[Suggestion] Cross-Class Traits

[Aldarin]

So when the current versions of classes were implemented, I was somewhat sad. The game lost a lot of the sandbox feel on classes. However, I did understand why it was done at the time, and did enjoy most of the changes.

Now that Jobs have been implemented, I think that it leaves a bit more room for the sandbox feeling with classes, so here are a couple of suggestions I feel would benifit the game.

1) Add cross-class traits. (At levels 15, 25, 35, and 45)
-this allows the players on classes to gain some traits of the other classes. This would also allow room for possible implementation of traits like Dual-Wield, which would be limited to a single class with the current system.
-Allows more cross-class specialization, and synergies.

2) Add Job Traits (2 traits, gotten from quests)
-Similar to cross-class actions, where job actions replace half of them, changing to a job could limit cross-class traits to half as well. This means you would have 2 cross-class traits from the limited classes for that job, as well as 2 traits specific to that Job.
-This allows for an easy method of adding traits to jobs, as well as giving more freedom to players

3) Open up some of the class restricted actions to everyone.
This gives player the freedom to build the character they want on the class they want. I'm not advocating for all of the actions to be open to everyone, but there are some that I feel should be accessible to all classes.
-Gladiator: Shields actions should be available on all classes that can wield a shield
-Marauder: Rampage and Berserk should be available on all DOW classes
-Pugalist: Elemental Fists (Earth, Fire) (I was so happy when these we're implemented, but then saddened because they were Pugalist only)
-Lancer: Power Surge, Life Surge
-Archer: Shadowbind

I'm sure there are more that would make sense, but these are the ones that I came up with at a glance.
In FFXI, many of these actions could be gotten through subjobs, which fufilled the same diversification function as cross class skills in FFXIV. I think that this game could use a bit more of the cross-class feeling, as the system is set up to do it better than FFXI, but it currently feels More restrictive in terms of character concept.

4) Opening Up jobs to both classes used in the requirements
-Creates some more versatility, players could go Gladiator/Paladin for more defense, Or Conjurer/Paladin for a more healer-ish paladin.
-And yes, monks totally used staffs, so there is no issue with a spear-wielding monk, it's just not as mainstream.
-The only issue is that it would not work with the way combo actions are set up now, where combos for job actions come from the single base class actions (Though exceptions could be put into the system, as those actions could be put on the bar through cross-class skills)


Read, Review, Suggestions and Commentary Welcome.
Flamers and Trolls will be ignored.

[Xianghua]

1. I don't really think would work because it Takes us back to the original system traits are what make the main classes actions better then others.

2. Job Traits will most likely come with time.

3. Same as 1 Class restriction is what makes the jobs unique.

4. More jobs will come as the game progresses this is just the beginning

Sounds like you mainly want to take away what makes the classes unique and gives them an advantage in different situations

[Rydin]

I agree with Xian... class traits were made for the sole purpose of differentiating the classes

[Aldarin]

1. I don't really think would work because it Takes us back to the original system traits are what make the main classes actions better then others.

2. Job Traits will most likely come with time.

3. Same as 1 Class restriction is what makes the jobs unique.

4. More jobs will come as the game progresses this is just the beginning

Sounds like you mainly want to take away what makes the classes unique and gives them an advantage in different situations

No, I am not proposing to go back to the original system.
Currently each class has 11 traits, adding 4 cross-class traits would not allow them to take over the realm of another class. Combining that with the current restrictions on upper level spells and the inability to do cross-class combos, there is absolutely no way that this suggestion would destroy class uniqueness. What it does do is help players who want to create their own character concept, as well as those who enjoyed the flexibility of the original system.

It can also be noted that I am NOT advocating for cross-class combos, as I believe that that would be a huge hit to class distinction. I am advocating for the freedom of some skills that I do not believe should be unique to a specific class.

A player on a gladiator, using fists of fire, would still have an entirely different setup from a pugalist using fists of fire, as all of the individual weapon skills would be specific to the classes, as would be the attack range of the characters. What that would allow though, is something roughly like a mystic knight, a elemental sword wielding character.

Thus I believe freeing up SOME (not all) of the currently restricted abilities, and letting players have a few cross-class traits (3 or 4 out of 14 or 15 total) would not kill class distinction, but instead allow players more freedom. Party play would still have the same restrictive characteristic on players as current due to the implementation of Jobs.

The point of the Job Traits was to keep job transition in line with the current transition on actions.
10 cross-class actions ----> 5 restricted cross class actions + 5 job actions
4 cross-class traits -------> 2 restricted cross class traits + 2 job traits

[Aldarin]

After playing more of the new patch, I realized that the aforementioned suggestion does not correct many of the issues I see in the current version of the game. A more comprehensive suggestion for game reform is here: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...567#post595567

[Threads]

What Yoshi has done is introduce something akin to the different specs in WoW or any other western MMO. Now you can have a Paladin healer spec or a DD spec. The other classes also have a choice between two different specs. To me it makes good sense. I think you'll see more abilities and maybe a third spec to choose from in the future but SE made the right move here.