Machinist Lore? Need mana?

[CrimsonDark]

MCH skills need (lore-wise) my own mana? or MCH aetherotransformer convert mana from environment around?

MCH weapon is same than Garlean weapons?

I wonder how strong mch is compared to other jobs (lore-wise)

[Anonymoose]

The aetherotransformer (contraption at your waist) draws from your own aether and aspects it towards lightning, focused by the Soul of the Machinist (job crystal). Why not use environmental aether? Artificial limitations to resonate better with game mechanics and not overpower you? Perhaps to standardize and streamline the process and reduce the risk of malfunction.

Anyroad, the firearms are all over the place. They're like Swiss Army Guns. If I remember right, there are references traditional bullets (firesand propulsion, I assume), there are references to coil gun mechanics (eletromagnetic propulsion via the aetherotransformer), grenades, flamethrowers. Seven hells, the turret has a laser beam.

It's based on but distinct from Garlean technology in that it's a melting pot. There's Garlean Magitek involved, there's traditional Eorzean/Sharlayan aetherology involved, there's Ishgardian craftsmanship holding it all together, and so on.