Really looking forward to when (if) this class gets released, did a write up during beta on how it could work. Basically the way I see it is it would be best if they made an entirely new class that could branch into both blue mage and beast master. Reason for combining them being they both utilize enemy abilities one by imitating them the other by controlling them. I'll drop the write up here, its a little on the long side though.
hunter class
blue mage
beast master
As far as the weapon choice it seems like scimitars and other middle eastern swords could be their own class of weapon like they were in tactics advanced and a-2.
hunter class
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Spoiler Class: Hunter
Role: (melee)DPS
Weapon: 1 handed blades/axes to differentiate from gladiator allow for dual welding and keep all
swords based on Middle Eastern blades like the scimitar, pulwar, tulwar, kilij, khopesh, ect.
Core Mechanic: Study
Study -The function on this mechanic on the hunter would be to reveal exploitable weaknesses
on his/her target. The weakness(es) discovered could be exploited by certain abilities which cause
secondary effects like DoTs, stuns, silence, ect. The target's weaknesses would be based on its "Type"
to keep them at a manageable number allowing players to plan beforehand. E.G., "If I'm fighting a X I
know they have A, B, C for possible weaknesses so I'll most likely follow through with D." This would
be kept basic at the hunter level to allow players time to learn different weaknesses and all the way they
can be exploited.
Role: (melee)DPS
Weapon: 1 handed blades/axes to differentiate from gladiator allow for dual welding and keep all
swords based on Middle Eastern blades like the scimitar, pulwar, tulwar, kilij, khopesh, ect.
Core Mechanic: Study
Study -The function on this mechanic on the hunter would be to reveal exploitable weaknesses
on his/her target. The weakness(es) discovered could be exploited by certain abilities which cause
secondary effects like DoTs, stuns, silence, ect. The target's weaknesses would be based on its "Type"
to keep them at a manageable number allowing players to plan beforehand. E.G., "If I'm fighting a X I
know they have A, B, C for possible weaknesses so I'll most likely follow through with D." This would
be kept basic at the hunter level to allow players time to learn different weaknesses and all the way they
can be exploited.
blue mage
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Spoiler Job: Blue mage
Role: (melee)DPS/Support
Weapon: 1 handed blades(Dual wielded)/2 handed blade again keeping the design visually distinct from
gladiator and any great sword class by focusing on Middle Eastern weapons.
Core Mechanics: Study and Prey Drive
Study -When a blue mage job crystal is equipped study would no longer find weaknesses,
instead it would unlock passive traits based upon the enemy's, "Type," E.G. beastman, avian, aquatic,
mammal, ect. These passive abilities would determine what kind of additional skills the blue mage has
access to when he/she uses, "Prey Drive," a new mechanic unique to the blue mage job. When an
enemy under the effect of study is killed by a blue mage or his/her group that blue mages learns how it
fights and unlocks some understanding of that enemy's type. Each type would have 3 theirs, E.G.
Beastmen I, Beastmen II, Beastmen III, that all need to be unlocked. The first tier would unlock after
studying and killing any trash enemy anywhere in the world of that type. For Beastmen I this could be
any goblin, kobold, ect in the world regardless of their level. The second tier would unlock after
studying and killing any enemy of the appropriate type in a dungeon (Under the effects of level sync if
lower level enemies are used). The third tier would be unlocked after killing a boss enemy of the
appropriate type in any dungeon or FATE (again under the effect of level sync only). Each tier unlocked
would grant the blue mage additional abilities for that type when they use their prey drive skill.
Prey Drive -This skill would be the only one the blue mage learns, "normally," when he/she
equips the job crystal. This skill gives a buff with a maximum duration of 1 minute and consume ALL MP
available upon use, if less than 100% MP is used the duration will be under 1 minute. For example if a
player has 25/100 mp left and uses prey drive he/she will only have 15 seconds of the buff(25% mp =
25% of a minute duration). When active the blue mage would discard his/her weapon choosing
instead to use his/her hands to fight in a more bestial/natural way(Thematically this would show that
the blue mages chooses to become like the enemy rather than the beast master who chooses to control
the enemy). When the skill is used and the buff in effect the blue mage would gain access to abilities
based upon the enemy he/she targeted when using the skill and his/her unlocked traits. The skills
gained would be from the enemy type that is the natural predator of the blue mage's current target (the
target he/she had selected when using prey drive). This would be a maximum of 6 skills gained (To
keep it manageable) 2 per level of that creature type unlocked (Beastman I, Beastman 2, Beastman 3).
These skills would take the place of the abilities in the 1-6 slots on the hot bar and their equivalent on
the D-pad for controller for the duration of the buff. Additionally depending on the type the blue
mage is currently emulating his/her attacks/stats could be modified. For example if he/she is using
insect abilities every hit could potentially cause poison and each insect ability could potentially exploit
this poison in a different way (stun, additional stacks of poison, more damage for each stack of poison
consumes all stack, ect). This would allow for a wide versatility when using the blue mage class
however in order to use it to its fullest potential the player would have to take the time to become
knowledgeable about the abilities the different types offer and how they can be used. For example
you could give the white wind ability to the avian type which while not an attack could save the entire
group in an, "Oh Sh!t!" situation, or give metallic body to the aquatic type which would let the blue
mage safely grab hate for whatever reason while it's active. Additionally for their top tier abilities you
could require that the blue mage study and kill specific enemies to unlock tier 4. For example in order
to learn metallic body the blue mage must kill Bubbly Bernie and to learn big scissors he/she must kill
King Arthro.
Role: (melee)DPS/Support
Weapon: 1 handed blades(Dual wielded)/2 handed blade again keeping the design visually distinct from
gladiator and any great sword class by focusing on Middle Eastern weapons.
Core Mechanics: Study and Prey Drive
Study -When a blue mage job crystal is equipped study would no longer find weaknesses,
instead it would unlock passive traits based upon the enemy's, "Type," E.G. beastman, avian, aquatic,
mammal, ect. These passive abilities would determine what kind of additional skills the blue mage has
access to when he/she uses, "Prey Drive," a new mechanic unique to the blue mage job. When an
enemy under the effect of study is killed by a blue mage or his/her group that blue mages learns how it
fights and unlocks some understanding of that enemy's type. Each type would have 3 theirs, E.G.
Beastmen I, Beastmen II, Beastmen III, that all need to be unlocked. The first tier would unlock after
studying and killing any trash enemy anywhere in the world of that type. For Beastmen I this could be
any goblin, kobold, ect in the world regardless of their level. The second tier would unlock after
studying and killing any enemy of the appropriate type in a dungeon (Under the effects of level sync if
lower level enemies are used). The third tier would be unlocked after killing a boss enemy of the
appropriate type in any dungeon or FATE (again under the effect of level sync only). Each tier unlocked
would grant the blue mage additional abilities for that type when they use their prey drive skill.
Prey Drive -This skill would be the only one the blue mage learns, "normally," when he/she
equips the job crystal. This skill gives a buff with a maximum duration of 1 minute and consume ALL MP
available upon use, if less than 100% MP is used the duration will be under 1 minute. For example if a
player has 25/100 mp left and uses prey drive he/she will only have 15 seconds of the buff(25% mp =
25% of a minute duration). When active the blue mage would discard his/her weapon choosing
instead to use his/her hands to fight in a more bestial/natural way(Thematically this would show that
the blue mages chooses to become like the enemy rather than the beast master who chooses to control
the enemy). When the skill is used and the buff in effect the blue mage would gain access to abilities
based upon the enemy he/she targeted when using the skill and his/her unlocked traits. The skills
gained would be from the enemy type that is the natural predator of the blue mage's current target (the
target he/she had selected when using prey drive). This would be a maximum of 6 skills gained (To
keep it manageable) 2 per level of that creature type unlocked (Beastman I, Beastman 2, Beastman 3).
These skills would take the place of the abilities in the 1-6 slots on the hot bar and their equivalent on
the D-pad for controller for the duration of the buff. Additionally depending on the type the blue
mage is currently emulating his/her attacks/stats could be modified. For example if he/she is using
insect abilities every hit could potentially cause poison and each insect ability could potentially exploit
this poison in a different way (stun, additional stacks of poison, more damage for each stack of poison
consumes all stack, ect). This would allow for a wide versatility when using the blue mage class
however in order to use it to its fullest potential the player would have to take the time to become
knowledgeable about the abilities the different types offer and how they can be used. For example
you could give the white wind ability to the avian type which while not an attack could save the entire
group in an, "Oh Sh!t!" situation, or give metallic body to the aquatic type which would let the blue
mage safely grab hate for whatever reason while it's active. Additionally for their top tier abilities you
could require that the blue mage study and kill specific enemies to unlock tier 4. For example in order
to learn metallic body the blue mage must kill Bubbly Bernie and to learn big scissors he/she must kill
King Arthro.
beast master
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Spoiler Job: Beast master
Role: (melee)DPS/tank
Weapon: 1 handed axe (Dual wielded)/1 handed axe with protective fetish(Wooden/stone carvings)
offhand
Core Mechanics: Study, Call, Frenzy
Study -With the beast master job crystal equipped study no longer reveals weaknesses, at least
not that the player can exploit on his/her own. On its own it would function similarly to the blue mage
in that it would unlock tiers of the type passive depending on the enemy fought/killed. When used
with a called beast however it would reveal that enemy's weaknesses as well as your beasts strengths.
The weaknesses and strengths revealed would be based upon the tier of study you have unlocked for
both your pet and your enemy. Additionally each tier of study you have would unlock additional
abilities for your pets depending on their type. E.G. any and all avian pets become stronger and gain
more abilities for each tier of avian study you unlock.
Call -This is the way which beast masters would summon their pet(s) by calling them based
upon the type of fetish they have equipped. Once a pet is summoned the fetish can be swapped out
for another axe for more damage if the player so chooses but fetishes do give special bonuses to the pet
and master. Once summoned the pet's stats would be raised to the appropriate amount depending on
the master's level, on its type, and on the tier of study the master has unlocked. In combat the beast
master and his/her pet would fight in unison each skill that the beast master uses would trigger the pet
to follow through with a skill of its own based upon the skill its master used. For example if the beast
master were to use an ability that made the target more susceptible to critical hits the pet would
respond with an ability that has a high critical hit rate. When a pet is summoned all hate that it
generates goes to the beast master making it extremely easy to build hate quickly even without taunts.
If the beast master is taking too much heat he/she can order his/her pet to get the enemy's attention
while he/she recovers. This essentially gives the beast master a second pool of hp to draw on when
tanking and give healers more time to respond with heals in tough situations. But it is important that
the beast master take back hate as soon as possible because if his/her pet goes down all hate they
generated will be lost and the enemy will turn on their next target(most likely the healer).
Frenzy -Whenever the beast master's pet takes damage stacks of frenzy will build on both the
beast master and his/her pet. Each stack of frenzy increases the damage done by both master and pet,
however it can also be consumed by the frenzy skill. Each stack of frenzy consumed this way grants 5
seconds of the Fight as one buff(maximum of 60 second). this buff gives both master and pet certain
benefits based upon the type of pet that is summoned. For example if a crab pet is summoned(having
used a crab fetish to call it) it will give them both a 35% boost in physical and magical defense and
increase their threat generation by 20% for the duration of fight as one. when fight as one is used up
both pet and master will be hit with the exhausted debuff that prevents them from gaining frenzy for
the same duration fight as one lasted. All stacks of frenzy not used are lost at the end of a fight,
further more if a pet is killed frenzy gain becomes impossible. Further emphasizing the need for the
beast master to carefully manage hate between master and pet.
Role: (melee)DPS/tank
Weapon: 1 handed axe (Dual wielded)/1 handed axe with protective fetish(Wooden/stone carvings)
offhand
Core Mechanics: Study, Call, Frenzy
Study -With the beast master job crystal equipped study no longer reveals weaknesses, at least
not that the player can exploit on his/her own. On its own it would function similarly to the blue mage
in that it would unlock tiers of the type passive depending on the enemy fought/killed. When used
with a called beast however it would reveal that enemy's weaknesses as well as your beasts strengths.
The weaknesses and strengths revealed would be based upon the tier of study you have unlocked for
both your pet and your enemy. Additionally each tier of study you have would unlock additional
abilities for your pets depending on their type. E.G. any and all avian pets become stronger and gain
more abilities for each tier of avian study you unlock.
Call -This is the way which beast masters would summon their pet(s) by calling them based
upon the type of fetish they have equipped. Once a pet is summoned the fetish can be swapped out
for another axe for more damage if the player so chooses but fetishes do give special bonuses to the pet
and master. Once summoned the pet's stats would be raised to the appropriate amount depending on
the master's level, on its type, and on the tier of study the master has unlocked. In combat the beast
master and his/her pet would fight in unison each skill that the beast master uses would trigger the pet
to follow through with a skill of its own based upon the skill its master used. For example if the beast
master were to use an ability that made the target more susceptible to critical hits the pet would
respond with an ability that has a high critical hit rate. When a pet is summoned all hate that it
generates goes to the beast master making it extremely easy to build hate quickly even without taunts.
If the beast master is taking too much heat he/she can order his/her pet to get the enemy's attention
while he/she recovers. This essentially gives the beast master a second pool of hp to draw on when
tanking and give healers more time to respond with heals in tough situations. But it is important that
the beast master take back hate as soon as possible because if his/her pet goes down all hate they
generated will be lost and the enemy will turn on their next target(most likely the healer).
Frenzy -Whenever the beast master's pet takes damage stacks of frenzy will build on both the
beast master and his/her pet. Each stack of frenzy increases the damage done by both master and pet,
however it can also be consumed by the frenzy skill. Each stack of frenzy consumed this way grants 5
seconds of the Fight as one buff(maximum of 60 second). this buff gives both master and pet certain
benefits based upon the type of pet that is summoned. For example if a crab pet is summoned(having
used a crab fetish to call it) it will give them both a 35% boost in physical and magical defense and
increase their threat generation by 20% for the duration of fight as one. when fight as one is used up
both pet and master will be hit with the exhausted debuff that prevents them from gaining frenzy for
the same duration fight as one lasted. All stacks of frenzy not used are lost at the end of a fight,
further more if a pet is killed frenzy gain becomes impossible. Further emphasizing the need for the
beast master to carefully manage hate between master and pet.
As far as the weapon choice it seems like scimitars and other middle eastern swords could be their own class of weapon like they were in tactics advanced and a-2.