2008-08-27, 07:04 PM
Just my 2 cents: (I've been playing a bishop since the day 4th job came out)
Bishops are flat out stronger than Archmages. This is problematic, because Clerics and Priests were both seen as SUPPORT classes; not levelling powerhouses. Archmages were supposed to be the offensive side of the Magician spectrum; but you know something is wrong when the support class outperforms the offensive class in just about every way.
Elemental Staves were introduced in other versions to balance this problem out. With them, Archmages could have a Damage/MP ratio closer to that of Bishops, perform better at bosses, and of course NOT BE THE SINGLE WORST CLASS IN THE GAME.
One of the key elements that should be present in any MMO game with a variety of classes, should be balance among the said classes. If these elemental weapons aren't made to benefit AMs, then no one would have any reason to play an Archmage over a Bishop.
Also, please don't throw NLC Pots into the argument, because they benefit Bishops as much as Archmages, which doesn't balance anything.
Bishops are flat out stronger than Archmages. This is problematic, because Clerics and Priests were both seen as SUPPORT classes; not levelling powerhouses. Archmages were supposed to be the offensive side of the Magician spectrum; but you know something is wrong when the support class outperforms the offensive class in just about every way.
Elemental Staves were introduced in other versions to balance this problem out. With them, Archmages could have a Damage/MP ratio closer to that of Bishops, perform better at bosses, and of course NOT BE THE SINGLE WORST CLASS IN THE GAME.
One of the key elements that should be present in any MMO game with a variety of classes, should be balance among the said classes. If these elemental weapons aren't made to benefit AMs, then no one would have any reason to play an Archmage over a Bishop.
Also, please don't throw NLC Pots into the argument, because they benefit Bishops as much as Archmages, which doesn't balance anything.