Lets Talk - Red Mage

[Kiote]

Even in the single player games they were supporters filling many roles

No they weren't. They were always very very powerful front line fighters. Most debuffs were completely ignored in early final fantasies and buffs were only ever necessary in boss fights.

This concept of being boring is also subjective. You could make the same argument with White Mage since its just Cure Regen Cure Regen Cure Regen Cure Regen Cure. Actually ANY class can be broken down into this.

No, it's not subjective. It is quite objective. There must always be a thrill for a class to remain enjoyable for an extended period of time. Tanks constantly have to worry about keeping the hate and wondering if they will survive. This minor paranoia creates a thrill that draws people to the class. Melees and Nukers have the thrill of seeing large number fly off the screen while always being at risk of pushing things to far and getting killed. Healers have the thrill of the whole fight depending on them and everyone's lives being in their hands. One bad mistake and its all over.

Nothing depends on a Buffing class. Nothing. The difference between a good buffer and a bad buffer is a 30 second fight instead of a 40 second fight. There is no thrill and no rush on any level. In XI Bards had to figure out how to both buff and pull just so they weren't so bored they wanted to die. In the end, they mastered the task leaving Ranger without a Job.

The same problem applies for Debuffers. Yoshida saw this. I can guarantee it. Now summoners don't have to settle for commanding a Pet once a minute or becoming backup healers. They have taken One really boring task and mixed it in to one Really popular Class and now Debuffers do not have to be bored anymore. Everquest used this same tactic on buffing class with Enchanters. By mixing them in to a Pet Class, the horrible boredom was eaten away by the thrill of having a pet to command in the midst of the fight.