It's a pity there's no way to reject the advanced jobs

[TeraRamis]

And the reason I say that is because a few of the core jobs are really quite different in terms of theming, story, and even animations from their later incarnations.

The one that most comes to mind for me, at least, is rogue. Personally, I would much rather play a rogue than a ninja is pretty much any Final Fantasy setting (I'm of the belief that Locke is more compelling than Shadow or Edge, but I know there are tons of people who would go the other way). A rogue is a thief; a brigand; a social outcast who lives off their wits. By contrast, ninjas generally operate under some kind of code - their trade is heavily influenced by eastern traditions, mysticism, Bushido, etc. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the transition from a rogue to a ninja is an enormous stretch - the difference between a dirty pit fighter who gets his or her nose bloodied often, and being such an astoundingly slick warrior as to be nigh-unhittable. FFXIV reflects this transition by essentially dumping the majority of the rogue kit the moment you become a ninja - you've "outgrown" everything from abilities to animations (ninjas and rogues don't even run the same).

Another example of this is archer. Yes, archers and bards both use the bow (at least in FFXIV, they do). But, really, is becoming a minstrel a natural evolution of the traditional ranger? How does one go from slinging arrows to strumming a lute? Similarly, how about pugilist to monk? One moment, you're a brawler... the next, a mystic. I think a strong case could be made that there is as wide a gulf between a boxer and a warrior monk as this is a rogue and a ninja.

I understand the reasoning behind these evolutions - that they a) in some ways mimic the job system in Final Fantasy Tactics - where there isn't necessarily a direct line between one job and another - and b) that it used to be that there were other components to these classes that helped make the swap feel more natural (a gladiator directly becoming a paladin makes a lot more sense when you've had to actually level a healer to make it happen). And, I am by no means arguing that we should return to some formula where people have to play 3-4 jobs they have no interest in just to unlock the class they actually want to play.

But... I also think it would be really nice if rogue and ninja; archer and bard, etc., weren't necessarily lumped together in some oozing mass. I'd like to play an 80 rogue; I have no interest in playing an 80 ninja. Just because they both use daggers doesn't mean they should be considered the same thing (even FFT strongly distinguished between the two; it wasn't natural that a thief became a ninja - you could play a thief all the way to the Ultima fight) - especially now that SE has removed the justification for how you went from point A to point F.

[linayar]

I want them someday to remove classes altogether, let a new character start as any job from level 1 (no more having to level a different job to get to the new job) and then potentially reintroducing some of the old classes (like Archer) as separate jobs. Oh, and maybe separating Scholar and Summoner, although I do like the free level to complete the role quests.

[xxvaynxx]

I want them someday to remove classes altogether, let a new character start as any job from level 1 (no more having to level a different job to get to the new job) and then potentially reintroducing some of the old classes (like Archer) as separate jobs. Oh, and maybe separating Scholar and Summoner, although I do like the free level to complete the role quests.

They actually said they want to do away with the classes as its a relic of 1.0.
But they haven't yet because its pretty low on the priority list and they would have to go back and change old code and remove, and somehow make it make sense with the story class jobs. Since they'll be talking to you as if you're say. A lancer, but you're actually a dragoon.

[linayar]

They actually said they want to do away with the classes as its a relic of 1.0.
But they haven't yet because its pretty low on the priority list and they would have to go back and change old code and remove, and somehow make it make sense with the story class jobs. Since they'll be talking to you as if you're say. A lancer, but you're actually a dragoon.

Just to be clear, they can take their time. I agree that it's not something that should be a high priority, just something to consider and hopefully turn into reality in the future.

That said, I think with NG+, they have the perfect chance to do another ARR-type scenario in a future expansion post Shadowbringers where they move the timeline forward for new characters. This would allow for a new starting experience that could help with removing classes while making new job stories.

And then, unlike with 1.0 stories, people who want to experience "old starting experience" can use NG+ if they want to know some history.

[Canadane]

I want them someday to remove classes altogether, let a new character start as any job from level 1

I would much prefer to keep classes but I would enjoy starting things from level 1.
The way jobs were handled in ARR was poor in regards to SCH/SMN and that left a sour note they wanted to get away from.

But by these days, they're fine. SMN isn't exactly lacking due to SCH and vice versa. The shared attribute points a long thing of the past.
As long as we have classes, they have the option for multiple job stones.

Sadly, I doubt it'll ever happen

[linayar]

I would much prefer to keep classes but I would enjoy starting things from level 1.
The way jobs were handled in ARR was poor in regards to SCH/SMN and that left a sour note they wanted to get away from.

But by these days, they're fine. SMN isn't exactly lacking due to SCH and vice versa. The shared attribute points a long thing of the past.
As long as we have classes, they have the option for multiple job stones.

Sadly, I doubt it'll ever happen

I don't really care whether they keep classes or jobs, just as long as it's one thing all the way through from level 1 to max level.

And having multiple job stones, while neat, can also be a source of unnecessary mistakes as people forget to equip them.

And I don't mind SMN/SCH remaining tied, but it's an option if they ever revamp the job system.

[Canadane]

And having multiple job stones, while neat, can also be a source of unnecessary mistakes as people forget to equip them.

How many times has an acn showed up to raid wearing the wrong job stone?
I can't say I've seen many instances of this myself.

[Ammokkx]

How many times has an acn showed up to raid wearing the wrong job stone?
I can't say I've seen many instances of this myself.

Weirdly enough, I've seen quite a number of white mages showing up as conjurers, up to level 60 raids.

[linayar]

How many times has an acn showed up to raid wearing the wrong job stone?
I can't say I've seen many instances of this myself.

I'm talking simply about people not equipping a job stone. Just the fact that it can happen, even if probably (hopefully) on rare occasions is still a problem. Wearing the "wrong" job stone is probably even rarer in the case of ACN because it changes your role.

[Roda]

I want them someday to remove classes altogether, let a new character start as any job from level 1 (no more having to level a different job to get to the new job) and then potentially reintroducing some of the old classes (like Archer) as separate jobs. Oh, and maybe separating Scholar and Summoner, although I do like the free level to complete the role quests.

I mean for some classes the current system works better for their story and progression (CNJ -> WHM, THM -> BLM, LNC -> DRG) and I'd hate to see those stories get retconned away. :T (plus, a lvl 1 whm, blm, or drg just wouldn't make sense)