Quote Originally Posted by Renathras View Post
I disagree on WHM and floral/Aerith because it WOULD push too far on OP's rule 9 if you decided to make the identity explicitly feminine where no Job currently has a particular gendered aesthetic (though WHM probably comes closest). Not to mention we already have abilities that would do that. For example, Assize could simply upgrade to Sorcerous Storm, Divine Benison to Lustrous Shield, Aquaveil to Arcane Ward, Asylum to Planet's Protection, Misery to Soul Drain. There you go. Though I like the current animations better, and I'm not sure all of the single player FF7R animations would necessarily work with an MMO. For example, Soul Drain (I think it is) is a channeled spell. Look at how Passage of Arms and Collective Unconscious are used "optimally" and you an see why channeled spells are bad ideas at this point in FFXIV design.
I don't think Aerith's abilities are inherently any more or less feminine than anything white mage has currently. She of course is a woman, but her animations aren't overtly feminine; in fact, taking a quick look at her abilities, her animations are surprisingly quite neutral--sometimes even leaning toward what could be interpreted as ever so slightly masculine at times. The way she swings her staff is quite wide and very animated, not dainty or delicate. Several of her ability cast animations also have her stand with a more wide-spread stance. The spell effects themselves are quite vibrant and floral, but I don't think that would feel any more out-of-place than some of DNC's animations and effects.

Also, in regards to the channeling discussion, I think it's "Ray of Judgement" you're thinking off? Similarly to some of gunbreaker's animations, that could be reimagined in some fashion to work without the channel like how Blasting Zone doesn't take like 15 seconds like it does when Squall uses it in FF8, but I'd also be fine just taking some of her tools rather than doing all of them. With Part 2 coming out in the somewhat nearish future, not far off from 7.0, there might also be new options for animations to take from her.