Geomancer Appreciation Post
I've been playing FFT since the original PSX release and it's only now playing The Ivalice Chronicles that I understand Geomancers' true potential. Back in the day I was pretty underwhelmed by them, coming right after Monk in the class tree. Monks, with their insane unarmed damage and one of the most versatile skillsets in the game. By comparison geomancy seemed pretty weak damage wise and far more limited in application. Interesting concept, and sure the status effects were sometimes useful, but I wrote it off as a gimmick class. Besides, I unlocked ninja soon after, and who needs other melee units when you have monks and ninjas?
What I failed to understand then is just how good the gear options for geomancer are and how their great-nowhere-but-good-everywhere stat spread enables so many other skills to shine.
Want to boost Agrias' PA so her sword skills hit harder? Geomancer has you covered.
Want to use the Javelin II and Escutcheon II but Dragoons just don't move fast enough to keep up? Geomancer with Equip Polearms can wear a Thief Hat. (I know, Ninjas are even faster but then you can't use a shield)
Want to make Marach a one man army like Cid? Well you're out of luck there but as a Geomancer he can equip a flame shield to heal himself with nether ashura while hitting enemies for respectable (and sometimes excellent) damage.
Finally, Iaido. The samurai class is another one that always felt underpowered and awkward to use, but I kept coming back because of how cool the idea was. And wow can a properly built Geomancer really put it to good use. While not the absolute best class to maximize damage with it (Thanks Black Mage) Geomancers' superior HP, PA, Movement, and innate shield equip make them much better suited to mixing it up in the middle of enemy ranks.
Seriously, my female Geomancer is rocking the Materia Blade +, Aegis Shield, Thief Hat, Lordly Robe and Septime Sens and unlike my joke about Marach she really does mow through enemies almost as fast as Cid, even on Tactician. With that much MA stacked even her Geomancy does good damage when I can't get close enough to blow everything up with Muramasa
All in all, I seriously overlooked both the power and fun potential of this class through both the original release and War of the Lions. The next time I get the urge to start a new playthough I'll be training a unit for this role from the start.