Why am I so squishy as a PLD?

Hello everyone,

So I recently achieved the PLD job and I really like it. However, I have a really big problem because for some reason I can't tank properbly.

What excactly do I mean? Well, I am waaaay too squishy and I don't understand why. I have set all my points in vitality, I have decent gear for my level (I think) and I am good at keeping aggro.

So therefore I would really like your advise. What can I do to get less squishy? Am I doing something wrong? I can provide you more information if you want. I just really want to play this class...

you get shield oath at 40

Don't worry, you've got plenty of time to become tougher than rock :)

Yeah, but the thing is I am trying to complete a dungeon right now but everyone keeps leaving because I'm too squishy :P (7 times in a row)

And it is needed for the main quest line :P

I assume you're talking about Brayflox, the first big "oh god things hit hard" dungeon you meet.

This dungeon is a LOT harder than the ones before it, and at least until 38+ Warriors are the much sturdier tank here. However, don't despair. You -will- get better when you get Sentinel and Shield Oath, but there's a few things you can do in the meantime.

- Ensure you're using Rampart frequently even on trash packs. It has a huge uptime.
- Don't ignore Convalescence as a strong tanking cooldown. The healing effect on you is huge.
- Keep your gear up to date. This is perhaps the biggest one. If you're in level 24-28 green items you'll probably be fine. If you're still in pre-24 whites and stuff from Sastasha, you'll go splat.
- Consider allocating all your bonus Stat Points to Vitality if you havent already. All 50 Paladins should be a full 30 points in Vit, it doesnt hurt to start early. (You've done this, of course).
- Look for Vitality accessories. There's a set of Craftable accessories for level 28/29 that any good Goldsmith can craft you - "Sphene" jewellery. A full set of this will give you a nice buffer of Health.
- Make sure you know what the different mobs in the dungeon do. Dragonflies hit super hard, so try to stunlock them or focus them down first. Make sure you always walk out of red cones. And never be afraid to pop a tanking cooldown on trash packs.

The dungeon will get easier as you learn it and gradually accrue more gear. You're probably just reeling from how much harder it is than Haukke Manor or anything previously. ALL tanks are quite squishy in brayflox at first.

Thank you so much Sapphidia! Just what I needed. And yes, it is Brayflox, damn that dungeon is hard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sapphidia

ALL tanks are quite squishy in brayflox at first.

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It could just be luck of the draw with tanks I've gotten, but PLD seems to be hit much harder than WAR for Bray. I assume it's because Defiance is better than Sword Oath as far as tanking goes. . .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Viridiana

It could just be luck of the draw with tanks I've gotten, but PLD seems to be hit much harder than WAR for Bray. I assume it's because Defiance is better than Sword Oath as far as tanking goes. . .

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Correct! Warriors get 25% more health and 15% incoming healing passively from 30+. Paladins just get "a bit more damage" from sword oath. At 50 the major disparity between Warriors and Paladins is that whilst Shield Oath and Defiance are very similar in power (Defiance is weaker, sort of made up for by the self healing of the warrior), the warrior has nothing whatsoever to meet the power of Rampart, Sentinel and Hallowed Ground as cooldowns.

At Brayflox, not only does the Paladin not have Sentinel and Hallowed Ground, they dont have 20% flat reduction from Shield Oath, the equivalent of a 100% always-on Rampart. Warriors leave them in the dust for tanking until 40.

While Brayflox is a huge uptick in difficulty compared to other dungeons, it's going to be a breeze for you. It's a tank check, nothing more, and if you're failing the check, then up what you've got.

-- Get your gear up to your level. Make sure it's tank-appropriate gear. For us, nothing is as important as vitality points.

-- In Brayflox, it's entirely possible to end up pulling 5-7 mobs without necessarily trying to. Getting through Brayflox quickly and efficiently is all about looking at the field first, seeing all the trash mobs around, seeing which ones are static and which ones are roaming, and then using that to know where the safe spots are to pull only a few at a time without getting any others up in your business. Brayflox is your first big tank test in trash coordination. Don't rush. Watch the field, know your strategy (especially in those big open fields when mobs are everywhere), and when you get the hang of it, other dungeons like this (Aurum Vale, for example) will be like cake.

-- Cooldowns, cooldowns, cooldowns.

-- Be ready to lead the final boss around while dodging his breath. If you are standing in one place for more than 20 seconds at a time on him, you're doing something wrong.