Beastmaster Class

[GunsBlazing]

I didn't get to play much of XI but I'm presuming it worked a lot like Rangers/Hunters work in most MMO's?

Not at all. First of all, in WoW, even as beastmaster spec, the hunter did a lot of the DPS. In FFXI, the beastmaster did some dps, usually with dual axes, sometimes swords or scythes, but the pet was the majority of the damage. You didn't have pets like the hunter did, either, that were permanently your own. You could use a skill called charm on nearly any "beast" type mob (basically, animals) in the field, and then use it to fight with. It used all its attacks, and it was the same strength as the mob was normally. You could also use "jugs" to lure in a familiar for a while. These were useful for a lot of things, but they weren't as strong as tamed pets. Charm wears off with time, and when it does so, the mob attacks you. It was an amazing solo class, and very interesting to play.