How would you improve the Paladin's Cover skill?

[Nicola_Kunu]

I hope you realise you have basically described Intervene except with the damage coming to the Paladin rather than staying on the target? (There is the gauge cost, but that is pretty much meaningless in this comparison). So, the next question is, are there any examples where this is a meaningful difference that affects how a mechanic is handled and the subsequent healing requirement after?

If a tank dies and is revived shortly before a dual tankbuster and they haven't had time to aggro juggle.

I have on more than one occasion been killed (by my own hand or others) during Cachexia 1 in P6S.
By the time I have been revived, the dual tankbuster "Synergy" may have already started casting, as it follows the mechanic.
I know which DPS is about to receive it. I have plenty of time to ask him to get out of the group so he does not kill the group. But I cannot Cover him because the spell has an Oath Gauge cost.

I would like to be able to save my Samurai friend when this happens.

[Mikey_R]

If a tank dies and is revived shortly before a dual tankbuster and they haven't had time to aggro juggle.

So, so far, 1 example, which requires the PLD to die just before a 2 tank buster so that they have no gauge to use. If the requirements for Cover being potentially useful have to drop that low, then I see no reason to keep it. Bear in mind this example has the tank death, of which, the obvious thing would be to just do the mechanic properly in the first place or, if possible, adjust yourself if you notice something isn't right. PLD doesn't lose much from disengaging, especially with Holy Spirit.

However, you also only described the gauge cost being an issue, when what I was saying is in relation to the defensive aspect that the poster I quoted wanted to add. Whilst the gauge cost is an issue, the actual issue is the relationship with Intervention. Until that is sorted, it doesn't matter if it costs gauge or not.