Idea: Merit system

[Shougun]

I wouldn't want to see a merit system that affects our combat capabilities as many of the reasons people have referenced, but I do think a cosmetic merit system could be fun- especially if presented in a nostalgic way. I think it'd also be nice because we'd still have a use for EXP after cap, so for those who wanted to heavily invest on their cap job rather than "well guess I need to level something else if I don't want exp to go down the flusher".

Nostalgic way as in we could have a sphere grid, crystarium system (FFXIII, 3d sphere grid), or license board (FFXII). I think the biggest problem being how the game shares that info and allowing players a way to manage different options, as someone may want to have some cool X effect on for their Paladin but not for their Dark Knight.

Cosmetic as in we could unlock unique things for jobs specifically as well as in general.

Job specific things for example could be:

• Dragoon- unlock hyper jump mode, allowing dragoon to make great leaps in areas they've unlocked their aether currents (it activates via the mount system). Now they can have that dragoon imagery of being able to leap through the air. An upgrade variant may even give them double jump.
• Dark Knight- unlock the smokey energy effect from the Heavensward trailer that radiates off the dark knight while they're under their dark side effect
• White Mage- Unlock a holy breast plate armor
• White Mage- Their wing ability gains another set of wings and gets larger (visually)
• Black Mage- Unlock a new heavy armor reminiscent of Ex-Death / Golbez (although I would like to see this become a job concept as a "battle mage" sort of thing, but if not that then this is cool too)

Being able to change visuals and animations of things, a unique feature not really available else where. As well as goofy new abilities because why not.

Or general concepts, including class and ability goofing:

• Unlock the flying ability (mount) from the cutscenes in the main story
• Hildibrand / Godbert run mount (that supersonic dust kick up mount)
• Some side character outfits from other FF games
• Ability to place down a camp fire and stumps/seats
• Alchemist - unlocks quick brewing that creates a timed life potion (will be removed from inventory) that greatly increases out of combat regeneration and is mostly just an RP / for fun ability
• Culinarian - brew drinks and food like above, mostly just for the fun of it but also perhaps has that built in +couple % exp boost
• Radiance - occasionally very subtle god rays will illuminate you (perhaps unlocked through Paladin / White Mage but can be used on other jobs)
• DoM - Magic camp fire
• DoW - reduces fall damage
• DoW - As you run you slowly increase your run speed (resting when you stop, obviously has a cap but gets to a respectable number)
• DoM - Surf - as you run you'll hear a chime after a bit that unlocks the ability to press space once to get into a sort of glide over ground ability that increases movement speed
• DoM - passive, tap jump while falling - casts slow fall, slows falls and reduces damage
• DoM - Levitation, double tap stops falling, instant cast can be cast while falling, resets fall damage, has a short duration before it'll turn back off (can't just stand somewhere forever)

Effects that are generally open world goof off that do affect things like culinary exp boost quick food or reduced fall damage would not work in any instanced content (including pvp), I don't want any "you didn't buy x so you can't come" merit issues.

Etc.. just customization and goof off things that players can unlock because they can. Spending that otherwise lost experience. Encouraging SE to check out WoW's Toy Box as well for ideas of things players could goof around with (and other silly spells).