FFXIclopedia interview with Development Team at E3

[Izzy]

easiest way to make summoner and whitemage attractive healers for meripo? level cap of 80. there's other ways too, but I like me some sensationalism!

You realize if you did this, WHM's would have convert, and would probley not need a RDM ever again?

[Intense]

(Yes I left out COR, I've tried it in merit parties and they aren't very hot from my experiences. They could use some better rolls or more enhanced rolls, it's nothing like a BRD. Also, if you're fighting something pierced, DRG RNG SAM/RNG and THF are all very wonderful DDs.)

While I like the idea of bridging a gap between a melee type and a support type, like COR does; I agree that theyre underpowered as a job and not really sought after, in merit parties.

I think SE would have to either adjust the class to benefit one of the sides of the hybrid and weaken to other or buff both sides, making them overpowered. Everyone, including SE, is afraid of overpowering things these days.. I dont understand why. I dont think its bad that a certain class outshines another.

[Kylen]

WHM can play the exact same role as a RDM in a TP burn party at Colibri or Mamool Ja, etc. The MP looks like less but with Sanction Refresh, a Refresh body piece, and either SMN sub for Auto-Refresh or BLM sub for Conserve MP, they essentially get a free Refresh spell on them at all times. Everyone overlooks it though.

So to fix what spooky said:
Because there are other jobs in the game besides: NIN MNK WAR RDM BRD WHM... (Yes I left out COR, I've tried it in merit parties and they aren't very hot from my experiences. They could use some better rolls or more enhanced rolls, it's nothing like a BRD. Also, if you're fighting something pierced, DRG RNG SAM/RNG and THF are all very wonderful DDs.)

A good WHM can main heal and keep everyone hasted perfectly well in merit parties, that's true. The problem is, an average-to-mediocre WHM can't keep their mp up nearly as well as an average-to-mediocre RDM can thanks to Convert, and that's where the stigma of RDM > WHM for merit parties comes from. I'd trust most WHM's in my LS to main heal in a merit party, but if I'm in a random pickup group I'll always be looking for RDM's before WHM's.

As for COR, maybe the ones you've partied with have been bad, but it definitely is a top-tier merit party job. Their melee buffs aren't quite as potent as BRD's, but COR shouldn't be seen as a replacement for BRD, they should be partying alongside them. RDM + BRD + COR + 3 DD party is better than a RDM + BRD + 4 DD party, and I'd also argue that a RDM + 2 BRD + COR + 2 DD party would be better than a RDM + 2 BRD + 3 DD party.

[Tradition]

You realize if you did this, WHM's would have convert, and would probley not need a RDM ever again?

Refresh is Lv41, I'd still prefer a RDM for a merit pt. Keeps them going that much longer. Also enfeebling level matters with some merit mobs that I'd rather not have casting.

[Imitarate]

Also, rdm/blm would have Warp II. Everyone gets home faster.

[Volken]

I dont think its bad that a certain class outshines another.

Neither does SE, or the small group of the playerbase that "gets" it.

[Amele]

easiest way to make summoner and whitemage attractive healers for meripo? level cap of 80. there's other ways too, but I like me some sensationalism!

You realize if you did this, WHM's would have convert, and would probley not need a RDM ever again?

that was kind of the point (giving whitemages convert). you'd still want redmages when possible for refresh/enfeebling/actual sleepga ability/etc.

but it would make it possible for a whm (or smn who would now have the option of convert or haste-spell from sub) to exchange straight up with a rdm in meripo - rather than the whitemage needing to be stellar in A++ equip to even be an approximation for an average redmage.

[Zarath]

As for COR, maybe the ones you've partied with have been bad, but it definitely is a top-tier merit party job. Their melee buffs aren't quite as potent as BRD's, but COR shouldn't be seen as a replacement for BRD, they should be partying alongside them. RDM + BRD + COR + 3 DD party is better than a RDM + BRD + 4 DD party, and I'd also argue that a RDM + 2 BRD + COR + 2 DD party would be better than a RDM + 2 BRD + 3 DD party.

I'd have to agree with you there, when I was parsing myself against people, I noticed that my dps in terms of the other jobs. A COR if used right can deal upwards to 3/4 to 2/3 the dps of decently equiped DDs, all the while providing buffs (or in some instances kick the shit out of gimp DD players which I always love to do). And by all means my gear isn't the best of the best, yet I just got back 3 months ago and I'm trying my best to get back on my feet D:.

I've yet to test out a merc. kris myself, but with a joy toy I'm more than enough DPS in a party that I make a noticeable difference.

And you ever think that a thiefs are great on Colibis, you might want to invest in a well geared COR

[Intense]

I dont think its bad that a certain class outshines another.

Neither does SE, or the small group of the playerbase that "gets" it.

BLU, COR and PUP prove theyre afraid to release a ground breaking job. I hope WoG makes me eat these words though.

[Sho]

I dont think its bad that a certain class outshines another.

Neither does SE, or the small group of the playerbase that "gets" it.

BLU, COR and PUP prove theyre afraid to release a ground breaking job. I hope WoG makes me eat these words though.

I do not agree.

[kuronosan]

I'd say BLU was pretty groundbreaking. Possibly COR too.

[JoOeetheplatypuS]

I dont think its bad that a certain class outshines another.

Neither does SE, or the small group of the playerbase that "gets" it.

BLU, COR and PUP prove theyre afraid to release a ground breaking job. I hope WoG makes me eat these words though.

Depends how you view groundbreaking.
WSes for MP is pretty groundbreaking to me.

[Sagacious Sundi]

BLU probably doesn't seem "groundbreaking" because it's a DD, and well... Count how much "DDs" there are. Throw BLM, BST, SMN, and PUP in there, too.

[Intense]

The last groundbreaking job that was released turned out to be NIN, which was kinda made that way by the players.

We know a lot more about the game and how to make things function now, compared to when RoZ was released. And weve still yet to fit the new jobs into a solid place in end game...

[Sonomaa]

The last groundbreaking job that was released turned out to be NIN, which was kinda made that way by the players.

We know a lot more about the game and how to make things function now, compared to when RoZ was released. And weve still yet to fit the new jobs into a solid place in end game...

corsair fits right into endgame, as long as its played like bard with guns. Its not a melee, get some crimson, stack MP gear, wear your staves and bring your cards. Get your RDM and BLM rolls or your BST and PUP rolls, keep healers and evokers macroed at all times, if you see all the BLMs use eseal at once, mash your random deal macro, if the shit hits the fan and MP is gone, pop your 2hr and pray for a good roll.

4x BLM COR RDM with RDM enhanced magic acc and BLM enhanced attack rolls are going to hurt things badly. BLMs and a WHM means they get MP back via healers roll in sickening amounts. If your RDM lands a slow2, pop an earth card and enhance it, para2 lands, go for ice. Dispel or sleep for emergencies, make that burn a little better. Wear your hat, 200+ damage per card shot, even if it enhances nothing is still a little bit of wiggle.

Remember, proper attire is sexy crimson, a little cleavage, and a wiggly corsair hat, its a win win situation.

[kuronosan]

BLU probably doesn't seem "groundbreaking" because it's a DD, and well... Count how much "DDs" there are. Throw BLM, BST, SMN, and PUP in there, too.

I'd say a job that doesn't need TP to open or close weaponskills and do just as much damage is pretty damn groundbreaking as a DD.

Name another job that can do 1400+ damage, close/open light/darkness, and place the hate on a tank all at the same time.

Edit: Edits gone wrong. Make sure that job you name can do it without TP.

[Khamsin]

I thought the dev team beat every single thing in the game with 18 people max. (Minus instances like Dynamis).

I remember an interview from way back where people asked if the dev team actually did beat AV, and their answer was a whole hearted "no" but I'm unsure how far back this information goes...

Well I guess I'll leave the dev team with these two words about AV

"No Comment"

Actually, it was a wholehearted bunch of whispering amongst themselves and "erhmm... we'll get back to you on that".

[Intense]

The last groundbreaking job that was released turned out to be NIN, which was kinda made that way by the players.

We know a lot more about the game and how to make things function now, compared to when RoZ was released. And weve still yet to fit the new jobs into a solid place in end game...

corsair fits right into endgame, as long as its played like bard with guns. Its not a melee, get some crimson, stack MP gear, wear your staves and bring your cards. Get your RDM and BLM rolls or your BST and PUP rolls, keep healers and evokers macroed at all times, if you see all the BLMs use eseal at once, mash your random deal macro, if the shit hits the fan and MP is gone, pop your 2hr and pray for a good roll.

4x BLM COR RDM with RDM enhanced magic acc and BLM enhanced attack rolls are going to hurt things badly. BLMs and a WHM means they get MP back via healers roll in sickening amounts. If your RDM lands a slow2, pop an earth card and enhance it, para2 lands, go for ice. Dispel or sleep for emergencies, make that burn a little better. Wear your hat, 200+ damage per card shot, even if it enhances nothing is still a little bit of wiggle.

Remember, proper attire is sexy crimson, a little cleavage, and a wiggly corsair hat, its a win win situation.

Situation: I am in BG, and I have both BRD and COR leveled. You need a support job in your merit PT or in your alliance, which would you prefer me to bring?

[Leroy]

As for COR, maybe the ones you've partied with have been bad, but it definitely is a top-tier merit party job. Their melee buffs aren't quite as potent as BRD's, but COR shouldn't be seen as a replacement for BRD, they should be partying alongside them. RDM + BRD + COR + 3 DD party is better than a RDM + BRD + 4 DD party, and I'd also argue that a RDM + 2 BRD + COR + 2 DD party would be better than a RDM + 2 BRD + 3 DD party.

I watched my fiance's BRD party in a RDM/WHM, BRD/NIN, BRD/NIN, COR/WAR, WAR/NIN, WAR/NIN at the collibri camp. The buffs of a COR aren't as strong as a BRD's, but they stack nicely with a BRD's, and seeing a COR consistently hit Slugshots in the 2k area was kinda sweet.

[JoOeetheplatypuS]

Situation: I am in BG, and I have both BRD and COR leveled. You need a support job in your merit PT or in your alliance, which would you prefer me to bring?

Shit is situational.