No Guard Thank Guard!

[Krin]

This is the real question - will the animation/message for guard be obvious enough to let me know when Phalanx can be triggered, and when it can't?

From the release notes, I feel a resounding "No". But it's still an improvement that I only have one mystery skill, as opposed to two. :-P

[Cycloptichorn]

BTW, Gladiator gets about 50 times as awesome here in a few ranks, when you start to get more of your advanced skills and more cross-class skills to use. And when you get higher than that, and in groups more, it switches to hate management and damage mitigation.

Surprised there hasn't been more commentary about this:

Aegis Boon ・Effect duration raised from 15 to 30 seconds.
Outmaneuver ・Effect duration raised from 15 to 30 seconds.
Deflection ・Effect duration raised from 15 to 30 seconds.

!!!!!!!~!!!!!!!!!!!!lol

30 sec Aegis boon with no change to cooldown = super happy Cyclops

[Reaujien]

BTW, Gladiator gets about 50 times as awesome here in a few ranks, when you start to get more of your advanced skills and more cross-class skills to use. And when you get higher than that, and in groups more, it switches to hate management and damage mitigation.

Surprised there hasn't been more commentary about this:

Aegis Boon ・Effect duration raised from 15 to 30 seconds.
Outmaneuver ・Effect duration raised from 15 to 30 seconds.
Deflection ・Effect duration raised from 15 to 30 seconds.

!!!!!!!~!!!!!!!!!!!!lol

30 sec Aegis boon with no change to cooldown = super happy Cyclops

I was happy to read about those too; however, I'm guessing that AB, Otm, and Defl won't give us 100% chance to block like they currently do now (which, essentially puts "Guard" up while under the effect of one of the three). Either way, all of this overall is nice because now I can focus on getting block rate gear, materia, etc. to help with damage mitigating.

[Reika]

I was happy to read about those too; however, I'm guessing that AB, Otm, and Defl won't give us 100% chance to block like they currently do now (which, essentially puts "Guard" up while under the effect of one of the three). Either way, all of this overall is nice because now I can focus on getting block rate gear, materia, etc. to help with damage mitigating.

Deflection was never a 100% chance to block to begin with...

I'm glad they're finally automating block now overall.

[Reaujien]

Deflection was never a 100% chance to block to begin with...

Deflection and the other shield abilities put your "Guard" up, which gives you 100% chance to block - full or partial.

[Cycloptichorn]

Deflection and the other shield abilities put your "Guard" up, which gives you 100% chance to block - full or partial.

I didn't know this was true. I've never been able to get Phalanx to work while having Aegis boon on, but without my shield up...

[Reaujien]

I didn't know this was true. I've never been able to get Phalanx to work while having Aegis boon on, but without my shield up...

Unless it's a bug (which could very well be possible), whenever I use either 3 shield abilities I can sit and spam Phalanx II provided that a) the mob is physically attacking me without TP moves, and b) I have TP. Also, I've never had to use "Guard" prior to using any ability either - in fact, I can never use "Guard" while either ability is still in effect (once the buff timer with 0:00 disappears).

[Reika]

Deflection and the other shield abilities put your "Guard" up, which gives you 100% chance to block - full or partial.

Incorrect, you can still fail to guard with guard, deflection, aegis boon, or Outmanuver.
Just use your battle log. It will read 'Your Block Fails' or what not、　And you will take full damage when that happens regardless of what skill is active.

and Note that Scutums have 99% block rate,　kite shields have 90%, so if youre a scutum user you may have never noticed the difference, only 1% chance not to block.

[Reaujien]

Incorrect, you can still fail to guard with guard, deflection, aegis boon, or Outmanuver.
Just use your battle log. It will read 'Your Block Fails' or what not、　And you will take full damage when that happens regardless of what skill is active.

and Note that Scutums have 99% block rate,　kite shields have 90%, so if youre a scutum user you may have never noticed the difference, only 1% chance not to block.

If you say so!~

[Rentahamster]

I was happy to read about those too; however, I'm guessing that AB, Otm, and Defl won't give us 100% chance to block like they currently do now (which, essentially puts "Guard" up while under the effect of one of the three). Either way, all of this overall is nice because now I can focus on getting block rate gear, materia, etc. to help with damage mitigating.

Yeah, I'm assuming that your block rate stays the same as what it is normally, and if you have one of those skills active, you get the effect from that skill, should you happen to block an attack.