An example of a two spec per base class system...
*Note* I gave LNC the pole, then changed the names for THM and CON which both already use different staves for two new classes of weapons. Yes, we have three different types of staves.
*Note2* For the Pup suggestion... Think of staff wielding as Gabrielle on Xena, not a back-line weapon.
*Note3* In order to keep too much content from being released, maybe stick with base classes until the release of the first expansion (or more appropriately, the first expansion + ps3 release)
*...note4...* I'm obviously slightly ffxi biased... kekeke
Original Jobs:
Gladiator (Sword/Shield, Great Sword) -> Dark Knight (Great Sword), Paladin (Sword/Shield)
*Both use magic (dark/light) and have abilities that enhance said magics, and attack/def respectively*
Pugilist (H2H, Dagger(s)) -> Monk (H2H), Thief (Dagger(s))
*Both specialize in evasiveness and speed, as well as targeting weaknesses*
Marauder (Great Axe, Axe(s)) -> Warrior (Great Axe), Beastmaster (Axe(s))
*Both can be powerful damage dealers, War excelling and Bst focusing on intimidation?*
Archer (Bow, Gun) -> Ranger (Bow), Corsair (Gun)
*Obviously, both are ranged damage dealers, possibly buffs or random stuff for Cor*
Lancer (Spear, Pole) -> Dragoon (Spear), Puppetmaster (Pole)
*Both begin focusing on have a companion to fight with you*
Thaumaturge (Scepter/Shield, Staff) -> Red Mage (Scepter/Shield), Scholar (Staff)
*Both focus on keep MP regenerated and different buffs/debuffs*
Conjurer (Wand/Shield, Cane) -> White Mage (Wand/Shield), Black Mage (Cane)
*Enough said*
Expansions:
Ronin (Katana(s), Great Katana) -> Ninja (Katana(s)), Samurai (Great Katana)
*Evasion, eastern technique, etc*
Performer (Jambiya, Instruments) -> Dancer (Jambiya), Bard (Instruments)
*Buffing the party, etc*
Sage? (Scimitar, Clubs) -> Blue Mage (Scimitar), Summoner (Clubs)
*Focus on enemy skills and the summoning the elements*
My posts on this thread belong to Kuro to do as he pleases, btw. I believe this is an awesome thread with a really great OP who is taking the time to hold a discussion, listen to input, and construct an easy to read option for SE in the first three posts here.
**EDIT**
ACTUALLY! Who says all jobs have to have both specializations right away? To spread it out, some of the original base classes could only have 1 specialization for now, while an expansion could release more base classes with only one, or finish up an older base class. More to consider.