2 Branches for each class...Follow

Well it's confirmed. You're absolutely right, certain jobs will need new classes. Hopefully it will put some exciting weapons to use. If two jobs are similar, they'll most likely branch.

It's much too soon for speculation. As people will only use the classes we have to come up with ridiculous combinations that don't even make sense. The beta forums was littered with MSK>SCH. . . Gun to book is very legit.

I'm curious as to how this will work. If you level DRG to 50 your LNC is 50 too, right? Does this mean getting to 50 as SCH also gets you to 50 as SMN?

I do see the thematic appeal of GLD -> PLD or DRK, but the weapon is the sticking point for me. DRK needs a f**k-off big gsword or scythe. Plus MRD main with THM "sub" screams DRK as well.

I think, with what we've seen, the class needs 2 distinct aspects, that each job specialises in. Of course (like MRD+THM above), sometimes it is just the combination of classes that creates the job. Some other potential ideas for 2nd jobs, with relevant level 15 "sub" listed:
ARC - nailed it
MSK - same. MSK needs gun + minor buffs. COR (ARC sub) builds buffs, GNR (LNC or MRD sub) builds damage
GLD -> Fencer (ASN sub perhaps - see below) (emphasis on DD aspects of role)
MRD - see above
PUG -> MNK or DNC (ASN sub) (evasion/elemental aspects of role perhaps)
LNC - tough one. SAM can certainly use polearms historically, but a) it is DRG signature weapon, and b) GKatana. Argument won :)
CNJ - not bad
THM -> Illusionist (ACN sub). AoE damage, plus (pending SCH skill set) battlefield/elemental control
ACN - given.

I also think (but we do have 9 classes, so 1 more is odd) that THF & NIN can easily branch off from a common class. Dual-wield, high evasion, some basic ninjitsu-type "magic" for escapes etc. THF (LNC sub) gets dmg boost + positional attacks, TH etc. NIN (PUG sub) gets elemental/debuff ninjitsu + shadows (possibly. They can't break the game like XI, given it isn't a subjob). Is Assassin too much for a class, as a name?

The weird thing is, ARC -> SCH and SMN, both use the same weapon. So, is every Job going to use the same weapon? It will work for Archer -> Ranger path, but not much else.

Honestly, they should have just done away with the Classes. It feels like they are just sinking deeper into the mud with this, lol. I mean, what's going to work with lance besides Dragoon?

Hopefully the whole thing has changed and it's just not been revealed. As is, we would have both level 50 Summoner and Scholar by leveling to 50 Arcanist, for example...

Obviously the Class system still exists, but maybe Jobs and Classes have different levels now? I dunno.

Edited, Jun 14th 2013 3:52am by Killua125

I don't think they can keep it up using only 1 weapon per class.
they will have to open it up alittle bit, there's just too many weapons and too little classes to work with.
Like Lancer gets Polearm and Great Katana
Assassin gets Katana and Dagger
etc

Edited, Jun 14th 2013 4:14am by Havoxx

I'm thinking possibly BST and BLU coming from a new class together. Like Tamer or Zoologist :P lol

To be honest overall I also think the whole system should have been revamped so that weapons were not specific to one class and so that the levels were separate between jobs.

I don't really know how I feel if they add new jobs to my already 50 classes because even though leveling isn't the only thing I want to do I do actually enjoy starting off with my new low level job, learning it, growing etc it is always exciting and fun. If I start off at max level with only a few easy quests to complete I am not sure I will get the same feeling simply because for one I am worried about getting overwhelmed since it is a whole new job. Unless of course jobs are not so different from the class it comes from, but if that is the case I am instead worried about variety, uniqueness and gameplay.

I am not a fan of the idea of jobs simply being a talent tree spec with a little flavor which I am worried it might become with a system like this one, especially if they consider adding new jobs to existing classes that we won't even have to level. I would prefer it if you had to level each job separately and the class level stays in sync with the job that is the higher of the two. If they do this they can add new jobs to existing classes and still give you some leveling and time to get to know your new job as well as give you at least a small sense of accomplishment when you finally reach max level with your job, the one you really want to focus on that you worked to get to this point. The only way to get this otherwise is via gear progression which I personally think should be the next step, not the only step.

Don't get me wrong though, I think they will do a good job with what they are working with, I can't wait to sink my teeth into SCH!

When it comes to OP I think it is so difficult to predict, I know I would not have guess BRD was going to come from ARC, but overall I think your list looks pretty solid.

Edited, Jun 14th 2013 5:21am by Belcrono

Maybe like a Mediator from FFT.

Edited, Jun 14th 2013 3:40pm by EvilMadMike1982

Don't forget that everything in FFXIV is based on the armory system.

ACN can become SMN and SCH but all of them use the same exact weapon type: Book

Even BRD main weapon is a bow which is going off it's class, Archer

Seems to me that if you want Gladiator to branch off with PLD and DRK, that means that DRK use single-hand sword? etc...

Seems to me that it will be more

Basic greatsword user (let say, Berserker) becoming SAM or DRK (since both use 2-hand sword) I'm not sure I'm comfortable to bring greatsword and katana in the same group but you get my meaning

I believe this is pretty consistent with the FFX/X-2 world. Auron and the Samurai class used swords very much like the Great Swords. It actually looks pretty badass, all considered. I'd be all about it.

GLD > WAR = Beastmaster! A man can dream!!

Oriental Jobs will likely have their own class system. Ninja and Samurai can both end up becoming a Katana - based class.

Though I heard it mentioned that Soldier Job with Greatsword can deviate to Dark Knight and Samurai Respectively, and that seems sound.

Lancer has another Job it can become, but one has to reach to the outer edges of the franchise to find it: Templar - it's a Spear Based tank class, and the most likely candidate given Lancer's base kit.

Gladiator has the potential of turning to Red Mage if the shield is reduced to a buckle and the sword a fluret. Many sword Weapon Skills in FFXI were shared between Red Mage and Paladin, but it would take subtantial changes in the base kits to make it work. Rune Knight is a possible alternative here

Conjurer has a better offer when it comes to possible split classes - Geomancer. It's 'Elemental' based and fits well within the base lore.

THM is harder to decypher. Scholar is taken, so there is likely going to be more inspiration taken from the wider zone of jobs. Perhaps "Sage".

Ranger is almost obvious but I think it might follow other gaming tropes and become a partial pet job, taking skills similar to the scholar tree will give the bowmen depth without giving its range undo advantage over other damage dealers. Simiarly, Puppetmaster can be applied to Puglist just as easily as Dancer if they wish to diversify the pet classes.

There are many ways they can go with this, and I look forward to seeing what they do in the future - which is already looking bright.

You level Arcanist to 31. You unlock Summoner. Summoner is level 31. You level up Arcanist/Summoner to level 35. You unlock Scholar, now all three share Arcanist's level.

Your class levels up through experience points. Your job "levels up" off of the job quests. That's where you learn job abilities and how to play the role and get your AF. But the jobs always share the same level from the main class its derived from.