I'm really eager for another bow job.

[YukikoKurosawa]

Just do what they did with Arcanists and have Archers branch off to a second job (Ranger) with the same weapon. It will decimate the Bard population, however, as all the people only playing Bard because it's the closest thing to an actual proper bowman class will switch over.

[Rein_eon_Osborne]

I mean, sure? I was disappointed too when I realized BRD is a thing from ARC. Whataboutism-wise, I don’t mind seeing an actual Ranger. Realistically? I hope we’re not seeing anymore new jobs cause I’d rather seem them focus tinkering on what we already have and try to improve them further.

Just do what they did with Arcanists and have Archers branch off to a second job (Ranger) with the same weapon. It will decimate the Bard population, however, as all the people only playing Bard because it's the closest thing to an actual proper bowman class will switch over.

IIRC, this kind of “branching jobs” is one of the aspects in game they’ve tried to avoid repeating so I don’t see this being a possibility.

[Alacran]

I would also love a more Ranger/ Hunter Bow user, closer fitting the more traditional theme of the ranged fighter.





Though since the new world was mentioned...

The Atlatl




Though what job would feature such a weapon, i have no idea atm.

[kaynide]

I like the concept of the character Linkle in the Hyrule warriors series; essentially dual crossbows and bomb throwing..highly acrobatic. Kinda similar to Bayonetta, but not as sexy/flashy.

In FFXIV terms…. Something like a ninja with crossbows. In game i don’t know how it would translate, but in essence need to move around a lot.

Other jobs, I wouldn’t mind a rifle user, or some kinda cannoneer job. Something where you plant yourself like HW bow-mage, maybe even to the point you have to think about eating an enemy’s attack to pull off your rotation. Maybe give them some abilities to stand in the orange and take no damage, but have to time it well.

Maybe either could have some kinda dodge mechanic.

[kaynide]

Just do what they did with Arcanists and have Archers branch off to a second job (Ranger) with the same weapon. It will decimate the Bard population, however, as all the people only playing Bard because it's the closest thing to an actual proper bowman class will switch over.

Yeah, they are on record this was a mistake/vestige from 1.0 code and will not be happening again. A shame, honestly, but I get it.

[Illmaeran]

A javelin thrower would be cool, perhaps like Warden in Lord of the Rings Online. In that game, it is a tank class with a spear to poke, a shield to bash, and a javelin to throw, and Warden can traited into a ranged spec that throw javelins 24/7. Removing the tank aspect in FF14 to make a physical ranged job, I would love a javelin + shield job. The shield doesn't make it a tank class, but more like for self-protection than protecting the ally.

I loved that class! There was a guild of only Wardens named "is a Small Fellowship".

[Ultaniku]

I’m very much in the camp of a Sniper like job similar to FF tactics, but with the crossbow instead of a bow. Not necessarily a physical ranged job with a cast bar but certain abilities have a “cast” while they line up the perfect shot. Hard hitting damage.

[wylantar]

I really wish they'd lean harder into the music aesthetic for Bard. Keep all the skills the same mechanically but change them all visually. Then just add Ranger as a separate class. But on the topic of spears, Paragon from GW1 was pretty unique. It used shouts and chants to buff its allies while throwing spears.

[DPZ2]

Was there a single person who asked for Archers to turn into Bards with bows? Or who asked for Bards with bows? I don't understand who this game's version of Bard was meant to appeal to since it fails at being a traditional fantasy Bard or fulfilling the want for a bow class.

Question 1: Archers in FFXIV 1.0 use a bow. In 1.21, they added jobs -- and Bard was the job that enhanced Archers. Game developers don't usually go out and say "Hey kids! Would you like to be a wielder of bows and arrows and sing as well?"

Question 2: Bards use stringed instruments as they allow for voice and music to be played by one person. Bows are strung, and if you pluck them, they produce a note. Kinda hard to do that with a sword or lance.

Comment 1: 'Traditional fantasy bards' in Lord of the Rings Online used musical instruments, and sang, and were, in general, the worst, most embarassing class to play in the game, unless you turned the sound down.

Aside from Final Fantasy XII, there is no Archer-like class in any Final Fantasy game (not counting games outside the Final Fantasy franschise). So, no 'bow class' to play. At all. Japanese developers don't have to stick to European tropes for either archer or bard. At a guess, when they were looking for a base-class for Bards, they decided against melee weapon classes. And so, we have Bards with bows.

[StriderShinryu]

Question 1: Archers in FFXIV 1.0 use a bow. In 1.21, they added jobs -- and Bard was the job that enhanced Archers. Game developers don't usually go out and say "Hey kids! Would you like to be a wielder of bows and arrows and sing as well?"

Question 2: Bards use stringed instruments as they allow for voice and music to be played by one person. Bows are strung, and if you pluck them, they produce a note. Kinda hard to do that with a sword or lance.

Comment 1: 'Traditional fantasy bards' in Lord of the Rings Online used musical instruments, and sang, and were, in general, the worst, most embarassing class to play in the game, unless you turned the sound down.

Aside from Final Fantasy XII, there is no Archer-like class in any Final Fantasy game (not counting games outside the Final Fantasy franschise). So, no 'bow class' to play. At all. Japanese developers don't have to stick to European tropes for either archer or bard. At a guess, when they were looking for a base-class for Bards, they decided against melee weapon classes. And so, we have Bards with bows.

It's also worth noting that probably the best known bard in the FF series, Edward from FF4, could equip bows. It wasn't his standard weapon but it was one of the few weapon types he could equip.