Thread: Gladiator at low to mid level is lacking a balance post patch 1.19

@Clyco, at low levels the shields block and block rate are crap so I know thats part of the problem, but also there are no low level kite shields :c

I'm r50 using an r49-50 shield. But I still think the block rate is lower than it used to be overall when I controlled it manually.

Gladiators do seem to do really low damage now from what I've found, at least pre-50 (I'm at 46 now). Not "oh you're a tank not a DPS that's normal for that class type" damage (like they did before), more like "wow you're a tank but seriously?" type of damage.

They do just enough to get by if they're fighting thing below their level, but if you go even level and in cases just one level above then it's bad. I've got a Cobalt Katzbalger/non-dated Bladed Lantern Shield and still don't do a whole lot. I think the main thing is that their Weapon Skills (still) don't have much of an identity. Red Lotus/Spinstroke/Howling Vortex/Luminous Spire/Onion Cut still seem like the exact same thing with different flashes, and Rage of Halone is still terrible. Riot Blade is their one big hitter, but that Pacifies you for no reason afterwards. XD

But, I wanted to finish leveling my Glad to 50 (I was 39 pre-patch but I switched to Pugilist) so I'm making due. I've found that their DPS gets boosted a lot by using the Pugilist counters (Jarring Strike/Haymaker). Because enemies actually miss now (and often) it works surprisingly well. In addition, Jarring Strike has enmity increases and a Stun, so it's win-win for Mr. Glad.