[dev1033] Class name changes -> Specialization/Talent Trees Into Classic FF Classes

[Killirz]

Here are some of my recent thoughts on this idea:

1) At level 10 for each of the base jobs, have an ability that is very identifiable with that job, such as quickstride, or cure, or gravity. These abilities are then accessible to every job once you have reached that level; however, you may only equip 1 or 2 abilities from another class at one time. This forces people to decide if they want to have cure, or quickstride, or gravity, rather than them having the entire package. Abilities earned by spending the advanced points wouldn't have the same limit, it is just a limit imposed on cross-classed skills. EDIT: Yeah I know this is basically the same system that is in place right now for lvl 1-20, just slightly more restrictive.

2) Next I think at lvl 20 there should be another ability for classes; however, maybe this ability alters stats rather than is an action. An example is "magic dmg increased by 5%" for the base mage class, or something that would really benefit the advanced jobs in the class. Players then have the option of switching between the lvl 20 stat buff, but they will have to replace their current stat buff as a trade-off. This way, you can have some customization within certain classes, but it wont get to the point where classes aren't unique any more. I chose a stat bonus over a skill at lvl 20 because I feel level 20 still takes a while to level up to and if someone has to spend that much time to get a skill from a job they do not like, it just isn't fun.

3) My thoughts behind this are that it will make it more enjoyable going from lvl 1-20, since you will still have a character that still has very powerful cross-classed abilities. As the characters level up higher than 20 though, the effect of the bonus skills overall is decreased. I mean, gravity and quickstride are always useful, so maybe Cure can have an increased effect as you level up, but never to the extent that makes it comparable with a WHM cure spell at the same level.

4) Level 10 for these class abilities I find is fair. I think most serious crafters by this point have leveled other crafts just to get the abilities offered. Level 10 isn't hard work, but it still requires effort and also makes sense with the lore of the game, since you have to train in a class in order to know how to use an ability.

5) You could also expand this idea to have skills/bonuses available at lvl 30/40/50, and use the same "replace the current job bonus with a bonus from another class" idea, I just don't want to make it into a giant skill grab system again.