Quote Originally Posted by WildRaubtier View Post
Well, 2 only really let you choose what magic you wanted to learn. Compare to, say, 7, where you could choose what you wanted your character to do at other times, such as cover, counter attack, increase the encounter rate, etc.
Well, FFII was actually pretty deep for its time because not only could you choose to have your characters learn any spell (and using those spells would then increase your base stats as well as your proficiency in that magic type), but also any piece of armor or weapon type or how you arrange those weapons. For example, you could have your character wield a sword and shield, and they'll become more proficient at both sword and shield, but you could alternatively equip them with a sword only, and they'll wield that weapon two-handed. Your character will deal more damage than normal at the cost of defense and then become more proficient at wielding weapons two-handed, in addition to better with the sword class. There weren't the abilities we mentioned III added or support skills like you mentioned in VII, but it really let you craft every part of your character from what they wore to what they did and even their statistics.