Skill trees and Alternate Advancement

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

tldr: I'm harkening back toward the concepts around FFXIV launch. Some blending in with job system.

Extended:
This is the way I *thought* it was going to be:

1. One set of stats to govern all character classes.
2. The ability to invest in elemental attributes.
3. Stat investment being more transparent in determining how effective the stat was.
4. Stat preferences play the role in class effectiveness until point reallocation.
5. An option for auto-point allocation for players not interested in manual distribution.

Elemental Example:

• A Gladiator who invested in the Fire attribute would have a stronger Red Lotus (sword attack with fire damage). This Gladiator takes less damage from fire attacks.
• A Marauder investing in the Wind attribute may have a stronger Iron Tempest (donut axe with wind damage). This Marauder takes less damage from wind attacks.
• A Black Mage investing in the Fire attribute would have stronger Fire and Firaga spells. This Black Mage takes less damage from fire attacks. His offensive capability against Ifrit may decline, but his ability to survive against fire attacks could make up for this.

One Set of Stats for All Classes:

• Balanced: Players may allocate their attribute points to become balanced, thus being able to fulfill the role of tank, damage dealer, debuffer, healer, gatherer, or crafter on an effective level.
• Defender: Players might allocate their attribute points toward increasing their HP, physical, magic defense, and chance to block. This player may be more suited for tanking roles such as Gladiator, Marauder, or Community Rep. This player may also be suited for mining or Hand classes that take advantage of their stats.
• Physical Offense: Allocating toward strength, accuracy, and perhaps some survivability to endure area attacks. This player may be more suited to physical attackers such as Pugilist, Archer, Lancer, or using Marauder offensively. These individuals may also make good blacksmiths.
• Magic Offense: Allocating toward intelligence, magic accuracy, and having a larger pool of MP. This player may have little regard for physical offense or resistance toward physical attacks. This player may be more suited toward Thaumaturge, an offensive Conjurer, or a Monk.
• Support: Allocating toward healing potency, enhancement potency, and large MP pools. This player may not be able to deal as much damage as others, but may be more suited toward a healing or enhancement role.

Auto-Allocation toward a particular class or play style for players not interested in this type of customization. The default setting might have been set for balanced stats so that players could continue to experiment with all classes until they found their favored play style.

Though not quite what the OP is asking for, I think this would have allowed for some "individualization".

Granted, I think only the players seeking maximized performance across multiple jobs would have been impacted most by this style. Where the auto is meant as a deterrent for players overwhelmed by the question "What is good for me? I just want to heal you (in my underwear and not die)."