What was this game going to be?

[AlexiaKidd]

Firstly, crafters were not meant to fight in combat. Everyone going around saying that lately don't know what they're talking about as nobody from SE ever said anything about crafters fighting except in response to demands by players pre-release and even then they were only considering it.

I think the Physical level system was supposed to work as a buffer, true. I think Physical level was supposed to be what mattered and I think Rank was supposed to be nothing more than a way for player's to get skills.

In the end, they needed to make compromises though because that system didn't really work for a game that is utterly dependant on endless grind.

Orly???

Iwao: Blacksmiths are Disciples of the Hand who use metals to create and repair weapons and armor. Miners are Disciples of the Land who dig up ore. These classes will have very limited battle-related abilities, but may receive other things to compensate. For example, a Blacksmith may get an ability that enfeebles a gold-based enemy or one that increases the chances of having treasure drop.

SOURCE

Thats an interview with some of the Devs in March 2010 and you can see that they direction the game was taking has changed dramatically from then its a shame really as it sounded really cool. Also even on the Official FFXIV site after release the profile for Miner said it had Treasure Hunter and Steal as some of it's abilities until they finally took it down.

Oh and Gifthorse I do think you are right about physical level, I believe that was supposed to be the level that mattered as far as how much you could hit for and damage you took then the class ranks are just for getting new abilities. If it worked like that THEN the armoury system would have been a lot more interesting and would have made a lot more sense allowing you to truly build your own character. What we have now is some mashup in between that just doesn't work right. It's neither proper Jobs or fully capable of making your own, just hope they decide which way they are going and do it right this time.