FFXIV will have 18 classes at release

By Oli Welsh Published 23 July, 2010

Seven combat, 11 trade disciplines.

Square Enix has revealed that its new MMO Final Fantasy XIV Online will feature 18 character classes, or disciplines, at launch.

The confirmation comes in the latest Famitsu, as revealed by FFXIV Core.

The tally matches the number of classes detailed to date on the game's game's official website. The 18 classes cover both combat disciplines and gathering and crafting roles.

The classes can all be mixed and matched on a single character using FFXIV's Armoury system, which bases abilities on equipment, and features no overall character level.

There are four disciplines, or groups of classes. Disciples of War are weapon-based combat classes: the Pugilist, Gladiator, Marauder, Archer and Lancer. There are just two Disciples of Magic: the Conjurer and Thaumaturge.

Disciples of the Land, or gathering classes, are the Miner, Botanist and Fisher. Disciples of the Hand are FFXIV's crafters, and there are a lot of them, with crafting apparently playing an important role in the game. Carpenter, Blacksmith, Armourer, Goldsmith, Leatherworker, Weaver, Alchemist and Culinarian are your choices here.

Square Enix says not all of these 18 classes will be available to try in the beta test before launch - but that it does plan to add more after FFXIV's PC release in September.

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About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (18) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Nighthawk_08 #1 2 years ago

    Can't wait for this game. Playin it on ps3 so it's gonna be a while off yet but it's a game the ps3 needs!!!

  • JunglistVIP #2 2 years ago

    Need beta key pleeeeeeeeeeeeze!

  • Nighthawk_08 #3 2 years ago

    I'll post my beta key when iv registers mine. On this thread so keep ur eyes out people.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #4 2 years ago

    also desperate for beta key

  • Kafeen #5 2 years ago

    I'd love to be in the beta too, but I think I need a new PC first, my benchmark scores were awful.

  • mushroomyakuza #6 2 years ago

    Thought beta keys were PC only?

    Regardless, I am FUCKING perplexed by an online game having 7 combat classes and 11 "merchant" jobs, especially at launch. What the fuck are Squeenix thinking?

  • tenofspades #7 2 years ago

    This FF is the 'next big thing'. I just hope the rumours aren't true that they've made it purely control-pad enabled.

  • Kafeen #8 2 years ago

    There's lots of equipment slots, so lots of things to be made to fill them.

    How many different jobs do you need to hit something with a piece of metal?

    A couple more magic jobs might have been nice though.

    They are planning on adding more after release so I guess this gives them a little leeway to do that and allows them to focus more on balancing the jobs they do have.

  • SleepyMagpie #9 2 years ago

    Combat is really slow and unchallenging and the game is quite a grind I've heard.

    (Just saying this enough times might keep the ADHD bunch back at Bobby Kotick's patch and leave us our own private little world to enjoy).

    See you ingame folks. ^^

  • tenebrae #10 2 years ago

    The item crafting classes cover the obvious base needs, so there's nothing surprising about their number:

    Carpenter = wood weapons
    Blacksmith = metal weapons, tools
    Armourer = heavy metal armour
    Goldsmith = jewelry
    Leatherworker = medium leather armour
    Weaver = light cloth armour
    Alchemist = potions, scrolls
    Culinarian = food

    ...which amusingly makes it an exact one-to-one mirror of LotRO's item crafter classes. The only difference is on the gatherer side, where fishing is a class instead of a hobby, and there's no woodsman to fell trees and cure hides into leather.

  • JunglistVIP #11 2 years ago

    My eyes are out!!! :p

  • Vistrix #12 2 years ago

    Whats with all the latest MMOs removing the healer class?

    Do developers realise some people actually like to play the supporting role of a group?

    I hope I'm wrong but All I see here is damage dealing classes for combat. Very disappointing if so...

    Edited by 1 at 23/07/10 @ 16:49

  • davisorle #13 2 years ago

    The controls on the beta so far are REALLY really bad for an MMO which is surprisingly dissapointing. I expected other things to be really bad about this game but when the basics are frustrating ( and im an experienced gamer and even more MMO one.. ) it leaves me kinda speachless.

    Graphically the game at this stage is very nice. I also kinda liked the character creation. NO breast adjustment as I saw mentioned before tho :p

    @Vistrix, There is only one class that has a healing spell so I take it there is the need of him as a healer. Havent had time to check in depth but since the rest dont have healing themselves I guessed so far that there is a healer and that him.

    Personal result: As much as I am in a need of a new MMO I cant be too possitive about FFIV. Knowing that there will be 18 classes is a good thing for sure. But knowing that you need to PAY extra per slot and you only have a couple char slots available with your subscription makes it fully retarded. If thats the case Im not even going to be tempted to pay for it. IF its not the case then the momment they fix the camera controls etc Im sold for the PC version. Might be able to play it from work too. I think the reason that they butchered for now the controls is cause they are making it similar to the PS3's controls. If the case im not paying for something that stupid as not an MMO with good PC controls and sucrifised out of lazyness.

  • bemaniac #14 2 years ago

    yes controls are terrible on the beta they have made the camera unplayable to move around with your mouse and i can't even run in a straight line.

  • Climhazzard #15 2 years ago

    Ive got onto the beta, lots of probs getting on then and still havent managed it. Will be getting on PS3 though for sure.

  • SleepyMagpie #16 2 years ago

    @Vistrix: Conjurers will be the healing class of FFXIV, and believe me, they will be much in need.

  • dave-on #17 2 years ago

    @Davisorle

    I think you'll find, and SE obviously know, that most people play FFXI with a pad and kb. Now while this doesn't excuse the buggy mouse control it is still the beta.

    As for the paying for extra slots maybe you're confusing FFXIV with any other MMO where you actually need more Char slots to play different jobs. You don't. Also the extra char slots on FFXI, which most people use as mules for gear etc, were $1 each. Yeah $1.

  • Hypercube #18 2 years ago

    FFXI had odd controls, but after a while I got used to them, and found various shortcuts and macros posted on the internet that helped a lot.

    As has been pointed out, this is a game where you can have one character, but play all classes on that one character. My preferred solution - if I'm out playing a gatherer, my friends can see me online, send me a tell and I can swap to a combat class and join them for some questing.