Pictomancer is absurd

[Carin-Eri]

Honestly? I mean, I'm not sure I understand how the concept of Pictomancer is "absurd" when you think about some of the other jobs in context? I mean....

- Bard: sing songs to buff allies/debuff enemies
- Dancer: Dance at your enemies to buff allies
- Reaper (already referred to): Be an edgelord at your enemies
- Dark Knight: Look at my massive sword OF eDgElOrDnEsS. LOOK AT IT!
- Astrologian: D-d-d-duel!

Well, you get my point.

[Bonoki]

I'm not particularly keen on Pictomancer either. The whole painting and art theme in video games has never quite captured my interest. Even though it's somewhat original, I tend to find the concepts rather mundane. Moreover, the animations thus far don't strike me as particularly impressive. What concerns me, and perhaps others as well, is the potential for a cartoonish aesthetic to overshadow classes like Summoner and Red Mage, especially if Pictomancer leans more towards a combative role despite its whimsical appearance. Ultimately, like many in the community, I'll likely gravitate towards playing it regardless of personal preference if it proves to be optimal for content.

[Reinhardt_Azureheim]

Do not see why using paint and creation magics (i.e. Pictomancer) is absurd but weaponizing singing, playing instruments, throwing a wrench (Dismantle, MCH), divining with tarot cards and dance steps resulting in the biggest damage explosions known to man is apparently A-okay.

There is another Pictomancer in Square Enix's games, Folie from Bravely Default II. If anyone played that game, she is an absolute menace, both lore-wise and in combat.

Don't take pictomancy lightly, it's not the tools of your trade that make the job a menace, it is how they use it.

[Bonoki]

Do not see why using paint and creation magics (i.e. Pictomancer) is absurd but weaponizing singing, playing instruments, throwing a wrench (Dismantle, MCH), divining with tarot cards and dance steps resulting in the biggest damage explosions known to man is apparently A-okay.

There is another Pictomancer in Square Enix's games, Folie from Bravely Default II. If anyone played that game, she is an absolute menace, both lore-wise and in combat.

Don't take pictomancy lightly, it's not the tools of your trade that make the job a menace, it is how they use it. Don't mess with Krile now.

That's because those elements have been ingrained in the game for years, and it's unlikely that anyone will suddenly start criticizing something that's been part of the game's fabric since the beginning. Many of these jobs are also staples in the Final Fantasy series, having had ample time to establish themselves as core components. Pictomancer, on the other hand, has only appeared in one mainline game and perhaps a few lesser-known spin-offs. The reason these established jobs aren't under as much scrutiny is simply because they're no longer the new kid on the block. It's Pictomancer that is right now.

Moreover, singing, card reading, and dancing are just one aspect of these jobs; they encompass a broader range of abilities. Bards, for instance, combine singing with archery skills, while Astrologians wield cards alongside their healing abilities, creating captivating stellar effects. Even Machinists, with a single odd skill, boast a range of impressive abilities that overshadow any perceived absurdity.

In contrast, Pictomancer's identity seems limited to painting, which, based on what little we've seen, doesn't immediately captivate. Until we see more of its repertoire, it's hard to gauge its potential beyond this singular focus. Another aspect that might have deterred some viewers was the exaggerated flamboyance showcased in the Pictomancer trailer. It possibly overshadowed the game's essence for some. While arguments about its silly nature may seem disingenuous at times, it's understandable why Pictomancer is receiving such scrutiny while the others aren't. Also, it's worth noting that Dancer initially faced scrutiny for its unconventional nature. There was a period on these forums where some found it challenging to reconcile the idea of dancing amid battle despite being a reoccurring job in the series.

[Reinhardt_Azureheim]

-snip-

Sorry I may have been a bit reductive to the other jobs in question, but if we see jobs from their full spectrum of how they utilize their abilities, then I see Pictomancer basically as "creative Arcanist". From my understanding, Arcanist and off-spring jobs utilize Arcanima, which is basically just using aetheric geometry and math to manipulate unaspected aether. We know aetherically conductive ink exists and are most often utilized in Grimoires and Codexes, so going from there aetherically conductive paint seems hardly like a stretch. The brush essentially is a type of wand/focus similar to what Black Mages and Thaumaturges wield, but specialized to shape their paint.

Long story short, manipulating aether using creativity as a focus, Arcanima for math nerds, both use paint/ink for their drawn/inscribed aetheric solutions. Both shape their magic through those solutions, with temporary or active presence in the battlefield. Hardly an alien concept if you think about it.

I just don't see why Pictomancer needs to prove itself as a concept so much other than not being excessively planted throughout the FF franchise. It just surprises me under how much scrutiny the concept actually is. Maybe I am just way more open to foreign concepts, who knows.

Good thing pointing out that about Dancer btw, I actually have forgotten that. 5.0 has been quite some time ago.

[Ancalagon_Blacktalon]

people were/are clamoring for a blitzball class and I find it hard to believe that it's less silly than pictomancer LMAO

stopping the end of the universe with the power of SPORTSBALL

[Khryseis_Astra]

Long story short, manipulating aether using creativity as a focus, Arcanima for math nerds, both use paint/ink for their drawn/inscribed aetheric solutions. Both shape their magic through those solutions, with temporary or active presence in the battlefield. Hardly an alien concept if you think about it.

Yeah as a SMN using magic ink, magic paint doesn’t seem too much of a stretch! lol

Personally I’m excited to see how it plays. I get that people maybe wanted something else, or that they’re not liking the job aesthetic (what little they’ve been shown so far!), but to say it’s absurd to be put in the game is just, well, absurd. Just because it only showed up in one of the main games? People were hoping for Green Mage (and granted they threw people for a loop with that clover earring!), but that didn’t even have a “main game” presence at all iirc, just the mobile games.

[Reinhardt_Azureheim]

Yeah as a SMN using magic ink, magic paint doesn’t seem too much of a stretch! lol

Personally I’m excited to see how it plays. I get that people maybe wanted something else, or that they’re not liking the job aesthetic (what little they’ve been shown so far!), but to say it’s absurd to be put in the game is just, well, absurd. Just because it only showed up in one of the main games? People were hoping for Green Mage (and granted they threw people for a loop with that clover earring!), but that didn’t even have a “main game” presence at all iirc, just the mobile games.

Mobile and Ivalice based games, aka Tactics and XII. Just wanted to add that. The actual spell arsenal also depended on the individual game.

[Sjol]

Something I hadn't seen is what would be appropriate for Krille, since it seems strongly that they wanted a job for her and not everything works. Krille as Reaper, e.g., would just be jarring. And we're talking about a cute little Lala with a cat ear hoody, so she's already a bit to the cutesy side of things. While something in the middle could work, giving her something cutesy just doubles down on that aspect of her and in SE's position probably doubles down on her marketability. It does also serve a slightly underserved bit of the community which over the last two expansions have gotten:

* edge lord Reaper
* laser healer with body-horror storyline Sage
* serious business and political storyline Gunblade
* sexy Dancer

The cute end of the spectrum hasn't really been addressed as a job. Admittedly, the cute aesthetic isn't for me, but I don't begrudge the people who it is for. They deserve a job for them as much as anyone.