In-depth idea for Rune Knight tank for 5.0

This is a combination of Rune Knight (FFT) and Rune Fencer (FFXI) that I was inspired to make.
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/...20080203052805
Rune Knights have 2 stances
Incarnation of Fire – While in this stance the rune knight uses two hands to wield his weapon and engulfs it’s blade in searing flame, in this stance his offensive abilities will cost MP, while his defensive abilities will cost TP. His damage will increase by 20% and his damage reduction will decrease by 10%.
Incarnation of Earth – While in this stance the rune knight conjures a shield made of the most solid stone while holding his blade in his other hand, in this stance his offensive abilities will cost TP, while his defensive abilities will cost MP. His damage will decrease by 10% and his damage reduction will increase by 20%.

The main attacks of a rune knight consist of Heavy Swing and Elemental Swing, the first is a powerful blow that helps to generate enmity and empower your runes, the second is a blow that is enhanced by the rune empowered from your heavy swing.
• Heavy swing – Deal damage with all of your strength behind the blow, 150 potency
• Elemental swing – Enhance your blade with either a harbored rune or a rune spell combo, 100 potency (150 combo), deals damage aspected to either your current harbored rune (unaspected if multiple) or to the rune spell used to combo into elemental swing.

Rune Knights use a variety of runes to create combos, restore health, or control the flow of battle.
• Lux – Light a Defensive ability, heals yourself a good amount, 2 second cast time, 600 potency (1000 combo)
• Gelus – Ice an Offensive ability, Deals damage to your target, 2 second cast time, 100 potency (180 combo)
• Flabra – Wind a Defensive ability, knock back all enemies around you 15 yalms, instant, increase emnity
• Sulpor – Lightning an Offensive ability, deals lightning damage to all enemies around you, instant, 80 potency (120 combo)
• Tenebrae – Dark a Defensive ability, instant, deal dark damage to target, increases emnity, 50 potency (80 combo)
• Ignis – Fire an Offensive ability, generates emnity, slash through the air sending a wave of fire in the wake of your sword hitting everything in a cone, 50 potency (80 combo)
• Tellus – Earth a Defensive ability, stamp your feet sending out a shockwave dealing damage and interrupting target, 50 potency (80 combo)

Your runes are not your only magic to help you in combat, you have a variety of enhancements as well. Using a spell or activating a rune allows you to Harbor it, this uses the gauge to show what runes you are currently harboring up to a maximum of 3
• Elemental Sforzo – A defensive ability that buffs your damage reduction for 10 seconds by 10%
• Shock Spikes – A defensive ability that strikes back at your attackers with bolts of electricity that has a chance to stun them, 30 potency, lasts 30 seconds
• Aquaveil – A defensive ability that reduces damage you take and lowers the chance that you will be interrupted when hit while casting, 5% reduction, lasts 30 seconds
• Jolt of Lightning – A defensive ability that blasts you forward in a bolt of lightning at the target, leaving them stunned for 2 seconds and dealing minor damage, 50 potency
• Rush of wind – An offensive ability, you rush forward like a storm and blast your target with a slash empowered by the element of wind, 100 potency

• Gambit – An offensive ability, expend all harbored runes on your weapon to attack a foe, deals damage based on what runes you have harbored and increases in damage with each rune harbored, leaves the enemy with its defenses lowered, 150 potency for each rune harbored when used.
• Prolonging of the Elements –A defensive ability, your health will not go below 1 hp, this effect removes one harbored rune from you for each hit you take that would otherwise reduce your health below 1, lasts 30 seconds or until all runes are expended. Can generate runes while this ability is active. At the end of this ability you suffer damage based on the number of runes used beyond 3 (5% of your max per rune)

There are also a few abilities that work differently based on what stance you currently using.
• Liement – A defensive and offensive ability that changes based on stance, In earth stance it creates a shield made of rock to absorb blows, 10% damage reduction and generates enmity. In fire stance it causes an explosion on your next auto attack or weapon skill, 200 potency. Consumes a single harbored rune.
• One for All – A defensive and offensive based on stance, in earth stance it gives all nearby allies a damage reduction buff of 5%, in fire stance it gives all nearby allies a damage increase buff of 5%.
• Rage of the Elements – An offensive and defensive ability based on stance, in earth stance this ability gives you a ice, earth, and light rune and decreases damage taken by 20%, in fire this ability gives a fire, lightning, and dark rune and a damage increase buff of 20%

Rune knights are empowered by the elements, Incarnation of the Elements is the peak of their ability.
• Incarnation of the Elements – Both an offensive and defensive stance, take on all of the runes in your sword gaining the benefits of both of your incarnations and generating large amounts of hp/second, can only be used with 4 runes harbored, changes elemental swing into elemental impact, 10 second duration.
• Elemental Impact - Offensive, generates emnity, deals huge unaspected damage and restores mp, 500 potency

Traits
• Enhanced Vitality I, II, & III respectively as a tank would normally gain them
• Harbor Rune – Allows you to maintain a rune, that has been activated, on your weapon to increase damage of auto attacks and empower abilities such as Gambit. Up to 3 runes can be harbored at any one time.
• Runic Empowerment – Allows the harboring of an extra rune and increases the damage, duration and healing of your rune abilities by a slight amount. (20 potency, 2 seconds extra duration, and 100 extra potency for Lux)

There are obviously some balancing issues as I can only theory craft but any constructive criticism is welcomed. I also realize that there needs to be recast times on most of these abilities but haven’t gone that far as of yet. Also mp costs and tp costs would be interesting to try and figure out, but would be difficult to balance without actually testing.
Please leave your feedback below
Also if anyone can teach me to put this all in one post for future reference that would be absolutely wonderful.

FFXIV's DRK is esentially FFXI's RUN, barring the appearance, as in it was born off the very same concept of a magic oriented tank. I honestly don't know why they did that when RUN would've fit the Heavensward theme perfectly, but /shrug.

Actually Rune Fencer and Dark Knight from FFXI were quite different. FFXIV's DRK is more based in FFXI DRK (Or any DRK i guess) and being more of a black mage and warrior with healing strikes and such that are a kind of staple with that class.

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Originally Posted by Adarrack1252

Actually Rune Fencer and Dark Knight from FFXI were quite different. FFXIV's DRK is more based in FFXI DRK (Or any DRK i guess) and being more of a black mage and warrior with healing strikes and such that are a kind of staple with that class.

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FFXIV's DRK isn't based off any DRK yet, especially not FFXI's, and not even Cecil. Stop spreading false information, I can show you, with extreme detail, why DRK has never been anything tanky. And yes, this includes Cecil dark knight, the character with the least magic defense in the entire game (barely has any), a negative increase in physical defense as he levels (Kain has more defense than Cecil by level 20) and not that great of an HP pool (Kain, again, has way more HP by level 20). Let's not start with FFXI's iteration. FFT's Gaffgarion was changed to Fell Knight, as its Dark Knight was a guest (ergo, an overpowered character) early in the game, and with the true Dark Knight introduction, the job had a passive skill which made its attack way stronger at the expense of its defense. The drain effect usually comes in the form of Blood equipment. What's a staple of the job is an HP-consuming attack, which we don't have because this one's a tank, unlike the others. Even Yoshida said something about "this being their vision of it for FFXIV". It's not like they got the jobs fine (SMN anyone?). Funny how you brought up the similarities with FFXI's DRK, showing how you don't know anything of it. Yes, it's been my main for 11+ years, including a well-earned relic for it, so I know what I'm talking about.

People need to accept the fact that, in FF, not every heavy armor user is a tank, the same way MNK's massive HP pool doesn't make it one, it's a means to survive due to its low defense the same way heavy armor was a means for DRK to survive while using Souleater/Darkside/Any HP-consuming skill.

Now, FFXIV's DRK is a tank, that's fine and dandy, but that's it.

To stay on topic, the idea's fine, I was just stating a point, but I would love to see RUN happen.

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Originally Posted by Tanathya

FFXIV's DRK isn't based off any DRK yet, especially not FFXI's, and not even Cecil. Stop spreading false information, I can show you, with extreme detail, why DRK has never been anything tanky.

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I think you misunderstand what the term "Based on" means, it doesnt mean an exact copy. They wanted this one to be tank that is a change yes, but it is still the general same concept of a Dark magic using swordsman. While RUN from FFXI is more of just a straight up elemental tank, with access to all the Bar spells and the Harbor Rune mechanic, i just dont see any similarity to DRK from ffxiv other thank it is a tank. I appreciate you staying on topic however please do not correct me with incorrect statements. I would still say that both in concept and mechanics beyond not being a dps class FFXIV has a DRK based on most DRK from the games FFII until now even if it isnt the exact copy of anything as of yet. And yes i know the only mechanic it doesnt use, HP drain.

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Originally Posted by Adarrack1252

I think you misunderstand what the term "Based on" means, it doesnt mean an exact copy. They wanted this one to be tank that is a change yes, but it is still the general same concept of a Dark magic using swordsman. While RUN from FFXI is more of just a straight up elemental tank, with access to all the Bar spells and the Harbor Rune mechanic, i just dont see any similarity to DRK from ffxiv other thank it is a tank. I appreciate you staying on topic however please do not correct me with incorrect statements. I would still say that both in concept and mechanics beyond not being a dps class FFXIV has a DRK based on most DRK from the games FFII until now.

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No it isn't, when the skill that makes it a DRK is gone missing. I mean, if you took Jump off DRG, would you still think it'd be based on dragoon? Rhetorical question.

Anyway, DRK is based on RUN as in it used to be the magical tank in FFXIV. RUN could work differently if elements were a thing, but since they're not, they'd just have an edge against magical attacks. And that's what this DRK does. DRK's magic is just an appearance, they could've made it to pop runes with the exact same effect they've got now and it would be a RUN.

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Anyway, DRK is based on RUN as in it used to be the magical tank in FFXIV. RUN could work differently if elements were a thing, but since they're not, they'd just have an edge against magical attacks. And that's what this DRK does.

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One mechanic does not a basis make. Souleater is still their go to move, and while it has always been the exact opposite of its current state that does not change that this class being a magical tank is not it being based on RUN.
For example using your own, if you change jump to fly it is still a DRG

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Originally Posted by Adarrack1252

One mechanic does not a basis make. Souleater is still their go to move, and while it has always been the exact opposite of its current state that does not change that this class being a magical tank is not it being based on RUN

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Will redirect you to my rhetorical question about DRG.
I'm not saying FFXIV's DRK is based on FFXI's RUN, I'm just saying they are essentially the same, a magical tank. That's it, and look at how well it ended up being.

About your example on changing the name from Jump to Fly, the effect would be the same, and even then, it'd be a mistake to change its name. But I digress, does DRK have an HP-consuming attack? Again, a rhetorical question.

Anyway, the argument is over for me here; like I said, I like the concept and I would love to see RUN here.

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FFXIV's DRK is esentially FFXI's RUN

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Sorry to tell you but that is exactly what you said. And being a magical tank is also a PLD but yet they are their own thing?

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Originally Posted by Adarrack1252

Sorry to tell you but that is exactly what you said. And being a magical tank is also a PLD but yet they are their own thing?

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Jesus, a magical tank in the sense that its niche skill and role is to be strong against magic. No, I didn't say it was based off FFXI's RUN because I don't know what they based it on as a fact, I just said they are essentially the same because they fulfill the exact same role.

I am saying, for the third friggin time, that I like the concept, your idea, and I would love to see RUN back, but gave a very valid opinion as to what to expect.

If the rabanastre story prediction is true, the next jobs are arithmetician, templar, and geomancer.

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Originally Posted by Derio

If the rabanastre story prediction is true, the next jobs are arithmetician, templar, and geomancer.

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They're just honorable mentions, not predictions.

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Originally Posted by Tanathya

FFXIV's DRK is esentially FFXI's RUN, barring the appearance, as in it was born off the very same concept of a magic oriented tank. I honestly don't know why they did that when RUN would've fit the Heavensward theme perfectly, but /shrug.

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I guess they wanted something sufficiently dark and gritty and didn't want to go the route of "Northern people use runes".

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Originally Posted by Shurrikhan

I guess they wanted something sufficiently dark and gritty and didn't want to go the route of "Northern people use runes".

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Guess so, the fact that they initially thought of, and worked on a SAM tank then changed to DRK (?!) shows how little they take from their roots. But it isn't exclusively of one job, but a few, such as SMN for example. I stopped caring long ago and learned to enjoy what I'm given, knowing that everything's in a FFXIV bubble.

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Originally Posted by Adarrack1252

This is a combination of Rune Knight (FFT) and Rune Fencer (FFXI) that I was inspired to make.
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/...20080203052805
Rune Knights have 2 stances
Incarnation of Fire – While in this stance the rune knight uses two hands to wield his weapon and engulfs it’s blade in searing flame, in this stance his offensive abilities will cost MP, while his defensive abilities will cost TP. His damage will increase by 20% and his damage reduction will decrease by 10%.
Incarnation of Earth – While in this stance the rune knight conjures a shield made of the most solid stone while holding his blade in his other hand, in this stance his offensive abilities will cost TP, while his defensive abilities will cost MP. His damage will decrease by 10% and his damage reduction will increase by 20%.

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If I remember correctly, Celes from FF6 was also a Rune Knight.

Please not another sword tank. More weapon variety (Yes, please.)

The next tank needs a whip. A giant notched bladed shield. A hammer. Anything but a sword.

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Originally Posted by Rongway

Please not another sword tank. More weapon variety (Yes, please.)

The next tank needs a whip. A giant notched bladed shield. A hammer. Anything but a sword.

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Hard agree.

You might have to change the title to "for 7.0", as I highly doubt we'll be getting a second tank in 5.0 and likely won't get a new on in 6.0 either.

I like Rune Knights though, so kudos on the theorycrafting. ^_^

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Originally Posted by Gentou76

If I remember correctly, Celes from FF6 was also a Rune Knight.

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Sort of but not much to draw on there, aside from the ability to make Runic into a magical tank buster cd where you absorb a magic attack instead of taking damage or something. She was a 'rune knight' in title but didn't have an array of skills to draw on like Sabin/Cyan/Edgar etc for their commands.

Maybe some of its potential mechanical aspects may be integrated into Gunbreaker, similar to how some of its potential anti-magic mechanics are part of DRK.

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Originally Posted by Tanathya

FFXIV's DRK is essentially FFXI's RUN, even though its nothing like RUN

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fixed
/10char

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Originally Posted by DBelmont

Maybe some of its potential mechanical aspects may be integrated into Gunbreaker, similar to how some of its potential anti-magic mechanics are part of DRK.

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I think the anti gun/artillery angle will be in the job lore. But unlike DRK getting some extra mitigation via magic attacks with that cooldown of theirs that only affects magic damage (forget what it's called and they may have other anti magic damage mechanics I'm forgetting), I don't think the game really classifies 'mechanical' or 'artillery' damage the same way it divides physical and magical damage. So I'm not expecting to see it reflected in the job's abilities, but almost certainly in the lore given the name gun BREAKER I think.

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Originally Posted by Bright-Flower

the name gun BREAKER

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The name does raise some expectations regarding Break abilities (debuffs).

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Originally Posted by DBelmont

The name does raise some expectations regarding Break abilities (debuffs).

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Maybe. I suspect that it's just lore fluff that the style was designed to counter garlean guns. But we'll see in 5.0 I suppose. They didn't give us any lore about red mage that I can remember before 4.0 either so I'm not expecting an explanation before the expansion hits.