Making Jobs Rotationally Easier in 4.0

[Khalithar]

For instance, I've especially been looking into how I can create a Shield Oath that can be sort of a tank/utility stance that doesn't actually require you to be MT to still have a hell of an effect (or in this case, toolkit, mostly).

We can start with removing the damage penalty on the tank stances, WoW did this because they realized (correctly I might add) that it's not necessary as long as the DPS stance provides enough of a buff that it's still more damage to be in said dps stance. Secondly, for utility I offer you this ability that all tanks in SWTOR have some variation of (note that Soresu Form in the tooltip is the defensive tank stance for Jedi Guardian/Sith Juggernaut in that game):

Guard- You mark a target as a "Guarded" target. While active, the guarded player takes 5% less damage and generates 25% less threat. In addition, so long as you remain within 15 meters of the guarded player, 50% of all incoming damage from enemy players is transferred back to you. Requires Soresu Form.

[Shurrikhan]

We can start with removing the damage penalty on the tank stances, WoW did this because they realized (correctly I might add) that it's not necessary as long as the DPS stance provides enough of a buff that it's still more damage to be in said dps stance. Secondly, for utility I offer you this ability that all tanks in SWTOR have some variation of (note that Soresu Form in the tooltip is the defensive tank stance for Jedi Guardian/Sith Juggernaut in that game):

I'm not too big on the Vigilance / Guard mechanic personally, especially as something universal (I'd just prefer it to be a more unique 'focus' support/target mechanic that can accelerate defensive supports against a specific ally through procs and other certain effects and conditions, especially for say, Gladiator/Paladin), but I agree 100% with the tanks stances not needing to be damage penalties within the same tooltip. That said, depending on the mutually exclusive dps stance in place of damage reduction on the tank stance really only has the direct effect of requiring another button.

What I was looking for was more of different ways by which both the "dps" and "tank" stances could instead have benefits to either side. Imagine Shield Bash nuke hits via Shield Oath, but also being able to suppress enemies with accelerated attacks and counter-attack control afforded by Sword Oath. Each has different situations or flows by which it'd be preferable to the other, but both can be used for either purpose. Clever weaving and role-focusing of each within the moment and to line up with future timings and effects brings out the skill of the tank.