Tanking looks Intimidating.

[Instrumentality]

What game are you playing? 8)

I've never had people get upset or angry with my tanking as a skill thing.

I have had people get super mad when I tank bone dragon in the center in CT for whatever reason.

[Leira_Raine]

Here are my two cents:

My secondary is a paladin, and I think I do a decent job at it. However, I refuse to tank in raids unless I know the entire process and dungeon as my dragoon. It's either that, or go with a group of friends first. They will more than likely give you a break because guess what? You don't know the dungeon/don't know it as a tank.

But in terms of with random strangers, I usually play it cautious and don't tank until I know the full layout and the tank's job. So quick tip here: watch the tanks as you go through a dungeon and learn from them. I know it's not the same as first hand experience, but it still helps.

[Ogrumz]

If I were to play paladin, do I -have- to level White mage to 34 for stoneskin? While I don't mind (I almost always play a healer in MMOs, but since I am playing this one alone I wanted to try something different), I rather not have to dedicate more time leveling other jobs if I don't need to.

I've got both Gladiator and Marauder to 22 and can't decide yet.

[JeTaisNoobie]

I would recommend it. Sometimes when someone dies, it would be nice to put a stoneskin on him. It's really optional!

[AlrikRouge]

If I were to play paladin, do I -have- to level White mage to 34 for stoneskin?

No. But I would highly advise it. It has a lot of helpful use to you and the other tank in two-tank primal fights and coil, as well as one-tank primal and coil fights. Helps when things are in a bind, and I use it often as the off-tank on healers and melee as well as MT just to help make things slightly easier for the healers. And others mentioned as well to help out on those who were just risen.

[kukurumei]

Every role gets harder end game, and ever role is intensified end game. One is no more harder then the other though some fights require more of one role then another.

The problem with tanking is that the camera is pretty shitty and you can't do a darn thing unlike other roles. Being a tank mean dealing with the worse situations and expect to do it well.

Tanks = expected to know where to go, and how to fight
DPS = expected output 100%
Healers = expected to never die

As you can see there are unrealistic expectations no matter which is which.

[818iggy]

Hey here's some advice coming from a Healer's perspective!

Rules of thumbs!

1. Learn how to dance because you're going to be dodging red cones/circles of death alot....like forever. Oh! and don't eat them cause that spike damage gives Healer's heart attacks. I swear half of us are on Prozac because of this.

2. Talking about red cones of death! Try to position the frontal cones opposite the group/your babies! So like Tank<-A hole boss<-DPS/Healer. Of course this is not always true as some Bosses have junk in the trunk and can twerk us to death, but most cases this is solid.

3. Hey! remember me!? I'm a healer! I'm squishy and heal good! If you don't see me...that's bad. Healer/Tanks have a symbiotic relationship so don't run off, and keep me close damn it! I can't heal through walls!(Pops more Prozac).

4. You're basically our baby sitter/leader. Yep, because of your Unicorn rarity (Unicorns are rare I should know I have one...yep only White mage that does....(Pops Prozac)) and ability of control where the angry thing wants to kill we will subconsciously mark you leader. That's honestly why most DPS and even healers get mad when wipes occur because A. They are immature and can't see their flaws if it was their fault and B. Have the mentality that "Hey, ain't you leading us?! WHY WE FAIL FEARLESS LEADER HERP A DERP! SO try to communicate (I know easier said then done.) and be positive!

5. Oh yes and GEAR! The best you can get please. Don't get me wrong I rather have a patient/ knows the Dungeon/ AVOIDS CONES/ with mediocre gear Tank then an Idiot in shining armor but hey, this helps too!

6. Finally, (Optional but highly recommended) Know thy enemy! Yes look up guides...I put this as "optional" because I understand that some of us want to experience it fresh and all Farmer's Market like! But, I warn you! Be prepared for those who want the damn job done and don't give a poop about "the experience".

Talking about poop I'm hungry and the dollar menu at some sleazy fast food joint is calling my name. SO yay good luck and If you see me in the Da fuck!? Finder say hi!

[Imapooonu]

I main a i77 Warrior and just finished getting my monk to 50, and let me tell you...

...what a difference!

I know I missed a positional attack, did anyone else? No. I know I wasn't attacking #1 that time? Did anyone care? No.

With that said, tanking will make you better at any class. A good tank has a reason for almost anything they do. Whether it's positioning for optimal dps from a monk or dragoon, to inflicting dots and debuffs because they watch the agro meters. Once you understand the minor details from a tanks point of view, you understand every role a little better.

I not saying you need to tank to be good at your role, I'm just saying looking at the field from the other side of the fence can offer some insight. Being a GOOD tank is not as easy as it looks.

[Wadoka]

Okay, I just want to nominate Sophia's post up there to the Post Hall of Fame with Mad Macallan's prose.

- Former Idiot in Shining Armor, working on being promoted to Lord of the Dance.

[Ogrumz]

Gear is actually the part I am having problem with. Nothing is dropping for me in dungeons, and everything is mega expensive on the server!