Prohibit class/job changes inside dungeons

[HiirNoivl]

One of the largest problems with balancing FFXIV right now is the exclusions of classes/jobs in dungeons due to their lack of function to achieve speed runs.

Preventing class/job changing inside dungeons accomplishes several things including but not limited to the following:

• Prevents the exclusion of certain classes
• Increases the available balancing of classes/jobs
• Strengthens class/job identity
• Does not require everyone to level up each class/job to fill any spot
• Increases the accessibility of play for everyone (even those that have every class leveled)
• Creates more engaging and challenging content, rather than content that is simply steamrolled via class stacking
• Allows more development freedom for content creation and balancing

Switching classes during an instance appears to be one of the two primary reasons for class exclusion. The other reason are the inherent flaws built into a speed run itself.

Does this hurt the overall strength of the armory system? The answer is no. The armory system itself is a great opportunity to build characters, the problem is that the game is setup so you literally have to level every class up to not be excluded. Although the ability of switching during dungeons will be removed, the flexibility and innovation of the armory system is still present via jobs, allowing people who have multiple classes leveled up able to fit ANY spot in the dungeon, and overall increasing the ability for people to enjoy the classes that they prefer/want to play -- rather than mandating they level every single class.

My main issue with this idea is that it's trying to fix a problem that exists only in the OP's mind and not in the game.

1)This idea won't prevent the exclusion of classes/jobs from dungeons. That's a community issue. they will continue to exclude classes even if this were implemented.

2)It won't increase class/job identity. Jobs actually have done that already and the issue of identity (BLMs healing tank or MNKs tanking) doesn't really exist with the exception of the PLD/WAR relationship and that's going to be fixed by balancing the classes, not changing how dungeons are run. Which addresses the 3rd bullet.

4) No one is required to level up multiple classes or jobs. They feel peer pressure to do so, but in truth, there's no requirement out of the game itself. The Peer Pressure will remain even if this is implemented.

5) Everyone can play all the content in the game so long as their level is high enough. There is no accessibility problem.

6) Changing how dungeons are run so that no one can change class/job in instance creates 0 content. It encourages class stacking because parties lose all flexibility once they enter.

7) This is basically a rehash of bullet 3

The primary reason for class exclusion is the personal preference of players and the purpose of the party. If you don't want a class stacked speed run, don't join a party where a speed run is the goal. If you can't find said party, make your own.

[Tibian]

My main issue with this idea is that it's trying to fix a problem that exists only in the OP's mind and not in the game.

You're completely ignorant of the rest of the forum posts, especially if you cannot see the following thread: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...-and-the-Guard which has garnered 78 likes and counting to fix the rampant classism that clearly doesn't exist only in my head.

1)This idea won't prevent the exclusion of classes/jobs from dungeons. That's a community issue. they will continue to exclude classes even if this were implemented.

Sure it will, especially if the fights and dungeons are created to favorite a variety of classes to PREVENT job stacking.

2)It won't increase class/job identity. Jobs actually have done that already and the issue of identity (BLMs healing tank or MNKs tanking) doesn't really exist with the exception of the PLD/WAR relationship and that's going to be fixed by balancing the classes, not changing how dungeons are run. Which addresses the 3rd bullet.

Again, no idea what you're talking about here because classes/jobs still need a big boost to identities. Every class still works via "BUILD TP SPAM MOVE!" some classes can be better at AOE with decent solo target dps (BLM/War) while others should excel at single target DPS with marginal AOE dps (Monk/Bard). A good and well rounded group should have massive advantages over stacking a particular class.

4) No one is required to level up multiple classes or jobs. They feel peer pressure to do so, but in truth, there's no requirement out of the game itself. The Peer Pressure will remain even if this is implemented.

You're right on this one. Nobody is straight up "required" to level up. The peer pressure is simply efficiency caused by how the fights are created. This measure is a countermeasure to alleviate the pseudo-forced requirement to level up every job.

5) Everyone can play all the content in the game so long as their level is high enough. There is no accessibility problem.

Again, I agree with limitations. I've heard and read several complaints where groups do not want to take a person with only Monk, or only BLM, or only WAR to dungeons. This is pretty restrictive and cuts accessibility. If all people are doing are speed runs, it is limiting the accessibility for those that want to do the dungeons. Finding a linkshell that doesn't "exclude" people isn't also a viable option, so please don't state it in subsequent posts as a valid retort.

6) Changing how dungeons are run so that no one can change class/job in instance creates 0 content. It encourages class stacking because parties lose all flexibility once they enter.

I don't understand this because every other MMO manages to have dungeons that have a wide berth of content without multiple class/job switches during the run. It allows developers to come up with innovative fights rather than just worry about resistances and damage types.

The primary reason for class exclusion is the personal preference of players and the purpose of the party. If you don't want a class stacked speed run, don't join a party where a speed run is the goal. If you can't find said party, make your own.

Clearly ignorant of party play. People want to do speed runs. Don't punish them for having leveled up the classes they only want to play.

[HiirNoivl]

You're completely ignorant of the rest of the forum posts, especially if you cannot see the following thread: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...-and-the-Guard which has garnered 78 likes and counting to fix the rampant classism that clearly doesn't exist only in my head.

I'm not reading another thread just to respond to yours. You should be able to adequately make your own points in your own thread.

Sure it will, especially if the fights and dungeons are created to favorite a variety of classes to PREVENT job stacking.

If fights are designed to prevent job stacking people will find and use the most efficient set up more often, always.

Again, no idea what you're talking about here because classes/jobs still need a big boost to identities. Every class still works via "BUILD TP SPAM MOVE!" some classes can be better at AOE with decent solo target dps (BLM/War) while others should excel at single target DPS with marginal AOE dps (Monk/Bard). A good and well rounded group should have massive advantages over stacking a particular class.

That's your opinion and you're welcome to it. However, it's all conjecture and I happen to think it's wrong. DRG is DRG, WHM is WHM and BLM is BLM; they're segregated now. Giving them "an identity boost" (such is denying all cross class abilities) will not prevent class stacking at all, just make the game stupid hard to play. The inconvenience of being unable to switch jobs in a dungeon would pale in the absolute frustration of, say, a WHM being completely unable to cast attack spells. Fortunately, SE does not tailor content to 1 or 2 forum opinions.

You're right on this one. Nobody is straight up "required" to level up. The peer pressure is simply efficiency caused by how the fights are created. This measure is a countermeasure to alleviate the pseudo-forced requirement to level up every job.

It won't work. It will have 0 effect. People will always play the most effective part, class stacking or no.

Again, I agree with limitations. I've heard and read several complaints where groups do not want to take a person with only Monk, or only BLM, or only WAR to dungeons. This is pretty restrictive and cuts accessibility. If all people are doing are speed runs, it is limiting the accessibility for those that want to do the dungeons. Finding a linkshell that doesn't "exclude" people isn't also a viable option, so please don't state it in subsequent posts as a valid retort.

I don't know why this isn't a viable option. After all, I'm in one.

I don't understand this because every other MMO manages to have dungeons that have a wide berth of content without multiple class/job switches during the run. It allows developers to come up with innovative fights rather than just worry about resistances and damage types.

Why are you switching classes? This is a party/community issue not the dungeon problem. There's a place for every class in a party provided that you know how to play your job.

Clearly ignorant of party play. People want to do speed runs. Don't punish them for having leveled up the classes they only want to play.

Clearly, I'm not the one having any issues. If that means ignorance, it truly is bliss. Don't punish me cause I'm succeeding.