Suggestion: EXP Linking System

[Kou-Healer]

Hello! It's my first time actually posting a discussion(?) on the official forums, so please bear with me if there are any major flaws.

This suggestion came into my head when mulling over the amount of battle jobs FFXIV currently has, the game will get with the release of ShB, and the game's future expansions that have the possibility of implementing new jobs. As of patch 4.58, there are a total of 16 battle jobs, 15 of which are standard jobs and the other 1 being a limited job (BLU). ShB's release bring the highly anticipated GUN and DNC jobs and Viera, both of which are standard jobs and bring the total to 18 battle jobs.

Now, leveling or playing multiple jobs isn't something that is "required" of players, but the option of leveling other jobs opens up more content to do in the game for players who choose to level. For instance, dungeons that may have been run through once for the clear or aether current can be done again for the sake of leveling. However, if FFXIV gets to a point where there are "a lot" of jobs to get to the maximum level of the latest expansion. "A lot" is subjective, but in this case I would like to "define" it as each job category (tank/healer/melee/range/caster) having 5+ in each category, where the total amount of standard jobs would be greater than or equal to 25.

This is a case, then, where an EXP linking system could be beneficiary to players. The system would work where you could link a job in the same category as the one you plan on leveling, and any form of EXP, regardless of if it's through dungeoning or HoH/PotD, would be given to both jobs at the same time. (Cont.)

[Kou-Healer]

These are some of the parameters along with explanations for the system:

• The 2 jobs that are linked must be from the same category (tank/heal/melee/range/caster)

This is set so people don't take advantage of leveling jobs of different categories to take them into content where they cannot do the basic function of the job and thus hindering the rest of the party. Although people generally do not learn the specifics of their job until they hit the level cap, they do learn the basics of what their job category does and how it performs. You learn how to pick up aggro, when to cast heals, how to do minimal movement, and how to slidecast from dungeons so that you may use these skills when you do other content. Still a big ol' RIP for DPS queues but that's why SCH/SMN is the best 'cause you get 2/3 of the holy trinity :^)

• The EXP multiplier when 2 jobs are linked are 0.75x the EXP you normally would get

Having the multiplier be set to 0.5x would be something that isn't worthwhile imo. The only case really I can see it be worthwhile is if you are leveling a job you really don't want to actually level, but want to have at level cap just for the sake of having it there. Having it be less than 1x EXP—aka, what the normal amount is— would make the system not as OP or as easily taken advantage of.

• The 2 jobs that are linked do not have to be at the same level

It would be pretty annoying if it was a requirement for the jobs to be at the same level, and heck with the same amount of EXP in the bar. It should be possible to link a level 75 melee job to even a level 1 melee job.

• The amount of EXP the linked jobs will obtain will be "synced" according to the content's worth

Similarly to how HoH/PotD function where you get a set amount of EXP based on your level, the two jobs will get reasonable amount of EXP in order to prevent a case of power leveling. For example, if a player links their level 63 DNC to their level 51 MCH and kills mobs in Shisui that are worth 30,000 EXP for an unlinked job, the DNC would receive 22,500 EXP while the MCH would receive 3,750 EXP (assuming that the maximum EXP a MCH can receive from a dungeon mob is 5,000 EXP). I don't have technical numbers to go off on and talk about the maximum amount of EXP at certain levels players can attain from dungeon mobs, but hopefully my point came across. T_T

• The function can be toggled

The jobs!!! Don't have to be binded until you hit level cap!!! You're okay!!
Seriously speaking though, it should be at the player's discretion on which job in the same category should be leveled, or if they want to switch what is the main linked job and what is—for the lack of better words—the leech linked job. LOL

[Kou-Healer]

Ultimately, what this system offers is a relief to players who may not have as much time as others to play but still want to level things, or to players who want to cut out a (hopefully) reasonable amount of time from leveling to focus on other content. Any thoughts or suggestions to refine the suggestion (lol) is welcome, and if you think if it's a good idea or not!

(Also I'm really bad at replying or even looking at the OF in the first place, so I apologize in advance if it takes a while for me to respond if ever but I'll make an effort to check!)

EDIT: I also understand that this function may not be something that is easily (if at all) implemented, but in a hypothetical world where all goes right when it comes to system updates, is this something that can be considered reasonable and alluring to players (both old and new) to make up for any possible amount of time someone might unsub for from the game?

[Caitlinzulu]

Just no.
Result would be getting max level classes for players that never even played the class once. Its bad enough with people doing heaven on high leveling where you dont need even a basic rotation but this would be infinitely worse.
Want to level a class, just play the class