What if jobs and classes had specializations

[Awha]

I like the idea on paper, but SE has a hard time balancing the what we already have, if they added one more role to each job that would make it even harder for them to balance game. On a side note a lot of people really did not like the idea of Ninja tank in FFXI, when I use to play FFXI I never really noticed the hate was the hate most from an end game PoV? I never really dove much into endgame in FFXI. Reason I ask was because my main was Nin and evasion tanking was one of my better mmo experiences in terms of enjoyment, and I do not recall ever getting much flank for it at the time.

[ArcaneCarbuncle]

I don't see much of a point in adding specializations to something that is already pretty much a specialization.
Specs are usually used as a way to diversify whatever class was chosen in the beginning by adding different playstyles to it. Most games also allow to switch between spec to further that diversification.
This process is entirely unnecessary in this game, as you can freely switch between any jobs (or specs), regardless of what was chosen in the beginning. Any further specialization would be merely for flavour, and at that point, wouldn't it be more 'flavourful' to make a completely new job instead of something that merely bounces off of a job that already exists?

I see it this way: Rather then picking a class in the beginning and later on a spec, you skip the class and go right to choosing your spec.
Or: Every character basically shares the same, unseen, base class, with currently 26 specs to choose and freely switch between.
I know we technically do have classes but since they directly evolve into their jobs without a significant change in playstyle they are not really worth mentioning. The only class that does split into 2 different Jobs or 'specs' would be arcanist, and I'm pretty sure the devs are on record saying they don't really like that and would sooner split the completely then do it again.

Tl;dr: Jobs already are pretty much specs and adding specs to specs is unnecessary and convoluted, imo. (I hope people understand what I'm trying to say, I can't seem to english today :/ )

[Pastahnak]

I really wish they'd have made more classes branch like Arc, but instead of (for some reason) letting you lvl both from just playing one they had that stop at lvl 50. Slightly different weapons from the base class and both jobs would have the same basics but much different ways of using them. But they don't like the 2 for 1 (and classes in general) so it's all about totally new weapons for new jobs.

[Kazrah]

To understand just how opposed to this SE is, they're not just saying "no" to making the job system more complicated, but they'll be making it simpler by ultimately removing base classes.

[CainCrimson]

as an example...

Ninja equipping a parrying blade in off hand to be able to tank role like in FFXI

Dark knight using Scythes for DPS role like in FFXI

Paladin Dual wield for dps role

Bard healer ?

Everyone is telling you it can't happen and why in explicit detail.
I say be all you can be! dream little flower! dream!