Why the class system isn't bad, feat. Ranger

[Raggnar_Rokk]

Introduction
As an old-time Final Fantasy fan, the one thing that drove me to Final Fantasy XIV from the beginning was the class system and how one class could develop into two or more jobs that utilized its base skills while bringing something new and unique to the table. The Arcanist, that could evolve into a Summoner as well as a Scholar, was the figurehead to how this system could be utilized, and with it I had very high hopes that other classes, such as Viking, Ranger and Onion Knight, could develop from Gladiator, Archer and Marauder respectively. Only time could tell what amazing things Square Enix could produce with it.

[Raggnar_Rokk]

Fast forward two years, and I find myself in a very different place regarding how I think and feel about this game. As many of you know, the development team has announced that the cross-class system is going to be removed in favour of a cross-role system, thereby removing the incentive to try out and level other classes. They've also spoken about removing the class system entirely from FFXIV, and with it, everything that once drew me to first pick up this game. To see the development of this game take this route is heartbreaking to me, and should the removal of the class system eventually happen, then I don't see myself have any reason to continue playing this game.

[Raggnar_Rokk]

Having spoken with other players about this through the chat, I've realized that while there are some who support this development in lack of any other options, there are still quite a few who share my opinion on this. With that said, it's long been overdue that I attempt to argue as to why the class system is good for this game, why removing it is an unefficient decision, and what the class system could become if handled properly.

[Raggnar_Rokk]

The issues with the current state
First off I want to adress the issues that we currently face with the class system as it is today, so that we're all on the same page regarding the development team's response towards them. For starters we have the process of levelling other classes to high levels in order to unlock essential cross-class skills. This can be a tedious process for most players, and this is something that I myself agree with 100%. Levelling a Lancer to 34 just to unlock Blood for Blood almost feels like a waste of time, which is why the development team have decided to remove this process entirely. But what if I could learn Blood for Blood from Lancer before level 15? And on that topic, what if I could learn all necessary cross-class abilities from all classes before they hit level 15? The solution to this problem is to reduce the level requirement for necessary cross-class skills - not that they should be removed from the game. You wouldn't amputate your leg just because it's broken.

[Raggnar_Rokk]

The second issue with the class system that I've heard other people mention is the problem with attribute points. In the case of Arcanist, switching job between a Scholar and a Summoner requires you to also respec your points. Fixing this is simple and can be done in one of two ways: On one hand we could have each respective job have an individual attribute point system separate from their base class, so that attributes could be allocated into Summoner and Scholar individually. My second and favourite solution, however, is that attribute systems are automatically allocated into the recommended stat for each job. So far I've never heard of a Warrior that doesn't put his points into Vitality, a Dragoon that doesn't put his points into Strength or a Black Mage that doesn't put his points into Intelligence. Because with the option to choose a stat other than your recommended one, you're only given the choice to choose wrong.

[Raggnar_Rokk]

Why the class system is good
In essence, what the class system does for the game is that it utilize one base class to enable two or more job systems as an extension of it. In its current state, each base class incorporates 17 class-specific skills into each job, after which each job incorporates 5 or 10 skills in addition to the base class. Because of this, if the base class is well-developed, the development team won't have to re-imagine 22+ skills for a single job - they only need to incorporate a selected few. From my understanding, the development team feel that creating classes with shared jobs is a huge undertaking, but my counterargument is this: What's the least time-consuming thing to do - create 22+ skills or create 5+? Or do they mean to take a 22 minute shortcut instead of walking 5 minutes?

[Raggnar_Rokk]

All in all I believe that removing the class system, as well as the cross-class system, is an undertaking that require a huge amount of time energy (and money) to remove something from the game instead of rebalancing and adding something to FFXIV. From my perspective it is an unwise decision that will alienate at least a few fans who, like me, were drawn to the job/class system.

[Raggnar_Rokk]

What the job/class system could be
Finally I want to show you all how the class system, if executed properly, could help make FFXIV even more attractive to an even broader amount of players. And in order to do so, I'll use the Archer as an example.

For a long time now I've heard some varying opinions about the Bard that basically can be boiled down into two different categories: The people who dislike having to use songs and instead favors pure bow-and-arrow ranged DPS, and the players who like the supportive role and wish that it had a greater focus. Now in its current position, the Archer/Bard can't possibly please both sides at once, but if another job was introduced that could take on one of these playstyles and utilize the Archer base class as its foundation, then the problem would be solved.

Enter the Ranger - a ranged DPS that acts as an extension of the Archer's gameplay and directly affects the overall DPS. Unlike the Bard who, with the use of party buffs, indirectly affects the overall DPS. Two jobs, two gameplay styles, one base class.

[Raggnar_Rokk]

In fact, to prove that I'm not just talking the talk, but that it's actually very easy to at least imagine a whole new skillset for a new jobclass, let me present to you three new skills that I would see implemented for a Ranger:

Weaponskill: Deadeye || Cast Time: Instant || Cooldown: GCD
Delivers an attack with a potency of 190.
Can only be executed after inflicting critical damage.
Additional Effect: Increases critical hit ratio by 5% for 15s.

Ability: Lethal Bolt || Cast Time: Instant || Cooldown: 25s
Delivers an attack with a potency of 150.
Can only be executed after inflicting critical damage.

Weaponskill: Deadshot || Cast Time: Instant || Cooldown: GCD
Delivers an attack with a potency of 170.
Can only be executed after inflicting critical damage.
Additional Effect: Damage over time with a potency of 25 for 15s.

[Iromi]

You can edit your post to bypass the character limit btw.

Also in 5.0 Yoshida said they will be considering removal of classes. I'd rather just see jobs at this point honestly. Easier for them to balance.