Break the Trinity System Please

[Duelle]

I am against the addition of a new support role, primarily because it adds unneeded complexity to. I don't disagree with more dps/support roles, as I suspect we'l see more of that. However, I think a better solution is to strengthen the existing design of spreading buffs, debuffs, and CC around ALL classes, and building encounters that aren't movement based DPS races.

Asking for more utility spread throughout the jobs isn't the same as asking for hybrids, though. "Pure DPS" utility usually comes in the form of damage buffs to the raid or CC, whereas hybrids usually get something connected to one of their other roles. A NIN increases the slashing damage on target, whereas a RDM may have situational offheals reliant on procs or the ability to reduce damage taken by one party member.

While I'm not opposed to this, it should be noted the developers have stayed away from anything that directly affects raid DPS for the most part. NIN is pretty much the first job that can directly affect raid DPS by increasing damage the mob takes by 10% (it lasts 10 seconds and requires Hide/Suiton, but still).

Every class has its niche (or should)

Mechanically, sure. Role-wise, not necessary.

All gaming communities in MMORPGs take the path of least resistance.

Fixed. This is the reality of things, and should always be kept in mind.

[LeCard]

While I'm not opposed to this, it should be noted the developers have stayed away from anything that directly affects raid DPS for the most part. NIN is pretty much the first job that can directly affect raid DPS by increasing damage the mob takes by 10% (it lasts 10 seconds and requires Hide/Suiton, but still).

You forgot Bard, most do. If there is a BLM/SMN in your party a Bard can directly affect DPS by using Foe Requiem ballad for, I think, 10% boost to dmg taken by mobs from magic damage. It could also be used to increase a healer's DPS if you really wanted to, but that could get questionable and/or risky depending on how much healing they need to be doing.

[Niwashi]

The only reason the design team can't do that currently is they can't rely on a certain class's skill to be present. Part of solving that is strengthening the existing design.

Support isn't a class, it's a role, just like tank is a role, healer is a role, and damage dealer is a role. They can certainly design content to require someone who can fulfill the support role, just as they currently design content to require players who can fill the other three roles. (Of course, just as with the other three roles they currently use, there should ideally be multiple different classes that take different approaches to fulfilling the support role.)

[Delily]

Support isn't a class, it's a role, just like tank is a role, healer is a role, and damage dealer is a role. They can certainly design content to require someone who can fulfill the support role, just as they currently design content to require players who can fill the other three roles. (Of course, just as with the other three roles they currently use, there should ideally be multiple different classes that take different approaches to fulfilling the support role.)

Actually, healing is not a role, as it's a subset of support, since the healer supports the group by keeping people alive. This conversation is more about having dedicated buffing and debuffing classes, like FFXI's bard and red mage. The design team could definitely create those classes and a formal requirement for them, but as mentioned, that would create another choke point for queues, and since the class is now required, you'd have to balance around their presence, so you'd in effect be weakening every other class for the sake of having those classes present. Also, organized groups would strive to find way to reduce their impact, so it'd collapse back into heals, damage, and tanks. The current design of spreading buffs, debuffs, and CC among the various classes and job is probably the efficient to balance the game.

[Toodles]

^SE wouldn't be dumb enough to require such a thing... there are legitimate ways to balance a more 'supportive' type without making it mandatory, or at least any more "mandatory" than any of the current DPS Jobs.

Every class has its niche (or should), it wouldn't be any different with more Bard-alikes if implemented properly.

[ReplicaX]

^SE wouldn't be dumb enough to require such a thing...

The community is if it will take the path of least resistance.

[Dwill]

^SE wouldn't be dumb enough to require such a thing... there are legitimate ways to balance a more 'supportive' type without making it mandatory, or at least any more "mandatory" than any of the current DPS Jobs.

Every class has its niche (or should), it wouldn't be any different with more Bard-alikes if implemented properly.

Except that if it's too complicated to obtain the same result, which would be needed to not make them mandatory, the class would lose a lot of appeal. If the history of gaming has thought us one thing, it's that communities gravitate toward the path of least resistance.

[ScoTheHunter]

Vindictus.
Best MMO combat hands down. No Trinity. Minor support in various forms.

GW2
Great combat. No Trinity. Supppppppppport all day.

The Trinity may well have been a player invention but it's the static game development that keeps it alive and necessary.

[Mirron]

Vindictus and GW2 both are games where there really didn't feel like much teamwork. Being in a party as opposed to being alone just feels like killing things faster. So I really don't agree with that. There might be some instances where there is "support", but it wouldn't really be any different from XIV in that case, and it comes at the cost of actually feeling like a group that needs to work together to survive.

[ScoTheHunter]

GW2 was the epitome of what it meant to be "in a party". Teamwork had to be coordinated. The difference between a group working together and a group of willy-nilly adventurers was night and day. People didn't just have skills that set them into a role that they filled regardless of how well or bad they played. In FF14 your standard "party" consists of a Tank, Healer, and 2 DPS. Its extremely static and the only sense of a being in "party" is found in simply filling the necessary roles. In GW2 your party consisted of adventurers who all support each other in different ways and how you either took advantage of each person's strength's or didn't made all the difference. One game's "party" is a static determined for you; You're either out or in. The other's "party" is a coordinated effort whose output is determined not by what you are, but what you do.