So DRK will be mp based

[Aeyis]

My point is that it doesn't matter what weapon you are using it's about outsmarting your opponent in the end, A heavy weapon would be disadvantaged against someone that knows what they're doing. Only weapon raw brute force really applies is a mace or club style weapon as that's exactly what the intent of such weapons were, wounding enemies underneath their armor. And archers don't move, save for those on horses, but when you are actually aiming you yourself would not be running.

Those were tactics for large scale or otherwise heavily coordinated battles. Archers in rpgs rarely have the luxury of being protected against melee attacks. (or aoes) In addition, agility is more for speed of drawing + movement, rather then movement alone.

Great Swords are also ''raw brute force'' weapons tho. Not sure where you got the impression they were about finesse.

[VargasVermillion]

Those were tactics for large scale or otherwise heavily coordinated battles. Archers in rpgs rarely have the luxury of being protected against melee attacks. (or aoes) In addition, agility is more for speed of drawing + movement, rather then movement alone.

Great Swords are also ''raw brute force'' weapons tho. Not sure where you got the impression they were about finesse.

I never said they were about finesse but they aren't just mindless hacking weapons either.
You aren't going to just cut right through most people, you would focus more on thrusting in closer distances using the slashing part of the weapon situationally. And my point on archery still stands, you wouldn't move while shooting, it's just inefficient and awkward the exception being horseback archery, You'd most likely carry a back up weapon for melee. (obviously in an rpgs this isn't the case)

[Giantbane]

If they really want to have INT as the primary damage attribute, they can do that. Maybe normal great swords are about raw brute strength, but perhaps the DRK uses his magic (INT) to empower the greatsword which is where it's real extraordinary strength comes from. I don't think it's a good idea to do it this way, but it's definitely possible.

Anyhow, I also wouldn't be surprised if they straight up made DRK DEX based in order to just change things up. Maybe it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but it would be interesting in that they could draw more heavily on BRD(maybe nin) abilities to get a different mix of things. Would also encourage more NIN/BRD players to have tanks since they can share some of the gear (right side if they want to, much like many tanks will run full or near full right side STR accessories now). There's nothing stopping this from happening if they want to go this route.

Not that I really like either setup, I really enjoy the shared tank armor since it allows me to (currently) switch to PLD without much loss if hallowed is strongly encouraged in a fight. So my preference is definitely STR and all tank armor being DRK/WAR/PLD.