ArenaNet:Guild Wars 2 suggestions/Lancer

Lancer (Discussion)
It could be introduced as a hidden elite guard protecting the royal family of Cantha, not known until after GW1. Some event could happen causing the Lancers to be broken up and leaving the duty of guarding the royal palaces. They can be either scattered in the world or congregate in a special area in the world. They still teach their skills and abilities to those that want to become Lancers. Basic lancers specialize in of course, lances and also polearm weapons. Lancers can be divided into two categories, they can wield light lances and small shields, or they can be heavy lancers and hold a two handed heavy lance. They are a hybrid class that can serve tanks or support healers. (This opens the profession up for a hybrid healer) They can also use mounts to ride on.

Strength and Weaknesses of this class depends on their weapon of choice, whether it being a shield and 1 handed spear or a two handed long spear/polearm. Of course, the advantage of having a two handed lance would be more attack power, allowing the player to focus on more of the offensive role while having a shield and spear allows the player to explore the more defensive role. Polearms is designed for 2 handed use but can offer 1 handed use depending on the size of it. Because of these choices, players that play the lancer can have a lot of possibilities in making their unique build.

Strength:
 * Powerful Tank, with an array of offensive and defensive skills.
 * Has a decent collection of healing skills.

Weakness:
 * Due to the heavy equipment, the Lancer's speed is reduced. Thus, making it vulnerable for long range shooters and mages.
 * Due to the specificness of some skills, new players might need to learn which skills match which weapon. For example, you wouldn't able to use Heavy Assault with a spear like weapon.

Weapons can include:
 * Halberd
 * Spear
 * Lance
 * Partisan
 * Voulge
 * Pike
 * Pole-Axe
 * Guisarme(Used by the French)
 * Bill
 * Brandistock
 * Trident
 * Spetum
 * Glaive
 * Lochaber Axe
 * Guan Dao(Used by the Chinese)
 * etc etc...

Attributes:
 * -Polearm Mastery (Increases ability to hold better weapons)
 * -Guard Expertise (A bunch of defensive skills that are kind of like Tactic skills for warriors)
 * -Ancient Teachings (Monk-like skills since the lancers also learned to heal and buff the royal family)
 * -Mount Mastery (The first profession which can use a mount!)

Skills: Polearm Mastery
 * -Power Thrust: Strike the enemy swiftly, and may also strike enemies behind them.
 * -Armor Pierce: Precisely strikes the opponent's weak spot.(If armored, inflicts cracked armor condition for amount of time)
 * -Wrath of the 7 Dragons[ELITE]: (When wielding 2 handed spear) Uses the spear and rapidly thrusts at multiple opponents 7 times in a row, this causes exhaustion.
 * -Savage Beheading: (When wielding a halberd like weapon) You unleash a deadly slash that cause heavy damage and bleeding.
 * -Dragon Lancer: (Only for one handed spears) While wielding the spear, you jump up and forward at the same time and bring the spear down swiftly to strike the enemy.
 * -Heavy Assault[ELITE]: (When wielding a halberd like weapon) You attack with a temporary increased raw power, causing the elimination of all defensive buffs on the opponent, you have 33% chance of missing with this attack and it causes exhaustion.
 * -Deadly Lunge: (When wielding a 2 handed spear) With all your might, you plunge your spear into the enemy, causing deep wound.
 * -Moon Lancer[ELITE]: (When wielding a 1 handed spear), you throw your spear into the sky and seconds later, it crashes down with tremendous force, piercing the enemy.

Guard Expertise
 * -Counter Uppercut:(When wielding a 2 handed spear) Blocks the next attack and sends the opponent into the air followed with a knock down.
 * -Foot Sweep:(When wielding a 2 handed spear) Suddenly sweep the enemy's feet, causing knockdown and their action to be interrupted.
 * -Blunt Smash:(When wielding a 2 handed spear) Uses the blunt end of your weapon to quickly interrupt your opponent's action.
 * -Phalanx Formation[ELITE]: (When wielding a shield) You quickly shield yourself from all attacks, causing them to have a 80% chance to miss, you move 60% slower. This skill lasts 10...20 seconds (I know, people might think only Spartans and soldiers around that area used this formation, but actually, if you do a little research, Asian Armies also used this tactic)
 * -Armored Advance[ELITE]: (When wielding a shield and can only be used after Phalanx Formation) You shove hard with your shield, causing the enemy to be knocked down.
 * -Advanced Phalanx Formation[ELITE]: (When wielding a shield and there more than 1 lancer with a shield) You combine shields and form a true Phalanx Group, granting you and the other lancers 90% blocking rate and +25 Armor rating. You move 80% slower. This lasts for 10...25 seconds.
 * -Pikemen's Defense: (When wielding a shield) You have a 75% chance of blocking projectile attacks, you move 50% slower.

Ancient Teachings
 * -Healthy Chi: Boost reduce the amount of damage taken by 2...3...5 for limited time.
 * -Ancient Restoration[ELITE]: Uses secret teachings to give ally a +1...3...5 health regeneration.
 * -Ancestor's Blessing: Enchantment on a ally that will eliminate 1...3 conditions.
 * -Healing Herbs: Prepares and apply medicinal herbs to a wounded ally. (8 seconds to prepare)
 * -Calming Mind: For 10...20 seconds, your skills recharge 33% faster

Mount Mastery (I made this open for suggestions since another contributor came up with this idea)
 * ---OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS---

Roles that the Lancer can fill:


 * Hybrid Healer-With proper use of Ancient Teachings, the lancer can fill the role as a support healer. But because of its average healing skills, don't think that you can heal better than a primary healer.


 * Defensive Guardian-Using the skills from Guard Expertise, the lancer can be a very durable wall to protect your healers and mages. And with more lancers in the group, you become the ultimate defensive tank.


 * Frontal Striker-If equipped with a lot of Polearm Mastery, the lancer can be as deadly in the front lines as warriors.

UPDATES
 * Added possible weapons
 * Added strength and weakness points.


 * Why this is a good idea
 * -Fresh, brand new profession
 * -Bring out those spear, lance, and polearm fans
 * -First mount profession
 * -(In response to the reason for not working out[paragons]) Yes, I do know about them, but throwing a spear is completely different than hand-to-hand close combat with a spear. With close combat, the Lancer can have multiple combo attacks rather than just one way from throwing it at an enemy.
 * -(In response to the mount problem)Everyone can get a mount, but only the lancer can specialize in mounts and get exclusive mount attacks. Maybe even exclusive mounts like a dragon.
 * - Just like the Dragoon Profession from Final Fantasy, but without the copy-right infringement problems.
 * - It would be so fun farming with other Lancers and using Phalanx Formation.


 * Why it may not work out
 * -Too many professions adding to the complexity?
 * Errr have you heard of Paragons? That is basically the class you've just described. All you've really added is the addition of a two handed weapon
 * If the lancers do get mounts, every player might pick the lancer just to get the mount.
 * Oh yea, I forgot about Final Fantasy. But then again, they took probably all of the professions with their geniuses. :)
 * People might abuse the Phalanx Formation and its related skills, especially Advanced Phalanx Formation.
 * Chaining Advanced Phalanx Formation between 3 or 4 Lancers could turn into the ultimate camping build. But the again, who says these are the official spells of a non-existent class anway?