Thread: How would they fix PLD 4.0?

If SE figures on keeping the damage-type-debuff dynamic, they could get really spicy and make PLD apply - and deal - all three. Spirits, Riot do piercing, shield stuff does blunt, most stuff does slashing. Would add:

- (Riot Blade gains piercing debuff instead of MP restore)

- (Royal Authority applies slashing debuff)

- Shield Spin: oGCD on a 60s cooldown, deals blunt damage, applies 30s blunt debuff and gives a Shelltron-like effect for magic

- Lunge: oGCD dashing stab into enemy from range. Deals piercing damage.

- (Circle Slash): Requisite AoE damage button, but combos off of Riot Blade and restores MP.

- (name): Big flashy oGCD attack, three hits a la Dream Within Dream, but one of each damage type. Each hit deals additional damage if enemy has lowered resistance of that type.

Obviously not actually happening, but this is half for fun anyway. First two new skills are maybe a little too DRK-homogenizey, but just brainstorming etc.

Just improve Flash visually so it doesn't look like shit (hell make it look like Griffin's flash or something) and actually does damage. Make it a trait or something so you don't need to waste another ability slot on it. Maybe add another trait to further improve Circle of Scorn, as well.

May or may not be a popular idea, but for me I would love to see some more utility in the form of Debuff effects coming from the PLD, revenge style debuffs. The vareious GCDs having added effects based on the stance they are in.

Example:

Rampart - Reduces Damage by 10% for 20 seconds
*Under Shield Oath - Inflicts "SLOW" on attacking enemies for 10 sec, debuff can trigger on the same target every 30 sec*

Fight or Flight - Increases physical damage dealt by 30% for 30s.
*Under Sword Oath - Converts 25% of physical damage dealt into TP for 15 seconds*

I see Shield Oath turning several skills into useful utility without losing their current use. I mean we all love Eye for an Eye, having the PLD as sort of a trap tank, that is attacking him/her weakens the enemy constantly would do nothing but raise the party's overall effectiveness without ever messing to much with it. While adding effects that benefit the PLD in both dps and OT usefulness can only help as well.

Those are just examples, it would not be a dichotomy that is to say each skill would not have an different effect with both stances. Some would have an effect with one, some the other, and some no effects at all. But I feel giving some enemy debuffs in a defensive stance, while boosting personal buffs in offence would allow the PLD to be both useful and seriously more interesting to play.