well. that was a not-so-interesting mishmash of comments from people who think all classes should just be different types of dps, actually responses, and not-so-constructive criticism. welp, time to throw my sword into the proverbial pile.
the following suggestions are going to relate to their shield, one of the two actual unique features that paladin has. and no. I'm not touching flash. seriously, all it does is make a bright light. how the hell do bright lights do damage besides blinding. we're not bashing someones head in with a flashlight people. unless they do indeed get rid of classes all together, in that case i suggest we rename it to Diaga and give it low potency.
Reduce potency of CoS (either dot or potency, not both)
slightly increase it's CD time (no more than 40%)
give it a chance to refresh on successfully blocking (around the same amount as low blow does).
This would allow a pld to do somewhat acceptable damage in an aoe situation, while still preventing it from being unfavorably underwhelming.
Shield swipe becomes usable in sword oath, procs off of the end of an attack combo (either FB/SB/RA combo, or a new one.)
Shield swipe loses 15 potency if activated in this method.
Shield swipe only pacifies if ability is activated via blocking.
This change is probably the most inane, but i personally just hate potential damage that goes unused because you just so happen to not be the main tank at the time.
paladin needs a tp refresh skill. i don't care if it's like equilibrium, invigorate, or goad. it needs one. FFXI had an ability called "chivalry." maybe like that, but it converts mp to tp?
change the order of damage rolls. it should be block and/or parry before critical, not the other way around. an attack should have to get through your skill-based defenses before it has a chance to score a critical blow.
the rest are the pertaining to holy abilities.
frankly, most of the abilities that paladin has received job-wise is fine. two holy abilities we got in heavensward -clemency and divine veil- are both solid.
to expand on this oh-so-massive repertoire there should definitely be more abilities like this.
here are some possible options. and yes, i did lift a few skills from XI.
Holy Circle: all party members in a short radius receive reduced damage from the next magic-based attack. the paladin who activates this skill does not benefit (damage reduced should be a flat number. could be based on level, hp of recipient, or any other factor)
Sacrifice: transfer enfeeblement from target to self.
Embolden: consumes x amount of total mp to gradually restore a target's hp (or all of embrava's effect. in that case it would be hp and mp regen + haste)