Quote Originally Posted by LandricFrey View Post
This counts as argument number 1:“Choice is an Illusion.” Which my counter argument is:All of those players would chose to look up a premade optimal build to enhance their experience, effectively giving them but one choice. Nothing would change for them except the fact that they have made a decision. This is more of a hardcore player issue, but already we have no choice. What this does is let people who aren't hardcore have a choice.
Giving people the choice to be mediocre is no choice at all. We'd go back to the scenario of Souleater Recast merits vs Arcane Circle Recast merits. One is actually useful, the other one is a waste of code. All you'd be doing is inviting the type of problems that are known to work with "specs" (people getting ridiculed for not going the optimal route). This is why I'd push customization in the direction of aesthetics rather than gameplay. There's plenty of ways to do it without creating even bigger problems among the playerbase.
Quote Originally Posted by Mwynn View Post
I would be happy to have a Spell Speed Mage with the Ability to have enough Movement or a Heavy Damage Dealing Mage with slowed Movement. *Does look at Nexus System from FFXIII*
Except the one that deals most damage will rule over the other.
Quote Originally Posted by Mikhaill View Post
I wish I could be either a Ice Mage or a Fire Mage....hell or even Lightning or something.
I honestly like the ice element better than fire. :/ I wish they could give us a choice but both be equal.
I'd go for somehow swapping particle effects and spell names around over changing BLM at the baseline. Granted, the job is built around it using all its elements.

XI tried what you're asking with elemental affinity merits, but that quickly became "spec into lightning or ice or GTFO".