First time going into CT.

elow

I'm still relatively new to 50 tanking on PLD, I managed to keep up with it early on thanks to some i90 PvP gear, now I have my Zeniths and some i100 pieces and am looking into CT as a whole, specifically CT1 and CT2 to start since I don't plan on doing CT3 any time soon.

Specifically curious at to how its going to function, especially CT1 since the DF pairs up 6 tanks.

Ideally I just want to run this for the weathered Burtgang and Conquerer for now. I have watched some things on CT1 but I'm still a bit apprehensive- would rather not make a single mistake (since up until this point, a single mistake has basically cost everyone).

edit: In case it matters, my current overall ilv is 78.

At your current item level, you're probably going to be relegated to "redundant tank". Now that everyone has a reason to run through CT1 2 and 3 again, you're going to see a lot of I110-120+ tanks running about. Let them be the MT, ask them what you should be doing. Don't be afraid to let people know you're a newbie. CT1 and 2 have been out long enough that people should be more than willing to help you out.

There are only three main things you need to worry about in CT1 as an offtank. One, during the bone dragon, grab a single skeleton and run them to an unused corner in the room. Two, grab the adds that spawn while you're not phased during Thanatos and three: Grab the adds that spawn during the final boss. Actually there's a bit more, but they are situational: If you're designated the add tank during atomos, face the enemies to the side (IE, face them with your back to the edge of the arena) as the big dragon has a tail swipe attack that can and will hit either the atomos group or the pad group. If you aren't a tower tank during King Behemoth, you want to keep the iron giants away from any meteors that spawn.


CT2 is a bit different, as there is only 1 tank per group, but in that case your job becomes more defined: If you aren't tanking the big boss, you're either DPSing until adds spawn, or holding onto adds.

That isn't too complicated then, thanks. On the off-chance I have to MT, I suppose the group itself designates the roles for each MT? Aside from obvious scenarios like "pull this big group of mobs/hit this thing"

Well, like the person that stated above, your chances of MTing are rather low, at least on CT1.
During CT2 your role might be dps in most scenarios if the other 2 tanks are far better geared than you. You will simply need to pick up the adds that may pop during some fights and pray that the dps guys don't pull them away from you, which can happen.

Don't forget that in LoTA, on Behemoth if you are OT, you will need to tank the Giants. They spawn on the cardinals North, East, and South. N pops a few seconds after Behemoth is pulled, so be ready for him. E pop right after the meteor phase, so soon as that plops run to E and grab away, same for S. While tanking them, Behemoth will toss out a tornado behind the giant. That sukks for MNK's and DRG, not so much for DRG anymore, so a good way to tank them is to position them with you nuzzled in the little corner where the tornado meets with the edge of the arena. With your back to the edge of the arena the giant is facing you and looking outside and not in the nado. This allows access to the back and flank of the giant, while also insuring he doesn't get a cleave on a tower. Also for last boss in LoTA, if your OT you could go DPS a bit, or just hang back by the platforms, out of the fire, wait for the claws to spawn and get their attention, let em feel u up a bit, you can take it. This allows DPS to do their thing, and ensures a healer isn't unnecessarily trapped.

ST OT duties, are mainly on trash, grab your group and huddle up with your other tank buddies. Grab adds on Boss battles when required (Scylla - after daybreak, Glybia (or whatever) - run into drones for fetters so DPS can do tha thing, tank the robots that spawn in second phase, their placement is important so ask for a fellow member to show you where to be, they pop after the pizza's dissapear. Amon - Stun slimes, grab Kum Kum's, stun snakes, hide behind ice. Xande...nothing, Sword Oath and STR acc's for a small contribution to DPS. Maybe cover a DPS or healer that took a AOE to the face.)

I prolly missed a bunch - but that was just a quick rundown of what I remember and to kinda give you an idea as to what you will be doing as OT.

Have fun and GL fellow shield brother.

Thanks for all the help. I'll run it soon and see how everything goes. I have one final question, in regards to gear though. I've read that, for WAR, some people suggest packing as much STR as possible as long has you have the necessary HP to survive- is the same true for PLD? Or should I focus on keeping my HP up for general tanking/Stoneskin/other purposes? Is a little STR-focus a bad thing or should I just focus VIT all the way?

This is assuming MT scenarios in the future, I also won't be running coil as I really only play this with one other person and it doesn't really interest me.

STR is a good option. There will be situations where you will DPS, and situations where you can DPS while tanking.

It's usually a good idea to keep some slaying/striking accs with you, for the DPS stats.

As long as you are comfortable with your HP pool and the heals isn't complaining it can help. Granted it's not a drastic boost to DPS but helps.

I have recently started to delve into it for my PLD since I have been doing it on my WAR.

CT? Grats, you have a raid that you basically can sleep through unless you're the MT or OT.