So what is PLD good at?

[SirTaint]

Stoneskin is often overlooked. It was very helpful during T13 progression, back when HP values made eating 2 orbs dangerous. I still use it on myself during the twister+breath after earthshakers in the final phase. It has also been extremely helpful in Savage T8, SSing anyone with allagan field that is on tower duty.

[SpookyGhost]

SS is definitely great. Cover as well. Was hoping they'd add more abilities like that in 3.0 for PLD and it seems like they're delivering.

[Dante_V]

I prefer pally if I'm MT and Warrior if I'm OT personally. Both are fine but Pally is insanely boring to OT with IMO.

[Launched]

The only advantage PLD has is Hallowed. A well played WAR will outdps and outmitigate any PLD.

[SpookyGhost]

A well played WAR won't outmitigate a well played PLD. PLD has a shield and has stronger defensive CDs for mechanic damage (aka the only damage that matters). PLD, in terms of mitigation, is unmatched. The sole advantage of WAR is having slight mitigation up more often (IB) but that only is an advantage when a PLD's CD kit doesn't fit inside the mechanic timers... which I don't think has ever happened.

WARs do more damage while MTing in their tank stance. PLDs, however, are significantly more manageable out of their tank stance while still MTing. WAR loses IB/Steel Cyclone/Unchained and is left with a small CD kit to work with, whereas PLD only loses its tank stance's defensive buff. PLD still has access to its shield and all of its defensive CDs. It also gains DPS from Shield Swipe procs, making it the ideal MT once content can be done out of tank stance. While tank stance is still a thing, yeah, MT WAR is highest DPS.

[Martin_Arcainess]

The only advantage PLD has is Hallowed. A well played WAR will outdps and outmitigate any PLD.

your forgetting a few more things so I made a list for you ^^

1. Has a Shield.
2. Imortal Will. Usefull in T9, Levi EX, Titan EX.
3. Stone Skin, *If used at the right time is another great midgation

Also mentioning that WAR's Foresight will only increase it's Deffence where Ramparts will reduce damage so that includes magical and Physical.

[Bigcat9715]

PLD is nice, but Wraith mechanics was the tipping point for me.

[Instrumentality]

So why should a person play PLD? I

Here's a post I made a bit ago:

The complexity of being a Paladin has nothing to do with your damage output and everything to do with how you use your defensive abilities to nullify the boss doing damage.


The easiest example to point out would be on T13 and when to use Rampart during phase two. Just use it for Flatten, right? No big deal. But if you pay close attention to what happens during that entire stretch of damage outgoing from Flare Star being cast until the Flare Breath after Flatten heading into Megaflare, you can intuit/time out the absolute maximum amount of damage you can mitigate (within reason for auto attacks). If you wait for two auto attacks after Flare Star is cast and pop Rampart at the end of the second AA animation you'll cover the Flare Breath - Flatten - Flare Breath combo.

"But Eureka that's not much damage?" It's an entire extra healer GCD, which is pretty precious in progression. You can repeat the same thing with Foresight/Convalescence(5s pause) Bulwark for extra Flattens if your group DPS gets messed up due to deaths, as well.

Maximizing those moments in fights where CD timings are critical on putting dampers on boss outgoing damage to lighten healer load for increased group efficiency is really where Paladins shine. Will I ever be super engaged by hitting the RoH combo or timing my Circle of Scorn for FoF? Nah. But I can be endlessly engaged during progression hunting those moments where I can save GCDs for the healers so that they can handle other things.

But in farm both tanks are completely boring me to death. Nothing at all interesting after you've figured out the best possible combination for your group at maximum ilvl for the content. Echo just makes it mostly unnecessary, too. I hope Dark Knight will shake things up a bit for me in 3.0.

[Zophar]

I would also make the point that, as a general rule, pld is easier to do right. War is, honestly a bit more complex and requires more finesse to play "right." Pld's damage mitigation is entirely about when to push what button. A pro pld and a pro war are about on the same level, though pld can mitigate damage slightly better. On the other hand, a bad-average pld will usually be way better than a bad-average war. It's just that much easier to use.

[Zaft]

The only advantage PLD has is Hallowed. A well played WAR will outdps and outmitigate any PLD.

Outdps yes, outmitigate no. PLD takes less damage than WAR because of their ability to both block and parry.