new items are counter productive?

[Akumu]

Jobs were not created to phase out classes. They're a different way to level and go through content. The main difference among them is gaining/losing an edge depending on your situation.

Job: Better when working with a Full Party
Class: Solo/light party

Doesn't mean soloing on a job is pointless or can't be done, but it will be more challenging than on a class(less safety nets). You can also join a full party as a Class and still run through content, but you sacrifice damage for those safety nets you may or may not need.

Most of us that are left are hardcore fans of Final Fantasy(either from the offline series or FFXI). We have a greater connection with the classics then these new punks that Tanaka brought in(MRD, THM, GLA, etc). I think most of us are happier with being a dragoon than being called a lancer. If Lancer received all the changes without the Dragoon title, I think people would still be screaming for jobs.

However, that doesn't mean the entire 2.0 playerbase will hold on to these jobs as much as we do. The weapon/armor allows classes to still be used, as jobs advance, without being completely pushed to the side.