[dev1032] Class uniqueness and Armory System

[Kimahri]

Although the idea's you are coming up with really do seem plausible, I still believe the only route to take on this matter of Job/Rank Uniqueness would be to keep it within the confines of the job. This theory still has the same flaws of making a job unique. Granted, I'm in favor of making some abilities obtainable through cross matching.

I believe the only way we'll ever reach a level of uniqueness is if most of the abilities of a certain rank stays within that rank. I'm sure you'll agree with me that certain things should never be mixed in between different ranks, for example what Alcide said: Weaponskills. Magic should also stay in their perspective groups. What is the point of having DoM if everyone can use magic? I know it's at a deducted rate, but still, no go. A spell like shock spikes should only be a spell for the enhancer/buffer rank.

Now certain things we can mingle. Now I'm not in tune with all the abilities of the ranks so I'll use old XI terms. Abilities like Berserk, Defender, Warcry, Elemental Seal, Divine Seal, etc were great traits at which you could pass along yet still keep the sanctity of the Job/Rank intact. Only this time instead of a subjob, we obtain these abilities through the ability points we receive.

[Alcide]

I believe the only way we'll ever reach a level of uniqueness is if most of the abilities of a certain rank stays within that rank. I'm sure you'll agree with me that certain things should never be mixed in between different ranks, for example what Alcide said: Weaponskills. Magic should also stay in their perspective groups. What is the point of having DoM if everyone can use magic? I know it's at a deducted rate, but still, no go. A spell like shock spikes should only be a spell for the enhancer/buffer rank.

Agree about the ranks, at first I thought it was really cool and realistic, I mean once you've learn something you don't forget it just because you changed your weapon, but some skills at low ranks can be really op (Invigorate II FTW with every class)

The spell issue I think can be addressed with a better affinity system too. Right now DoM spells performed by DoW are weaker, but still worth to be done, especially when playing solo. IMHO they should enhance the affinity system making it worthless to cast a spell by a DoW class IF they have not certain requirements (affinity+ traits, affinity+ equips, ect).

This + different affinity based on class, not on disciple, would help a lot in the class uniqueness issue, yet would keep the system open to customization.

That's basically the key flaw in the armory system. If x skill is better then y skill, and you can switch y skill for x skill at anytime. The x skill will always be preferred.

There's no experimentation because that only lasts for about 3 minutes. And then Devs get the headache to balance x and y skill in a never ending cycle.

Instant gratification formulas tend to have nasty side effects.

I think is more like "i want this buff, how can i get it? with a, b, c, d, e, f, g,... skills. Can I use them all at once? Yes. I want them all." There are way too many acc+ and atk+ buffs that are almost identical, they absolutely have to address this, cross class should be based around chosing what to equip, right now it's about equiping everything.