The Complete Evolution of Pictomancers

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Pictomancer is one of the less common Jobs from across the Final Fantasy franchise, but it has been thrust into the spotlight with Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail. This video covers the evolution of the Job.
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[@wilsbowski]

"We don't often include the Bravely series in these videos" but since there are fuck all pictomancers other than Relm we decided we needed something!

[@GameKnight404]

I really wish they would talk about Bravely more, it’s a good series.

[@mhiggs8001]

They’re gonna have to do something because there is only so much FF topics they can come up with. Even though I’ve thoroughly enjoyed most all they’re stuff, they’ve really limited themselves as a channel by only covering FF which is a shame since they’re very good at presenting topics in an enjoyable way!

[@slickdrick]

@@wilsbowski yeah there's no pictos in FF16 either because that game isn't even an RPG and doesn't have anything resembling jobs.

[@frontfacingjoe9235]

​@@slickdrickaction rpg is still an rpg

[@slickdrick]

@@frontfacingjoe9235 I agree, however ff16 is not an rpg. its a hack n slash. FF7 rebirth is an action rpg. The witcher 3 is an action rpg. skyrim is an action rpg. even ff15 is an action rpg. Not a very good one but its still an rpg. FF16 is action thats for sure but its not an rpg.

[@voidteahouse5883]

Recently I saw 2 players arguing in "say" chat in Limsa, and one of them said "Don't fuck with me. I'm a lv 100 Picto, I can draw you pregnant" XD

[@Dinivas]

Makes it rather fun that the job unlock quest in FFXIV calls the player "a RELM reborn" putting in a pun to both Relm and ARR.

[@evilgibson]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1068">17:48</a> Krille always had the cat ear hood 😂

[@samus20018]

Yeah her design was based on FF5 Krile's white mage outfit.

[@tazlolol]

Lvl 100 Pictomancer here and it's FANTASTIC.

[@Castersvarog]

I’m only at level 93 at this time, and it’s genuinely *fantastic*. Honestly it’s a 10/10 job and it’s something I hope more jobs be like in the future. It’s so much fun

[@zachsroomYT]

I love hammer time XD

[@XellosTheDragon]

Yes! It is officially my favorite job of every expansion

[@theztav]

Actually, Relm was closer to a Pictomancer in DFFOO than in any other of the spin offs. The sketch ability would make Relm draw the summon you had equipped on your party and the effect of the skill would vary. Equipping Ifrit would deal fire damage, equipping Shiva would do Ice damage, equipping Sylph would heal the party and etc.

[@KenjiShiratsuki]

That was sketch summon. Sketch just inflicted a debuff that let you go before the enemy with it. Sketching yourself in before their turn. :3

[@enlongjones2394]

Another note about Pictomancer in Bravely 2 It used the concept of colors instead of completed paintings to do various effects. Red would debuff attack power, purple would reduce healing, and so on. Pictomancer in XIV also carries over a bit of the concept of colors alone, using colors to evoke elements.

[@chazon1780]

Even further than that, the colors used referance the colors of LIGHT rather than the standard colors seen in paints. The primary colors (your standard attacking spells) are Red, Blue and GREEN while your secondary colors (usable only after activating Subtractive Palette) are Magenta, Cyan, and Yellow. Combine them all and you get white, while the absence of any color is black.

[@jacobdriscoll8276]

I feel like you missed an opportunity to talk about the design of Relm's abilities in the light of FF5's Beastmaster mechanics. Sketch is, mechanically, like Catch/Release, and Control is almost exactly lifted from FF5. Relm in FF5 is a Beastmaster with a high Evasion/Magic score!

[@enlongjones2394]

Yep. Her abilities mirror the beastmasfer job. The main difference is Sketch immediately fires off a copy of her target’s ability, rather than catching and storing the target for later use. Several characters in 6 have abilities mirroring jobs in 5, and relics demonstrate some others.

[@beechteeth]

Krile's outfit in FFXIV is actually based on the sprite of Krile in her White Mage outfit from FFV

[@kfk4441]

When someone says "Pictomancers don't belong to FFXIV" show them this

[@SapphireMan08]

Who is saying dumb shit like that to start with though?

[@PervertedNovaxc3]

@@SapphireMan08 Probably the same people who claim Solution 9 doesn't fit into xiv

[@HikingFeral]

@@SapphireMan08 The same people leaving negative reviews for DT on Steam because Wuk Lamat's voice actor is trans.

[@orrthehunter]

​@@SapphireMan08 people who do not know Relm exists.

[@MazeeKasurame]

​​@@HikingFeralIs that true? amazing~ and with amazing I mean I find it wonderful if her VA is trans. ... I figured I had to clarify as my og statement, now that I look at it, can be taken out of context too easily...

[@joeyc.9622]

One of the original writers of The Last Airbender, Michael Dante DiMartino, has a fantasy duology of novels based around the Pictomancy concept. I believe the title is Rebel Genius.

[@thereseemstobeenanerror1219]

Really?!

[@joeyc.9622]

@@thereseemstobeenanerror1219 Yup. Rebel Genius by DiMartino. Check it out!

[@joeyc.9622]

@@thereseemstobeenanerror1219 Yup! Like I said, Rebel Genius by Michael DiMartino. Check it out!

[@grimreapergames]

Realm is also the name of the creator of pictomance in ffxiv.

[@adamraserovaquera]

Behold a Relm Reborn! \o/

[@DolFunDolhpinVtuber]

I love using Relm in F VI

[@davids2977]

Pictomancer would have been amazing in FFX-2. I wish they added it for the Remaster, since Festivalist is basically pointless.

[@kanae1345]

Yay, thanks for showing Opera Omnia! Relm was adorable in that game, both in battle and the story! Also, my fav Pictomancer is Adeleine from Kirby 64! Pictomancers rule!

[@Forever_Zero]

This video is the proof we need more pictomancers. I'm glad they've been receiving more attention recently

[@AtariSwitch]

Considering how thin the content you had to draw from, I'm surprised you didn't find a way to mention 7's hypnocrown.

[@franistart]

5 had a hypnocrown as well. I bet it will be discussed when beastmaster comes out

[@sonnyson01]

Just in time for Dawntrail!!! I'm thoroughly enjoying the class right now

[@Majinmccowen]

Been so cool seeing this channels massive growth. Congratulations and keep up the great work!

[@madambutterfly1997]

PCT is my new main in 14

[@michaelrodriguez4818]

I swear I love your videos and I love even more the inclusion of the mobile games. But it also breaks my heart since some of those mobile games were shut down and I was very dedicated to them all.

[@jaypro6269]

Technically Krile had the cat-ear hood first, as she premiered in 5, while Relm is in 6.

[@antiquatedg0ld]

RIP Opera Omnia T_T

[@ennosoliveira8684]

I love every video of underground jobs

[@user-sw6ni2tq6h]

Great video!

[@seraphus6287]

I've said this before, but... I still think you should do an evolution video on everything that has the name Ultima in it; equipment, summons, enemies, lore, etc. It pops up so much Final Fantasy it should get it's own detailed break down. Anyone else?

[@aaronlefebre5060]

I couldn't imagine this one was too long, seeing as there's only so many entries. But fun to watch, nonetheless!

[@Nimasho2go]

I like how in the Opera Omnia section, you showed a scene of Relm talking to Krile. (The significance of which you explain later)

[@alexkeller3022]

Another fun reference in FFXIV is that in the pictomancer job quest, it talks about how an Archon named Archon Relm created the art of pictomancy.

[@KenjiShiratsuki]

Currently playing Pictomancer. The job quests are rather good. The job has some BONKERS alpha strike. Pom Muse>Swiftcasted Motif>Wing Muse>Mog of the Ages>Hammer Muse>Hammer combo takes out a good 10% of most boss' HP bars in as many seconds. It's really nice.

[@bahamut1169]

Good job

[@Fauntleroy.]

I always felt like Van in Chrono Cross was also bordering on being a Pictomancer.

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

Yassss

[@millsxi]

I agree!

[@drewtheunspoken3988]

This may well be the most focused and specialized Final Fantasy video ever made. And I'm here for it.

[@maugos]

Alteration I feel is the main aspect of the pictomancer. Makes sense since art tends to alter as the artist makes it. Whether you're applying different paints or using different layers in photoshop the idea of alteration as you continue creating is perfect for this job's overall theme.

[@promethiac2641]

Not once did I ever try to take a picture of everything in any compendium (Zelda).. are you nuts? Wait... Pictomancer? I may not know what that is lol

[@Dragon66898]

Cool concept

[@AkaiAzul]

Oh, this gives me ideas for a Scribe job!

[@Flamsterette]

Thanks for the upload on CANADA DAY 2024!

[@cbarcher8527]

The history of Pictomancers. ... There was Relm... Thank you for listening!

[@bahamut1169]

Also we need updated version of the bahamut evolution 😊

[@jezixhylus3370]

Krile’s cat-ear hood has been a staple of her outfit since she was first introduced in… Heavensward was it? Most likely coming from the Sage outfit from FF3 (my guess, at least).

[@Vyse195]

Since I like to try every job I will be trying out the answer. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy it.

[@Amateracu1991DFFOO]

That DFFOO Relm sprite hits hard...

[@makisbizarreadventure4669]

RIP Opera Omnia. They could have atleast released an offline version but nooo

[@hiatusinc]

Picto is very fun to play in FFXIV and out-dpses every. SINGLE. CLASS (as of 7.0 - might get nerfed in the future)

[@La_Espada_Sin_Nombre]

Ah yes, my favorite video, the complete evolution of Relm.

[@jcrizzle]

I thought the Pictomancer was the Beastmaster Class of FFV remodeled. It does very similar things.

[@enlongjones2394]

It basically is. Sketch is effectively the Catch and Release ability turned into one move. Instead of storing a monster for later use, Relm copies her target’s ability immediately. Which, sadly, is less effective in most cases. And then she gets the control ability, which functions almost identically to beast master. It’s neat how the aesthetic concept of using magic paint to create things became a different kind of concept later on.

[@jcrizzle]

@@enlongjones2394 Why isn't it mentioned though?

[@jcrizzle]

It is petty but just saying. Still a great vid.

[@enlongjones2394]

@@jcrizzle I don’t know, I’m not the writer.

[@jcrizzle]

I know lol. My bad

[@Psydkik]

Those picture puns lol

[@danielramsey6141]

Funny enough. There is a Final Fantasy-like TTRPG game called Fabula Ultima that recently received a Job that had been in the Works for a while. Fabula Ultima introduced the “SYMBOLIST” Job Class!

[@Oblic008]

This could have easily been called "The complete evolution of Relm."

[@jeremyberner5164]

Good video

[@pringerx1337]

Would you ever make a video analyzing the “three faces of eve” that shows up in a lot of the FF games?

[@JoshuaVerscha]

Pictomancers in 14 right now do way too much dmg. I dont play it yet but love, looove having them in my groups lol.

[@HanabiraKage]

All the motif-related actions do disgusting damage, especially the hammers which are three consecutive instant casts (albeit with a ~5s cast + an instant cast gcd as setup) that are guaranteed to be critical direct hits. Which is insane.

[@flaffles87]

The flashy style would set fire to my current computer. I need an upgrade to best enjoy the visuals before I pick XIV back up again.

[@caseykiesling4348]

Complete history of characters named Ramza Belouve next please

[@TheBucknative]

So... Relm

[@JaidynReiman]

And Bravely Default 2 if you want to count that. Edit: Which he did.

[@CloudianMH]

Well the last 2 videos have just been ff14 bait.

[@JankyToe]

Great video! I see you've really _brushed_ up on your _hue-mor!_ What a _stroke_ of genius, I'm positively _drawn_ to these kinds of videos! Sorry.

[@EclipseHighroller]

Could you PLEASE do a gambler video?

[@ansemthetrueseekerofdarkne2730]

Would Zexion from Kingdom Hearts 2, 358/2 Days, and Chain of Memories count as a sort of pictomancer?

[@PervertedNovaxc3]

I'd say no. He doesn't draw any thing at all, he just uses a book as a weapon.

[@filanfyretracker]

pictomancer, Cartoon Violence the class.

[@Baron_Lio]

Imagine being the dev that was trying to explain it to people..... "PICTURE THIS"

[@jupiterjazz9421]

Didn't Krile have a kitty hood in ffv as well?

[@eternalsummer8409]

The evolution of Pictomancers: enix “ah shit we forgot this existed..well fuck it, let’s put it in 14”

[@eternalsummer8409]

To clarify I mean this as a light hearted joke, I personally love how for 14 enix often looks back at its old properties and themes and references them and such

[@dr_tal]

New expansion had been out for like 2 days.

[@twelfthknight]

The Pictomancer has a great "class fantasy" - as they say in the TTRPG space - with a magipunk Renaissance artist-meets-summoner vibe, but the clunkiness of Relm's mechanics made it pretty unintuitive from a game design standpoint to build upon. Which is ideal for FFXIV, as they have to redesign the Job's mechanics from the ground up anyways the harder bit is creating a strong visual and thematic hook to draw players in. I especially like how XIV made their Pictomancer have these longer charge times for certain spells as it feels very natural to tie that to something as time-consuming as painting a portrait.

[@RoseDarksbane]

"if you're going to play pictomancer in 14" I'm already level 100 pictomancer :3

[@beresfordcrowder9511]

Sounds like an iteration of blue mage and his ability to steal magic from enemies

[@pedrohenriquemonteirodacos3224]

The pictomances fells like it is a Summoner but whit twist. Honestly as much i like the concept, i think thta is kind gimmick back the GBA remake that i played so i prefers to uses other charactes as means to inflict damage mostly becauses her attacks ofen healed the opponent instead of dealing damage.

[@KRJayster]

Ah yes, the evolution of pictomancer’s, all… two examples. XD

[@SirSongi]

As a picto main. Imma paint YOU in pvp >:)

[@Beryllahawk]

You guys had quite a bit of fun with this script, didn't you! Haha! Loved the humor! I've not made up my mind about FFXIV's take on Pictomancer, not yet, but it's certainly creating quite a buzz among the folks I play with!

[@bandi138138]

I actually really enjoyed Opera Omnia. Disappointed it was nixed

[@rumotu]

When i heard pictomancer comes to ff14 I wanted to give it another shot. But the map navigation and screen clutter in the game are so terrible that it made my head physically hurt.

[@HanabiraKage]

You can edit your UI to better suit your tastes. Try doing that to reduce clutter.

[@Dogan_TM]

The lack of art in 14's Pictomancer was a little disappointing. Just a moogle, hammer, starry night, and some elements... and whatever the LB is. Think it was a spriggan or something

[@HanabiraKage]

Probably the rainbow spriggan Krile draws in the trailer? Technically there's a little more art with a claw + maw forming the summon Madeen.

[@Rhin0beak]

Gah I want to get into ffxiv so bad but every time I try I get burnt out quick

[@TragicArchAngel]

Bravely Default 😻

[@wtfsamusidk7574]

Relm best girl of ff6

[@silvertalon215]

IMO Bravely Default is more Final Fantasy than current Final Fantasy

[@erics8192]

stamina didn't matter in ff6

[@nemothenobody7859]

Comment.

[@Racerguardguy]

DFFOO!!! Relm!! :(

[@stevemanart]

Lithomancer is a better name for the class. Lithograph is a word rooted in Greek and refers to a form of artistry. The suffix mancy/mancer comes from the Greek Necromancy; the art of divination via reading the entrails of a dead animal.

[@stephensmith4025]

This job is such a mess in FFXIV.

[@AzureRoxe]

Kinda sucks that Pictomancer has slowly lost their uniqueness to the point that it was added to FFXIV as simply another magic DPS.

[@Castersvarog]

You say that, but it’s easily one of the most popular and well built jobs from a design perspective.

[@andrasylvan9915]

I just wish this class stayed outside FF14. Maybe as a limited job not an actual job. Its basically a semi-recycle of Black Mage with hideous paint animations

[@Mystwarrior1]

Intro was too long. Got bored B4 it even start.

[@georgehouliaras7239]

Poor Shadow. His daughter has the worst job in the series.

[@xaby996]

Stop showing only clips from the pixel remasters! The art is disgusting and spits in the face of the source material.

[@slickdrick]

Wont find a pictomancer or any job for that matter in FF16. Wont find any rpg game play mechanics in 16 either. Also please stop talking about the welfare mobile games. Nobody gives af about those

[@Siensane]

You fight a Dragoon like an hour into the game.

[@slickdrick]

@@Siensane No you fight like clive which isnt a job its just clive.

[@Siensane]

@@slickdrick Learn how to read.

[@slickdrick]

@@Siensane I don't know if you noticed me typing out sentences but that's a pretty telling sign that I do, in fact, know how to read.

[@Siensane]

@@slickdrick Then reread what I typed.