By Fenrir.Schutz 2010-11-18 15:13:04
Yah for PLD to be a viable tank again, SE has to bring back a level-adjustment ratio (for fights that matter) that results in DD doing relatively small hits again (that fine balance of NM level and DEF that was typical back when end game was 75.)
Unfortunately with the current Abyssea end-game and all of the various atma-related buffs that can be placed on DD performance, even a large level-adjustment range won't result in small hits and DD can spike damage quite easily, resulting in maxed hate within moments after the fight begins. Furthermore SE seemed to opt (with VNMs, Abyssea NMs, etc.) currently to have "gimmick abilities" for each NM anyhow, "tricks" that players have to overcome with strategy instead of the typical stand-up tank fight (e.g. players have to disengage mob when it does a certain action or player actions might heal it, mob has a series of AOE status effects that render nearby DD useless for a while, mob has high damage AOE move requiring quick repositioning, etc.) that also do not necessarily always favour having a dedicated tank position.
Maybe when end game settles again in the 90-99 range in 2011 they will be able to fine-tune the balance again, and maybe give PLD a few more tools. Other threads before this one talked about what PLD might need for that, though.