I can't agree with RNG out pulling a THF for 3 reasons.
1) if the RNG lands a crit it on the pull it's not a guarntee that the tank would be able to get the mob off the RNG.
2) RNG has one of the lowest eva and defence stats in the game which means you have to relay on /NIN and it's not the best (not the worst either) sub for RNG, also /NIN only gives 3 shadows this is a problem on long pulls cos once the're gone you don't have the defence to take the hits. THF on the other hand has the higest eva, so even if the mob you pulled takes your shadows you will most likley evade most attacks.
You're right tho if I wanted to play crap I would be playing Rift or WoW, but I wanna play something good and FFXI was really good for its time.

3) Cost, THF's throwing weapon is re-useable RNG cost a bomb.
RNG is a very high dmg DD and thats what it should be use for in a pt, i had RNG THF and COR all @ 90 and my choice for pulling would be THF or COR depending on pt. BRD also works very well but i never lvl'd it past 37.
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/D...Fantasy_III%29