Our main problem is survivability/mitigation and high risk/no real reward (which should be more dmg by a clear mile than pld but nope!)

Before you get your panties in a bunch, a friendly reminder of all the mitigation/buffs/utility PLD has

PLD:
1. Static -20% damage taken
2. Able to Parry also at 23% dmg if not mistaken
3. -20% (Rampart)
4. -23% (Block)(26% i believe with shield +1 or allagan shield)
5. 60% Block (Bullwark)
6. -40% (Sentinel)
7. Access to self Stoneskin (10% HP)
8. Strength Down
9. Silence
10. Stun (6 seconds recast)
11. Blind
12. +30% Healing (Convalescence)
13. Invincibility (Hallowed Ground)
14. lolAwareness
15. lolForesight
16. Fight or Flight (great ability with no downside)
17. No -damage simply for putting on the tank stance <--- my personal biggest wtf
18. Bloodbath (stack this with fight or flight and you're getting decent self heal and just continue with your 1-2-3 combo)