Paladin: Possibilities

[Zyeriis]

Disclaimer: I would put this in the paladin sub forum. The problem is that the problem and solutions I am going to present apply to every job and game/party mechanics in general. Thus, it is going in general discussion.

If it isn't obvious: This thread is about Paladin, and how broken (the bad kind) it currently is in the game. Yes, Paladin can still mitigate damage extremely well but the problem lay in it's inability to out-enmity gain (and maintain) DDs and other jobs, which can do it just as well, if not better.

There have been a number of solutions thought up on how to address this issue from a DD buff to More Spells to More Job abilities for Paladin. So, I figured it time to think up some ways Paladin could be "fixed" for myself and to add to the list based on other ideas presented, much like I did in my thread about Campaign and how it could be improved.

Disclaimer #2: Not all ideas posted below may be original ideas of my own. I will give credit where credit is due, if and when possible. The starter ideas will have no citation as they will only come from my own thoughts on the matter. Any additional ideas brought up in this thread will be the ones that get credit for ideas when I add them to the list.

I will bold individual idea's headers to separate them. This way, people can focus on a specific idea. I will also number them so that they can be refered to as idea #1, idea #2, etc. Original solutions will be categorized with upper case letters and italicized headers. Additional solutions under one such bolded idea will be categorized with lower case letters and underlined headers with a double indent (--). Examples: Original Solution 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B or Additional Solution 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, etc.

1) Cover

-1A) Make it a Job Trait
Cover is likely one of the most under used job abilities that a Paladin has access to. It is simply impractical to use. Yes, there are other job abilities that Paladin has that are likely used even less but Cover stands out as an actual potentially useful ability with an insane recast timer. The best solution for this? Turn it into a job trait that only works if you are wielding a shield with a high proc rate.

Detailed Explanation: Cover as Job Trait would only require the Paladin be between the person with hate and the enemy (just like the job ability) except this job trait would be active at all times (but not necessarily with a 100% proc rate, I leave that up to the dev team, it could be like Zanshin in respect to not always procing). This solution fixes a lot of problems with paladin AND makes cover itself extremely useful. Paladin itself would no longer need to beat the DDs for hate. Paladin would be able to use their hate to the advantage of the party by simply shielding the person with hate from the enemy.

-1B) Remove "Be between enemy and target party member" restriction
This solution does not involve changing Cover into a job trait. Instead, simply make cover no longer require re-positioning on anyone's part. All damage directed at the target party member would be transfered (or directly dealt) to the Paladin instead without having to be between the monster and the party member.

-1C) Make it AoE
Monsters these days in Abyssea get auras that are constantly in affect, such as Sedna's silence aura. Why can't player's get such abilities? Cover seems like it would be a good choice for this type of upgrade (much like avatar's favor). Make it self-target and create an enmity drawing aura. Any player in the party within the field of the Cover aura who is targeted due to enmity would have the enemy attack the Paladin instead.

2) Combat Roles

-2A) Commander-type Class
This idea is relatively simple. Start crafting Paladin into a "Leader" type of class. Giving spells like Bravery/Valor and Faith to Paladin. This ties in a bit with the Cover AoE idea (1C) by giving an enmity priority type of effect to Paladin by singling it out as the "Leader" or "Commander" of the party (Enemy's would want to 'take out the Leader to lower morale). These leads me to the next part of this idea. Some form of a "Morale" ability for Paladin. An ability like War Cry but with a very mild (1%) boost to multiple things such as: Haste, Fast Cast, Attack, Defense, etc. that doesn't last a long time (like War Cry).

Modifications #1
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...3337#post83337

Modifications #2
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...7994#post87994

Modifications #3
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...0691#post90691

Modifications #4
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...1091#post91091

Modifications #5
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...3383#post93383