Blue mage at patch 4.5

[NoctisXV]

This is what I expected, expect beastmaster to be introduced like this if that job makes the cut eventually.
On that note I don't like the look of blue mage. Look's like a 1970-80's hero that Bruce Lee played called Kato. I would rather have the middle eastern vibe with scimitars as in FFXI.

I don't like that look either and looking at the CG artwork it looks even worse for me (personal taste)

[lulunami]

[whiskeybravo]

Yeah, I have a sinking feeling BLU is going to essentially be "side content" and won't be able to be used in any group situations. I can't imagine they'd call it a limited job if it wasn't it's own thing. If it was just going to be a normal job that's capped at 50 for now, they probably would have said that - but calling it a limited job makes me think it's a completely new system.

Sounding like it's basically going to be a playable Hildebrand.

[KageTokage]

The BLU design seems inspired by the original FFV version that also had the masquerade and cape.

I really was not expecting them to retain their original method of learning skills, so I'm curious as to just how many there will be available to learn.

The fact that it's referred to as a "limited" job makes me worried that it won't actually be usable in all of the content standard jobs are, though. It would be understandable if they wanted to give players freedom to learn a huge array of monster abilities, since that would be a balancing nightmare.

[Vespar]

Just doesn't need a class requirement to unlock it. Don't confuse class (/jobs) with role (tank/heal/dps).

I wasnt confusing them. Just speculating that it could be the case. That said, it'll probably remain a DPS but be "limited" to selecting a certain amount of actions to set.

[Mikita]

Yeah, I have a sinking feeling BLU is going to essentially be "side content" and won't be able to be used in any group situations. I can't imagine they'd call it a limited job if it wasn't it's own thing. If it was just going to be a normal job that's capped at 50 for now, they probably would have said that - but calling it a limited job makes me think it's a completely new system.

I thought it was unusual that the video clip shows the Blue Mage only playing solo in a dungeon and against a primal. Usually these sneak peek videos show a party.

I'm wondering if by "limited job" they mean that it is for solo play only? i.e. for people who want to play FF14 like it is a single player RPG without dealing with DF? Just a wild guess...

[Elleia]

I thought it was unusual that the video clip shows the Blue Mage only playing solo in a dungeon and against a primal. Usually these sneak peek videos show a party.

I'm wondering if by "limited job" they mean that it is for solo play only? i.e. for people who want to play FF14 like it is a single player RPG without dealing with DF? Just a wild guess...

Potentially - they're also adding the NPC Trust system for that very purpose as well. But they said BLU will have it's own unique duties to do, so it may just be that. Hopefully we get more information tomorrow.

[Ilenya]

I thought it was unusual that the video clip shows the Blue Mage only playing solo in a dungeon and against a primal. Usually these sneak peek videos show a party.

I'm wondering if by "limited job" they mean that it is for solo play only? i.e. for people who want to play FF14 like it is a single player RPG without dealing with DF? Just a wild guess...

I don't recall the Red Mage one having a party, to be fair, but that was a simpler showcase.

[wereotter]

When they say it's "not tied to any class" - what does that mean? Do they just mean it starts as its own job like SAM/RDM did?

Correct. They appear to be trying to separate away from the class-job system of ARR and go to a job only game. We saw this as well with DRK, AST, and MCH, and that was further pushed with the removal of the cross class system in favor of cross role. Very likely we will eventually see the devs eliminate the base classes of all jobs. Probably a goal since it will make balancing SCH and SMN easier.

I don't get the point of having a job you can't really play outside of its own duty or in anything relevant.

For the time being, it's likely both a testing phase for the developers, as well as the ability to let interested players test out the job, and learn skills before the main launch of the next expansion, meaning those people who really enjoy it can have the job ready to go.

[Lufir]

I can't wait to play this! But that job gear looks terrible. I'll be glamouring that off asap. It looks like he is attending an Eternal Bonding for Merlwyb and her pack of bloody Sea Wolves. Ahoy Captain Blu!

But hoping for more important information in tomorrow's live letter. I really hope this is not just the first ever solo content only job.