Revelations from NA Fan Fest (July 2023)

[Carin-Eri]

Also seems Derplander is still PLD as he's wielding Lightbringer (PLD AF5 sword from EW), unless the full trailer to come later in the year features a Job change.

Not convinced he is PLD. No shield for starters, and I'm not convinced his sword is Lightbringer:
Sword from Trailer:


Lightbringer:

[Enkidoh]

Not convinced he is PLD. No shield for starters, and I'm not convinced his sword is Lightbringer:
Sword from Trailer:


Lightbringer:

Yeah that was pointed out to me by a friend after I wrote that, so I happily concede on that point!

Not having a shield though isn't contraindicative of PLD though, as GLA doesn't even start with a shield, only a sword as the shield is technically optional equipment (and only like three abilities for GLA/PLD specifically require a shield to function).

Of course he could be using one of the two new Jobs that will use a special type of sword unrelated to GLA/PLD, but I'm pretty certain in that scene he's still PLD - he probably neglected the shield due to wanting to be 'edgy' and moving on from EW's "knight in shining armour" look, hence his rugged Errol Flynn-like piratey getup more befitting the 'wandering free adventurer' idea EW's post patch story has been pushing (and thus the 'Job change' is still to come with the full trailer proper once the Jobs are announced).

We'll have to wait and see though sadly! (Yoshi why must you torture us so?)