Why do we have classes AND jobs again?

[NoloeTazier]

We can sugar coat it all we want, Classes limit Jobs. We can argue all we want about Classes > Jobs in solo play (which isn't the case in 1) but really when you can switch jobs on a whim, why would anyone play Pugilist over Monk when they can just switch to WHM and buff themselves then switch to Monk and deal more damage.

The point I've made in the past is there's no way we can have a 2 Job from 1 Class system. Such as Gladiator -> Paladin Gladiator -> Dark Knight. Gladiator as a Class has abilities to help Paladin tank and is limited to Sword and Shield because of the Armory system. No one is going to want to play Dark Knight with a Sword and Shield and use Shield Bash and Sword combos. Sure 2.0 is going to change abilities and we have to wait and see these changes, but they haven't said they're going to change the current system of 15 abilities (which may be increased and will increase with level cap(s)) and 5 from your 2 sub-jobs.

With the Class and Armory system we're looking at a 1 Class to 1 Job system. The only one I can think of that works is Archer -> Bard Archer -> Ranger, but again with the limited armory system that would be 3 Bow types. But at least Ranger would have abilities that make it the classic Archer abilities which people want. (They also want Crossbows and Guns)

There's only 2 reasons we will use Classes in 2.0: 1) to unlock a Job 2) the Class only content they plan to implement. But if rewards are Class only, then I would be willing to bet that people would shun this content because they would never wear the gear and it would bog down their inventory. It'd be mostly vanity pieces.

If Classes got their abilities from the Job I could see how that system could work and you could have multiple jobs tied to 1 Class, but again who would want to play the Class? Classes restrict Jobs, Armory System restricts both. But with the current set up I just can't see a way to have multiple jobs tied to many of the classes and even if they are, they won't be that much different from the other job as the abilities are all shared. I didn't get to play FFXI for very long, but I believe the way the Job system works is just right.

We'll be getting redesigned abilities and maybe a few new abilities in 2.0 but I still feel the system is broken and limiting. Everytime we want to introduce a new Class/Job we have to 'invent' a new Weapon for the Armory system. A system I talked about before in game to a few of my friends was, why not just use the Job Stone system. Whenever you want to change Jobs, you change your Job Stone. This allows people to equip Sword/Shield to Warrior, Hand2Hand on WHM, etc. Course the only thing I could think of again was the FFXI skill system. People like to goof around and have freedom, so why not allow it, the armory system won't.