[dev1033] Another approach to the Class / Armoury System debate

[Dyvid]

I think we are going about this all wrong. We are trying to force the seven current jobs into "classic" FF icons without giving much thought on the actual Armoury System.

I would like to keep the Armoury System as a foundation and then build upon it instead of trying to reinvent it.

1) The need to make Class unique without using what other MMO's have done. Well that's easy. Final Fantasy has a long history of unique character development from Materia to Paradigms. Why should FFXIV be any different? Sadly to do this I think we might have to get rid of Physical Level.

I would say a spider web type grid where you start in the center. Every level you get X amount of points to spend which ever path thru the spider web you choose gaining everything from Stats to abilities and even more hp/mp along the way. This should allow player to develop their own personal class and make them as unique to them.

But we can't forget about the Armoury System though. Once you learn an spells/ability/trait from the Web Grid you'll be able to apply that to any class if it isn't a class specific. Having said that we do need to have the more defining action be class specific as well as Weapon Skills. Otherwise we blur the line of class distinction.

2. Class milestones and how they relate too FF Iconic Jobs. The goal in character develop is terms of FF MMO is become that Iconic Job like Paladin, Black Mage, or Summoner. Well we can do this by focusing on armor instead of talents.

When you hit class milestone level you get rewarded with Iconic Armor that have stats tailored toward that Iconic Class. Let's say you want to make your Conjurer into a Black Mage. Well the Black Mage Armor is going have stat boost that focus on offensive magic rather than defense as well as having abilities that are available only when wearing that armor.

Also let's not forget the Titles that come with it. When you gather all armor piece you unlock the Icon Title you can place over you character telling the world that you are a White Mage.

[Dyvid]

Key Points:

1) Removal of Physical Level

2) a Final Fantasy type grid that not only increase hp/mp and stats but also where you gain abilities/traits/spells.

2) Using armor to define your role into Iconic FF jobs like Thief, Paladin, Black Mage.

[Kimahri]

I don't think this applies anything at all to an MMO based character system. Maybe something along the lines as they did in Final Fantasy X, but don't see this working at all. It's good you're suggesting something, though. God knows all I see now is idiots posting about jump......

[Celtodeno]

I like the armory system too. I am not sure that what is missing from the game is more defined classes as much as more alluring goals and reasons to party up.

[Kurokikaze]

Call it what you will; thats still a talent tree in concept. Paradigms, Sphere Grid, License Board, Talent Trees, are ALL the same thing with different names and GUIs.

[Kimahri]

Call it what you will; thats still a talent tree in concept. Paradigms, Sphere Grid, License Board, Talent Trees, are ALL the same thing with different names and GUIs.

Agreed. It just seems like it belongs to the old RPG's of Final Fantasy.

[Dyvid]

Well if you think about Talent Tree a based in the same principle that FF started. You are given points to move around a grid expanding stats and gaining abilities. Think about it, "adds 1% armor" "increase hit rate by 2%", these are nothing more that stat bonuses. I'm just saying we keep it in tune with Final Fantasy and give player more versatile ways to customize there characters.

[Kurokikaze]

Talent trees are from old MUDs and D&D. FF is inspired by D&D.

I agree with that. I'm not very creative when it comes to coming up with abilities or enhancements and where to put them but I'm very good at spotting a potential exploit.

Currently stuck coming up with stats/traits/abilities to fill up this: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...kaze01/wip.png

Can't even come up with a cooldown for Dark Knights. Was going to put Blood Weapon but I remember how that went. lol

[Dyvid]

I think we have kinda of the same approach Kuro, just different ways to go about it. We are using a grid system to have character development. Where as you are using the table to create FF Iconic Classes I'm using Armor.

[Lamhirh]

Well i would say the think armory system needs now, is ablity to save skill sets. I know we can use macro for that, but at this moment i need 2 separate macroes to 'fit' my skills i use for my archer, not to mention it takes alot of time to switch. All we need is 'save' button, popup window so we can get the set a name, and drop down menu to select the build. And with that we can get pre-set classic job skill sets