Letter to the Producer, Stay Class-less not Classy

[Mardel]

Then the argument should be for them to scrap bonus attribute allocation surely. It's a pointless mechanic anyway because DPS will always go STR/DEX/INT accordingly, VIT for tanks, MND for healers. There's this illusion of choice that doesn't exist except on the one tree where they merged a MND job with an INT job and left one or both gimped.

This is why I want the stat allocation gone, It is an illusion of choice. If anything they should let you choose between 1-3 special traits you can specialize in. I.E. WHM stronger cure or a stronger regen. Scholar, better lustrate or higher pet healing. Things like that.

[Zantetsuken]

In other words you want to transform the base class into it's own job, just with the abilityto crossclass more...

I want the original development vision of the Class and Job systems to be realized:

• Classes are supposed to be generalists with loads of customization and the optimal choice for small group/soloing.
• Jobs are supposed to be specialists, with very little flexibility, but tuned for full party play.

**For those that are familiar with MtG terminology , think of Jobs as "Timmy Cards" and Classes as "Johnny Cards"**

Also, like Classes, I don't believe that Jobs have achieved the vision set forth either:

• WHM/SCH should not be able to reliably DPS, (that should be the function of CNJ and ACN). - FIX: When used for WHM or SCH, 'Cleric Stance' doesn't boost damage, but intead Reduces Emnity at the cost of Healing Potentcy.
  
• DRG, MNK, BLM, and SCH should have lower Max HP and Def than their respective Classes, but should have higher Determination and Crit rate.
  
• WAR and PLD should do less damage than MRD or GLD. 'Defiance' and 'Shield Oath' should be Job TRAITS not abilities. Change 'Sword Oath' for PLD to a 20sec buff with a 3min cooldown. (like 'Unchained' is)
  
• BRD should be a first and foremost a Support Job, not a DPS Job. but that's a whole other discussion that involves adding another Role to the game.

Then the argument should be for them to scrap bonus attribute allocation surely. It's a pointless mechanic anyway because DPS will always go STR/DEX/INT accordingly, VIT for tanks, MND for healers. There's this illusion of choice that doesn't exist except on the one tree where they merged a MND job with an INT job and left one or both gimped.

I agree that it's pointless for Jobs..
Stat allocation should also apply to Classes Only.. Jobs stats should be auto-allocated - for the exact reasons you stated.

[Thunderz]

I will never play Conj or Thaum or pug

There is no reason to do so

its so useless

[Mardel]

@Zantetsuken

Again IF, they were to do this I think I would have a better outlook on classes. The problem is that they do not want to add new abilities to jobs and are under the false impression that people even want to utilize classes. If I recall they want us to use Jobs in a party setting and the classes were meant to be used in Solo play. Thing is the solo play is so washed down that the only people who would struggle to solo are those probably wearing lv 1 gear at lv 30.

Now, I like where you are going change wise with jobs. Many of the suggestions you state would allow for ability slots to freed up and replaced. This would allow for a better method of play.

Side Notes:

1. The reason WHM/SCH have DPS skills was so that casual players could play the game at their own leisure and solo some.
2. This is also why bard is not pure support.
3. Sch/smn have a bad base class, well more like inappropriate. (I'll touch on that in my next letter)

[Langureion]

They can't just add random 5 abilities to any job, 5 abilities, but what abilities....and to each job?
And how's each ability going to effect not only itself, but other jobs and the battle design?
It's a complicated thought process.
When they rise level cap, new abilities will be add, be patient. See what SE has to offer.
Class and abilities are the foundation of the game, it'll effect game play and battle design in every way, not mentioning story lines.
Cross-class skills are fine as is, it's an option not a requirement when setting up character.
I see OP's point, but if you are a oldschool FF fan (meaning from FFI, and class change wasn't implanted until FFV), you'll understand where these class system coming form. Classes/jobs are also tides to their own storylines, reasons. (Tutorial? w)
And one character with multiple jobs is also what makes FF, like chocobo, and all other elements that makes what FF is.

As of today, we still don't have full scope of FFXIV, not all zones are open yet, and highest ilvl you can set in party finder is 200. (why not 999 if it's just coding?)
There are hints all over the game itself. Until they finish patching ALL the original content (before first expension), we can only be patient.
Yes, they do still need to fix bugs or what not. lol

[Mokona]

maybe add medal or something instead of soul crystal (put in same slot) to make previous class become "highclass"
-gain stat bonus (maybe not as high as job)
-retain all cross class skill slot (max 10)
-add only 1-2 exclusive skill for that class (job, u get 5 skills) eg. spark - AoE thunder field at floor like flame arrow for highclass THM
-only available at lv 50/45 (depend on how many new skill add)

[Mardel]

They can't just add random 5 abilities to any job, 5 abilities, but what abilities....and to each job?
And how's each ability going to effect not only itself, but other jobs and the battle design?
It's a complicated thought process.
When they rise level cap, new abilities will be add, be patient. See what SE has to offer.
Class and abilities are the foundation of the game, it'll effect game play and battle design in every way, not mentioning story lines.
Cross-class skills are fine as is, it's an option not a requirement when setting up character.
I see OP's point, but if you are a oldschool FF fan (meaning from FFI, and class change wasn't implanted until FFV), you'll understand where these class system coming form. Classes/jobs are also tides to their own storylines, reasons. (Tutorial? w)
And one character with multiple jobs is also what makes FF, like chocobo, and all other elements that makes what FF is.

As of today, we still don't have full scope of FFXIV, not all zones are open yet, and highest ilvl you can set in party finder is 200. (why not 999 if it's just coding?)
There are hints all over the game itself. Until they finish patching ALL the original content (before first expension), we can only be patient.
Yes, they do still need to fix bugs or what not. lol

The problem with wait & see is that it has been shown time and time again to NOT retain subscribers. People want to know changes are coming and EXACT times they are. "Look forward to ______." can only keep a person's hopes up for so long.

[Langureion]

The problem with wait & see is that it has been shown time and time again to NOT retain subscribers. People want to know changes are coming and EXACT times they are. "Look forward to ______." can only keep a person's hopes up for so long.

Wel, that's why a lot of people choose to un-sub and wait to see if it's worth to come back later.
Even if SE decided to make all the changes you've requested....how long it's gonna take before they can implant it?
Not mentioning all the things they are working on right now.
You still need to wait.

Let's say IF you have idea for all 5 abilities for each job, what are those and how are they gonna affect over game design and battle design?
Same goes for all the changes you requested. What are the consequences?
ie: tank without stoneskin and bloodbath, how's that gonna effect over all design? And that's just one job...

You can't just point out what you don't like and what you want it to be.
You'll need much more solid proposal than this.

[Mardel]

Wel, that's why a lot of people choose to un-sub and wait to see if it's worth to come back later.
Even if SE decided to make all the changes you've requested....how long it's gonna take before they can implant it?
Not mentioning all the things they are working on right now.
You still need to wait.

Let's say IF you have idea for all 5 abilities for each job, what are those and how are they gonna affect over game design and battle design?
Same goes for all the changes you requested. What are the consequences?
ie: tank without stoneskin and bloodbath, how's that gonna effect over all design? And that's just one job...

You can't just point out what you don't like and what you want it to be.
You'll need much more solid proposal than this.

Well the 2 you chose are pretty poor ones to choose because they are both... pretty bad skills lol. Sure SS is okay to use because pld has bleh dmg, and warriors use bloodbath because you might as well. It doesn't make the skills/abilities that you can cross class currently in place any better. I know the letter is long but I even mentioned that the replacement skills (from losing the 5 cross class) could in fact be the SAME SKILL as before but implemented in a fashion that suites the lore/individuality of the job. A paladin stone skin could be based off of vit and only work on allies, called Holy Curtain. An ability to gain hp on each swing for paladin could be an affect from sword oath.

Also these changes to the job/class system would take very little effort to implement because it really requires them to add a Soul Stones for the classes and have the lv 30 whm soul stone replace it. They don't have to remove coding from the battle system to implement this. As for how you would change jobs, it would just check for a soul stone in place. As for how long this would take, I don't know the biggest hindrance is that they put smn/sch together based off of arcanist. As for a much more solid proposal, I could go write up a full in-depth proposal on step-by-step on how to implement the changes needed to do this. However, I am not the one being paid to make this game better/worse.

Another thing is I did say to take my ideas with a grain of salt as there are holes in it for now. It took me literally 20-30minutes to type up that letter w/o fully reviewing it. The purpose it served was so that people and devs could see other options that wouldn't take a massive overhaul like many of the others have suggested. I am sure if I made a poll on how people wanted classes to be handled the majority would want them to be useful or removed.

[ErikMynhier]

Classes are classes, jobs are spec trees. It'll be more obvious when we start getting more jobs for the classes we have.


P.S. I would love a special trait or two for jobs. Make them quest rewards that require at least iLv 70-80.