Dear weapon designers, books are the most boring weapon

[Raikai]

I wonder if I'm the only one thinking like this... I love Summoners and Scholars, but it's a bit hard to stand the weapon they wield sometimes. It would be great if we could we get at least one book that looks like something else for them.

We have examples with nearly every other job of weapons that don't look like their designated type, like Monks with kettles, Black Mages with a big brush, Dragoons with a pole staff, White Mages with a scythe, Gunbreakers with a club... As long as it follows the basic shape of the job's arms.

Books, however, are probably the most boring weapon of them all, because they rarely go outside of the box. The ones that may look a bit unorthodox like the level 87 dungeon book, still look like books with pages in the end of the day.

I feel that it can be still possible to abide to the shape with different formats, like a book with a holographic display instead of paper (why the Scaevan ones aren't like this?), or a tablet with a bunch of floating crystals, given in XIV crystals can also be a repository of knowledge. I don't even think not having pages would be such a huge issue animation wise as the weapon itself is still static (as in, no actual pages flipping over).

Also a disclaimer, I'm not advocating for a complete change in the weapon design, but at least one or two cases of something different for once.

edit: I do have many ideas for books, and I am aware of the weapon contest and the fact that I could propose an idea with a submission. However, I live in a country that (after extensively reading the rules) I found out it is not eligible to participate.

[Kranel_San]

Kid books should do the work... :v
Tbh I think this is the hardest weapon to be outside its box.

[Krotoan]

There are a few "different" models out there.. but they are rare. As someone who is always on the lookout for a book weapon that's not "just a book" I do remember there are a few with kind of digital readout or panel looking pages, some with slide out extra panels as well. The japanese themed ones are pretty good too..

I've got an image in my head that there were some scroll ones but I don't remember if that was in the weapon design contest and not released yet not.

[Raikai]

Kid books should do the work... :v
Tbh I think this is the hardest weapon to be outside its box.

Yeah, it surely is... But what about a "Emperor's New Book" that might be a book with an invisible model, and when un-sheathed it actually shows some floating diagrams and runes as a SFX? Red Mages actually have that for their last Bozjan weapon with the focus... is invisible, but when the weapon is drawn it's actually a swirling rune.

[Akimori]

I vote for a coloring book

Real talk; we know that the other weapons follow the general design of the job's shape. What more can you do with a book since a book has a very specific shape?

[Raikai]

I vote for a coloring book

Real talk; we know that the other weapons follow the general design of the job's shape. What more can you do with a book since a book has a very specific shape?

- A case in the shape of a book. When opened, there are crystals that float above that
- An actual magitek or allagan tablet with full holographic display (the ones right now are kind of a mix) - as much as this will really fit a specific aesthetic
- A really tiny notepad that is barely larger than an open palm
- A book with loose pages and when opened, most of the pages get to float above
- A stone tablet with carvings

stuff like that. They all still follow the shape, and some even with pages too, but the silhouette might be really distinct.

[Kes13a]

they had a design contest recently, did you submit anything? do you have any ideas for a changed Smn or sch weapon?

[Raikai]

they had a design contest recently, did you submit anything? do you have any ideas for a changed Smn or sch weapon?

I have many, but I didn't sumbit anything because my country is not eligible to participate in any contest, which is a really bummer.

[Midareyukki]

I mean... papercuts? Sure, you won't bleed to death, but the amount of pain you'll be experiencing will likely impair your judgment and ability to fight back for a while.

Does this mean people can use comic books as weapons? Would an issue of Wolverine deal slashing damage?

[Akimori]

- A case in the shape of a book. When opened, there are crystals that float above that
- An actual magitek or allagan tablet with full holographic display (the ones right now are kind of a mix) - as much as this will really fit a specific aesthetic
- A really tiny notepad that is barely larger than an open palm
- A book with loose pages and when opened, most of the pages get to float above
- A stone tablet with carvings

stuff like that. They all still follow the shape, and some even with pages too, but the silhouette might be really distinct.

No lie. I REALLY like that first one with the crystals. That would legit be sick and would actually look nice and make more sense when summoning the fairies or the SMN pets