Rune Fencer Merit Ability List

[Zagen]

So I'm overall disappointed that this is what we get for merits. It's obvious SE wants RUN to remain a tank but it's also obvious they don't have a damn clue about how to make it an effective tank let alone a unique butterfly of a magical tank.

Rune Enchantment Effect - Why couldn't we have +2 MDB to the element? You know something that gives a consistent reduction in damage.

Vallation Effect - Is this Magic Defense or Magic Damage as those are 2 different things and the wording on the ability implies damage not defense.

Lunge Effect - Maybe I haven't been messing with hard enough content but is this even an issue for anyone?

Pflug Effect - Okay this I kind of like but since I can't full time Pflug it loses some of it's appeal. Though maybe there will be Relic gear to knock off 1 minute or AF to extend it and Relic to reduce the recast I can dream I guess.

Gambit Recast - So we can give 25%~ damage increase to nukers. Maybe manaburns are making a comeback and I didn't get the memo.

Group 2
Job Trait: Inspire - Holy crap SE you actually surprised me with something here. Assuming that 1/5 is also a 10% bonus at 5/5 it's the equivalent of a RDM with AF hat and Relic body.

Job Trait: Sword Sleight - Really? Subtle Blow? How about enhances Inquartata or a Desperate Blows type of effect to help with the loss in attacks from using our JAs? You know something that would help us try to tank.

Job Ability: Battuta - Okay this could be awesome and it better be considering it can't be full timed

Job Ability: Rake - So reduce the monster's magic evasion? Well if we get in to a group I guess we can help extend the amount of time stun can be used.

I'm left to bank on our AF being freaking awesome to bring RUN up to the point there it might get to the point where it is strong enough in the physical damage taken department to be called a tank. Hell I'd settle for it becoming a DD at least it would then be able to fit the DD/tank hybrid that most DDs fit but that would require stuff like Berserk to push it's melee damage up so people want it in a group.

Edit: I guess I should actually comment on what I might do for merits.
No clue what would be of value in group 1 at the moment so I'll wait until AF stats are found to decide.

For group 2 I think it's fairly straight forward:

Rake 5/5 if it is magic evasion down
Battuta 5/5

I'd consider Inspire over Battuta if we somehow get a way (that can be used on every cast) to boost Blink and Stoneskin to more than eh damage mitigation. For context sake I'm thinking 2-3 times the current potential effects.