I think the devs promised a bit too much to the crafting/gathering community. While they should be able to have fun and expeience the game, they should not be able to expeience the whole game as the crafers/gatherers currenty are.
I know there are new class changes and battle mechanics changes on the way, as well as new content. But both old and new content should be dealt with in accordance to whos involved. Crafters and gahterers should not be expec
ted nor should they expect to be part of the main storyline any more so than they should with battle leves. Battle content should be challenging and designed with battle classes in mind.
I see two possible solutiuons:
1. Give the crafters/gatherers the ability to use their tools as weapons. (This way they could be somewhat effective in battle, but I still wouldnt totally like the idea.)
2. Make completely seperate paths for the main storylines and quests for crafters/gatherers. (This way battle classes could have a fun and challenging experience with battle content, and crafters and gatherers could as well but with storylines and quests that showcased how they help out in their unique way. Like crafting supplies for the war effort or building airships etc etc).
I really like #2 the best, because it would let those classes participate in the main storyline and the quests by utilizing their choosen skills. This would be complete with detailed story (and hopefully more CS for sidequests eventually). I can imagine a scenario where a crafter or gatherer is having a conversation with Cid about how he needs materials or needs them to help build parts for the Airship Armada.
Anyways my point is that I dont think that battle content should be made with crafters/gatherers in mind, because it would only serve to dumb down the challenge. In addition to this it would probably be more fun for crafters/gatherers to get involved with storylines and quests that focus on what they do well. And it goes without saying that battle classes would not be effective trying to do storylines and quests that revolve around crafting and gathering either. I'd like to see a Gladiator just try to forge a steam engine. What would he do? Sheild Bash it to completion?![]()