Auto-cover!

[Vaymathias]

Cover should be made automatic for PLD. Or at least a separate "auto-cover" ability should be added.

When a PLD stands between an enemy and an ally, all single target attack that originate from the enemy, cone abilities and some pbAOE attacks that are targeting the "coveree" should only and always hit the PLD. Of course if that character needs to be in a different position for a WS or for any other reason, then it's up to him to risk it.

Maybe also have a slight energy "transference" where the "coveree" would receive a small percentage of damage that the PLD would receive when the "coveree" themselves are the enemies intended target, say 10% or 20%. This is of course MUCH lower than what the player would receive since the damage is now calculated against the PLDs defense.

Also, both players would have to be in active mode and targeting the same enemy, as long as they both meet those prerequisites any enemy that is in front of the PLD and is targeting the "coveree" attacks the PLD as well. Where mages are concerned, it's up to them or the party, what's more important, auto-cover or the passive mode mp regeneration.

One big appeal of this game was the tactical elements that they promised early on, and yet this game seems to be heading towards the "Zerg" (Zerg, not Zorg, this isn't the fifth element) mentality. The devs should add aspects like this to the game to emphasize precision tactics other than "giving Jayne a heavy stick and standing back".

EDIT: I forgot about passive/active mode. I also added "transference".

EDIT: Lunas example
In turn, this would literally make the PLD a shield of sorts as you see in movies where the knight protects someone from dragon fire with his shield. The knight would take the hit and his ally takes less damage for it.