Mages using weapons in ARR

[Renen]

I hope there is a reason for mages to take out their weapons in ARR.
Now, its kind of stupid, you have a shield on your BLM/WHM that gives def, but you NEVER actually hold it in frond of the incoming attacks

[hua]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTM5MTcSOgQ&feature=plcp
The mages have their weapons out in the trailer. I'm assuming that it would be required to be able to cast.

[Leep]

Scepters and staves are usually the catalyst in which mages would focus their magic through, either to be able to cast or to make their casts stronger. I hate having stat sticks, let me use my weapon, let me channel my fury!

[kazaran]

I noticed it in the trailor also, meanign good we can regen mp and hp and use it to focus spells.

[Inaaca]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTM5MTcSOgQ&feature=plcp
The mages have their weapons out in the trailer. I'm assuming that it would be required to be able to cast.

I wouldn't assume anything. Let your voice be heard on things you want, because if your assumptions are wrong you'll miss your chance to bring it to SE's' attention. Assuming that SE will make changes we want is what got us 1.0 at launch... and you know how that went. SE wants our feedback now more than ever. Let's give it to them.

With that said, I would love to have a reason to hold our staves and wands at the ready. Lots of beautiful weapons that just stay dormant on our backs. Let's see them in action!