Quote Originally Posted by Malithar View Post
It's not so much about the most ideal setup, and more about just playing like you're capable of breathing on your own. Part of that includes, but isn't limited to, gearing with some degree of knowledge of what that gear does.

Shield War will not be tanking. Thus, why are they using the shield? It adds nothing to what they bring to the table, it on my detracts from the DPS they could be offering. For what it's worth, I've done plenty of content with Drgs, Pups, Blms, Rdms, etc. Playing and gearing with a good head on your shoulders can make up for much of the difference between the job's base performance.

And Jesus @ this massive derail from just saying I'd be annoyed as the Whm if a War in my party used a shield. Pretty sure you just gotta have the last word Dale, so have fun with that. Thanks for the psychoanalysis of me and why I shouldn't be annoyed at people who waste my time.
Wow, people are writing like I suggested full timing a shield, I did no such thing. all I said is that when you hopefully swap into that defensive set a shield has utility-an extra 30 defense can help a lot and many shields have -dmg on them as well. Once a cure lands on you, you swap back to whatever set you normally play in, and for most Wars that's likely a GAxe and a grip (seeing a dual-wielding war at 119 is extremely rare) so a shield is impossible. But if you are going to need a few seconds longer than usual (whm mid-cast or low MP or TP on healers) it might be the difference that keeps you alive long enough for them to cure you. I remember leveling war in the old days and I was tanking-until level 30 when all ability to tank pretty much dried up. From that point on, war tanking is pretty much confined to giving the nin time to put shadows back up, allowing a pld to cure themselves, or voking off a pt member who CANNOT take the hit when hate control hits the fan-especially healers or support people-and then only until the tank can take it back, and you wouldn't swap in a shield there unless the fan is fully hit.

no, the only time I would switch to a shield fulltime as a war is going to be when you find out you made a BIG mistake picking that enemy and are hoping to survive by a miracle. IF you live, you don't make that mistake again, fight something else and should only need it if you are waiting on a cure, like soloing with trusts, and that is a swapping situation again.