Can someone explain what jobs do to me?

[Kiote]

just wondering what you warned people about. Did you warn them that jobs would have some new skills with restrictions but you would still be able to use classes if they want.

I warned them that Jobs would do absolutely nothing and was a complete waste of Dev resources.

And guess what they did, nothing.

[Rydin]

just wondering what you warned people about. Did you warn them that jobs would have some new skills with restrictions but you would still be able to use classes if they want.

I think he is talking about 12/21/12

I warned them that Jobs would do absolutely nothing and was a complete waste of Dev resources.

And guess what they did, nothing.

Jobs will be awesome once there are 2 jobs per class (Although I am very happy with them now)... they are laying a foundation

[syntaxlies]

I warned them that Jobs would do absolutely nothing and was a complete waste of Dev resources.

And guess what they did, nothing.

that's a strong opinion but far from fact, tell that to all the people who like them.

[Kiote]

that's a strong opinion but far from fact, tell that to all the people who like them.

I dont dislike them at all, but they dont DO anything. They could have just as easily made traits gives Bonuses to Specific Builds and rename Classes.

[Eight]

Sleepga is pretty awesome though for Black Mage nothing like running through Darkhold putting everything to bed for awhile.

[Xoo]

I returned for 1.21 after stopping in September. Very impressed with the number of changes. But, I'm confused about the job system. I got a couple friends together and got the BLM quest done and unlocked the Black Mage job. But, I'm having a hard time seeing a point to it. It seems to me its basically a Thaumaturge with fewer options. The only BLM specific ability I got is Convert which doesn't seem all that great. My stats barely changed. I just lost the ability to slot Cure and Protect and stuff.

What's the benefit? Is there any reason to play as a lv31 Black Mage instead of a lv31 Thaumaturge? To me it looks like its just a name change that gives you fewer options. Is there more value to it when I level up?

All the new jobs are virtually the same as their old counterparts, and all have their valuable situations. Their simple function at the moment is adding a new depth to gameplay. As I've said before, and I'm sure you've all noticed, the old jobs benefit greatly from having access to the Raise spell.

[Molly_Millions]

I dont dislike them at all, but they dont DO anything.

Yes they do. They do exactly what they were intended to do, provide a vertical growth "tree".

[Akumu]

I warned them that Jobs would do absolutely nothing and was a complete waste of Dev resources.

And guess what they did, nothing.

You can't state you warned us of something as if something bad would happen when the majority favors jobs over the classes. In my opinion I'll take actual teamwork in a group instead of a team of soloists any day.

Also, don't forget that neither replaces the other. SE added two types of leveling/play styles and it's your choice on how to play. I don't see how that was a waste of resources when it something they can brag about to attract players.

[Conradus]

I returned for 1.21 after stopping in September. Very impressed with the number of changes. But, I'm confused about the job system. I got a couple friends together and got the BLM quest done and unlocked the Black Mage job. But, I'm having a hard time seeing a point to it. It seems to me its basically a Thaumaturge with fewer options. The only BLM specific ability I got is Convert which doesn't seem all that great. My stats barely changed. I just lost the ability to slot Cure and Protect and stuff.

What's the benefit? Is there any reason to play as a lv31 Black Mage instead of a lv31 Thaumaturge? To me it looks like its just a name change that gives you fewer options. Is there more value to it when I level up?

1) It changes your stats. As BLM you get more MP and INT but fewer HP, among other things. This effect may not be much at 31, but will only get bigger as you level up.
2) You get special abilities, one at level 30 that you get on completing the quest to get the job. For BLM, this is Convert, which swaps your HP and MP. As an old FFXI Red Mage, I can tell you that this ability *rocks*. Properly managed, using Necrogenesis, Second Wind and potions, it basically means you never run out of MP. You then qualify to quest at five level intervals for a new ability, ending with your fifth at 50. For BLM these are the ancient magics for the elements you control (Freeze, Flare and Burst) and Sleepga, an AoE sleep spell.
3) You can equip stuff that only the job can equip. At the moment, this is the AF armor sets that you can get as special drops, and they are *very* nice.
4) The downside is, as you noticed, the lack of flexibility. You get half the number of out-of-class abilities to choose, and can only choose from two classes (for BLM, this is PGL and ARC).

Generally, yes, it will get better as you level up, although I think you are greatly underestimating Convert. It does leave you with a narrow focus, meaning you won't solo well, but within your area of focus, you are definitely stronger. In properly constructed party, you have a WHM (or CNJ) to do your Protects and Cures, and he does them better than you do as a THM anyways.

[Wynn]

Personally, I don't find convert to be useful in XIV. Your MP ends up regenerating before your puller can bring a new group of mobs anyway. I guess it's good if you want to give your WHM a small heart attack every now and then.