There are many character classes to look at when playing the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV. Each character class has a set of attributes that define its roles in the game. In FFXIV, the characters are grouped into 5 classes: Tank, Healer, Melee DPS, Physical Ranged DPS, and Magical Ranged DPS.
Among the Tank classes, there is one character called the Paladin, or the Gladiator. Many people have found that the Paladin is their ideal character for their journey in the world of FFXIV. What makes the Paladin a little special, with many character classes to pick from in the game? Let’s find out what the top reasons are for you to play as a Paladin.
Top 5 Reasons To Play Paladin/Gladiator
Versatility
Versatility is the number one attribute that makes a Paladin a great character to play. First off, it’s already a tank to take on a protective role to allow others to get into the proper position as the team strategy dictates. When mining Rathalos, for instance, a Paladin can be used for a slight distraction as the monster cycles through its five attacks in the Grounded phase while the others get ready to pounce on Rathalos when the opportunity presents itself. The Paladin can then activate its active self-healing ability, Clemency, and join in on the attack.
With a Paladin on the team, you have three roles rolled into one. You have a healer, a tank, and a DPS in a single character. This, without doubt, opens up several opportunities for team tactics and strategies, especially in dungeon raiding.
Beginner-Friendly Class
If you’re just a beginner to Final Fantasy XIV, the FFXIV Paladin is the best class for you to begin your journey with. This class is an evolution of the Gladiator, or Swordsman class. When you reach Level 30, you can evolve the Gladiator into a Paladin and unlock the relevant abilities.
Both classes are very straightforward. Their skill trees do not require much for you to master. Of course, a little bit of study is in order if you’re going to be a serious player of this MMORPG. With the Gladiator and, later, the Paladin, the learning curve is not so steep regarding their abilities, allowing you to apply them quickly into battle. All you need is a good team on your back, and you can maximize the capabilities of the Gladiator/Paladin class in every quest, raid, or monster encounter.
Active Self Healing
One of the Paladin’s notable skills is the Clemency, which is a healing spell. The spell can heal up to 1,200 of the target’s HP. However, the Paladin also gets 50% of the total HP restored when Clemency is used to healing a team member. This spell alone makes the Paladin a reliable team member, even though its healing ability is not as potent as other classes whose skill sets are built more towards healing and support.
When mastering the Paladin’s defensive capabilities, it’s important to note that it’s not a full-fledged healer. Its weaker healing spells are not a disadvantage but rather are a supplement that can come in handy when one or two of the healers have their hands tied down trying to heal themselves while other team members, like tanks and DPS, are losing HPs to the enemy. This is one reason to adopt a balanced mindset when playing as a Paladin with a team.
Magical Skills
The magic is the only class that has a true spellcasts, that can be cast from a distance while having a finale similar to the black mage with the confideo spell. This is one of the strongest AoE attacks in the game.
Great Tank Support
The Paladin’s skills can be used to support a tank and be a tank, as the class is built towards that combat role. There are many ways to capitalize on this skill in a dungeon setting. A Level 62 Paladin or higher, for instance, can cast Intervention to cut down the amount of damage a team member receives by 10%.
For instance, while joining the melee team with other tanks, the Paladin can further strengthen himself and other tanks with the Intervention skill. This allows the Melee and Ranged DPS characters more time to accumulate more damage to the target by improving the tanks’.
No matter what character you pick in Final Fantasy XIV, the important thing to consider is mastery. You would have to closely study each character and its skillset to understand how they work and when they would be ideal to use in battle. You should learn the limitations of each character too!
