Quote Originally Posted by Renathras View Post
IF the damage output is different, it isn't an "option" anymore. It's only an option when it's functionally identical. No one wants a Stone-Aero-Water rotation that does the same exact damage and effects as a Glare-Glare-Glare rotation, but that's the only thing that would be absolutely optional.
This is false.
  • Is a party required to time everything to a two minute burst?
  • Is anyone required to meld materia to their gear?
  • Is anyone required to be in BiS gear?
  • Is anyone required to use tinctures?
  • Is a DNC required to start Standard Step before the pull?
  • Is a DNC required to pool procs, feathers, and Espirit for Technical Finish windows?
  • Is a DNC required to change their partner mid-fight to accomodate who's about to do the most damage over the next 30 seconds?
  • Is a NIN required to pre-pull Huton and Hide to reset mudra charges?
  • Is a AST required to dump three cards into a two minute burst?
  • Is a SCH required to dump six Energy Drains into a two minute burst?
  • Is a WHM required to dump lilies so that they can put Misery into a two minute burst?
  • Etc. etc.

There are a whole slew of things that affect damage output. They are most certainly optional in normal mode content, and from what (relatively little) I've seen of higher end content, they can often be rendered optional with higher ilvls and simply not dying. The content dictates what's required, not some theorycrafting of what is "optimal."


This whole thing is why I pitch the 4 Healers Model idea all the time, since it addresses this by letting players who want to have to press more DPS buttons to pick the hhealer Job(s) that have them, and those who do not want to press them to choose the healer Job(s) that do not.
And thus, the problem with your "4 Healers Model": It's 4 healers only if one desires to interact with their DPS kit in a simple way, as they can choose from all 4 healers and do so. For those who desire to interact with their DPS kit in a more complex way, they can choose only from 3 healers.