If you think of Classes as just Weapons (Which they are.), then there wouldn't be so much confusion. Being a Paladin in FFXIV would be the same as being a Paladin in FFXI. Both have sword+shield equipped. Both have Sword Weapon Skills. Both play the same role in party.

Again, over and over again, oh, and once more..

Classes are Weapons.

Oh, and i may have forgot to mention, but..

Classes are Weapons.

Does everyone understand this at all? imo The Armory System is what sets this game apart form other MMORPGs, and is not a bad idea at all. The concept that everyone can't seem to grasp is that Pugilist isn't the Job, its the Class. Better to see this as just a Hand-to-hand weapon character without a Job equipped. That's what FFXIV is right now. Its FFXI without Jobs. Equip any weapon you want along with weapon skills.

With the future Job System, its going to make for a stronger sense of accomplishment if you were to quest for abilities and make those quests hard to do.

Anyways, yeah. Classes are Weapons.