New PLD since SHB release

[Big-Isaac]

I'm not sold yet, I gotta say. Level 77 now.
My problem with PLD has always been how set in stone and inflexible the rotation is, and unfortunately nothing has changed about that. That's why I enjoyed SB DRK the most out of all the tanks (RIP)
In SB, you switched between your physical phase with GB>RA>RA>repeat and your magic phase with Req>HS
Now in ShB, the phases are still there, with only difference being that you need 2 additional buttons to go through them - Atonement and Confiteor

Having to cancel a cast of HS or HC because some AoE landed under me is one of the most annoying aspects of the job for me (yeah, not gonna go BLM anytime soon) and that's going to end in one level's time, so maybe that'll tie the job together for me.
The job has actual AoE gameplay now, which is great. Spin to win is fun, I imagine Holy Circle will be as well after 78, and it's the one part where I can imagine Confiteor actually feeling good.
Shelltron is really satisfying to use now - would be nice if generating gauge was less dull and automated, but hey, it's a start

[Big-Isaac]

That's why I say this game would benefit greatly from an active mitigation model.
Funnily enough, PLD is already almost there.

- make Sheltron also increase your block chance by 100% (as in double the strength of the block, not make it 120%)
- give us control over how much gauge we generate, with optimal play resulting in more. E.g. Confiteor could grant 10 for every HS you used during that Re

[Cabalabob]

Single target it feels like it hasn’t really changed at all, yes they added new buttons but they just replace the old ones, like instead of a royal authority combo you use atonement, instead of a 5th Holy Spirit you use confiteor. I guess if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but I was hoping for something to mix the gameplay up a bit compared to Stormblood and intervene doesn’t really scratch that itch.

AoE feels great, definitely fits the theme set by the single target rotation and makes PLD feel like it’s actually contributing to large trash packs.

I’ll miss all our fluff mitigation, the thing that made PLD fun for me on that front was having so many options to nullify trash damage compared to the other tanks. Now it feels pretty much the same as all the other tanks, compounded by the cover nerf which was something that let PLD handle busters in a unique way.

And of course I’m sad to see shield swipe go, it was always a fun part of PLD trying to find places you could pop a sheltron whether you were MT or OT to try and get that extra damage boost. I really wanted to see more of that in tanking, not less.

Same with the enmity gameplay, I’ll miss that whole dynamic of trying to push out more damage while also keeping hate, I get that they want to lessen the skill gap but it does make tanking in general feel a lot more basic.

[Rilo_Kiley]

of course I’m sad to see shield swipe go

me too but Atonement is better and a more reliable source of damage.

[reckless76]

I'm only lvl 74, but so far I'm enjoying the changes over all. It's great that I no longer feel useless in AOE. I miss having shield swipe to weave in once in a while, and I feel bad for my healers what with losing so many defensive CDs, but it's a blast to play. I just got Intervene, so can't wait to give it a try in dungeons.

My only real complaint is switching over to Holy Spirit spam has always felt pretty clunky to me, and it seems with Holy Circle and Atonement they're just doubling down on this. I would think these types of things should be something you weave into your main combo, for the same overall DPS of course, just resulting in a much more active play style. But I guess that's what GunBreaker is..

[Phileas]

Shield swipe always annoyed me because it would proc when on cd...then when finally off cd the proc drops -.- so it was only used infrequently as i hated having to watch for it.

[Otorinth]

PLD feels great. Finally have some competitive AOE damage. I even end up doing more damage than the DPS jobs in some AOE situations.

Single-Target is still very similar to previous expansions outside of hitting FoF before Riot Blade instead of after, and one "new" button to hit through the Intervene ogcd for damage, while the rest of the new damage abilities are "replacements" for old buttons in the rotation. There is substituting a second RA Combo with Atonement, and replacing the the 5th Holy Spirit in the Magic Rotation with Confiteor. Sheltron feels amazing in packs AND single-target at all levels since it was changed to just "block everything for duration" and the trait only adding to the duration, making it a better Bulwark in every way. Requiescat Trait at 78 is bonkers, too. The entire leveling process from 70-80 is filled with great new additions to the kit every two levels.

[Magnedeus]

This is just me, but whenever i tank a SHB dungeon on my paladin and i have either a SCH or a AST (no not the trust system
healers) they always struggle to keep me alive. I usually pull one group of mobs at a time unless the healer asks me to pull more. But when i get a WHM in my group, i barely take any damage at all.

[Thela]

Only 1 thing to say about the 5.0 PLD so far and that is A+

[Hammerhorn]

I’ve mained PLD since the start and I love everything about these changes!