No Guard Thank Guard!

[Reaujien]

This is the real question - will the animation/message for guard be obvious enough to let me know when Phalanx can be triggered, and when it can't?

I remember seeing a post from one of the community reps quoting whoever the guy in charge of this is that they plan on adjusting how abilities light up - specifically taking into consideration that TP isn't the only requirement to use the ability (such as Phalanx). Though it's not listed in this patch notes it would be nice if its omission was an "oops" lol.

[Eekiki]

To be honest, I kinda liked having to actively use the shield. But the way it was implemented was more trouble than it was worth.

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

I'm excited about the passive chance to block rather than continually holding up Guard to get the most out of damage mitigation.

Now I can focus on reading for those partially blocked and blocked messages rather than looking for a clear indication that my shield arm has fallen or the shield arm has fallen text.

Small things that add up :-)

[Xatsh]

Now the question is this, is block rate remaining unchanged or are they going to more of XI's system when a 50-60% block rate without a relic was very very good.

Because with the new durations of shield buffs that would be incredibly broken (Basically 100% immunity to physical dmg) if the block rate is still 90+% at all times.

[Reaujien]

BTW, Gladiator gets about 50 times as awesome here in a few ranks, when you start to get more of your advanced skills and more cross-class skills to use. And when you get higher than that, and in groups more, it switches to hate management and damage mitigation.

Surprised there hasn't been more commentary about this:

Aegis Boon ・Effect duration raised from 15 to 30 seconds.
Outmaneuver ・Effect duration raised from 15 to 30 seconds.
Deflection ・Effect duration raised from 15 to 30 seconds.

!!!!!!!~!!!!!!!!!!!!lol

30 sec Aegis boon with no change to cooldown = super happy Cyclops

I was happy to read about those too; however, I'm guessing that AB, Otm, and Defl won't give us 100% chance to block like they currently do now (which, essentially puts "Guard" up while under the effect of one of the three). Either way, all of this overall is nice because now I can focus on getting block rate gear, materia, etc. to help with damage mitigating.

[Krin]

Now I can focus on reading for those partially blocked and blocked messages rather than looking for a clear indication that my shield arm has fallen or the shield arm has fallen text.

I recall the same as an earlier poster that they were putting work into fixing the "light-up" of skills in your action bar to reflect all skill requirements, not just TP and Cooldown. If that comes in 1.19 or 1.19a I will be a very happy panda.

[Vanguard319]

My only regret is that the usefulness of Phalanx will be diminished slightly, as you'll have to pay attention to the log more.

[Reika]

I was happy to read about those too; however, I'm guessing that AB, Otm, and Defl won't give us 100% chance to block like they currently do now (which, essentially puts "Guard" up while under the effect of one of the three). Either way, all of this overall is nice because now I can focus on getting block rate gear, materia, etc. to help with damage mitigating.

Deflection was never a 100% chance to block to begin with...

I'm glad they're finally automating block now overall.

[LuxLex]

This is an excellent change

[Slatfatf]

I’m just glad I got it finished; I remember what a pain Shield & Guard were to level in FFXI. So will there be some type of hidden Guard Skill? Will it only proc when you successfully block?