OK, I get that the game has a very simple formula based on sets of 4 players, a tank, a healer and 2 DPS. The skills of each class are chosen to enhance each class (and job) within their overall role. Great.

However, there is really no flexibility in this system for the player. Similarly the way you enhance your character beyond the simply level growth has virtually no impact on your character, the only thing that does is gearing. Even then you are limited by the role you play in the trinity of classes.

Almost every JRPG (yes, I know, this is an MMORPG, but it's also a FF game which is a series that is JRPG to the core) I've ever played brought with it some kind of skill system that let me choose my path through the skills. You could choose skills from other trees, but with out the intrinsic class bonuses many of those skills were simply not nearly as potent as they could otherwise be. Those skill systems typically include passive skills to boost attributes like strength, Dexterity or Intelligence as well. By using their allocation of skill points players have the option to make the character their own within the boundaries of the system Many western RPGs and MMOs have skill systems like this also.

Since FFXIV is already in place along with the skills 'system' that is has, there's no chance of a sea-change in the skills of the classes - I understand that.

However I was thinking about this and wondered whether there is an opportunity to use the traits to enhance existing skills, and allow players to spend 'trait points' or whatever on these additional traits so that they can customize their character further.

For example, I play a Paladin, if there were traits that boosted the effectiveness of my healing, or allowed me to raise in battle, or boost my ATK or DEF, boost my VIT or HO directly, or increase parry and dodging rates or block strength. I could choose between making a tank with more healing ability, one that contributes more to DPS, one that is even more of a defensive tank able to withstand more damage, or a Paladin that lives up to the billing of creating a dance with shield and blade to deflect and avoid damage while keeping the enemy attention.

A system such as this would not damage the roles that we play, but they would enhance the individuality within the jobs and roles. Personally I think players enjoy making their character their own, and we all have out personal style of play. At the moment though, the FFXIV skill abilities and traits lack the flexibility to allow individuality. Which is a crying shame.