How to make tanks more fun to play (devs please read)

[Lumiin]

This sounds like a CT problem. CT isn't normal tanking at all.

Actually the only problem I have in CT is other tanks taunting the skeletons off me when I have them on the proper last platform then the skeles end up dying on the first platform and it becomes my fault somehow v.v SO yeah I just retired my tank.

[XNihili]

You are mistaken... DRG do have a stun (with the same cooldown as a warrior) and MNK has 2 stuns and a silence. It's the people you play with (and the tendency to only use ranged) which makes the tank do interrupts. Don't blame the game mechanics. In fact, the sole fact that you didn't know this invalidates your entire argument.

Player choose PLD to stun because it's the most reasonable choice :
- they have a faster cooldown on stun.
- they are doing less DPS than DRG or MNK so we can sacrify one PLD if stun is really that important. It's the same reason people put tank on tower while fighting King Behemot in CT.

[Grizzlebeard]

MNK has 2 stuns and a silence.

While you're technically correct both stuns have a long cooldown, one of which requires you run sufficient distance from the mob to be able to use which invalidates it entirely for purposes of disrupting unless you have the monk permanently be at max range ready to run in and therefore adding zero damage to the fight, as well as preventing them from using their other melee range stun, zero ranged attack and all that. The silence is handy but it eats through TP like no tomorrow so, again, is limited in its utility.

[ElenaKirei]

Tanks are fine. Yes, some tanking skills are next to useless (Foresight, Cover, Awareness) and there are general TP issues with tanking, but that doesn't make tank not fun to play.

The things that drove general public away from playing tank are:
1. Tank can be too easy to play
2. Tank can be too hard to play (Alot of endgame tanking can be MUCH harder compared to be just sitting there and mash DPS buttons)
3. The assumed responsibility of leading a party can be stressful to many.
4. Usually the first thing to blame when things screw up. (Although some tanks can be assholes too)
5. Usually under-appreciated. (Yes, really)

Those things are the causes for tank shortage in general.

However, do tanks need changes? No. Perhaps tweaks to above issues I mentioned are welcomed, but not necessarily a big change needed.

Let tanks be scarce. Perhaps people will appreciate tanks more.

[ZephyrK]

While you're technically correct both stuns have a long cooldown, one of which requires you run sufficient distance from the mob to be able to use which invalidates it entirely for purposes of disrupting unless you have the monk permanently be at max range ready to run in and therefore adding zero damage to the fight, as well as preventing them from using their other melee range stun, zero ranged attack and all that. The silence is handy but it eats through TP like no tomorrow so, again, is limited in its utility.

Unless they changed something, the real problem with monk silence is that it only works in Opo-Opo Form, meaning that you have to complete an entire combo rotation, then wait for something worth silencing. You are basically removing a ton of DPS from the fight for long stretches when you ask a monk to silence.

EDIT:

It's also worth noting that the stun component on Shoulder Tackle mostly hurts the ability, as it's almost impossible to use a stun, but using it as a gap closer effects the diminishing returns on any mob that needs to be stunned predictably. Ifrit HM comes to mind (I know, serious business).

[Reiryuu]

5. Usually under-appreciated. (Yes, really)

Those things are the causes for tank shortage in general.
However, do tanks need changes? No. Perhaps tweaks to above issues I mentioned are welcomed, but not necessarily a big change needed.
Let tanks be scarce. Perhaps people will appreciate tanks more.

This and just the community in general really being nasty and not wanting to change their way of playing to accommodate a tank that popped in DF and happens to be less geared than they are. EX: a non-relic'd tank vs. an i90 black mage.

Healers are actually fairly under-appreciated too. When I do some of my daily roulettes, I find some dps and healers that really do a good job and I try to give them compliments. The healers are usually shocked at receiving them, but I remember leveling myself as a healer, never getting any comments on my healing. People are usually quick to gripe when things go bad, but never say anything when things go well.

[Stigmar]

Iconic moves well Spirits Within was in ffxi does the same thing its does here but with add silence... a plus by me Shield Bash was in ffxi too and rampart, flash and sentinel tho sentinel could be better I could go on, as for the job being more fun I find it fun I think the problem lies here with people do not want to be tanks as they receive a lot of the blame when stuff goes wrong like losing hate to the idiot dps starting up with a massive attack before the pld hits it or going down because the stun is on a GCD there is a shit load going on and until you actually play as a tank you cannot say the job is boring.

[KalSki]

Very Good read.

Hope so devs see it and take it like gift. You give nice ideas.

Like Esuna for PLD, rename same skills for hard FFFans, doing more damage playing solo (in my opinion)... so many to mention.

My main character is not tank. (Leveled up all crafts and gathering first. I dont like go to dungeons or FATEs. PvE is nice for me: limited to quests, hunting log, leves and farm mats for craft. PvP... crafting PvP gear so I have knowledge about PvP existence.)

Got 8 characters each one of diferent battle class and sincerly i am not enjoying playing tanks/healers in ARR - mainly because of the responsability/stress from other players in DF dungeons.

Best wishes to You
( and SE devs ;)

[SummonerSenah]

I think OP is on to something with the naming of abilities, though. If paladin had a move called Omnislash or Army of One, I think that would be pretty cool. Of course the animation and sound effect for the attack would have to be cool as well.

On the other hand, I would suggest to OP to try Marauder/Warrior. I'm only a 31 PLD and 32 WAR but I think warrior is more fun so far.

[reality_check]

[B]
The reason only 5% of the game population is willing to be a tank is three-fold

You can't write an essay based on facts you made up.