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So I figured I'd try and stray away from using Summoner all the time as it can get a little boring, and kinda got trashed playing WAR on PotD :(
What would be the easiest tanking class to begin with to transition to? Along with recommended beginner guides?
Gladiator (GLA) and it's Job upgrade of Paladin (PLD) is probably the easiest tank class/Job to learn, as it has excellent damage mitigation tools along with two very simple weaponskill combos, one for keeping hate (Fast Blade-Savage Blade-Rage of Halone/Royal Authority) and the other for restoring MP (Fast Blade-Riot Blade, which gains a powerful debuff/DPS finisher after level 50 with Goring Blade), it's hate generating abilities are powerful and simple (Shield Lob, Flash, Provoke and the aforementioned Fast Blade/Savage Blade/Rage of Halone combo) and the tank stance PLD gets pretty much means you have to try hard to lose hate. It even gets a powerful healing spell in Clemency but that's not til level 58.
Either way, GLA/PLD is a very useful class and Job to learn the ropes with tanking, as once you learn the meat and potatoes of tanking you could then move onto the more complex tanking classes (MRD/WAR and DRK) which have more advanced mechanics and ways of playing. But with GLA/PLD you have a good introduction to the basics of tanking, so don't be afraid to try it. You never know until you try! :D
Like above i'd say GLD and PLD is easiest to learn and you'll need provoke regardless of which tank you go with.
I will say that if you've been playing WAR, then GLD will be a little harder to keep aggro early levels because overpower is just so... overpowered. If you spam a few flash you'll do fine though.
PLD, like everyone else has said, is the easiest to learn, but from 30 to 40 its also one of the hardest tank classes, as you dont get your tanking stance till then. But if your in PoTD you should be fine