The Bard's Ballad of Broken Tanks: Why the Current Design Cripples the Tank Archetype

Aurellius

The current design of the Bard class has inadvertently crippled the Tank archetype, rendering it a pale imitation of what a true tank should be. My thesis is simple: As long as the Bard is designed as it is, the Tank archetype will always be fundamentally flawed. The Bard's skillset encroaches upon the core responsibilities of a Tank, leaving them as mere damage sponges, devoid of the utility and strategic depth they deserve.
Consider the classic Tank role, particularly as exemplified by the Warhammer Online approach, often cited as a pinnacle of PvP tank design. Tanks in Warhammer weren't just meat shields; they were active participants in the flow of combat. Their primary function revolved around mitigation and debuffing/damage augmentation. Mitigation kept them alive, while debuffs crippled enemies, and buffs/damage boosts empowered allies. These core responsibilities were complemented by other skills, creating a dynamic and engaging playstyle.
Now, look at the Bard. They excel at precisely what Tanks should be doing: mitigation, debuffing, and buffing. By giving these crucial tools to the Bard, you strip the Tank of its purpose. What remains? A rock. High mitigation, yes, but ultimately passive. They absorb damage, but they don't control the battlefield. They lack the tools to meaningfully influence the fight beyond simply being a target. This makes for a dull and unrewarding experience for Tank players.
This brings me to my proposed solution: Merge the Bard and Tank archetypes, or, at the very least, redistribute the Bard's skillset to the Tank class. Tanks desperately need the utility currently held by Bards. Give Tanks the debuffs, the buffs, and the mitigation tools currently monopolized by the Bard. This would restore the Tank to its rightful place as a strategic force on the battlefield, not just a punching bag.
But what to do with the Bard? I propose a complete redesign. Instead of a support class that poaches the Tank's identity, transform them into something entirely different. I'm envisioning a high-risk, high-reward archetype, similar to the Gunslinger from SWTOR. A class based on luck, perhaps, with abilities that have a chance to critically succeed or spectacularly fail. This would create a unique and exciting playstyle, far removed from the current Bard design, and would finally allow Tanks to reclaim their rightful role.
This isn't about making Tanks overpowered. It's about giving them the tools they need to function as Tanks. It's about restoring their identity and making them an engaging and impactful class to play. Currently, the Bard's existence undermines the entire Tank archetype, and it's time for a change. Let's discuss.