But it's a sword.

[Duelle]

Actually I think it is the perfect balance, your sword combo when fully enchanted does awesome damage.

I would't call gameplay skewed towards casting "perfect balance". Perfect balance would be sword skills not dealing pitiful damage on their own, the ability to combo sword skills with spells, one weakening the mob so that the other does more damage, and all of that can be done without needless yet almost forced mobility.

I actually think in the concept of FFXIV (MMO), the redMAGE is very well done

I'll say that compared to the other MMO hybrids that came before it, the job's design leaves something to be desired.