Quote Originally Posted by Shurrikhan View Post
I just don't understand how the minigun, in the hands of a tank of all roles, isn't going to be knocked aside from even the most mild attacks or weight put against it. It's clearly too large to be handled manageably in CQB. It makes about as much sense as a parry-tank running on a toothpick (or even a rapier, given the size of boss weapons).
Aside from ignoring the fact this is a fantasy game, you seem to be oblivious to the existence of Dark Knight in this game. Large unwieldly weapons? There are DRK swords in the game that would weigh over 600lbs (272kg). Those swords wouldn't even be able to be carried around by normal people, let alone swung at the speeds they are. A minigun of that size would be comparitively lighter, with other examples in media/games, such as the Heavy's "Sasha" stated to weigh 231 lbs (105kg). On top of the Heavy in the role of a tank as well in it's respective game gives it a prime example of a tanky archetype in that style (i.e. using a big gatling gun).
Countless video games have a Heavy Gunner type enemy/archetype that almost always takes the form of a very heavy armored juggernaut. There are even MMO's that have the same archetype, such as SWTOR's Trooper class, who did just fine fighting in close quarters with their big guns against people with lightsabers.

I also have to ask, why a tank at all, especially given that XIV's latency prevents most melee from reliably attacking moving targets? Why put this kind of armor or role on a ranged heavy weaponry class?
How is that statement in any way any kind of reason to prevent such a job in that role? BRD/MCH have no problems hitting targets while moving when their casting stance isn't on, this job would be no different albeit likely have a reduce ranged in comparison (10-15y range perhaps).

leading to yet more unrealistic animations and weapon usage.
Welcome to pretty much every animation in the entire game then. BRD jumping in the air, doing a backflip while raining down arrows? So realistic! How about MNK's shoulder tackle, where they cover 20yards in half a second, accelerating to speeds upwards of 80 mph instantly.