Simple Fix to PLD

[NoctisUmbra]

Oh, look! Someone who thinks PLD is fine and the rest of us just don't know how to play it!

*Stares cautiously so as to not disturb the rare species in its natural habitat.*

[SwordCoheir]

Oh, look! Someone who thinks PLD is fine and the rest of us just don't know how to play it!

*Stares cautiously so as to not disturb the rare species in its natural habitat.*

Oy, its one of the most dangerous creatures alive! I'ma go poke it with a stick!

(Poor humor I know, but I couldn't resist XP)

[ChickNorris]

Oh, look! Someone who thinks PLD is fine and the rest of us just don't know how to play it!

*Stares cautiously so as to not disturb the rare species in its natural habitat.*

Actually, I do think that it is fine. There is what PLD is and people's preconceptions of what it should be...there is the reality of the job and imaginary wishing. I tend to play the game that is designed, not wish for it to be what I think it should be...with something like this, even more so. Everyone has previous tank or PLD classes they have played. It would probably be able to fly if it had all the qualities imagined for it by players.

I did not say if anyone did or did not know how to play anything. I understand you had to work that in to make your joke, but just the same, that isn't what I said.

Perhaps if the discourse worked more along the lines of what Klive wrote, the discussion would turn to something a bit more helpful.

And I am not rare, not by a long shot. I saw just today a PLD tank for AV. I have done Cutter's with a PLD tank. It isn't always a question of which one lets you spam through and get the shiny stuff. Actually, maybe they can merge the drop rate threads in with the PLD needs ______ changed ones. They seem to have a commonality.

[NoctisUmbra]

Actually, I do think that it is fine. There is what PLD is and people's preconceptions of what it should be...there is the reality of the job and imaginary wishing. I tend to play the game that is designed, not wish for it to be what I think it should be...with something like this, even more so. Everyone has previous tank or PLD classes they have played. It would probably be able to fly if it had all the qualities imagined for it by players.

This is precisely what I draw attention to in the very first paragraph of my OP, the primary reason I was compelled to make this thread and why I emphasized the Simple nature of the fix. I've read plenty of threads where people let their personal imaginations run wild as they tailor PLD and/or WAR into brand new jobs effectively. I've done none of that, but rather drawn from the actual design philosophy of the PLD job as SE introduced it and subsequently presented it to us with its current skillset to support the simple notion that PLD should be taking noticeably less damage overall than WAR to have its own niche as a tank.

I did not say if anyone did or did not know how to play anything. I understand you had to work that in to make your joke, but just the same, that isn't what I said.

I'd say you at least suggested as much

M1: Hey...do you think they will ever figure out PLD?
M2: Well, I hope so...I can't take much more of this.

And after several hours of reading actual issues, they had time to come back and move this thread.

Perhaps if the discourse worked more along the lines of what Klive wrote, the discussion would turn to something a bit more helpful.

Not quite sure what you mean. Do you mean to say we should rather be discussing other ways to use PLD besides a tank? Such as a pseudo WHM-DD? Ironically, actual WHMs can do more dps while contributing heals. The tanking WAR is also better off using Collusion on a heavy nuke from BLM or a buffed Howling Fist from MNK... so... still not helping the desirability of PLD.

And I am not rare, not by a long shot. I saw just today a PLD tank for AV. I have done Cutter's with a PLD tank. It isn't always a question of which one lets you spam through and get the shiny stuff. Actually, maybe they can merge the drop rate threads in with the PLD needs ______ changed ones. They seem to have a commonality.

People use it despite its flaws. Some parties have no choice when they play with players who may only have PLD. Others are just passionate about the job and use it anyway. The fact remains, however, that the way the content is designed just doesn't mesh well with the way PLD is designed right now as none of the unique characteristics of PLD garner any demand allowing WAR to outshine it in every scenario. I've come up with what I believe to be one simple adjustment that can in turn effect everything about PLD as well as overall job balance in a lot of content.

[NoctisUmbra]

Just want to post a realization of mine before I forget:

I was reading through Kaeko's tests again and went through the section on Defense and VIT. I noticed then something that I had overlooked before: that VIT apparently also mitigates magical/elemental damage.

Now I know Kaeko hasn't done/released the testing on this aspect of VIT yet, but provided it is noticeable, the answer to PLD's mitigation woes may be in stacking more and more VIT.

This also begs a few questions though:

1. Why on Earth did PLD, what is clearly an altruistic, defensive job, get STR/MND as bonus attributes and not VIT/MND?
2. Why is the attribute point difference in switching from GLA to PLD something as low as 10 more VIT?

[Kiara]

Just want to post a realization of mine before I forget:

I was reading through Kaeko's tests again and went through the section on Defense and VIT. I noticed then something that I had overlooked before: that VIT apparently also mitigates magical/elemental damage.

Now I know Kaeko hasn't done/released the testing on this aspect of VIT yet, but provided it is noticeable, the answer to PLD's mitigation woes may be in stacking more and more VIT.

This also begs a few questions though:

1. Why on Earth did PLD, what is clearly an altruistic, defensive job, get STR/MND as bonus attributes and not VIT/MND?
2. Why is the attribute point difference in switching from GLA to PLD something as low as 10 more VIT?

Hi Noctis,

Definitely. It's something that a few people have wondered about:

* The Quantity of "Valid Stats" that Paladin has to worry about (compared to Warrior or other classes).

As you brought up, there's STR and MND, and VIT. And if SE ever fixes DEX (for Block Rate, updating Block Formula), then that's one other Stat to worry about. Whereas other Jobs usually just need to worry about 2 Primary Stats, and in Warrior's case it's just STR and VIT (and VIT inherently adds HP and Defense).

There are some fundamental flaws with the way SE has designed the job overall IMO.

[Klive]

As you brought up, there's STR and MND, and VIT. And if SE ever fixes DEX (for Block Rate, updating Block Formula), then that's one other Stat to worry about. Whereas other Jobs usually just need to worry about 2 Primary Stats, and in Warrior's case it's just STR and VIT (and VIT inherently adds HP and Defense).

VIT also increases MRD/WAR auto attack damage, making VIT a great investment for warrior for defense and offense. Paladin has MND, which makes his heals stronger and his melee auto attacks. MRD/WAR are is blessed with less need to decide on stats, VIT does it all. If paladins invests in their auto attack stat, they increase healing.... not their tanking.

[Arcell]

Hi Noctis,

Definitely. It's something that a few people have wondered about:

* The Quantity of "Valid Stats" that Paladin has to worry about (compared to Warrior or other classes).

As you brought up, there's STR and MND, and VIT. And if SE ever fixes DEX (for Block Rate, updating Block Formula), then that's one other Stat to worry about. Whereas other Jobs usually just need to worry about 2 Primary Stats, and in Warrior's case it's just STR and VIT (and VIT inherently adds HP and Defense).

There are some fundamental flaws with the way SE has designed the job overall IMO.

Actually Warrior technically has to worry about DEX if we're bringing block rate into the equation. Dex governs parry, Warrior's damage mitigation equivalent of block. The only odd one out if Mind. However for stat allocation with PLD I'd simply go STR/MND. I think Paladin's primary stat should be VIT and not STR but it is what it is.

[Kiara]

Actually Warrior technically has to worry about DEX if we're bringing block rate into the equation. Dex governs parry, Warrior's damage mitigation equivalent of block. The only odd one out if Mind. However for stat allocation with PLD I'd simply go STR/MND. I think Paladin's primary stat should be VIT and not STR but it is what it is.

Hi Arcell,

True (re: DEX), but I think for Warrior right now, they can beast through so much content without worrying about stacking DEX, whereas for Paladins, they're looking for *every* possible angle / facet to help them become as desirable / useful as possible (including some hoping that DEX actually would help with the sad Block Rate / Block formulas).

[NoctisUmbra]

Actually Warrior technically has to worry about DEX if we're bringing block rate into the equation. Dex governs parry, Warrior's damage mitigation equivalent of block. The only odd one out if Mind. However for stat allocation with PLD I'd simply go STR/MND. I think Paladin's primary stat should be VIT and not STR but it is what it is.

Actually DEX provides incredibly diminished returns to Block Rate and Parry at higher levels especially. It was in a rep post I'm too lazy to find now, but players are much better off stacking actual Block Rate and Parry stats over DEX.