Perma shelved my DRK: No role, no idenity, no lore, no worthwhile skills, no fun

[Interovegas]

Except, I don't find the gameplay "lazy by comparison [to GNB]" in a way that would facilitate slipage in, say, extreme primal fights or when speedrunning dungeons or when raid (de)buffs are in play. Odd, that.

Yes, rotation-based jobs are easier to keep track of and auto-pilot than resource-based ones. Did I say otherwise? No, I said specifically that DRK (resource-based) is harder to keep track of, for me, than GNB (rotation-based). This is especially true, for me, when tired, bored, and/or annoyed.

Short of raid (de)buffs, I have TBN, and otherwise just vaguely managing MP and Blood. And, to me, that doesn't feel like all that much to command my attention (yes, command -- thereby facilitating attention) compared to GNB. What is so foreign and antithetical about this statement to you?

I could understand "I don't want a single bit more order via rotational fixture or similar designs, in what is currently almost complete flexibility, in my DRK!" And I'd respect that. But, would that be any less subjective a preference? Would your opinion on your own preferred playstyle be any less subjective than mine?

>Hops in<

Your points are valid. But yes, if Lyth's preference was for rotational flexibility it would take precedence here. In the broader scope of the game there are 4 tank classes that each play differently (to some degree). Since the GNB already exists as a go to for structured rotation gameplay and the PLD and WAR exist somewhere in between it stands to reason that the DRK ought to remain flexible. This gives more options to a set of players with diverse gameplay preferences.

[Shurrikhan]

But yes, if Lyth's preference was for rotational flexibility it would take precedence here.

Agreed. While I've played DRK more than other tanks since its release, I'd still put added weight on the opinions of veteran and more single-job DRK players where aligned with what we already have, while I'd certainly deweight the opinions of those who have yet to play the job at a high level (including my own, for the time being, until I have more than just three tanks at 80 and each have done some Savage -- especially DRK). But, if 66-75% of at least capable players want X and the remaining 33-25% of more veteran players want Y, we'd be nearing borderline territory, so long as both are informed of what the reality of play is now and can well imagine the consequences of what they're suggesting.

The fact that DRK stands as something distinct should also be protected, and adds even further weight in the veterans' favor. Thus, while I don't like DRK as much as GNB, I like that it's... not GNB. But, again, mine was merely an offhand comment meant solely to be subjective. I don't mind DRK being resource-based, either; I just wish it took that aspect further to offer more depth. I want it to still be wholly "DRK", just... more DRK, if that makes sense.

[Interovegas]

Snip

I'm inclined to believe a good number of players want to play for DRK for the visuals and theme but don't like the gameplay. The issue arises that they want to play a class with the styles of the DRK but the gameplay loop of PLD or GNB. Unfortunately making changes to satisfy a group with these motivations will only reduce tank diversity further.

Such is it in MMOs that the gameplay we prefer doesn't always align with the theme and styles we prefer.