Quote Originally Posted by Mijin View Post
Based on the current skills that exist in the game, I don't see how it will be beneficial to play Arcanist over Summoner. The class system is really pointless to me. As far as I'm aware the only class currently that has any utility over it's respective job is Archer. I don't ever think it's worth lowering your dmg/skills to drop Blm for Thm just to get raise, and I can see the same issue existing with Smn/Arc.

The other potential problem I see with the class system is when they want to add more jobs to the game. Say for example they want to branch Dark Knight off Gladiator sometime in the future. Dark Knight will have 90% of the same skills as Paladin... Not only that it forces Dark Knight, or any other classes they want to branch off Gladiator to be a tank.

Idk why they don't just get rid of the class system and stick with the traditional approach to the jobs. It would be less restrictive, cleaner, and just more logical. several skills isn't enough to distinguish between two different jobs in the future, and giving up your job skills make it almost never worth playing the class instead.
It sounds more like you are speaking through your hat and actually only know very little about it.

For starters, jobs and classes are equally useful. I find it much easier to solo on classes than jobs and the opposite is also true with parties.
I believe that both are fulfilling their respective roles:
- classes bring a more varied style of play, aimed at solo'ers and casual gamers;
- jobs are highly specialized in order to bring defined roles in a party and enhance party play (also reduce newbies uncertainty when it comes to partying, they have their roles handed to them -- it also appease some more hardcore gamers)

I personally prefer the versatility of classes more, but I do greatly appreciate the focus of jobs on party play as well.
I sincerely hope they keep tweaking the system (making classes more versatile and customize-able, while remaining powerful + enhancing the focus on the roles for jobs) and keep both classes/jobs without favouring one or the other.

As for arcanist and summoner... why don't you just wait until some more information is released about them?
We know so little about them that nobody is entitled to have an opinion so far.
So, wait.