Final Fantasy XIV Beastmaster Limited Job: All We Know So Far

Beastmaster is coming to Final Fantasy XIV, subverting a tidal wave of expectation by tossing aside all theories that Green Mage would be the next job. While Beastmaster is coming, it will be joining Dawntrail as a limited job, so won't be blasting end-game content alongside the two new completed jobs of Viper and Pictomancer. So, what is a Beastmaster in the Final Fantasy universe?

Final Fantasy Beastmasters:

To get an idea of how Beastmasters work, we must look back to the job's origins.

In Final Fantasy V, the Beastmaster job is an advanced job obtained from a shard of the Fire Crystal. Beastmasters tote the power to control enemies for a short time or, more excitingly, capture certain enemies and unleash them in future battles.

In Final Fantasy XI, Beastmasters also feature the power to manipulate enemy creatures to benefit the BST and their allies.

FFXIV Beastmaster Abilities:

Based on how Beastmasters are played in older Final Fantasy titles, it's fair to imagine that FFXIV Beastmasters may have the ability to tame and capture hostile monsters. How far Square will go with this remains to be seen. Will we be able to capture and keep more than one monster in our Beastmaster arsenal? Will we be able to have our captured monsters follow our characters around Limsa, Pokemon style? Time will tell.

Beastmasters also boast an array of abilities (below) themed around the control and capture of monsters. Here's the ability set available to Beastmasters in Final Fantasy V:

FFXIV Beastmaster Gear:

Beastmasters generally wear gear themed around animal hides, shed or otherwise, such as wool, leather, and horns. Their armor is relatively light.

Beastmasters also often use whips as their signature weapon, a key tool in the taming and control of monsters, though their weapon of choice is as yet unconfirmed for their addition to Final Fantasy XIV.