Update on Future UI Changes.

[Mychael]

I don't know about classes, but jobs are quite well defined in what they can and can't do.

You can feel limited and insecure or w/e you want about being told what each job's role is via a letter, but it won't change the fact that WHM isn't a tank PLD isn't a DD, MNK isn't a healer, WAR isn't a caster and DRG isn't a buffer.

I disagree with this, sadly. The point is not to be "told what each job's role is," but was (to my knowledge) to allow for macros that target T1 and T2 with cures, so you can always heal the main tank with the same button. If it doesn't work like this, then, frankly, I do think this was a pretty dumb addition. I would rather it just say the class/job in a 3-letter abbreviation, as opposed to trying to determine what role someone is playing (often correct, but not always).

CNJ was able to tank in certain situations before, though not as functionally as a GLA or MRD, and certainly not comparable to PLD or WAR. But of the cross-class abilities that allowed CNJ to have survivability to tank, WHM only loses Sanguine Rite and Decoy--Sanguine Rite is the biggest loss, but the addition of Regen could probably make up for the HP not spent curing yourself. You also gain access to Presence of Mind, which can allow for back-to-back stoneskin. WHM could still tank situationally--and like I said, the letters are, to my knowledge, for macroing purposes, and if I can't set the tank to whatever I want, it loses most of its usefulness (as I said, as opposed to simply displaying CNJ, WHM, GLA, etc. next to the names).

That aside, you make a fair point that "WAR isn't a caster," but WAR can be a tank OR a damage dealer--so what of them? Will they display as TA1? :P

[Jinko]

I disagree with this, sadly. The point is not to be "told what each job's role is," but was (to my knowledge) to allow for macros that target T1 and T2 with cures, so you can always heal the main tank with the same button. If it doesn't work like this, then, frankly, I do think this was a pretty dumb addition. I would rather it just say the class/job in a 3-letter abbreviation, as opposed to trying to determine what role someone is playing (often correct, but not always).

It could be used for easier making of a party, it tells you what you have and what you are lacking.

It could be used as I said previously as marking a role for the match making system that the content finder will use. (In WoW you assign yourself a role before entering the queue)

Lets not forget they plan to add 2nd jobs for each class so the roles could possibly change across classes, for example GLA > PLD or GLA > DRK

CNJ was able to tank in certain situations before, though not as functionally as a GLA or MRD, and certainly not comparable to PLD or WAR. But of the cross-class abilities that allowed CNJ to have survivability to tank, WHM only loses Sanguine Rite and Decoy--Sanguine Rite is the biggest loss, but the addition of Regen could probably make up for the HP not spent curing yourself. You also gain access to Presence of Mind, which can allow for back-to-back stoneskin. WHM could still tank situationally--and like I said, the letters are, to my knowledge, for macroing purposes, and if I can't set the tank to whatever I want, it loses most of its usefulness (as I said, as opposed to simply displaying CNJ, WHM, GLA, etc. next to the names).

That aside, you make a fair point that "WAR isn't a caster," but WAR can be a tank OR a damage dealer--so what of them? Will they display as TA1? :P

CNJ may be able to "stay alive" taking hate with normal monsters but they sure as hell can't tank a boss so no they aren't tanks.

[Mychael]

It could be used for easier making of a party, it tells you what you have and what you are lacking.

If this was the case, it would be far more useful to include CNJ,GLA,BLM,WAR instead of H1,T1,C1,T2.

It could be used as I said previously as marking a role for the match making system that the content finder will use. (In WoW you assign yourself a role before entering the queue)

Which means a CNJ could choose "Tank" as their role--so we're all happy, right?

Lets not forget they plan to add 2nd jobs for each class so the roles could possibly change across classes, for example GLA > PLD or GLA > DRK

Yeah, but what about jobs like WAR that *can* play multiple roles?

CNJ may be able to "stay alive" taking hate with normal monsters but they sure as hell can't tank a boss so no they aren't tanks.

If I can remember this evening, I'll get a video for you. ^^

[Jinko]

Which means a CNJ could choose "Tank" as their role--so we're all happy, right?

I didn't say you get the choice, its probably just something the system does to make things clearer, as the original dev post said its a way to make it clearer for new players.

Man I duno what the big deal is.

If you are that distressed by it make an addon to display the class/job next to the player in the party UI.

For all we know you can mouse over a player in the party UI and get a pop up box with character information.

If this was the case, it would be far more useful to include CNJ,GLA,BLM,WAR instead of H1,T1,C1,T2.

It makes no difference.

Yeah, but what about jobs like WAR that *can* play multiple roles?

Well maybe they get a choice ? (maybe they are considered T2 ?)

In WoW :-
Priest gets the choice of DD - shadow priest or Healer - Holy Priest.
Paladin gets the choice for all three
Druid gets the choice for all three
Rogue only gets DD
Warrior - DD and Tank.
and so on.

Of course IMO MRD/WAR is a broken class which should be forced into one roll or the other.

War should have been DPS with low defense.

[Mychael]

It makes no difference.

It makes a pretty large difference. Displaying the class/job is informative and always accurate (Um, a WAR is always a WAR rather they're tanking or not), wheras displaying pre-assigned "T"s or "A"s is informative but not always accurate. Having a A1 next to my main tank is not helpful in the slightest and only made things unclear to new players. If you can't remember the classes/jobs in this game and their roles in combat, there's a problem. T's, A's, etc. will only be useful if they are changeable by the party leader.

Well maybe they get a choice ?

Hello. My name is Michael and this is what I've been asking for the whole time. -_- Thanks. But in some situations, some jobs could play roles outside their "normal" role, and some normally do play multiple roles. So instead of restricting choice to MRD/WAR, why not give everyone the choice. -_-'''