Wherefore art thou Circle of Scorn

[Clavaat]

Try pulling an enemy off of a PLD that has freshly-used CoS on a pulled mob. The DoT pulls hate off the initial Provoke, and even a few Tomahawks/Shield Lobs. For Twin we had the OT PLD run in first, grab the adds/Twin, and MT would Provoke pull Twintania off. If the PLD used CoS, the WAR (me) had a hell of a time getting hate off while running into position, because the tick after Provoke/Toma would still pull hate away. That's why guides recommend you don't use CoS when fighting Garuda EX when trading Plumes.

The amount of aggro this ability pulls in the beginning of the fight is quite nice. And it does take at least some thought, given the scenarios I listed above. It can make tank swapping difficult if done at the wrong time.

[Synestr]

Looks like he is napping now. Maybeh he gave up, maybeh not.

One thing I am not seeing here is the "bonus" CoS has. The STR down effect during the DoT itself. THIS is why it is a DoT. It is not huge or game breaking but it is there. You will generate threat off the use of CoS, you will get little threat generated off the DoT tics. OVERALL you get the benefit of the mob hitting you with less STR which results in better mitigation, which is less DMG to you.

Forget the above, I was trippin and got it mixed up with RoH, as I use it right before CoS most times...lol.

In reference to what Clavaat said, best way I have learned to handle the split as OT is as soon as I see the water splash off that bastards back, I run into MT's position, soon as I do he starts running with his snake, as he does that I pop FoF (by this time split is spawning) and I chain pop flash and CoS. Then roll right into Halone combo.

I think that right there solidifies it as a threat generating tool, irregardless of the DPS it does...etc..etc.

Syn

[SeraviEdalborez]

One thing I am not seeing here is the "bonus" CoS has. The STR down effect during the DoT itself. THIS is why it is a DoT.

...what? Halone has STR down, not CoS.

[Synestr]

^ yea, I sat here thinking about what I wrote and then was like....awwww sit!!!

Derp fixed.

[Cabalabob]

Fact is it's free damage, you can fit 2 of them into your fight or flight duration, sure maybe we wouldn't miss it if it was gone, but that doesn't mean there's no reason to use it.

[Vandril]

I only skimmed most of the thread, but I didn't see anyone mention it.

More Jobs will be added to the game as time goes on. Arcanist having two jobs is live proof that classes will not necessarily be restricted to having one job. It is not altogether hard to imagine, in any way, that GLD may eventually be part of a new DPS Job's cross-class skill set, and that Circle of Scorn may very well be one of the applicable cross-class skills.

For instance, I recall that Dark Knight was a confirmed "we intend to add this to the game" Job pretty much since release of ARR. What are the chances that it will be based around Gladiator class? Very, very high. And what ability is more aptly named for a Dark Knight than Circle of Scorn?

Aside from that, Circle of Scorn STILL fits into the concept of good class skill design, even for PLD, despite its seeming uselessness: it is used to add complexity to the rotation outside of GCDs. The entire purpose for off-GCD abilities is to do exactly that. Could it be better, by it doing something more noticeably (that's the keyword, since the enmity generation from it does exist and is free, so it still accomplishes something, albeit largely unnoticed) tank-like when used by a PLD? Sure. Does the fact that it doesn't make it bad game design? Not at all, it just makes it simple.

[Danbo05]

Try telling that to Paladins in CT who can't seem to figure out how to pull IG.