What would SE have to put on a shield for you to consider using it?

[ManaKing]

Agreed that total damage is what we are looking at. RDMs total damage, regardless of offhand, is low. Most of the reason that is the case is because the job was destined to fail at DPS because it doesn't have the skills, job traits/abilities, or WSs to be considered a good DPS. Increasing WS damage would be increasing total damage. Giving RDM the tools to increase their total damage is what we are talking about, or at least I am. Agreed, currently, a shield is the complete opposite of that idea, but I'm hoping that can change.

I understand what you are saying by "Dual Wield increases Tp phase damage, does not increase WS damage, and thus increases overall damage." You clearly cover what i'm saying in the rest of what you say and I have no disagreements with it. And yes, I understand that Dual Wield is only a detriment to your TP gain in the case of capped delay from outside sources. I'm not saying that this would be some kind of work around for that, just that there are areas where you could improve shields so that the gap wouldnt have to be so large. One of the areas that could be worked on is the availability of more haste, but that doesn't have to be the only answer.

I do realize what a large improvement would have to be made to shields. They are grossly inadequate in the present state of the game. I'm well aware RDM hasn't been given anything but negligence for a long time, much like shields on anyone else but a PLD. So my question is, what area can a RDM grow to overcome the state that it is in, while keeping its identity as a job? What I came up with is taking a whole bunch of negatives that are on the job and somehow making them positive.

I asked the question about what would be needed to make you want to put a shield on because I wanted to hear people's ideas. I generally like everything that comes out of you, but i think we are both aware that you and I don't play the same. But the funny thing is, I'm pretty sure we both value magical damage and job flexibility or else we would both be playing something else. I doubt either of us will give up RDM anytime soon, either. So I, personally, want to make sure that RDM turns into something cool that both of us can enjoy.

I hope both of us can appreciate the idea of elemental potency being more readily available outside of Aby.

P.S. I think outside of the box on RDM because the Box it lives inside is currently very broken. I completely realize that half of what I come up with is not even remotely acceptable by common standards. I appreciate the discussions though. They are fun. I also miss SCs and MBs. Would be nice if they came back.