Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker is the next upcoming expansion for Square Enix’s critically-acclaimed MMO, and will serve as the final chapter of the Zodiark and Hydaelyn saga. It also brings with it two new jobs (classes) for players to enjoy: the Reaper and the Sage.
Jobs in Final Fantasy 14 differ compared to other games of the genre, such as World of Warcraft’s classes or Guild Wars 2’s professions, because the player can swap between the different jobs they have unlocked on the same character. This means a player can effortlessly switch roles and playstyles according to their whim or the needs of their group – so long as they aren’t in the middle of content. With the coming of Endwalker and the Sage, a new healing job in Final Fantasy 14, this threatens to shake up the meta in an exciting way for at least the first few months.
What Sage Brings To Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker
The current healing jobs that Final Fantasy 14 has to offer are the White Mage, a staple of the Final Fantasy franchise; the Scholar; and the Astrologian, added in the first expansion set Heavensward. To understand how Sage will fit into this tapestry of healers, it is important to first look at the state of Final Fantasy 14’s healing jobs.
Those choosing a White Mage usually do so one of two reasons: to play a more traditional style based on raw healing, or for the formidable damage output a White Mage can do when the party’s lives aren’t at stake. On the opposite end is the Scholar, whose healing is based on preventing damage rather than mending it. Scholars are also accompanied by a faerie that passively provides healing on its own.
Astrologians in Final Fantasy 14’s Shadowbringers expansion used to exist in the middle of these two healing philosophies, while also providing a unique flair of their own. However, with Endwalker on the way, they have endured the most changes for the sake of reestablishing parity. Square Enix has opted to shift them further toward straightforward healing.
The Sage, with its mechanical Nouliths and abilities that have Greek-inspired names (fitting the Sharlayan Nation), will stand next to Scholars as a “Barrier Healer” to contrast the role of White Mages and Astrologians as “Pure Healers.” The most unique thing about Sage is that it has a “partner” mechanic not unlike Dancers. Kardia is an ability that grants a buff to either the Sage or one of their party members, converting the damage a Sage deals into healing for the affected target.
What This Means For Final Fantasy 14’s Group Content
No doubt the freshness of the job will spark a lot of excitement among the fanbase, and many will want to give Sage a go considering the relative ease with which characters can unlock new jobs. As a result, many are worried that group content in Final Fantasy 14 will be flooded with green-blooded Sages still figuring out the intricacies of their job, as well as the full potential of the toolset available to them.
In the volatile period after Endwalker’s launch, the healing meta will likely be skewed heavily toward Sage before stabilizing to a new normal. Predicting the new normal this early is difficult, but Square Enix’s plan to further emphasize the difference between a Barrier Healer and Pure Healer, offering two unique flavors of each, is sound.
One important thing to look out for with potentially long-term implications for job popularity is the amount of Scholars who will choose to switch to Sage, given the relative similarity between the two jobs. After all, Sage is an interesting addition to Final Fantasy 14 that players will hopefully embrace and master over the coming months.
Final Fantasy 14 is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5. Endwalker launches on December 7.