Truely separating class from job - an overhaul (again).

[Reika]

I feel as strongly as you do on this topic. However, I see things a little differently. I agree with a lot of what you are saying, but I see the solution differently. You suggest that the class be redefined such that it has little to no resemblance to its job. Is that accurate? My issue with that notion is that it ultimately renders the class/job (or class/advanced class) dynamic useless. Whether it's a JOB or an Advanced Class, it's related to the base class. If the class and job share almost no similarities, even to the point of having different roles, then that relationship ceases to exist, as does the need to have a relationship between them.

If, however, the class is redefined such that it can choose from two or more roles, or even a hybrid role, then the door is opened for the multiple jobs per class dynamic. If, for example, the Gladiator is rebuilt such that it can be a good tank, or a good dps, or even do a decent job at both, then we can define the jobs (PLD and DRK, per se) such that the Paladin enhances (and is limited to) the Gladiator's tankability at the cost of it's ability to dps. The opposite would be true for the Dark Knight. Now, what we end up with is one class that can play different roles, and two jobs that play completely differently from each other, even if they share some skills.

The only drawback to this is the "instant 50" problem. I completely understand why people wouldn't like this, but when the alternative is being forced to level from 1 again, I'll accept being lv 50, mainly since it draws on the base class for much of its skills and it doesn't make sense to suddenly not know them anymore. I wish I had a better solution for it, but I do not.

My thoughts are however that the class and the job should very well be different. There shouldn't be advanced classes, there should be this class and then that class. They might as well just eliminate classes all together and keep the advanced classes if they keep up with the current system. The system is going to need that major overhaul whether we like it or not in order to not be utterly stupid. With the current system, GLD -> PLD or GLD -> DRK will both = tank. They wouldn't have different roles if they were both attached to gladiator. The skill set of gladiator determines this. 5 measly skills added to DRK that try to focus on damage would just make it a garbage tank. They would have to majorly overhaul gladiator in order for it to change accordingly, or just not use gladiator at all. The same holds for all the classes. I think the one that can get away with not changing is archer, since all but 1 of the songs come from the BRD class quests. The rest, the 'JOB' is mostly defined by the class skills, and not really the 5 measly skills they thought would define them. This is why it all needs to change. The class cant be the same as the job or there cant be any class -> multi-job system.

And yes there is the insta-50 think that I and (idk how many) others wouldn't want. While they are better off adding a new class for each and every new job, classes still cant be too similar to the job or else the class will continue to be totally worthless.