PLD is a very boring class compared to WAR.

[elemental10]

Suggestions

I agree with some of your suggestions but I just cannot see how adding a small potency to Flash (or changing it's animation to something flashier) would make it a more fun class. I am not a smart man, I say that now.

By your perspectives, an "engaging" class, as you put it, requires you to actively think on what is best to do based on your situation or to put it in your words, "to get out of my normal rotation." I see that as the likes of (mudra on NIN, jumps on DRG, procs on BLM/BRD, stances on MNK). I AGREE with your notion of a more engaging class. Just, in my opinion, PLD is more towards a passive stance where you don't have to do much to GET much.

Shield/Sword Oath hardly requires a buff (otherwise the "WAR is gimped" threads will then pop up like mushrooms), but I do agree that it must have some kind of effect into your normal rotations. It would spice to an already delicious dish.

I will defend this though: PLD is a class of it's own. There is no need to base it's skills based on other classes. Instead, make NEW mechanics towards it (counter attack comes to mind). I do not want another WAR or NIN. I want a new PLD that makes other classes WISH they have something that is the same as PLD.

"I wish PLD has something like WAR." Let's change that to, "I wish WAR has something like PLD."

[Omskahn]

...PLD is a class of it's own. There is no need to base it's skills based on other classes. Instead, make NEW mechanics towards it...

This is what I've always wanted. It's own unique mechanics that make it special and engaging. Some ideas I had:

-CoS doing huge dmg, but using another ability to tag a mob to proc enmity gain?
-Stacking bonus for each enemy targeting you, attacking you, near you, whatever.
-Abilities that give you stacks, or some minor resource to be spent elsewhere...

Just something. Paladin is a good effective tank. It's actual abilities are not very creatively inspiring or challenging atm. Personally one of the most fun parts of the game for me is leveling up and unlocking new cool abilities. For GLA/PLD after level 26, 7 of the 11 remaining skills to learn are just defensive cooldowns that serve the same purpose: press this button to instantly start taking less damage. That's it, and I think that's bad.

[Syfer22]

I can definitely see PLD being boring -- Heck, I was bored to tears leveling it up. At 50, I can say I'm still not completely enthused by it, but it at least feels more engaging than it did while leveling up.

I kind of view the different tanks like driving cars -- PLDs are automatics, WARs are manuals.

[Arkenne]

Personally, I've had the most fun lvling my PLD and WAR on mob FATEs.
Just go in there and AGGRO ALL THE THINGS >:U!!!

Its fun cuz you actually have to use your cooldowns and are being a Tank ouside of duns.
Altho its rare to find someone that will heal you... or AoE the mob you grabbed... but it surely is fun as hell!!

[LucklessStrikes]

Ummm...

Just speculation, really, but I think PLD is intentionally designed to be something insanely easy to get the hang of (aka: boring). That way, players who are new to MMOs, but want to tank don't find themselves overwhelmed. Some people prefer playing classes that are inherently simplistic. I do, however, feel that the amoury section of the FFXIV website needs to be updated to properly convey important information such as a "complexity rating" to aid players in deciding which class/job is a good fit for them and worth investing their time into.

[VargasVermillion]

Ummm...

Just speculation, really, but I think PLD is intentionally designed to be something insanely easy to get the hang of (aka: boring). That way, players who are new to MMOs, but want to tank don't find themselves overwhelmed. Some people prefer playing classes that are inherently simplistic. I do, however, feel that the amoury section of the FFXIV website needs to be updated to properly convey important information such as a "complexity rating" to aid players in deciding which class/job is a good fit for them and worth investing their time into.

I don't really believe this though mainly because there is no other class designed to be as simple. Even if PLD was designed to be simple to encourage players to play tank (who may be afraid to try the role) dps is still the most popular role anyway, all dps classes have more difficult rotations than PLD.

[Alphras]

It was already stated that PLD was designed to be more simple than the other tank classes (last time at the media event in france). And frankly, this game needs a tank class that is easy to pick up for players that are new to the genre.

If you are looking for a more complex class you should move to WAR or DRK. The two extra combos wont change anything in that regard.

[Syfer22]

It was already stated that PLD was designed to be more simple than the other tank classes (last time at the media event in france). And frankly, this game needs a tank class that is easy to pick up for players that are new to the genre.

If you are looking for a more complex class you should move to WAR or DRK. The two extra combos wont change anything in that regard.

I can certainly see it. I mentioned several times to my FC how glad I was that I had PLD as my training wheels while I was trying to get back into tanking.

[MerleSirlos]

I find Paladin boring too, but I don't think it need to be changed really. Paladins have a good set of tools: good combination of CDs, cover, stun, silence, pacify.

From my point of view it's fine as it is, but the fights are not.
As someone stated, fight against Diabolos or Levi X are nice in that aspect, timing a stun/silence at the right moment makes made all the difference.
But that's only a very small portion of all the fights available, most of the time, bosses are immune to everything we can inflict to interrupt.
And when you can stun, you either can't interrupt or dps spam their stun as soon as they can.

So in short: WAR have tools and can make good use of them, PLD have differnet tools but actual fights makes them almost useless.

But maybe my opinion is biased because of my experience of past MMOs where the tank was supposed to be the one in control of the fight.

P.S: And I had a fun experience once in copperbell Mine normal: went with my Pugilist, used my stun to interrupt big AOE from boss (Mercurius strike or something like that) and tank asked me to stop. I thought "nice, a tank that knows what and when to stun", turns out it wasn't and he didn't stun even once. I still don't understand why....

[rawker]

This is one of those playstyle discussions. You are given tools to work on with. If you don't like how it's intended to function, then look for another that suits your style. The class is fine as it is. The new additions won't change a thing... and I like it.