How would they fix PLD 4.0?

[HyperiusUltima]

I've been wondering this for a while, given the fact that we've already got plenty of skill bloat on our hotbars as is unless they're going to replace or get rid of some. The only thing this expansion has brought is nothing but trouble for PLD in favor of the DPS Meta. Do you think that they're going to address it and fix it to where it becomes survival again or will it be another "Gotta DPS Fast" cluster**** where DRK/WAR reign supreme?

One of the things they should help give PLD is more enmity generation in the form of AoE. It's only AoE are Circle of Scorn and Flash. The only two AoEs that draw enmity.

WAR has Overpower, and it already draws Enmity from its damage output and the multiplier. DRK has the highest enmity generation in the game with Unleash and Abyssal Drain, whereas Paladin literally has to be played skillfully or be cooperative with their team to manage.

PLD's only mitigation is Strength Down on the boss, and that only mitigates physical fights really. Other than that you have utilities that are actually not strong compared to the others which flat out mitigate damage since Divine Veil just provides a shield that healer utility already brings. It's nice, but it's hard enough as is for PLD to keep up. Eventually they'll die out like WHM and MNK are.

The elephant in the room is ALWAYS the TP. Ever since they put their offensive GCD move on oGCD, PLD's had extreme TP problems that were just band-aided by TP reduction; this didn't just benefit PLD, but benefited DRK as well, making it more prominent since DRK's Blood Weapon reduces TP cost temporarily. WAR has infinite TP if they're off-tank, since they'll just Deliverance and have Equilibrium to keep them up and have infinite TP.

So, any ideas?

[Sarcatica]

I feel like SE should identify the meta a little bit more. PLD and DRK has already solidify themselves as the MT group, WAR can do both. WAR having access to BB combo as part of the dps rotation is bonkers. This is why WAR is pulling for the most part because they can sustain aggro way easier than PLD and DRK especially. If SE is willing to clear up the meta, adjusting PLD and DRK skills to fit their MT role like adding more aggro generation for DRK especially. In tandem, have WAR and the next OT-to-be suit the OT role better, lowering the potency for BB is a step forward because currently the extra potency gives a reason for WARs to keep using. Halone is craptastic and buffing the potency should be in line, somewhere along the line of 300pot 280pot. PLD's aggro is in good shape so the damage part should mostly be shifted to their SwO or probably FoF. DRK's problem is the aggro generation and IMO SE can buff the Power Slash slightly to lets say 330pot, and the rest of the adjustments on aggro should be added to some of their kits. All these change will make WAR pulling way less desired and solve PLD/DRK pulling a huge DPS loss. This is also in regards to the DPS meta that FFXIV is already cementing for so long. PLD has no issue with aggro sustain in SwO so adjustment to Halone is mostly for the initial aggro, DRK has huge issue to sustain aggro without Grit so there needs to be more aggro into some of the already existing kit.

TP for PLD/DRK is an issue but IMO with good level design by SE should solve that issue. So far PLD is way more punished in a9s for bad dps, DRK gets 0 tp after a certain timing too.

For AoE, PLD does need help on that. Some drastic change needs to happen because I don't see Flash doing damage. Just maybe if there is a change to traited Flash, Flash can be useful if the trait goes along the line of +5% dmg vulne because you know, you get blinded thus exposing vitals, especially good for aoeing situation. Edit: there needs to be a treatment like Virus to avoid permanent +5% dmg, say 1min or even 90sec immunity to the affected target.

Obviously these are my version after so long raiding at higher level including speedrun attempts. There might even be a meta shift for all we know.

[Ilan]

....

TP for PLD/DRK is an issue but IMO with good level design by SE should solve that issue. So far PLD is way more punished in a9s for bad dps, DRK gets 0 tp after a certain timing too.

...

I agree that PLD has some serious TP issues in fights without downtimes, but DRK is totaly fine in that point. With my group i need goad on my PLD in A9S but as a DRK i don't have any TP issues during the fight if i don't die.

[Sarcatica]

I agree that PLD has some serious TP issues in fights without downtimes, but DRK is totaly fine in that point. With my group i need goad on my PLD in A9S but as a DRK i don't have any TP issues during the fight if i don't die.

Say that to groups with very low dps. I once bottomed my TP in a9s.

[hakurou46]

DRK has huge issue to sustain aggro without Grit

Dark Arts Power Slash solves that, and without Grit you've got Blood Weapon up 37% of the time so you can afford it.

[Sarcatica]

Dark Arts Power Slash solves that, and without Grit you've got Blood Weapon up 37% of the time so you can afford it.

The thing about DAPS is no one actually feels good at using it, nor you should tbh. It's only a difference of 1x multiplier and you waste your DA that can actually do more DPS via DASE, it's still better to use normal PS combo though not optimal. All you want is to sustain aggro without ever touching PS anymore after that initial 1 slash, since you want to keep cycling mana and do all the cool stuff. DRK's mana translates to more damage in the best scenario, not to top up aggro.

[hakurou46]

It's only a difference of 1x multiplier

Is it only 6x over 5x? I had been told it was 7x

[Sarcatica]

Is it only 6x over 5x? I had been told it was 7x

You can check the number in reddit for one, if you would like.

[Zampp]

Dark Arts Power Slash

Whats dark arts power slash? I dont think you know what a dark arts is usefull for.

[shao32]

DRK has huge issue to sustain aggro without Grit so there needs to be more aggro into some of the already existing kit.

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you only need to see how PLD and DRK stance work, they need to inprove our tank stance not make it more useless, i dont see how adjust the potency to work better out tank stance go to work except you want to remove it.

about tp, recovering tp from bards in 2.x was part of any raid team strategy in some fights i think DRK is fine in that field, meaby some tics on PLD, and a ajust on WAR