I know that they are completely remaking the battle system, but I'm not sure if they plan to scrap the armory system or not. I think I have an idea which would easily fix this system while still encouraging class distinctness and horizontal growth.

Currently you are given a certain number of points to spend on abilities that you can use for your class. (I can't remember what the points are called at the moment, ability points?) If three small changes were made to the armory system, I believe it would greatly improve the game.

1) There should be a medium sized penalty to the strength of abilities you have equipped that are not from your class, but still in the same discipline. For example, equipping bloodbath on an Archer would only heal you for 75% of the HP it normally would. There should be a large penalty for equiping an ability from a different discipline. For example, equipping cure on a Archer would only heal 50% that it would for a CON.

2) Abilities from a different class in the same discipline should cost twice the ability points to equip. Abilities from a different discipline should cost 4 times as many action points to equip.

3) Finally, you should only be able to equip an ability gained 10 ranks below your current class.

Of course all the numbers are just examples, but this should give the basic idea of what I'm trying to say.