Idea: Why not make a solo version of every class?

[Hyren575]

But now we have Blue Mage. This is a class that has been stated directly to be largly focused on solo play. To top it off it uses a way of getting, using, and acquiring skills that is radically different from anything else in the game. That's when it hit me. Blue Mage can be so unique and different because it doesn't have to be balanced against other content. It only has to be balanced against ITSELF. If it wants to have unique solo gear, crazy new skills, an elemental weakness system, or whatever else there is no problem in doing so because instead of having to focus on how this class works in a group you are instead only required to be concerned if it works in it's own solo sphere of influence.

Think about it. We already have seperate PVP actions for classes. Why not implement a "Solo mode" for each class. I'm not suggesting a one size fits all solution. Why not give each class a unique method of acquiring or using skills. New and interesting mechanics based around solo play. Heck, bring in skill trees, passive abilities, or SUBCLASSING. Give them unique gear that has game changing effects. Go nuts! The only caveat is you're playing in solo mode. You're not effecting the balance of the entire game, you're only concerned about how Red Mage or Warrior in solo mode works against itself. Pick your favorite class, do the content you want, feel like you're making meaningful choices in your character planning. All without removing the current aspects of the game other people enjoy.

By splitting these two things up you no longer are required to shackle one aspect of gameplay to the other. People who want unique classes and meaingful builds can do so. People who want to chase the next level of gear with other people can do so. Someone who wants to play solo will be able to while someone who wants to be in a group can do the same. All without fundamentally removing or changing any built in mechanics.

Realistically I don't actually expect much. I'm excited about this idea but I don't imagine it will ever be a reality. Still, I'm sharing it here. Blue Mage opened the doors to this concept. I started thinking "Blue Mage is interesting, but what if I want to have a good solo experience with... red mage?" What if someone isn't interested in blue mage? What if someone wants to use their favorite class solo in a unique way? It's a nice idea, if nothing else. It wouldn't even have to be all at once. Every major patch could add one or two new classes to the solo mode pool until eventually you have the whole stable available. Let people play the whole game solo this way if they want.

All that would really matter is making each one unique, give them meaningful character options, and try to give any solo mode the same feeling of building your character as you'd get from, well... a Final Fantasy game.

Edit: I just wanted to add that I'm not suggesting any "Solo Mode" be a seperate character or instance from the game at large. I mean it more in the way that PVP and standard gameplay actions are combined on one character but tracked and used seperately depending on whether you are in a PVP zone or not. Perhaps you would equip a class stone or gear listed as solo only, activating solo mode which has its stats tracked seperately from the base class. You'd still be in the same game world as everyone else but would simply be using a seperate solo set of actions and mechanics while you are using such solo specific gear. However you do it the point is that you would not be isolated from the MMO world at large you would simply be using a different set of actions and restricted to solo mode content until you choose to switch back.