Will Beastmaster appear in any Endwalker content patches?

[Auryan]

Reaper wasn't an obstacle to a real job being made for Reaper... because it was made a real job, not a limited one.

No, the fact that BLU exists had no impact on Reaper. But if Reaper had likewise been made a limited job, it sure as hell would have an impact on people's enjoyment of Reaper.

Way to miss his entire point.

[Shurrikhan]

Way to miss his entire point.

Reaper, too, is itself a job concept (the dark/void-centric DPS version of DRK's broader thematic sphere) that people have, since 1.x's release of initial jobs (and with renewed vigor following Heavensward) said could never be added in the manner of a traditional job without losing what would make it special. Yet, there it is. And it seems plenty unique, among and beyond existing melee.

In that regard, BLU is no different. It is a concept which, with due thought (instead of mere toss-ins to guise a grind loop), absolutely could be permitted all real content without losing what makes it unique. BST, too, is no different. Full access does not demand loss of former mainstay components of identity, and identity does not demand a half-assed playflow. Former and unique systems of skill acquisition are not mutually exclusive with the ability to actually play current content to the extent that existing jobs can.

[Auryan]

Reaper, too, is itself a job concept (the dark/void-centric DPS version of DRK's broader thematic sphere) that people have, since 1.x's release of initial jobs (and with renewed vigor following Heavensward) said could never be added in the manner of a traditional job without losing what would make it special. Yet, there it is. And it seems plenty unique, among and beyond existing melee.

In that regard, BLU is no different. It is a concept which, with due thought (instead of mere toss-ins to guise a grind loop), absolutely could be permitted all real content without losing what makes it unique. BST, too, is no different. Full access does not demand loss of former mainstay components of identity, and identity does not demand a half-assed playflow. Former and unique systems of skill acquisition are not mutually exclusive with the ability to actually play current content to the extent that existing jobs can.

I disagree with ArchWizard in saying that Reaper is faithful to the older DRK iterations. It doesn't use its HP as a resource for damage (not practical in an MMO, I get it). Doesn't have access to status ailments (and no, that "DoT" doesn't count) and it's "possession" angle is pretty alien. While it's more in line with what I think of a DRK (aesthetic and combat wise) compared to XIV DRK, it still isn't there. 6.5/10 will still play though.

Skill acquisition and content availability (including balance concerns) are not necessarily mutually exclusive, true. However in this particular case of a job being designed outside of the typical mold, forces any divergent characteristics to be met with some obvious (and not so obvious) penalties. A job that doesn't learn the majority on abilities on level is out of the ordinary, a job that has any kind of customization is going to be scrutinized and any job with with a wide selection of quirky, gimmicky and powerful spells can have impact on other people's enjoyment of different kind of content.

So while it's feasible for BLU to be at max level with the standard jobs, it will have to have a lot of its most interesting aspects be significantly diminished and retooled. I don't think it's worth them investing BLU into a basic BLU and fun BLU (this forum's pipe dream) and certainly not worth gutting this version to throw it on the standard pile. Although I am open to them making changes between these extremes, if reasonable.