Famitsu deconstruction hints at Hybrid roles (Hello Mr RDM)Follow

Is there something imbedded in your post that my work network is blocking, because I just see a big empty box...

Yep, must be my work network blocking it, because I don't see anything other then what you typed about finding it in your Youtube feed.

I was almost positive I mentioned the Hybrid roles in the Live letter thread and no one even blinked.

RDM or BLU for magic hybrid, THF or NIN for Melee would be my guess. I'm assuming that in addition to the 2 new jobs that it would bring 2 new classes to draw from, would be sweet.

Says a LOT about how Hybrid will work if they can make up for 2 whole DPS.....

Without watching the video, and just recalling what I read, Yoshida said he expects each 8 man party to consist of 2 of each roll. So that would make the party makeup of 2 tanks, 2 healers, 2 hybrid, and 2 damage dealers.

That would suggest 1 of each role for dungeon parties.

My assumption is that Bard would eventually be moved into one of these roles once it's introduced, and probably gain a new support lb to better match their job.

Yoshi in the Live letter said "WHEN we add Hybrid roles it will be 2/2/2/2" according to the translation so there is no speculation. Granted, speculating about which Hybrid role it will be is completely up in the air but one "physical" and one "magical" seems about right as far as balance is concerned since everything else is based around that model. Or one "ranged" and one "melee". But Hybrid is 100% coming.

Sounds like potential justification for crossing over into DQ and introducing a FF version of the Goof-off.

I'm not really certain how I feel about hybrids. History teaches us that it'll follow one of three paths:

1. Hybrid's aren't good enough at what they do to justify a spot. They can't tank as well as a true tank, can't dps as well as a true dps, and can't heal as well as a true healer.

2. Hybrid's are good enough at what they do to justify a spot. This is great for the hybrid, but starts to call into question whether or not bringing a "true" tank/dps/healer is worth it. After all, if four hybrids can accomplish the same thing as one tank, one healer and two dps, then why bring anything else? Possible hedges against this would be giving "true" classes each something that they bring that sets them apart from the hybrid, but that runs the risk of ultimately making hybrid's like #1.

3. You invert 2 and give hybrid's some sort of unique "something" that they bring to the table (a la RDM refresh). This is the tack most games have taken, which ultimately ensures you'll get at least one spot set apart for the hybrid, because the bonus brought by the hybrid is usually good enough to justify it. However, this carries with it the problem of that bonus eventually being considered "required." If you make content that can be beaten without the bonus added in, then said content likely becomes easier with the bonus. Hence, to keep content challenging, the devs will have to begin balancing content around the assumption that the bonus will be present.

Suffice it to say, I have a dim view of hybrid viability, but I appreciate the goal behind the concept. I'd prefer they add hybrid-ness within the classes themselves, i.e. with the stance mechanics (cleric stance being a great example of how a main healing class can also do some stout damage).

Edited, Dec 13th 2013 1:31pm by Quor

My impression was that Arcanist / Summoner was going to be put into the hybrid role, especially considering they can perform multiple functions (damage / emergency tanking / some minor healing like Ressurect mid-battle). Bards might also find themselves in there as well depending on how much their damage gets nerfed and their support functions (songs and their healing Limit Break) are improved, not to mention their ability to "tank" slower enemies through "run and gun" tactics.

If they can slip two of the existing jobs into that category immediately, we might see the hybrid role emerge even before they add new jobs.