Suggestion: Merit Points

[DoctorPepper]

Merits are generally something added to MMOs when the level cap is never going to be raised but want to keep some sort of progression. I think it is probably a little early. And they have been pretty clear about vertical progression at this point as well.

There are definite exceptions to this however, Rift for example, added their system and then raised the level cap a afterwards. You ended up earning 2 types of exp after a certain level but it still worked great because of the large amount you needed to get small boosts.

[Altanas]

I would love a merit system ala FF11 once at level cap.

I would also love a materia system ala FF7 with actual skills/traits rather than pure stat boosts.

I would also love a junction system ala FF8.. because it was cool

[Duelle]

Keeping with the idea of merits implemented in a way that is RP-friendly/cosmetic, here's a couple of suggestions for some jobs:

White Mage

General (Cosmetic)
Medium Armor - Allows medium armor (mail-type armor) to be glamoured on to your equipment.
Heavy Armor - Allows heavy armor (plate-type armor) to be glamoured on to your equipment.
Working Clothes - Allows DoL-specific gear to be glamoured on to your equipment.
Manufacturing Attire - Allows DoH-specific gear to be glamoured on to your equipment.
The Padjal 'fro - Allows access to an afro with padjal horns coming out of it via the aesthetician.

Category 1 (Effects)
Graniteskin - Replaces the animation of Stoneskin with a stone wall that rises from the ground (essentially how it looked in 1.0)
Watery Cure - Replaces the cure particle effects with water effects
Boulders - Replaces the effect of your stone spells with boulders.
Afterglow - Critical heals cause the recipient to glow for 5 seconds.

Category 2 (Abilities)
Divine Aura - You grow glowing angel wings and a halo. Effect ends upon reuse.
Float - 2.5 second cast. Allows target to float for 20 seconds. Slows falling speed. Can only be used out of combat. Taking damage or attacking an enemy cancels the effect.
Call Elemental - Summons a non-combat minion that follows the White Mage (minion uses the old model for elementals seen in 1.0)
Pearlescent Ward - Channeled effect. Creates a glowing mark at your feet with the WHM symbol for 10 seconds.

Paladin

General (Cosmetic)
Armor Mastery - Allows "of Striking/Scouting/Maiming/Aiming" armor to be glamoured on to your equipment.
Robe Mastery - Allows "of Healing/Casting" robes to be glamoured on to your equipment.
Working Clothes - Allows DoL-specific gear to be glamoured on to your equipment.
Manufacturing Attire - Allows DoH-specific gear to be glamoured on to your equipment.
The Eye Shield - Allows access to a hairstyle long in the front that covers your eyes via the aesthetician.

Category 1 (Effects)
Spiritual Cover - Replaces the tether from cover with an etherial version of you.
Mercy Sword - Replaces the axe effect with a sword when Mercy Stroke is used.
Big Bulwark - Using Bulwark causes your shield to grow for the duration of the effect.
Blessed Halone - Using Rage of Halone causes the spirit of Halone to assist your attack (you get a giant Halone that pops up behind you like a Stand and does Rage of Halone with you)

Category 2 (Abilities)
Shining Armor - Your armor gains a soft glow for 60 seconds.
Defensive Advance - You raise your shield and keep it up while moving. Effect ends upon reuse. Effect ends upon entering combat.
Mounted Swing - Swing your sword while riding most mounts. 2.5 second cooldown.
Honor of the Sultansworn - Channeled effect. Kneel to create a glowing mark at your feet with the PLD symbol for 10 seconds.

Monk

General (Cosmetic)
Medium Armor - Allows medium armor (mail-type armor) to be glamoured on to your equipment.
Heavy Armor - Allows heavy armor (plate-type armor) to be glamoured on to your equipment.
Working Clothes - Allows DoL-specific gear to be glamoured on to your equipment.
Manufacturing Attire - Allows DoH-specific gear to be glamoured on to your equipment.
The Ascetic - Allows access to a hairstyle resembling monks of old via the aesthetician.

Category 1 (Effects)
Flying Kick - Replaces Shoulder Tackle with Flying Kick. Same effect, different animation.
Aspected Fists - Your fists glow with a specific effect when using Adamantoise Stance/Gale Stance/Vajra Stance (AKA First of Earth, Fists of Wind, Fists of Fire)
Mercy Fist - Replaces the axe effect with a fist when Mercy Stroke is used.
Power Aura - Chakra stacks cause you to radiate a power aura that gets brighter with higher stacks.

Category 2 (Abilities)
Kata - Channeled ability. Perform a series of martial arts moves over 10 seconds.
Chakra Flight - Allows you to fly without the need of a mount in areas where you've discovered all aether currents. Taking damage removes the effect.
Breaking Point - Touch the ground with a single finger, kicking up stones and dust in front of you (yes, I know that the Bakusai Tenketsu doesn't work like this, but I couldn't think of a new ability).

[justinjarjar]

snip

some good Effects ideas, not sure I like the mixing of armor types, but that is just me. Also we have skill bloat now anymore beyond cosmetic which you mainly had (cool RP stuff ) I like the idea of merit giving you new shiny stuff and not game changing, I would grind for them.

[WingsOfAzrael]

interesting idea but i don't think it will happen

[Twilite]

No thanks..

[Duelle]

some good Effects ideas, not sure I like the mixing of armor types, but that is just me. Also we have skill bloat now anymore beyond cosmetic which you mainly had (cool RP stuff ) I like the idea of merit giving you new shiny stuff and not game changing, I would grind for them.

Well, the way they're going with gear post-50 makes me worry for the glamour system. More choices are always welcome across all classes, and my suggestion also deals with the glamour limitations on WHM/BLM/SCH/SMN. This goes without saying, but the scions and numerous NPCs repeatedly broke the gear limitations, and we should be allowed to do the same.

It would also give people an incentive to participate in merits, since I'm sure some people want either more glamour options or something different. Sucks that certain jobs have nifty boot options, for example, while I as a PLD am stuck with greaves and nothing but greaves. And I say that as someone who glamoured thighboots all through ARR.

[StrejdaTom]

They don't have to increase the level cap every expansion.
If they added skills on 60 plus this merit system, we would still have to exp, but it would be different.

[Kalien]

Instead of merits they should just utilize the systems they have in place and add materia slots to dropped gear. That would also serve to breathe life into crafted gear market.

[Cakekizy]

I would like something similar to AA from EQ where you could get every single advancement without any limits.