Shields & Parrying in 1.19

[Brannigan]

bumping this because I think it's important woo

[Alderton]

Another bump.

I noticed that this wasn't mentioned in the 1.19a notes, so it is either a bug that hasn't yet been addressed, or it is "as designed" and will stay this way. I was hoping for the former, especially considering that parry+ materia can be attached to gladiator arms...

It would be great to get info on this, because it is a big change for gladiators.

[Arcell]

Glad I leveled my Marauder now

But yeah, reps can we get a comment?

[Jigg]

Actually, it kinda makes since...in a realism stand point. Granted I haven't played Gladiator since the update, but normally one doesn't parry with a shield...Maybe this is intended so that those who use shield and those who do not are better differentiated?

[R0ssdaddy]

Agree, I and all my gladiator friends have noticed that parrying is broken for gladiator.

Used to be able to use foresight as a sort of back-up for between blocks if they failed, or while waiting for them to cooldown to block an incoming attack.

Kinda like an extra featherfoot, but since 1.19 and auto block, I have never parried while shield equipped. Must be broken, please fix.

[Rinsui]

...I would already be happy of my gladiator at least *blocked* more often than about once per 3 attacks...

[Kiote]

Yeah, the new MISS = Evade needs to go. It's practically impossible to use reactionary skills now because you can never tell when they are active.

My parry rate does seem to have dropped significantly too.

[Alderton]

Actually, it kinda makes since...in a realism stand point. Granted I haven't played Gladiator since the update, but normally one doesn't parry with a shield...Maybe this is intended so that those who use shield and those who do not are better differentiated?

In a realism standpoint, you can actually parry with a shield. And even then, you could use your sword while also holding a shield to parry. But that's a semantics issue...

Gameplay wise, it weakens GLA's ability to tank. As already mentioned, with the changes to how block works, and now this, the benefits of tanking as GLA over MRD are now marginal if at all existent. What GLA mitigates through blocks, MRD mitigates through parry, and MRD has more tools at their disposal to establish and keep enmity than GLA does.

GLA felt like it was built to be a great single target tank, while a bit weak in group tanking. MRD felt like great at groups, but not as strong on single targets. GLA no longer has that spot in single target tanking, though.

Granted, these are my initial impressions after 1.19, and I could be wrong, but that is the feeling of many people I've spoken to, and it would be great to get some official information on this.

[Kallera]

Yeah, the new MISS = Evade needs to go. It's practically impossible to use reactionary skills now because you can never tell when they are active.

My parry rate does seem to have dropped significantly too.

As a GLA that leveled PUG I take issue to this. It opens up my options significantly.

[Coglin]

Actually, it kinda makes since...in a realism stand point. Granted I haven't played Gladiator since the update, but normally one doesn't parry with a shield...Maybe this is intended so that those who use shield and those who do not are better differentiated?

You are mistaken on 2 fronts. First and foremost by trying to use "realism" to justify they way anything should be in a fantasy MMORPG. Secondly, on the realism of swordsmanship. First words I ever heard when I began the sword and buckler portion of my training was, the best way to avoid being cut or stabed, is to not be where the pointy end is. In other words, evade first and foremost, if that can not be done, then parry, and finally block. In reality that is there order of logical application do to difficulty.