Bulwark
Block incoming attacks.
Duration: 10s— In-game description
Bulwark is an action unlocked at level 52. It is available for Paladin.
Notes
- Cannot be used without a shield equipped.
- Blocking reduces incoming damage; the damage reduction is approximately 20% for IL 430+ shields.
- Blocking has no effect on critical hits from enemies, damage over-time debuffs, or damage that cannot be mitigated by other means (such as most sources of unique damage).
History
Patch 6.3 (2023-01-10):
- Readded with an updated effect.
- Now acquired at level 52 (previously level 46).
- The effect "increases block rate by 60%" was changed to "block incoming attacks."
- Duration was reduced from 15 to 10 seconds.
- Cooldown was reduced from 180 to 90 seconds.
Trivia
Prior to paladin's rework in patch 6.3, Holy Sheltron previously blocked incoming attacks in addition to reducing damage taken by a paltry 15%. Pandæmonium had numerous tankbusters that applied damage over-time (colliqually known as "bleedbusters"), which cannot be mitigated through blocking. This had resulted in paladins taking great amounts of damage from these tankbusters which, in addition to Hallowed Ground's long cooldown, exacerbated paladin's low usage rates during the raid series due to lack of mitigation actions and lack of burst damage.[1]
In addition to paladin's combat rotation being drastically changed, Holy Sheltron was changed to reduce damage taken by 28%, and Bulwark was re-added to provide an additional mitigation action, as paladin was missing an additional self-targeted mitigation tool due to having Passage of Arms as another form of party mitigation.[1]
References
- ↑ a b "After a careful review of paladin actions, several adjustments have been made to address issues with the inconsistency of their burst damage. [...] Holy Sheltron has been adjusted to reduce damage, thereby enhancing its defensive capabilities against damage over time. The previously removed Bulwark ability has been revamped and reintroduced to the job, offering increased defensive capability." - https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/jobguide/adjustments/