Please Do NOT Introduce Another Melee Tank

[KikoriL]

Melee range is unavoidable. I'm more worried about tanking styles; things have to be kept unique. We have insane mitigation in PLD, and insane HP to soak damage in WAR.
One with a parry-dodge focus who deals more in counterattacks. Samurai?
One that directly buffs defensive numbers / debuffs the mobs' offensive numbers. Mystic Knight?
One that adjusts and focuses element / damage type resistances. Blue Mage?
One that directly responds to damage dealt / taken with boosted heals / defense. Dark Knight?
Aside from those four thoughts... what else could be done to make a unique approach to tanking?

[Wadoka]

It's the "Tanks are responsible for effective positioning" that would seem to be the big roadblock to Ranged tanking.

What mechanic would allow a Tank to hold hate, do damage at a distance, and position the enemy?

Sounds like the Tank would need a persistent "Bind" mechanic, something which would prevent the target from moving and closing to melee range.

Without a position-holding trait, the melee DPS would vote to kill the Tank first, the mob second...

[KikoriL]

Suddenly picturing a combo skill where the bonus combo effect is a Bind (without disappearing on hit or diminishing durations on each hit)... But unless you give the tank a way to apply this to numerous enemies at once, it still defeats much of the purpose of a ranged tank. And the idea seems all but broken if it's allowed to apply to bosses. Binding Nael outside of Bahamut's Claw range? Any other tank would be relatively worthless in such fights.

[Marxam]

why are people tossing around the idea of a range tank? The last thing we need is another "dedicated" add kiter. The problem is the balance between the two current tanks. They're so homogenized that people simply opt to the PLD since its easier to use and has a superior "oh shit!" button to the WAR. The only thing war has going for it is its dps potential to push a couple %'s in a long fight while still tanking but who needs that when you have great dps?

and where did this dmg buff for pld's come from? I find it hard to believe that an off defiance war vs. sword oath pld (both in dps specs) will do less damage even with berserk and internal release than the pld's flight or fight but feel free to prove me wrong. Personally I think they should cut the cd of unchained to match berserk and remove the pacify effect of berserk but that's just me.

This game needs another tank that can bring something new to the table and not just a "balanced" version of a previous tank, regardless of weapon. But seriously no range tanks. A mage tank would be good however since atm none of that tanks can block or parry magic.

[MythToken]

They're so homogenized that people simply opt....

They are not homogenized. Every play Wow? thats homogenized.

They have done a very good job of keeping the playstyle different. And giving them different abilities.

And yes Sword oath Paladins do = or more damage than a warrior out of defiance.
But warriors do more damage in defiance vs paladin in shield oath. The math is in a thread somewhere.

Probably has to do with the fact you lose wrath, and IB which are both huge for damage.

[keyburz]

What if there was a tank that redirected damage? Spread damage on self to the whole party, or part of the party, or be able to take all the party's damage to yourself? Think of all the overhealing caused by ticking regen on parties during raids. It could instead not be wasted by sending a small amount of damage to the party. Or say the party is in trouble, party damage redirection plus cooldowns or hallowed ground equivalent skill. Could have some hilarious situations like the whm pulling aggro but the tank just redirects damage back to him instead of taking it back

[CrystalMagus]

Just make the Samurai's katana be like a large gunblade. Simple as that. Thats my opinion though lol

[Mjytresz]

AP Master Yi = new tank.

It's really not a bad idea, damage/sustain tank. Kind of like WAR except lower base aggro and lower base defense. Would make it a moderately bad choice for heavy hitting raids but would be a suitable OT and efficient at non-raid clears.

[LiveVoltage]

Anybody forget about the fact that a Titan Egi can tank Ramu EX? Friggin Ramu.

Ranged Tank=Not bad idea.
Problem: The mechanics that would need to go behind it to making it workable as well as Balancing it to the level of Paladin and Warrior.