the need for 3rd tank class

[Swagcity]

Personally, I loved tanking on ninja in XI (Different game, I know, but that's not the point), it was a fun job that I enjoyed. Tanking in 14 is just plain boring imo and it lacks creativity. I mean, when my school work in the background tab starts to look more appealing than the actual battle, something is terribly wrong. FFXI tanking system allowed more freedom and versatility. Bst could even tank in XI; It was creative and enjoyable, ditto for ninja. I am uncertain if ninja was designed to be a tanking class in XI, but rather, player creativity lead to nin tanks (Same with bst perhaps). SE placed too much emphasis on roles imo, no room for creativity which makes gameplay appear monotonous from my personal experience. I dislike war, but others may love it. However, my war and pld friends constantly tell me how boring tanking is in 14 compared to other MMOs, notably XI.

[ReplicaX]

Personally, I loved tanking on ninja in XI (Different game, I know, but that's not the point), it was a fun job that I enjoyed.

I share some of the same experience in my 11 years playing XI. However:

Originally it is thought that Square-Enix designed Samurai to be a tank who avoided damage primarily by use of parries. Parrying in Final Fantasy XI does negate all damage, but the skill is extremely hard to get to a high enough level to make this a viable option. Evidence of this theory is obvious in many of the samurai specific armors, which have abilities and statistics that would most benefit a tank. Samurai are now used almost exclusively as damage dealers in the game.

Originally, Ninja was not meant to be a tanking job. However, the player base discovered a method that enables Ninjas to avoid most attacks directed at them by monsters. In time, ninja became one of the two tank classes in the game.

There are 2 things I never want to see from XI again. Especially in XIV.
- Jobs the Development Team designed for one specific role stripped of it completely by the community and the Team gave up on them.
- On the fly gear set changes in combat.

[Swagcity]

I share some of the same experience in my 11 years playing XI. However:





There are 2 things I never want to see from XI again. Especially in XIV.
- Jobs the Development Team designed for one specific role stripped of it completely by the community and the Team gave up on them.
- On the fly gear set changes in combat.

I see what you are saying, However, a tank is a tank imo, regardless of the job (As long as ppl are willing to play them). Ninja and samurai still served a purpose in-game despite what SE intended them to be. I do not play much 14 atm, but judging from this thread, there is a shortage of willing tanks. I mean, finding tanks in XI was somewhat difficult, but I do not recall SE adding incentives just for them. I understand your premise though.

Eardstapa stated that SE may need to add a coveted job as a tank (Samurai), I have to agree. Add SAM to 14 and subscription/sales may go up aswell XD. FF fans love dem some SAM.

[ReplicaX]

I see what you are saying, However, a tank is a tank imo, regardless of the job (As long as ppl are willing to play them). Ninja and samurai still served a purpose in-game despite what SE intended them to be.

I'll clarify further and keep it rather simple.

Since NIN wasn't designed to be a tank. There was a long and stale period of time for NIN. At first many players adapted with what they had available to get by. Using Evasion setups, Elemental Wheel spam in the mid-lvls and endgame consisted of some NIN/BLM for more enmity generation as it lacked. New abilities and gear tailored for the new role took years.

It was also the devs fault. They basically gave up and didn't define the original role enough and also readjust it if they accepted the community change in a timely manner. Then you have the years of imbalance just between 2 jobs in one tank role. This is what I meant by never wanting to see this again, especially in XIV.

[Swagcity]

I am merely stating that as long as ppl play them; it does not matter, a tank is a tank. Nin was somewhat harder and took more concentration; that is the only stepping stone I recall (And obtaining Ni). Tanking on nin was quite easy after I obtained Ni. I guess we will agree to disagree. However, I fully understand your sentiments; I just cannot relate, that is all, no biggie.