How's Gladiator nowadays?

[Curcio]

I'm curious as to what it can bring to the tables the Paladin can't. . .

Obviously it can use abilities from other classes that Paladin can't, but it also loses out on some fairly decent abilities.

So, let this be a Gladiator discussion I'm nervous about building one up just to see it crash and burn. . .

Any stat focuses that are different from Paladin? Gear choices? Ability rotation?

[SwordCoheir]

About the only thing that GLA might have over PLD in terms of DD is the ability to use damage boosting abilities and invigorate. However it also loses out on Spirits which is another good and cheap WS to cycle through so it's sort of debatable which would be better.

One thing GLA does have a distinct advantage over PLD though is kiting. We know Hallowed Ground isn't really reliable as a source of mitigation and no longer being able to cast while running causes Holy Succor lose it's advantage, so the versatility of having Second Wind trumps just about anything PLD gives for kiting.

[Alerith]

I only use GLA as a DD now. While some people think missing out on Spirit's Within would be damage crippling, that's not so.

When you have Blindside, Invigorate, Blood for Blood, Hawk's Eye and Keen Flurry, you can do some pretty amazing damage.

Use Keen Flurry and Riot Blade from behind, lower the enemies defense, then use Riot Blade again with Blindside and Blood for Blood for some very high critical damage. Flame Sergeant's gear can enhance this tactic. Use Bloodbath in conjunction with this for a very nice, MP free self heal.

[Chardrizard]

Glad is playable at mob without crazy defense like chimera or ifrit because you can hold hate fine with flat blade spam, however spirits within is too much of a loss on huge defense mob bc it pierce defense.

[Tman]

Spirit's Within also requires a block if u combo it, and as a DD pld strictly u can only block with cover up

[GreyJorildyn]

you mean divine veil?

Are people seriously using DPS builds on PLD for Chimera? Seems like it would take a long time to not only build enmity but also keep hate from black mages. Fights would take forever, no? Plus you'd get slammed for damage. Anyway, seems like a bad idea to me.

[Tman]

i was speaking from a DD pld's perspective, if its a dmg built tank then yea divine veil

[DeadRiser]

I think I'm going to try and DD as a GLA this weekend and see how that goes. Seems like it might be fun ^^

[GreyJorildyn]

Fun? Maybe. Gimp? Definitely.

[Denmo]

GLA DD requires some good DD equipment to be viable. And even then it's outclassed easily.

But if you've only GLA/PLD at your disposal at 50 and your party needs a DDer and not a tank, well, tell em you have GLA lol.