-the-stairs BLU + braindead healers + DRK being made a carbon copy of WAR (+4 oGCDs, -2 defensive cooldowns)] and [no BLU + functional/interesting healers + unique tanks] i'd pick the latter hands down, since presumably creating BLU class diverted time and resources from the combat/"real" class changes team (there's only so many manhours they can put towards class creation and changes).
if they're going to add a job, even if it's only one at a time? make it a good job or just say it's not a good fit and refuse outright, not a backhand with crushed hopes on the side.

sadly adding beastmaster/puppeteer wont multiply the longevity of the content--it'll add competing content that will (presumably) lose longevity right alongside it as people complete their collectathons and challenges. with no real reason to return (weekly tomestones? really? sure there's the goodness of your heart, but you need 2/6/22 other people who are just as generous) and leaving latecomers in the lurch, since you likely can't do BLU content as BST or vice-versa since if memory serves BLU's only get the guaranteed skillgain if the whole party is synched BLUs (barring collaboration between limited jobs or "real" jobs willing to take the hit, provided they even have skills or challenges located in the same areas/content to begin with), and if they're gonna do BST dirty like BLU they're gonna have exactly the same pitfalls in all likelihood.

you are right though, the game isn't about savage clears--it's about playing with other people, which currently the system actively makes as difficult as possible to do. ironically though, mount farms are basically the content you'll spend most of your time doing to get those EX/raid/etc skills, because good freaking luck getting a full party of BLUs that haven't already gotten it or are leveled/geared/skilled enough (that last one's a real problem, since there are precious few resources to actually LEARN blue mage properly, let alone acquire the spells to actually make use of that knowledge) to handle the fight successfully. can you see some of the basic design failings for the class (and why it makes me so deeply frustrated/depressed to see) yet?

anyway, gonna drop the ranting for now so as not to further derail the thread with my negativity.

[SpiralMask]

Within the superset of all learnable spells there should be 3 sub sets, one for each role: DPS, Healer, Tank. these spells could be distributed across the level range much like any other job. Having all the spells up to a certain level within each of these sets would make blue viable for that role in that level ranges. Having the right spells unlocks duties for the blue mage for that role. Most o the role require spells would be available in the world or easily solo-able dungeons.

Blu would need to have 3 dedicated spell configurations, in addition to the freeform ones, that automatically filled as you you learn the appropriate spells. They would also need 3 additional bar configurations and a convenient way to switch between them. When they enter a dungeon they would be force into the configuration designated for the role they queued for.

that's a solid idea, and BLU currently has a system that requires you to have learned specific spells in order to advance the class quests which could be expanded to handle things like this or certain "preset/mandatory" skills for a given role, yeah.

[AnotherPerson]

Why not just make a roulette for Limited Jobs specifically? BLU, Beastmaster, and Puppetmaster if they ever get released can participate in this roulette. The roulette can have tomes as rewards or something to make it an incentive to queue for and be similar to either an 8-man raid or 24-man alliance just for casual play since BLU is supposed to be "casual". It would then be as popular as frontlines queue provided there are enough limited jobs for the PvE shenanigans of queueing in Limited - Job Roulette. For Hilarity to ensue and fun gameplay, it could be used as a crazy testing ground for devs too since BLU & I assume other Limited Jobs will be overpowered.

If you want to be really antsy, it can be limited job - but there are limited-job queues where if you reach the max cap, it'll either sync you down or make the boss X levels higher or something. Just to prevent the cheese.

Instead of skillgain requirement being all same jobs, why not just remove it - BLU won't have the skillgain requirement that requires everyone to be BLU - just a limited job instead. Once more Limited Jobs are out, it will alleviate the stress of not having a full BLU team. Seems to be the most useful for players who want some side content & a break from Main Story Scenario like PoTD/HoH/PvP except with limited jobs.

[Morningstar1337]

I already made suggestion for BLU as a "normal job" but Now I'm gonna go for enhancing the side content aspect of it (my points about the weapons, and having them be able to queve for Deep Dungeons and Command missions still stands however)

1. First things first would be removing the need to queve for duties for most spells. Which means Aetherial Mimicry, White Wind, Diamondback, and the like would need to be available wither via the Overworld or the Carnival. For the former i suggest adding FATEs and/or repeatable BLU quests that will have mobs with the relevant skills (I make thus under the assumptions BLU is meant for overworld play and that the spells in question haven't be already made though the Carnivale)
2. From there would be changing the rewards to have something...more tangible. Exclusive crafting mats, glamour gear, minions and other forms of cosmetics might be a good start. All tradeable and thus sellable on the MB so there is reason to try and get these rewards again ($$$)
   • The caveat is that they should be difficult to get and thus expensive so that there is reason to actually do the content in the first place to get them
3. Finally would be allowed access to a Specialized Ultimate Raid that works like the others, but tailed to the strengths and weaknesses of an all BLU team perhaps even make a BLU exclusive version of current ultimates with different rewards.