-So Close, Yet So Far-
Lancers are a highly trained breed of physical combatant who wield as their primary weapon any of a variety of two-handed polearms. Through skillful manipulation of the pronounced length of these hafted weapons, lancers are often able to out range their opponents, showering them with a maelstrom of lethal pokes and thrusts from positions of relative safety. They are also adept at a wide array of other offensive maneuvers by virtue of their facility with myriad other polearms designed for slashing or bludgeoning.
Due to the influence of the highly esteemed lancer sentries of Ala Mhigo, the long pike once saw widespread usage throughout Eorzea. Subsequently, a dramatic proliferation of weaponry and advances in metallurgy led to the variegated forms which can be found today.
Traditionally, lancers are also know for carrying throwing javelins for combat at greater distances, which they hurl with deadly accuracy.
The strategy of the lancers is to outrange and fluster opponents with their long, two-handed polearms, peppering them with a barrage of thrusting attacks. They are trained with a number of weapons, giving a diversity to their attacks that makes them extremely versatile combatants.
In former times, the longspear saw the most widespread use, due in great part to the influence of the proud lancer legions of Ala Mhigo. Since then, the guild has greatly expanded its armories to include a variety of weaponry, such as throwing javelins.
Role
By utilizing the long reach of their polearms, lancers are able to deal devastating damage from a position of relative safety.
The battle tactics of the lancers afford them numerous advantages, such as avoiding the ire of enemies and enhancing the attacks of companions.
Abilities
- Comrade in Arms - Bolster morale, consuming TP to place an enfeebling effect on the target which grants attacking party members enhanced TP generation.
- Ferocity - Trigger an adrenaline rush, consuming HP to increase the attack power of your next attack.
- Invigorate - Channel your physical energies, consuming HP to gain TP.
- Collusion - Employ deception, transferring the enmity generated by your next successful attack to an ally positioned between you and the enemy.
- Life Surge - Make sport of an enemy, gaining the ability to absorb HP. While active, successful attacks reduce the target's evasion.
Weapon Skills
- Overrun - Close in on an enemy, increasing TP and dealing piercing damage. Can only be executed when the target is unaware of your presence.
- Feint - Stab with precision and timing, ensuring the success of your next attack. Increases attack power and deals piercing damage. Can only be executed after evading an attack.
- Leg Sweep - Strike low, dealing blunt damage to all enemies in a cone before you. Does not affect flying targets.
- Moonrise - Frustrate an enemy's tactics, increasing attack power and dealing slashing damage. Inhibits TP generation of the target.
- Skewer - Run your enemies through, increasing attack power and dealing piercing damage to all enemies between you and the target. Slows non-flying targets.
Taken from http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/
I love the quote 'So Close, Yet So Far', at the top of the description. Lancers seem really cool, a variation of the Dragoon. I wonder if they will have a 'Jump' ability. Throwing Javelins also seems like it could be interesting, giving the lancer another edge on the battle field.
They are also adept at a wide array of other offensive maneuvers by virtue of their facility with myriad other polearms designed for slashing or bludgeoning. Makes me wonder if they will get to use use scythes as well.
Thoughts on lancers?
This post has been edited by Ch1efer: Mar 14, 2010 - 11:21 AM
