FFXIV News March Update Part 1: Gladiator, Marauder, Lancer

Tags : ffxiv news, final fantasy xiv, ff14 news, ff14 update

Lets start off With some of the March Update.

Gladiator: The Makeshift Fighter:
So we start our journey into the Update with Gladiator. How Interesting it is! To me Gladiator is FFXI's Warrior. Great attacker, Par to Sub par Tank. I feel in FFXIV They will be a good tank, which is in contrast to FFXI.

The ability to use a two handed weapon or a 1 and a shield makes the damage output and tanking ability and versatility of the gladiator indescribable. Expect Gladiators to be just as versatile as warriors in FFXI, Expect to see them wielding a plethora of different weapons, and using them in different ways(as an interview stated they will have piercing and slashing differences in attacks). But Also expect them to tank. But here's something that hasn't been brought up yet.. The Gladiator seems to be able to use a two handed weapon.. One handed and shield... but what about two one handed weapons? Something to think about.

Notable Ablities:
Cover: Protect the party member behind you. (Take damage in place of companion behind you)
Aegis’s boon: Hide behind your shield and try to recover yourself. (Converts damage into HP when the attack is blocked by your shield)
Red Lotus: A chopping attack with a burning sword (Attack with fire attribute)
Shield Bash: Strike with your shield. (Hits the enemy and stops their casting)

Marauder: The Relentless Assailant:
Power hungry refugees from FFXI, beware. Marauder is the new age death knight, and it's coming out with a bang. Marauder seems like your all out, burly super-soldier. When you need sheer melee power to down things quickly, this is where you look.

Marauder is taking the best of DRK and making it even better. Having abilities to increase crit hit rate (Powerful strike) and things to restore HP while still dishing out a lot of Damage (Bloodbath), The Marauder seems like your All around Melee powerhouse who can also fight his own battles should the need arise. Not only that, but having a defensive stance to fall back to if you gain aggro? SE Is doing very well planning this all out. Charging attacks to make them AoE, but also having the option to obliterate one target with a few hits? Marauder is going to be in high demand continually. Also, a first look at a beast-type move? The Bestiary and type of monsters will still play a role in doing damage this time around! Expect Marauder to be at the head of the charge in melee dps, They will be your DRK.. your SAM.. and they are probably going to pull a substantial amount of hate.

Notable Moves:
Stump splitter: An axe blow that could cleave a redwood in two (A slicing attack that is especially effective against plant-type enemies)
Defender: Defend with your axe (Raises physical defense at the cost of attack)
Powerful strike: Put the weight of the axe behind your blow to drop it in a mighty strike (Increases critical hit chance)

Lancer: No, this is NOT loldrg:
Last but not least for part one of my Take on the March Update, is the Lancer.

First and foremost I will say that SE is taking Measures to prevent the Tragedy that happened to DRG's in the beginning of FFXI, with a lot of merit parties hitting on bone-type enemies, by allowing Lancers to learn Bludgeoning, and Slashing techniques. Again, SE is definitely doing their homework this time around to make this game the best MMO of its time. Speaking of the different attacks.. Lancers will start off with only piercing attacks.. Which means they will probably be limited to Lances at start.. and Learn to use Spears for slashing damage and Poles for Bludgeoning things with. Also a prime example of a drastic change from most MMO's here.. Range and Distance matters as a lancer. You have to space yourself from the enemy in order to be of the highest effect. You can move in close to impale two enemies, or stay back and hit with the head of the Pole/hammer type weapon to maximize Bludgeon damage. Lancer's will be in the range to also be the first line of defense for the healers of the party, being in between the range of the casters and the melee. Lancer also plays a major role in a party situation, having a move to increase all of the parties TP gain on a Mob, and attacking behind a party member and controlling hate. Expect lancer to play a Very Mobile DPS and Almost Dancer like Buff/debuffer from FFXI. Nothing like it's FFXI Counterpart, DRG. Lancer this time around will be a Par or slightly above Par DPS who's value to the party will be high due to the Buffs he has.

Notable Moves:
Inspiration: Encourages the party by rising flagged spears. (Adds TP to party members’ attacks on a specific target)
Collusion: Thrust out your spear from behind your party member. (Gathers enmity on one of your party members with a powerful attack from behind him)
Skewer: A surprising blow that makes enemies falter (Hits all enemies between you and your targeted enemy with a piercing attack. Creatures on land hit with this attack will become slower)

An MMO that takes legitimate skill to play a melee class? Thank you Square Enix. Thank you.

Alright, This concludes part one of the Update from March! Stick around for "Part 2: Archer, Thaumaturge, Conjurer!", "Part 3: Pugilist, Miner, Blacksmith!", and "The March Update Finale: Beta Screen Shot and MPO!!" Please, add any comments and Tell me what you think.