Job Personalization: Can I Have It?

[Gilthas]

The idea isn't so much about different specs for the same role, say Dark Knight tank. But a spec where a Dark Knight turns into a DPS. Or Ninja turns into a tank.

We already have those specs, it's called equipping a different weapon to change to an actual tank or DPS. Players aren't locked into a single job in this game.

[Saggo]

We already have those specs, it's called equipping a different weapon to change to an actual tank or DPS. Players aren't locked into a single job in this game.

An advantage to specs is not requiring a person to fully level another job just to play another role. Minor, but important.

Since the obsessive compulsion (good or bad) for balance SE and a fair chunk of the playerbase has has homogenized the mechanics of each roles. You only need 3 jobs. The reason to have multiple jobs per role is playstyle flavor, which is great to have. But the kicker is that a DRK DPS flavor wouldn't be the same as a DRG, MNK, or NIN. It's more playstyle flavors if we give jobs specs (not trees).

Specs would offer true choice, would be a lot easier to balance than pure trees, and are a pretty decent idea. People cry foul with the illusion of choice, but let's not throw out the baby with the bath water.

[Gilthas]

I'd rather have an entirely new DPS job, than giving the tank or healer jobs a DPS spec.

[LandricFrey]

An advantage to specs is not requiring a person to fully level another job just to play another role. Minor, but important.

For me this is a major issue. It's all preference, I know, but for me, leveling in any MMO is the worst part of the game. I'd rather be given much fewer tasks that more directly affect my role to better learn my job than a million kill this, click that quests, then set me on my merry way hitting up more difficult content like dungeons and raids. Kind of like guildleves but tailored to each job. I know this is unrealistic as leveling is part of the time sink required to keep subs, but I can dream.