Pugilist role in groups... a Tank or a Damage Dealer?

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Gladiator has a shield for blocking, and can evade and parry with a lower chance than the respective classes.

Now some say, well gladiator can wear all the best evasion gear and use feather foot to further enhance this. They can also get a high parry weapon and use foresight to enhance parry as well.

It's not possible to parry or evade while holding the shield arm up. Gladiator is heavily reliant on shield skills that I can't see him putting on evasion gear.

I love tanking so I planned on leveling Marauder/Pugilist after I finish with Gladiator. Is it possible to parry/evade enemy weapon skills? That might be a huge advantage to Pugilist since shield blocking has no effect on them.