When am I supposed to use cover?

[Hitsuzen]

And am I a bad PLD if I just don't use it? I find it really hard to target the correct player on the PS4 and it almost never seems worth it.

I remember once where I could have used it, but used Clemency on them instead.

There is a couple mechanics I can think of where the boss puts a bullseye on a player or ignores agro and chases a player, but it still doesn't seem necessary.

[Launched]

Pretty much never. It's a gimmick and a waste of a skill slot.

[DaulBan]

The niche usage of Cover is basically the following situation:

If the target of physical damage is going to be imperiled by that damage and if you yourself will not be killed by said action or following the usage of cover and using cover isn't going to cause healers to be caught off foot (call out when you're using it) then go ahead.

For example in a fight with few swaps and physical damage (for example NidEX with DRK/PLD) you can cover if you have a cooldown and the DRK doesn't for the Ala Morn -> Drakenlance before towers. This can save their life or make it so they can continue DPSing while you take reduced damage, but make sure that the healers know you're about to get slapped.

[Canadane]

When you're in PvP.

[Rongway]

I find it really hard to target the correct player on the PS4 and it almost never seems worth it.

/ac Cover <t>
/ac Cover <tt>
/micon Cover

Use this. You'll only have to target the thing that's hitting not you, rather than trying to figure out whom it's hitting.

[Guerillawhite]

I use it in a9s on the healer when they grabs the adds. As far as targeting put healers on top of your party list and just tab down once or twice its not too bad.

[CaedemSanguis]

Never use it, and im a good pld

[Klamor]

Much like Tempered Will, it has it's very specific uses. Such as in T13 when your Monk/Dragoon/Ninja gets targeted by Earth Shakers, you can simply throw a quick cover on them and it negates the entire mechanic on them. Then, in the final phase, when Akh Morn is happening, during the 4th one the OT (WAR) will Holmgang it, and the PLD would Cover him to prevent the follow on AA from killing him before you're able to Provoke the boss back. (When the fight was relevant, of course)

Otherwise, you're fine not using it in almost all content.

[mosaicex]

The only not so useless function I found for Cover in this patch is during Sophia EX you can pop Tempered Will and use Cover on one of your DPS during the Daughter's push attack, saving them the hassle of having to relocate themselves after.

[Khalithar]

I usually use it in The Vault when someone is going to get hit by his LB (but the cooldown is long enough that you can only get one).