Final Fantasy 14's upcoming "Evolved" job redesigns are intended to streamline gameplay and combat homogenization, rather than provide a substantial damage boost over their existing "Reborn" versions. Koji Fox, a key developer involved in the process, stated that any damage increase will be "very negligible," emphasizing that the primary goal is to differentiate job mechanics and rotations.
Fox clarified that the Evolved jobs are the future direction for the game, with all new jobs designed with this paradigm in mind. While a slight damage increase will serve as an incentive for players to try the new iterations, the focus is on offering distinct gameplay experiences. This move comes as the game has faced criticism for system stagnation across multiple expansions, with some elements like FATEs remaining largely unchanged for years.
The redesigns also aim to address the complexity that has accumulated in existing jobs over time. As Final Fantasy 14 has expanded with new expansions and level cap increases, the number of abilities, weaponskills, and spells has grown considerably, leading to an overwhelming number of hotkeys for players, particularly newcomers.
Square Enix will provide "Reborn" modes for all existing jobs, allowing players to retain the familiar gameplay styles they are accustomed to, even as the Evolved jobs become the focus. Fox, while not directly on the battle team, is closely involved in development and frequently engages with the community at fan festivals, lending significant weight to his insights on the game's direction.