One-handed and Two-handed weapon variations for each class?

[Endemerrin]

I guess this is just something that has irked me for awhile, and figured I'd make a post to see what the general consensus was amongst the community these days. It's been brought up in various forms of the past two years, but I'd like to stir up the conversation again. I know since the start I personally have never really been fond of the one weapon -> one class concept. I like variation in itemization, and pigeon-holing classes into one specific weapon type kind of destroys a huge part of that.

Anyways, the point of this thread isn't to gripe about the armory system (seeing as that's more or less rooted in place it seems), rather the lack of expansion upon it that could be completely acceptable given the nature of the system.

I'm talking about one-handed and Two-handed variations of each weapon type. We even see this in-game already, in the form of Wands and Staffs for Conjurers and Thaumaturges. However, every other class lacks that form of variation. Would it be to much to ask that weapons for each class be expanded upon? For example...

One-handed axes for Marauders/Warriors.
Bo Staffs for Pugilists/Monks.
One-handed Crossbows for Archers/Bards.
One-handed spears for Lancers/Dragoons.
Two-handed Swords for Gladiators/Paladins.

Just adding one extra weapon type for each class opens up whole new doors of variability for each class. Itemization obviously could tailor to specific play styles depending upon the weapon in question. Whether it's a "fast" weapon with stats to complement it, or a heavy hitting slower weapon with stats to reflect that nature. This could even bring dual-wielding into play, which has been mentioned by the dev team in the past.

What are your thoughts on expanding on the armory system to incorporate a variety of weapon-types for each specific class/weapons?

[Wolfie]

I like this idea, and imo future jobs can be built off these weapon variants.

[Rau]

This could explode into new jobs.

Lance/shield = Templar
Dual sword = Ninja
2 handed sword = Dark Knight
etc

[Lienn]

I suggested a somewhat similar thing a while ago...but was having jobs equipable at any class it can use actions if it has the right weapon.

Example:

WAR can equip MRD, GLA and PLG actions...So if you have your MRD with 2-handed axe, GLA with 2-handed sword or PGL with hooks you can equip WAR on that class (it would keep the base class actions plus the WAR and crossclass actions).

PLD can equip MRD, GLA and CNJ actions so a MRD with 1-handed axe, a GLA with 1-handed sword or a CNJ with 1-handed club being able to equip PLD on that class.

This would add way more flexibility to classes AND jobs, allowing them to really become role specific. Who never thought WAR would rocks with Fists of Earth or that PLD could work welll with curaga and CNJ elemental nukes?

Of course my suggestion to them was way more detailed than this, but this is enough for you guys to understand the idea.

Pretty much would be an 1-handed axe that requires MRD PLD instead of MRD WAR, hooks that are PGL WAR, poles that are LNC MNK, etc. This way jobs could really be balanced in a way of becoming a role on top of a class. If the class equip PLD it is expected for it to tank...if it equip WHM it is expect to heal, etc.