Duelle, this talk of "next to nothing" talk is hyperbole and you know it. Having something not meet your exact expectation and being disappointing in it is your entitlement - the warping of the facts is not.

Red Mage did not exist in this game. It did not HAVE to exist in this game. The fact that it does at all is a testimate to fan demand. This has already been outright said by Yoshida on multiple occasions.

Sorry, but your expectations (and the expectations of those you claim back you up) were out of line. Red Mage has never been a Melee DPS. Mystic Knight/Sorcerer fit those by being front-line casters. Red Mage was always the hybrid who leaned caster more than melee, but often could benefit their melee from their casting.

What we got just that. That's not nothing. That's something; Something potentially great. I'm sorry you're disappointed in it but just because you don't agree with the course something takes does not amount it to 'nothing'. That's a very selfish perspective, and insulting to the work done here.

And... if nothing else. Take this little gem into consideration - A Red Mage's Mana Management hasn't been fully explained yet. Even so, with the new Mana Shift Role ability, it could very well become a reality when a Red Mage gets the privilege of receiving Mana from a Black Mage and Summoner - which for me is a bit of poetic justice for all those years being spent as a Mana battery.

It's time to hang up the worries and give the job a spin for yourself - see if its playstyle is something you can enjoy first hand. If not, ceste la ve.