Why mark targets?

I'll tell you, why I mark trash, from the view of new FFXIV and new PLD tank. I do it, because it makes the job easier for me. I'm learning in those low level early dungeons how to keep aggro, how to maintain proper rotation, how to make sure that all mobs are on me. It is helpful when I mark the targets, so the DPS can focus on one mob and then switch to another, because it gives me more time to react, if something goes bad, I mess up and loose the enmity. Sometimes it's just enough to mark the one I'm pulling, sometimes not... Also, if I'm in new dungeon for the first time, and I run with experienced players, I ask them to mark the correct order for me, as they know, which mob should be taked down first, as it does most trouble.

And on the other hand, as a new player, I've to say, that lots of people are really helpful. As soon as I state on the start of dunegon, that I'm new, they offer helpful advice, lots of tips and are doing stuff more slowly, to not scare me away.

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Originally Posted by Shinkyo

+1 on that one.
While Marking should only be a nice to have at endgame, it's still a good tanking practice. though it may not always add value, it's never hurt to do it.

As for the dots, it's not true always that dots yield superior DPS because of combo bonuses. it's really class specific.
Also, we're talking about trash pulls so applying dot on every target would only shortening the pull by a few seconds while increasing the incoming damage and targeting complexity.

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This

I have a few different rotations for BLM depending on the party. I had one older rotation that I don't use anymore since I shouldn't be tanking bosses. (Since I don't use it anymore, I don't have it memorized-a pity since I finally met some tanks that can hold aggro).

Regardless, to DoT or not to DoT? To do AoEs or not to AoE? It really depends on the situation.

For example, Stone Vigil Aevis mobs. Most tanks prefer that you don't AoE and that you drop one down. Why? They can't be slept, do a relatively high amount of damage, and do plenty of AoEs. So the goal is to drop one quickly, then get to work on the next. This is to reduce the chance that the healer will run out of MP and the Tank dying or reduce the chance that the healer can't keep up with the heals and the Tank dying or that the Tank will just straight die from the damage.

In addition, certain classes do MORE damage (specifically speaking of either time or TP/MP, not both) by focusing on one enemy instead of multiple. Especially for tanks that try to spread enmity (which means they might target multiple enemies), it can be difficult to make sure you are attacking the tank's intended target. I've had a few times where I notice that the DPS are attacking different targets from the tank completely (as in no enmity from certain DPS on certain targets).

Did LL roulette as a tank. Had i90+ MNK and i90+ BRD in the group. Yes, level synced.

Figured that hey, super beefed party, shouldn't need to mark since they should be street smart and attack the same mob when a small pull was done.

Nope. Only when I started marking. And even then, only when I finally just let the BRD have his/her #2 marked mob and almost died did they finally coordinate and take one down at a time. Sometimes people just want to learn the hard way.

I started tanking just a bit ago when I returned to the game this month after a 4 month hiatus. I primarily am Bard/ Healer but I still appreciate tanks to mark. The enmity I generate as a bard is way higher than you expect from your math. For practice when a tank does not mark now (I assume cause they don't have it in their hot bars for some reason) I start marking for them cause it helps everyone and communication is key in this game! :-)

Without going into any real math, I can think of several good reasons to Mark...

It wipes out mob DPS; aides the tank in securing aggro throughout the fight; and thus makes the group more survivable by giving the healer a singular target to focus on instead of three.

You will find that some DPS and alot of Healers will throw damage spells through the tank. I for one am constantly changing targets so as to keep aggro. So by marking the targets it gives them one central mob to focus damage on as well as reminds me which mob I need to pay closer attention to when it comes to keeping the aggro.

I dont know about everyone else, but for me, marking is less about the dps and more about the threat allocation. I've found that a large amount of the time it doesnt matter and if they can the dps will aoe anyway but it simply makes it easier on myself and the healer if everyone knows whats going on in my head. I understand where you're coming from, but most of the time trash is trash and im just trying to have a good time anyway.

As someone whom mostly prefers DPS roles, I can say that it's GENERALLY better for the tank to mark targets if you have a first timer in the party. If you are NICE, you can simply explain which ones to kill first in crowds.

--That said if there aren't any first-timers int he party, then it's up to your party as a whole. Some don't like to waste time doing that and will nuke the crap out of crowds and not give a rat's ass while others prefer things be more organized and will use nukes, but like knowing whom to focus on more.

Personally, I focus on whichever one has the most HP and use that as the central target while I nuke and DOT unless tank says otherwise.

So the dps can simply know who to attack next instead of waiting and seeing...it's not that hard really.

Consider marking as a form of communication.
It is the same as marking an enemy that you are sleeping. Not vital but makes it a lot easier.