Battlecruiser has arrived...
I think you could make the "effect items" work but you would have to let all classes use them (minus mages, unless its like a crystal or something) - this would create the equal ground that before didn't exist (since only ARC/BRD would buy to be successful with white damage).
At the same time they can just add on hit effect spells/application spells for the ARC (already have some). I'm hoping they add a greater spell variety anyways.
Your idea isnt dumb, just have to make sure not to retread into the reason why SE removed the other system in the first place. Also I assume there will still be quivers purchasable so you could be buying different quivers, or enchanting them.
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EDIT: There will be no quivers in the game, at least as items you can have. So the below idea is impossible. (Link: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...l=1#post833305 ). Thanks to NoctisUmbra for update.
For example (just hearing your idea) made me think:
Quiver != arrows, so having a quiver doesn't mean it has arrows*.
You can buy arrows BUT you only buy one arrow which would be read like "A stack of flame arrows" (firing would never consume this stack). You can put a couple different stacks into your quiver (and you cant change them during combat). *I recommend that every quiver has a default stack of arrows to draw upon in the case that the archer didnt put their own stacks in.
So while in combat you can on the fly choose which arrow you will draw and fire. This will never consume the arrow stack, as it represents an infinite stack of said name arrow. To prevent firing sleep arrows endlessly you could modify the attack delay depending on arrow types.
The only trick would to make sure that the cost of buying the quiver and the special arrows doesnt go back into causing archer to be money raped (new favorite term after reading all the redenomination threads lol).
Anyway, it recomplexs parts of the job but keeps the simple "you arent screwed not remembering to buy arrows" out of it.
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EDIT: Its confirmed that abilities will absorb the loss of debuff arrows.
Whether its abilities, items, or a new arrow system I think most people agree they like ARC having a unique set of arrow like types to fire. I dont really care which, and like I said there are already a few status WS for ARC but doesnt mean we cant do moar.