Pictomancer is absurd

[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.