Shields & Parrying in 1.19

[Bayohne]

We hear you guys on the block rate and we'll look into making adjustments based upon your feedback - so please keep it coming!

[Brannigan]

This post has a Japanese rep response saying that DEX is the stat that governs block rate, but I've seen some tests showing that STR is what raises it. Has anyone been trying DEX materia/gear?

[Molly_Millions]

This post has a Japanese rep response saying that DEX is the stat that governs block rate, but I've seen some tests showing that STR is what raises it. Has anyone been trying DEX materia/gear?

If that is true, then SE needs to fix this page

[R0ssdaddy]

Please Bayohne, appeal to the dev team about both:

1) The infrequency of gladiator blocks on high lvl opponents. I can understand that blocks may have been a little overpowered as they were before, as Deflection and Aegis Boon made gladiators a little better than invincible against regular attacks for almost 40 seconds, even against tough opponents like Batraal. However, the block rate being as high as it was is balanced by the fact that no special attacks can be blocked. As it is now, Even if I pop ambidexterity I am lucky to get a single partial block against Ifrit. That sucks.

2) The inability for gladiators to parry. Just because you have a shield doesnt mean its all you rely on, especially if you arent the "stabbing" type of fighter. Its perfectly reasonable to imagine a gladiator using his shield to block strikes approaching from the left, and his sword to parry strikes approaching from the right. This also negatively impacts one of the best components of the game, the armoury system and the use of cross-class skills. Foresight and Featherfoot could previously be skillfully used to bridge the gap when shield skills were unavailable, making an experienced gladiator with quick reactions almost impervious to normal attacks. Again, this isnt really balance-breaking because shields do not affect special attacks.

As a tank facing ever-increasing difficulty, its a hard pill to swallow when you have to un-learn these tricks of the trade. We want our tricks back!

[REDace0]

If that is true, then SE needs to fix this page

They do need to update that page. It still says MND gives bonus MP.

[Brannigan]

If that is true, then SE needs to fix this page

That page was last updated in 2010. It mentions bonus points and physical levels. Of course it's out of date.

[Ricky]

http://ffxiv.zam.com/en/item/4030204/Cobalt-Katzbalger

This is a Gladiator item which gives Parry.. why?
It's even a sword, so the "Marauder item" argument doesn't work.

[Rydin]

http://ffxiv.zam.com/en/item/4030204/Cobalt-Katzbalger

This is a Gladiator item which gives Parry.. why?
It's even a sword, so the "Marauder item" argument doesn't work.

You can play Glad with no shield, I guess.... And honestly, you have to think if Parry procs more than Blocks, then that might not be a bad idea

[Whax]

If that is true, then SE needs to fix this page

Block rate =/= Damage blocked

STR = amount of damage blocked
DEX = amount of times you raise the shield

[Reika]

It doesn't matter whether you fight a higher level mob or a lower level mob. On lower level mobs, all you will see is more misses against you, so will barely be able to tell if your block rate is broken against them or not. Ive fought some monsters considerably lower level than me, and when I did get hit, it wasn't always a block, even tho my stats are far above some level 20 monster. IF Dex truely governed block rate, I should never see a block fail on something 30 levels below me at Level 50 with a Kite Shield +1 (94), Self Preservation (+5) and Sentinels Gauntlets (+5).

The thing they must do is make the block rate listed on the shield the block rate. Skills, equipment, and shield quality increase it. Good thing to do would be to set the 'tanking' shield to 75-80% for NQ, then the player would have to actually use skills, other equipment, or HQ shield to make it better. If only gladiator can use it, it should block more than a shield a conj or thm can use as well, to put it that way. It would give people a reason to use Ambidexterity after the change. Speaking of which... 3Min recast is too long for that skill now. The actual Level of the shield should have more influence on amount blocked rather than block rate. Also, when we scroll or select a shield, it should tell us OUR block rate with that shield, not some set number that means nothing, since dex, equipment, and skills can increase it. There should also be a stat in our Status window to show Parry and Block Rate.

However as said, making GLD block normally wont fix the gladiators current usefulness. Once, Storm's Path was cross-classable, and it was a good AOE enmity generating damage attack that classes that could tank could use. Now that it is just MRD, something has to be done with Gladiator. I suggest either Making Riot Blade AOE, or adding slightly more potency and increased enmity to Circle Slash, or both would be better since Riot Blade Depletes all TP and pacifies. The point wouldn't be to do more damage than MRD in AOE, it would be to hold ENMITY in AOE against other peoples' AOE damage or heals. Even a wide-volley can take enmity away from a Gladiator against multiple targets. ALSO.... I don't think it has been considered at all, but War Drums Is a pretty useless skill for 5 ac and 40s Recast. It too can not generate enough enmity to keep hate off of a healer or aoe damager. Suggest its recast be reduced to 20s and slight increase in enmity, or greatly increase its enmity generation. Another silly skill, Cadence, Should Increase Enmity generation for not one attack, but for a set duration.

Moved the last part to a different thread, since this one is about block and parry :P