Classes are not solo only

[Estellios]

We take THM over BLM in Ifrit because of Raise, Enmity/MP isn't too much of an issue with competent people, and he absorbs Flare =P

As far as light parties go, once I get ahold of the new mage gear I'd definitely be going CNJ for spiritbonding or just doing lowman stuff with friends. The stats are really good, you can attach materia to them (I can make my nuking capabilities better), and WHM itself can't use them. Nuking with Cleric stance up in parties really speeds things up.

Whenever I solo on PGL/MNK I will switch between the two in order to hit elemental weaknesses but PGL has much better survivability by far.

As they expand the systems we will probably see more of this class vs. job gear and you will have to decide between access to the powerful job abilities or the potentially versatile and powerful class gear. I know I can't imagine doing bosses and such without Regen or Presence of Mind, no matter how good the Conjurer gear gets.