[dev1017] Make Cover a Job Trait?

[Lazus]

Not true, they can still TA the PLD, and Accomplice/Collaborator mages and DDs, and I would argue that THF's abilities do a poor job on controlling enmity flow in the first place (it takes the enmity from other jobs and gives it to itself rather than redirecting it to the designated tank). Obviously the goal is to make the Paladin the target of the enemy's ire, but this necessitates one of any number of complete overhauls to the game and/or its mechanics.

SA+TA is design to transfer the hate it would of got onto a different target. Adding Accomplish and Collaborator add enmity to the thf true which can be used in a TA. SO although they not the best abilities perhaps for hate bouncing they are there to control it somewhat. Also with your cover JT sure it would make the pld the one that taking dmg, but not the target, the target would be the one you standing in front of.

By making Cover a job trait you allow Paladin to do what it's been built to do (take damage in the place of party members) without having to completely redesign the game around it (which creates other problems). Not only does this allow Paladin to be the shield most (if not all) of the time, it has no impact on its other abilities. It can still use Flash to blind an enemy, it can still use its shield to block, it still has Sentinel (which needs a buff of its own when you look at it compared to Third Eye and Counterstance) and Rampart (which is essentially useless... see the pattern here?), and it will still be able to contribute damage. I'd argue this helps THF, which has a helluva time trying to land a Sneak Attack when the mob is spinning 180 degrees every other swing because your DDs all have capped CE. Stack them behind your Paladin and the THF is free to SA/TA with impunity, and can also be shielded when they inevitably cap CE by taking it from the mages.

This does make pld a shield it make pld a wall, and have you seen some plds before aby, you were lucky if they would cured themselves or even flash the mob (and yes these were lvl 75 pld, probably even worst now). This all sound more like a bandage then a actual fix. Also rampart not useless it really was very nice for magic attacks also if merited a was nice to make sure you can cast your shadows or get off that cured that would save you. I agree sentinel need improving, and shield bash too.
Basically it boils down to you taking away the pld ability that they should be a tank and making it a mindless chore. "Stand in front of the player that has enmity and hey you are taking the dmg instead. If it switches target move in front of them. Have thf SATA the tank, stand in front of the tank." That really doesn't sound like tanking to me. I don't know about you but i always felt a sign of accomplishment when i did my job and kept the hate on me. Wouldn't really feel the same way if my "tanking" just had me needing to stand in front of the one taking the dmg.