Dungeons- Maps

I would love to become a tank, however, something is holding me back...

The dungeons.

As a DPS, I fully appreciate the Tanks, they know the dungeon maps like the back of their hand. So much in fact that I have never gotten to really explore the maps, it's always a rush from point A to point B. (This is not a bad thing, but I feel like I have missed out on the initial "learn the map by making all the mistakes" phase)

My fear is that Tanks have now become expected to know all the maps AND I DO NOT.

I know repetition is key, but it doesn't seem to be doing it for me. Instead of follow the map I don't pay attention to the map and it is more follow the tank. Are there maps of the dungeons online with the correct paths that I could study, or at least keep near me while I run dungeons?

Tanks, how do you manage on your first run of a dungeon?

Unrelated note, what is the purpose of doing Ifrit runs? He never drops loot, so it is just for experience?

Just warn people when you start the run and ask them to help you out if you get lost. I started the game as GLD/PLD and was constantly running into the same problem (and my PC was a POS), so I switched to BRD. After you run the dungeons a few times the path will kind of become second nature and then you have to started paying attention to mechanics. Now that I have a new PC I have started to play with PLD a little bit again and still have the same problem on the dungeons I haven't ran in a while. Just do your best, ask questions and if people have a problem, let them kick you and just ride that tank instaQ. Ifrit is just story/game progression but one of the best low level roulettes because it's usually a quick easy fight and it will give you your first taste of some of the HM and EX mode mechanics later on.

All of the dungeons are very linear. Tanks in general will speedrun through the dungeons because they are only completing it for the DF bonus. If they're already Lv.50, they care less about killing monsters since they gain 0 xp from them and the gil is generally not worth it. You will occasionally see a tank who will realize a player is running it for xp and clear every room. If not, you may ask for them to clear it, but I'm not sure how many will oblige to your request. Doing so may give you a better view of the map.

If you are the tank though, tell the party you will be clearing all the mobs since you're trying to level your class. If you do some less than stellar pulls, there will be fewer complaints as they know you're still learning how to tank. Similarly, few are going to criticize you for wandering around as half the players don't know the dungeon themselves. You may not get the full set of commendations for doing this, but players won't leave your party because of it either.

There's a number of gimmicks players can use to avoid or pull monsters to specific locations, but there's no way to map those out as the specifics can change depending on where monsters are positioned and party composition. The best way is to get some advice from tanks or to watch videos on it. Here's an example of a good Sastasha dungeon guide. Feel free to use that youtuber's name when searching for more guides (although he is missing a number of dungeons, so you may have to experiment). Just take it as a rough guide for what to do. You may find other tactics to suit your playstyle and group composition better.

If you want, copy/paste the dungeon map on paint and mark it up with notes based on the video. Maybe you'll even make a name for yourself if you post those online. I can't say any guide/reference like that exists yet, although I think more than a few players will find them useful.

The primal battles give some xp and they're required for the story quests, but they're not really worth the trouble once you're past them. Players will run Lv.50 versions of those battles for loot though. Otherwise, players are also grouped into them for the dutyfinder trial roulette bonus.

Just Google the dungeon name and you should find some sites that include maps along with their runthrough suggestions and info on mobs and treasure. FFXIVInfo has maps and treasure lists. Here's its page for Sastasha, for instance: http://www.ffxivinfo.com/maps/sastasha-seagrot.php Eorzea Reborn, on the other hand, doesn't always have maps, but it has more info on the fights themselves and any special mechanics involved: http://eorzeareborn.com/sastasha-dungeon-guide/

I agree that running them as a DPS or healer doesn't really help you learn the map, because you end up just following the group rather than watching which direction on the map you're travelling. Your first few runs as a tank are bound to be a bit slower than tanks who've run it dozens of times. Despite the bonuses Roulette would give you, you might consider choosing the dungeon specifically a few times when you're trying to learn your way around it. They're easier to learn if you keep repeating the same one until you learn it, then move on to another. There'll be time enough for Roulette rewards once you're familiar with the route on all the dungeons Roulette can pick for you.

If you want to look at the maps in depth and in person you also have 5 mins after the objectives are complete to explore.

I would always let the group know this is my first time so they knew what to expect. I also always go on youtube and watch a quick video before I run anything. MTQcapture makes great videos that are short and helpful. It really does seem like a lot of work but after you do Haukee? Manor and make it through, the rest is cake walk.