Quote Originally Posted by Aegis View Post
My character is 4 years old. Your argument is invalid.
So is mine, but it's nothing like it was when I started.

My conjurer used to have every elemental spell, including 'ancient magic' like Quake. Thaumaturge had drains and siphons. Crafting leves gave you all the necessary materials in advance. It was a different world back then, and our characters were worlds apart from what they are now. To say it's the same character is like saying my Lalafell is the same as my FFXI tarutaru. Hint, they're not even if the names are the same.

I guess what bothers me is that they perhaps made too many drastic changes overall. The removal of the element system in its entirety is the single most bone-headed thing ever to come out of ARR. It's like hacking off your own limb just because you want a prosthetic which doesn't do the job half as well. Sure, we have 'elemental resistances' but those make approximately zero difference to the damage received or dealt.

By removing certain mechanics, they've also removed some of the flexibility they had for making jobs more unique and full of flavour. Black Mage could've easily become the master of the elements instead of going for the hat-trick, which would have opened up other possibilities for element-based skills on classes to make tactics a thing. Monsters with strengths and weaknesses would also add flavour to the combat instead of having everyone mash the same button combos on every single enemy regardless of type.

Say what you will about FFXI, the combat at least was varied and made you think more about your opponent instead of whether or not your feet were still in a red circle.