Healer returning after 2 months, thinking tank

Deactivated my sub right at the end of my 30 days because the client-server lag was killing me. At the time, I was SCH and it just didn't work (mostly lag, but also the class somewhat). I just resubbed for a month to check out 2.1 and thought I might put that time to use levelling either WHM or PLD. I feel like I'd like to give tanking a go this time, but wanted to check with the current tanks and see how the "state of the game" is. At the moment, I'm not looking to be the cornerstone of a FC< but I would like to be able to run HM Primals in Duty FInder competently. If tanking's not been smoothed out, I may go WHM instead, hence the post.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the input.

(And yes, I have experience tanking in other MMO's, so I'm really just checking on how tanking compares between 2.0 and 2.1)

Tanking really hasn't changed much with the new patch asides from WAR survivability being tweaked to be comparable to PLD. Asides from that, slight enmity generation buffs on some abilities and a few other minor tweaks, its the same.

Tanking as a warrior is actually quite fun now.. Except the fact that single target, a PLD using emnity chains will still strip it right off you. Its mostly down to what style of play you want, do you want to be a bit more beastly and showy, or more refined and dedicated? PLD is all about simply limiting all the effects you take, while warrior is more about reactively acting on the flow of battle. Personally, I adore my warrior playstyle since 2.1, and i cant speak much for PLD, being mine is only 27. It's main style is 1 chain for emnity vs multiple for different effects. PLD also has stun on GCD, while WAR isn't.

Great. Thanks for the replies.

PLD tanking is mostly the same (as noted the big 2.1 tanking news is WAR survivability buffs).

One big PLD buff in 2.1 however: the tanking stance, Shield Oath, now pumps out way more enmity. Only downside is you don't get it until lvl40 (WARs get theirs at lvl30).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pandalishus

(And yes, I have experience tanking in other MMO's, so I'm really just checking on how tanking compares between 2.0 and 2.1)

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WAR is now a very viable tank, slightly better than PLD for certain content, slightly worse than PLD for other content. Both can run any content when played competently.
WAR + PLD is now a better combo than PLD + PLD due to stacking buff/debuffs.

Status effect DR got tweaked to kick in the cooldown timer at the LAST stun not the FIRST stun, so you can still stun things three times without it being "Fully resisted", but after that you'll need to wait. You can no longer Stunlock things like Ifrit's Eruption permanently.

Good gear got easier to farm (Crystal Tower, gear + Myth + Phil tomes!).

Enmity generation got buffed in Tanking stances.

A good non-laggy internet connection got more important (lots and LOTS of dodging in certain fights like Ultima HM!)

That's about it... :)