More "Active" Healing Class

[Raldo]

Yes, yes, a thousand-times yes to the idea of an active mage class. I wish I could thumbs-up the OP more than once.

[MicahZerrshia]

XI kindda had this in the form of Scholar

played correctly sch could switch from heals to nukes, buff and debuff, spread one target spells to multiple targes and give stat bonuses. Granted there were no items uses like ppl have been suggesting but sch imo was the most active and versitile mage in xi. I think the only reason it gets the poopoo from players is because it was also one of the more complicated and gear heavy jobs, which also made it more exciting and prevented boredom from seeping in too much. I loved sch and would love to see it reappear xiv style

[Mychael]

XI kindda had this in the form of Scholar

played correctly sch could switch from heals to nukes, buff and debuff, spread one target spells to multiple targes and give stat bonuses. Granted there were no items uses like ppl have been suggesting but sch imo was the most active and versitile mage in xi. I think the only reason it gets the poopoo from players is because it was also one of the more complicated and gear heavy jobs, which also made it more exciting and prevented boredom from seeping in too much. I loved sch and would love to see it reappear xiv style

More than a "versatile" mage, what I'm after is one that can actually run into the battle and needs to use a variety of spells at the spur of the moment. I agree that Scholar could be one of the most fun classes because they used so many different skills, but in the end it was the same thing in every situation, and still from a distance. ^^; Scholar was definitely a step in the right direction.

[Estellios]

CNJ feels more like how SCH played with the new abilities and if you make the most of your skills at all times instead of sitting there and waiting to throw out cures. In the Ifrit fight I switch Cleric Stance on/off through different stages of the fights and nuke when I have time to spare, at the very least keeping the Aero bleed effect on constantly. In Spiritbond/XP parties Cleric stance is never off. Add the MP cycling with Shroud of Saints and Blissful Mind and I find myself having a lot of stuff to do in parties.

That said I wouldn't mind the electrobubble spell, as seeing it made me so pumped to play FF14 =P It could possibly be planned as the many instant debuff/cc spells that are in the works for mages for soloing and pvp purposes. A temp barrier that pushes melee away from getting in AA range for a short period of time would be pretty neat.

[Asiaine]

Presently mages are more in the role of simply 'setting a status' on someone.
Rather than affecting the environment in any other way.

The end result is perhaps the same (the person has a shield on them) but very much boring. I suppose its better than simply seeing:
Lala rolls a 34. PLD's defense increases by 17.


Now, if combat graphics looked as good as in that movie.. I might be in battle all the time!