when to start a new class

[gamer2075]

I'm lvl 28 and I was wondering when should I start a new job.

[Eye_Gore]

When you hit 30 you'll want to do your job class. Well you don't have to but just about everyone does. For PUG it would be Lancer to 15 to unlock monk. Then again you can do any class you want at this point.

[EveK]

The official recommendation is to get your main class to fifty first. You also get bonus XP when leveling another class based on how much level difference there is between it and your highest (meaning you get the most XP doing stuff on a second class if your first is already 50). If you're 30+ and not using the associated job with a class, though, many people will fuss at you over it. They're wrong, but it is indeed common. Ultimately, though, the answer is when you feel like it. You can freely switch back and forth. =)

[Naryoril]

The official recommendation is to get your main class to fifty first. You also get bonus XP when leveling another class based on how much level difference there is between it and your highest (meaning you get the most XP doing stuff on a second class if your first is already 50). If you're 30+ and not using the associated job with a class, though, many people will fuss at you over it. They're wrong, but it is indeed common. Ultimately, though, the answer is when you feel like it. You can freely switch back and forth. =)

Isn't it a flat 50% xp bonus as long as a different class has a higher level?

[Niwashi]

You also get bonus XP when leveling another class based on how much level difference there is between it and your highest (meaning you get the most XP doing stuff on a second class if your first is already 50).

Isn't it a flat 50% xp bonus as long as a different class has a higher level?

Yes, it's 50% regardless of how much higher your higher class is. The help window describing it says (unless they've fixed it by now - it's been a long time since I looked) that it varies according to how many levels difference there are, but people who have checked at various levels found it's always 50%. It looks like the kind of error that can happen if the devs changed their mind at some point during development - one plan got documented while the other plan got implemented.

So anyway, it really doesn't matter whether you get to 50 before or after bringing up any other classes you want to work on. Wherever you're at, one of your classes will always be the highest and all the others will get the 50% bonus. (All the other combat classes, that is. This doesn't apply to crafting/gathering classes.)

[SecretCrowds]

There is difference between class and job. Pugilist is a class. At level 30 pugilist, you can get a Monk job by levelling your sub-class Lancer to 15. Make sure you do this or face the ire of other players. To make it simple, jobs start at lvl 30 and need the main class to be 30 and sub-class lvl 15.

[CGMidlander]

There is difference between class and job. Pugilist is a class. At level 30 pugilist, you can get a Monk job by levelling your sub-class Lancer to 15. Make sure you do this or face the ire of other players. To make it simple, jobs start at lvl 30 and need the main class to be 30 and sub-class lvl 15.

While that is technically true, it's a good idea to go the extra mile and get lancer to 22 for invigorate. (More TP is essential for effective AOE, extended fights, and getting up to speed after being resurrected)
Then after you reach 50 and if you plan to start raiding, get it to 34 for blood for blood.

[Niwashi]

Anywhere between 10 and 30, pick up the secondary class that you're going to need to unlock your job (Lancer in your case for unlocking Monk) and get it to 15. Marauder is the other class you'll be able to pull cross-class skills from as a Monk, so it's also good to pick that one up and at least begin on it. In MRD's case, the majority of its cross-class-able skills can be earned in just the first 8 levels and that much is really quick and easy to get, so you may as well do it early on and have access to those skills while you continue leveling. At some point, you'll want to get Lancer the rest of the way to 34 and Marauder the rest of the way to 26, but that can wait until later if you want. I'd aim for PUG 30 / LNC 15 / MRD 8 for now.

Other classes are optional for if you want to branch out into other areas. It can be done any time you feel like, but I recommend trying out all of them for at least a little while.

[Garlyle]

By level 30, you'll want level 15 in your appropriate off-class to obtain your job. Your job is effectively a promotion, giving you access to additional tools and gear that will be extremely important and expected of you to have.

Past that, levelling up other classes is entirely up to you. However, levelling the secondary jobs that can cross-class into your job is definitely a good idea, because those cross-class skills can be very valueable. Some are definitely more mandatory than others (Monk's cross-classes are nice but not necessary; while a WHM/SCH that hasn't gotten Swiftcast is going to suffer, and a WAR without Provoke may literally be incapable of certain content), but rarely is it a bad thing to have them. Plus, you get to break and try out different playstyles, often different roles entirely.

[Anova]

Generally, DPS have a little more leeway when changing to Job. Most will start leveling a second class so they can get a job by level 35. The job gives you new damage mechanics you absolutely want to use by level 35 or 40.

For Monk, the ability to quickly retreat, initiate, and switch targets at a distance is a huge one if you're trying to keep up greased lightning after lv.35. The lv.30 ability, Rockbreaker, is sometimes used in very specific speedrun and dungeon tactics. Otherwise, it is largely ignored.

The other matter of contention are attributes. It's not a huge difference below level 40. Tanks and Healers should job change as quickly as possible simply because tank/healer job abilities and attributes are useful starting from lv.30. Most players still use their classes to level when solo until lv.35 though, especially if they have a lot of cross-class skills.

Once you reach level 50 though, you will want to start leveling your cross-classes to 30 or higher. This is mostly for secondary abilities that augment your damage, improve tankiness, or improve your support abilities. There's a number of difficulty spikes after 50 and those abilities are recommended for you to perform well and succeed.