PLD is just boring

[Atoli]

I mean, if you want to play as a Dooby, that's fine. Just not sure a Final Fantasy game is the best venue for it.

FFXIV is an MMO first and foremost. Therefore the classes should cater to different tastes and people. If you like WAR better, just play WAR. Don't try to change a class that is well-liked by others just because you don't like it. There are 3 tank classes in the game. I think everyone can go and find the one they enjoy...

[Alphras]

No, that's more of encounter design. As has been pointed out, WAR and DRK are a lot more dynamic in their management, but yes, in the end the encounters are static. That's a big enough topic for its very own long discussion thread though.

What exactly are you talking about? All tanks are based on cooldowns that they need to spread out to survive (or perform optimally). WAR and DRK got some "special" ressource management flavor on top, which add some complexity.

Where does the special PLD gameplay come in?

[Ashkendor]

What exactly are you talking about? All tanks are based on cooldowns that they need to spread out to survive. Where does the special PLD gameplay come in?

PLD can't magically come up with new cooldowns (Inner Beast) or modify their existing ones (Dark Arts) based on circumstances.

At least, I think that's what he's getting at.

[fm_fenrir]

Let's put aside that flash does no damage-It looks and sounds like a wet fart in comparison to Overpower and Unleash.

Flash actually has a neat audio cue in it. The pitch changes based on how much MP you have left. Unleash doesn't.

Anyway, Flash is kind of underwhelming, but I think it would be a bit absurd if PLD had two Circle of Scorn options (giving Flash a DOT component), or Unleash and Circle of Scorn (giving Flash a static damage component).

[Ragology]

If you don't like it, don't play it.

Seems to me that WAR and DRK are about playing on the end and being reactive. PLD is more about playing conservatively and planning ahead. Horses for courses...

Oh hmm this part might be backwards. WAR cant just waste inner beasts without knowing whats coming. I think that's why PLD was used for learning and WAR is used once the fight is known. (lets just ignore the main tank DPS thing for the sake of argument)

[Kuzonoha]

Paladin to me, compare D to the other tank classes, feels lackluster when it comes to managing things. I'm not concerned about DPS but the lack of base damage for flash makes it tough to hold aggro. Especially in early levels (It tought me about Provoke in using tough moments. I feel like such a boss when I can reel enemies back in like that.)

I think Paladin should have more mechanics involving the shield, since that's unique compared to the other tank classes, as well as having more unique white magic abilities. When I think of Paladin, I think of the Warrior of Light (Dissidia) and his abilities.

I will say, above all else, Paladin is great for learning the basics about tanking. That simplicity should always stay regardless of what changes for them.

[SpookyGhost]

Different strokes for different folks.

However, I will say that pre-HW PLD was the most basic job in the entire game. Like the bare minimum for a "tank". That kinda improved in HW, but it mainly just gave them a few more buttons to press.

Might just be because it's not my cup of tea, though. I did enjoy PLD when I was leading groups since it allowed me to not focus so much on playing my job correctly and allowed me to figure out what everyone else needed to do.

[VargasVermillion]

PLD CD management is more like, say, chess. It's not in the moment: you plan out when you're going to use your moves to counter the enemy's moves.

So pretty much the thing all tanks have to do as well, People need to stop making PLD more than it actually is. It is the very basic concept of tanking, it barely has a gameplay mechanic and has tones of abilities that have to have content specifically made for them to be useful. As for the excuse that it's supposed to be 'simple' for newer players than why are no other roles in the game designed like this? Every dps or healer is more complicated than PLD is and dps is still more popular than PLD if most of the player base apparently wants 'easier gameplay'.

[Duelle]

FFXIV is an MMO first and foremost. Therefore the classes should cater to different tastes and people. If you like WAR better, just play WAR. Don't try to change a class that is well-liked by others just because you don't like it. There are 3 tank classes in the game. I think everyone can go and find the one they enjoy...

This. The point of having multiple classes for one role is to offer different aesthetics and gameplay options. Making them play similarly goes entirely against the point of having multiple classes. And if you find PLD boring then try one of the other two tanks.

[Dhex]

I like Paladin until I accidentally fat-finger one of my cooldowns and end the entire raid early~