How Many Would Have Rather Seen RDM than SMN

[NefGP]

Not me. They clearly needed a ranged, magic and pet class in the game. Summoner takes care of two of the three and is a smart decision.

All they've said is they just feel there aren't enough mages yet. I'm reserving judgment on SMN until I actually see it in action, as I wasn't particularly keen on seeing a repeat of FFXI and much more in favor of the traditional offline style of play - strategic use of summons (due to large MP costs) to swing the tide of battle in the party's favor with various flashy and extremely powerful effects. Of course, the typical response I see to that is you'd be killing BLM, but BLM has always been designed for steady, high impact attacks - SMN might be able to out damage a BLM in a single shot, but a BLM will always win out in MP efficiency vs a single target - that's the whole point. SMN is utility, BLM is for making shit dead.


Anyway. I just hope they don't gimp SMN in this like they did in XI. The job's gotten better since Abyssea, but it's still been flawed since it's inception. I'm really hoping SMN can still use things like Hellfire & Aerial Blast, maybe just not as powerful as they would be coming from the actual Primal. Please, just don't rehash Astral Flow... nobody wants that.


As far as RDM is concerned, I never really cared for the direction they took the job in with XI, and I sincerely hope they are rethinking it from when they asked in the polls - We sorely do need more enfeebling skills, but I think we'd be better served spread it out between WHM & BLM, and possibly DRK if it's ever added.

No more pink mage/refresh whore please. If you bring RDM back, at least try to make it similar to how BLU was done? BLU was much better designed as a "Fighter-Mage", and Red Wizard (FF1) was just amazing.


EDIT: Okay, here's how I personally see RDM working.

Base Class: Gladiator
Sub Class: Thaumaturge
Extra Skills: Conjurer

Allow RDM to use Cure/Cura/Thunder/Thundara etc, just not the final tier spells so they can still combo and be effective, just not as good as WHM or BLM would because they're not supposed to be. We should have new Epee-type swords/sabers that are RDM exclusive as well (can't use them as just GLA).

Job Skills:

- Refresh: Recovers MP over time (spell, targetable)
- Regain: Recovers TP over time (spell, targetable)
- Fast Cast: When active, reduces casting and recast times for spells. Reduces magic accuracy slightly. Effect ends upon re-use.
- Death Blossom: 3-fold sword weaponskill that reduces enemy's magic evasion. Combo Action: Swift Blade, Combo: Greatly reduces enemy's magic critical evasion
- Chainspell: Cast & Recast timers for all spells set to 0 for duration (15 seconds) and their MP costs halved.


So rather than just rehashing how it was in XI, this way RDM would really be a frontline mage, offering a balance of damage and support without stepping on WHM or BLM's toes, as well as bringing it's own unique abilities to the fray.

[Duelle]

Erm...how can you say this:

No more pink mage/refresh whore please.

And then suggest this:

- Refresh: Recovers MP over time (spell, targetable)
- Regain: Recovers TP over time (spell, targetable)

While it needs tweaks, I personally like this version better:

Fencer
魔法剣士 (lit. "Magic Swordsman")

Fencers are frontline casters who specialize in the use of mystical spellswords. Wielding magics as deftly as their blades, they posses the ability to both debilitate their enemies and bolster their allies as needed.


Abilities

Lv Ability Name
Description


1 Expose
Delivers a melee attack. Chance to decrease defense and magic defense, up to a maximum of three stacks.

2 Water Brand
Deals water damage. Fulfills the combo conditions of your next spell.
Combo Action: Manastrike
Combo Bonus: Converts your attacks into water attacks.

4 Runic
Absorbs the next magic attack and restores MP when an attack is absorbed. Effect fades upon absorption or after a certain period of time elapses.

6 Life Brand
Delivers a ranged attack and restores the HP of nearby allies.
Combo Action: Manastrike
Combo Bonus: Grants your attacks an HP restore effect.

10 Blood Price
Pay the cost of your next attack or spell with HP.

14 Manastrike
Delivers a melee attack and restores MP.

18 Thunder Brand
Deals lightning damage. Fulfills the combo conditions of your next spell.
Combo Action: Manastrike
Combo Bonus: Converts your attacks into lightning attacks.

22 Featherblow
Delivers a melee strike at high accuracy.
Combo Action: Expose
Combo Bonus: Grants a TP bonus.

26 Earth Brand
Deals earth damage. Fulfills the combo conditions of your next spell.
Combo Action: Manastrike
Combo Bonus: Converts your attacks into earth attacks.

30 Subdue
Delivers a melee attack. Chance to inflict Pacification when executed from in front of the target.
Combo Action: Expose
Combo Bonus: Removes an enhancement from the target.

34 Infuse
Converts MP into TP. TP does not diminish out of combat while effect is active.

38 Wind Brand
Deals wind damage. Fulfills the combo conditions of your next spell.
Combo Action: Manastrike
Combo Bonus: Converts your attacks into wind attacks.

42 Ice Brand
Deals ice damage. Fulfills the combo conditions of your next spell.
Combo Action: Manastrike
Combo Bonus: Converts your attacks into ice attacks.

46 Fire Brand
Deals fire damage. Fulfills the combo conditions of your next spell.
Combo Action: Manastrike
Combo Bonus: Converts your attacks into fire attacks.

50 Checkmate
Delivers an unavoidable melee attack.
Combo Action: Featherblow
Combo Bonus: Increased critical rate.



Traits

Lv Trait Name


8 Enhanced Physical Accuracy

12 Enhanced Magic Accuracy

16 Swift Runic
Halves the recast of Runic, resulting in it lasting its entire cooldown.

20 Auto-Refresh

24 Enhanced Magic Potency

28 Greater Healing

32 Enhanced Blood Price
Also reduces the cost of the attack by 50%.

36 Enhanced Parry

40 Swift Infuse
Halves the cooldown of Infuse.

44 Enhanced Physical Attack Power

48 Enhanced Manastrike
Makes Manastrike a ranged attack.




Red Mage
赤魔道士

Red Mages are powerful casters capable of wielding both offensive and restorative magic. Sacrificing physical attack power, the Red Mage gains MP and additional versatility in battle.


Abilities

Lv Ability Name
Description


30 Magic Sword
Casts level 2 magic based on the Red Mage's current spell brand.
Fire Brand ⇒ Fira
Ice Brand ⇒ Blizzara
Thunder Brand ⇒ Thundara
Water Brand ⇒ Watera
Earth Brand ⇒ Stonera
Wind Brand ⇒ Aerora
Life Brand ⇒ Cura

35 Altruism
Grants a bonus to healing magic potency. Reduces enmity generated by actions while effect is active. Effect fades over time and upon reuse. Cannot be used simultaneously with Composure or Malevolence.

40 Composure
Grants a bonus to maximum health. Increases enmity generated by actions while effect is active. Effect fades over time and upon reuse. Cannot be used simultaneously with Altruism or Malevolence.

45 Malevolence
Grants a bonus to attack magic potency and physical attack power. Effect fades over time and upon reuse. Cannot be used simultaneously with Altruism or Composure.

50 Chainspell
Removes cast time and recast time of all spells.