Personal suggestion for Classes, Jobs, and Soul Crystals...

[Terin]

This is working off of a couple of earlier ideas, but figured I'd just start a new topic to consolidate things. Frankly, the only distinction between Classes and Jobs right now, is that Classes are basically just worse versions of Jobs, in virtually every scenario. So, I'd like to propose a couple of changes.

1. Ditch the term "Class" entirely

No more of this "Which is a Class and which is a Job?" nonsense. What we need, moving forward, is a consistent terminology to work with. Break them down as "Base Jobs" and "Advanced Jobs" if you must, but call ALL of them "Jobs".

2. Soul Crystals, *NOT* Weapon, should dictate your Job

From the moment your create a character, you'll have a Soul Crystal. Even the currently-existing "Classes" will have Crystals. The reason why is because...

3. Allow different Jobs to wield more weapon-types

Right now, Gladiators and Paladins both use One-handed Sword. After this change, however, Gladiators could now be free to wield one-handed Spears (which Dragoons could now dual-wield), while Paladins might gain access to Two-handed Swords (which Warriors could also use, as well as Dark Knights later one).

4. Give every Job its own niche

When I think "Gladiator", I mentally envision a Spartan warrior, or a Roman pit-fighter in the Colosseum. Instead of simply unlocking the Paladin and never looking back, the Gladiator would them totally deviate, becoming more focused on mobility and dealing damage with their shields. Similarly, the upcoming Rogue (we all know he's really a Thief) would remain unique, focusing on gadgetry and cheap tricks, while the Ninja would explore their magical Ninpo.

5. Give each Job its own Relic/Artifact Armor and Weapon

If you really want to seal the deal, giving each Job its own distinct "look" is the key. Gladiators could get a Greco-Roman set of armor, leaving their chest and part of their legs exposed, and Archers might get a hood and cloak to help camouflage them (high-level variants could maybe even change color, depending on the environment?). Even if they're statistically identical, it would really make them *feel* different.

[Terin]

Well... Anybody care to share their opinions? I mean, the ideas definitely would need some refinement, but I kind of like the idea of making *all* Classes and Jobs feel relevant, rather than *just* Jobs (the only exception, apparently, being Marauders in PvP).

[SendohJin]

too big a change to a core aspect of the game and not enough benefit to be worth the effort.

they can work with what's there now and focus development on other more impactful content.

[Rorichan]

It's a nice idea, works great in ArcheAge but after all of the work that they've done I think they're going to stick to the traditional class system.

[Terin]

I dunno, it doesn't seem like it would be *that* massive an overhaul. They would just have to add some distinguishing abilities for the "Base Jobs", and give them all Job Crystals. At that point, they could easy certain Weapon-restrictions as they saw fit, though it's hardly like they would need to suddenly "let everyone wield everything". In fact, they could even keep things exactly the same as they are now, for the time being.

Really, the only Jobs I feel like would *need* distinguishing characteristics would be the Gladiator. Seeing as the Gladiator's icon is a symbol of two crossed-swords, perhaps they would unlock abilities based specifically around dual-wielding swords, or even go back to wielding a single weapon with no off-hand (which the Character Creation window actually explains as being a legitimate option for Gladiators). Like I said, though, I personally lean towards making them mobile, offensive characters, to contrast the defense-oriented Paladin.

[kiraan]

Since Yoshi has already stated the actual system limitation will pose some problems in the future, i think they will revisit the job system at some point. Even as soon as the first expansion.

I'd like they get rid of the class too and focus on jobs only.

Apparently we'll get some information on that at the London Fan festival on the 25th of Ocotber. (ffxiv.game-guide interview)