Considering hanging up my shield due to high level haters.....

[Velo_Vandore]

<snip>

Go you! I agree. If they don't like me slowing them down, it's their problem. If they kick me, I'll queue up again and not feel inconsiderate for doing so. As I've said, they can get a farming group relatively easily, but it's hard for me to get a casual group. And anyway, I'm not that terrible, so it's not like I want or am expecting a carry all the time.

The tank is responsible for running the group through the dungeon and knowing the mechanics. If you're not willing to do a little research before you waste people's time in a dungeon then maybe you should play a dps.

The tank is the player who enjoys tanking. The success and failure of a group doesn't rely only on the tank. Likewise, the tank keeping aggro or not also doesn't solely depend on the tank. Just because most tanks are pressured into doing their "research" to become and exceptional to the point the group can spam aoe damage / heals and still not steal the tanks aggro, doesn't in any way mean all tanks need to be this way as a requirement. Each member should take on as much responsibility as they are willing / able.

If the tank isn't able to mitigate damage well, I can sleep a couple enemies. If the tank isn't able to keep aggro well, again sleep and focus the tanks target. No biggie, and no need to give the tank a hard time.

[Sadana]

You're only hurting yourself. Even the really bads can be carried through every single dungeon if you have three other semi capable players. Last night I ran brayflox HM two single target dps, healer in level 49 accessories and told us it was their first time there. We still managed to clear it pulling 3 mobs per pull in less than 30 minutes.

I think it's not new or unskilled players that's the issue... it's the mean and rude ones of any skill level that is the problem. This is why I, at least, stay out of the DR/DF.

[YeaniNah]

I'm sure when they all a new gladiator job as DPS .. people who love player with sword and shield will stop using tank ..and tank will lower.

Me too i don't look video or read. when i play a single video game i play it without walkthrough i prefer it like that for testing my skill in an new dungeon but people are so much scared they wait till someone post a video of the fight before going in...
ridiculous really.
Im happy with my FC and when i go in DF and there a new player i tell them what to do.

[Nadrojj]

The tank is the player who enjoys tanking. The success and failure of a group doesn't rely only on the tank. Likewise, the tank keeping aggro or not also doesn't solely depend on the tank. Just because most tanks are pressured into doing their "research" to become and exceptional to the point the group can spam aoe damage / heals and still not steal the tanks aggro, doesn't in any way mean all tanks need to be this way as a requirement. Each member should take on as much responsibility as they are willing / able.

If the tank isn't able to mitigate damage well, I can sleep a couple enemies. If the tank isn't able to keep aggro well, again sleep and focus the tanks target. No biggie, and no need to give the tank a hard time.

You're in the minority. I'm an i95 tank. Everyone blames the tank for everything and they have the most responsibility in the dungeon. There is a reason why there is a lack of tanks in this game, it's because too many people don't want to take charge and would rather have an easy mode dungeon so they queue as dps. The ones who don't want to do the research before the run get ridiculed because they don't know what they're doing and then you get threads like this.

I think it's not new or unskilled players that's the issue... it's the mean and rude ones of any skill level that is the problem. This is why I, at least, stay out of the DR/DF.

Sounds like you've had a few bad experiences with players, I wonder if it's bad eggs or playing bad that caused it.

[ValkyrieL]

I been a tank since day one I started playing, no one has EVER rage quit over my tanking, or been plain rude to me ever yet i hear all this stories about tanks getting harass.
I always look for a quick guide/reference video if available, unless is new content or want the "New" experience with ALL other pt members.
You (tank/healer) are are possibly doing a disservice to 7 other party members who know mechanics by heart. Do you think is fair to go wipe 7 other members all the time someone DF?...to go through the same learning run constantly because you fail to at least be a little aware of what to expect.
Last night 7man premade decided to DF the last tank for Titan EX cuz it was really late/no1 else joining. I knew it was bad idea but was gonna disband anyways so might as well give it one try.
Tank joins, I start attacking, DF tank never voke, I get 5 stacks and die. literally the other tank had absolutely no clue what he was doing and rage quit lol.

All dungeons are so incredibly overgear/ignore mechanics now that is not that big of a deal but if dungeons were design for ivl 80-85. I can only imagine all the hate toward the clueless person that is causing wipes.

[Ehayte]

For your play style, I think sticking to a pre-made group of people you trust is going to be best. As long as you are a fast learner no one is going to get upset. It also depends on the agenda of the people that are grouped with you. If they want to down stuff quickly and move on to the next best thing, they will get frustrated if you do not make strong attempts to catch yourself up to the curve through watching videos, etc.

In my progression static, I am typically the only person who watches a video before we go in, and I will teach and explain verbally what is going to happen. The 8-man encounters in this game reward your group have ONE competent strategist, and SEVEN great soldiers.

You also just started playing (end-game is where the real game starts), don't let a few bad apples spoil your experience!

[Velo_Vandore]

For 2.2, I had a 4 man ready to go into the new dungeons right away and that was really fun! Making 8 man parties is what we struggle with the most. Even though we have 80 in the FC, levels, schedules, and game play style vary widely. So many have gotten tired of trying to make an endgame group that they stopped trying and just use the DF now. ._. Losing confidence is a big deal too; some people just don't feel brave enough to try a particular fight after the bajillionth wipe and the frustrating struggle to get people together.

Yeah I hear you! My girlfriend always makes an alt after reaching end game (or even earlier) due to the pressure to perform well in harder content, and the resulting blow from impatient players comments.

Regarding 4 man runs. I will say that getting a FC group or PF group is certainly easier, but the hard thing is trying to get across that you wanted to not be carried through just for the clear, but instead experience the dungeon, explore it, learn it and participate. I queued for ages on PF for WP and eventually 3 ilvl90's took pity. They completely steam rolled the dungeon to the point I hardly had to think, and didn't stop at all to chat, or explore any extra area's. I asked about the last fight, should I holy or something, and they said don't worry we got it. I thanked them of course as they were generous people who believed they were doing me a favour, but honestly I would rather have just not bothered, since I had no fun.

EDIT: I know that must sound really ungrateful, but I play to play, not to clear content and collect tomes.

[Nadrojj]

Yeah I hear you! My girlfriend always makes an alt after reaching end game (or even earlier) due to the pressure to perform well in harder content, and the resulting blow from impatient players comments.

Regarding 4 man runs. I will say that getting a FC group or PF group is certainly easier, but the hard thing is trying to get across that you wanted to not be carried through just for the clear, but instead experience the dungeon, explore it, learn it and participate. I queued for ages on PF for WP and eventually 3 ilvl90's took pity. They completely steam rolled the dungeon to the point I hardly had to think, and didn't stop at all to chat, or explore any extra area's. I asked about the last fight, should I holy or something, and they said don't worry we got it. I thanked them of course as they were generous people who believed they were doing me a favour, but honestly I would rather have just not bothered, since I had no fun.

EDIT: I know that must sound really ungrateful, but I play to play, not to clear content and collect tomes.

Sounds like an MMO isn't the game for you.After beating an instance the first time (which most endgame players do the day of the patch) no one is really interested in a slow exploration of a dungeon. Everyone wants to get in and get out as quickly as possible so that they can cap their tomes faster. It's to the point now in Brayflox no one even bothers with the colobri chest, an extra minute at most for a chance at a rare minion. This is one of the flaws of making these dungeons point based, no one ever stops to smell the roses.

[Velo_Vandore]

You're in the minority. I'm an i95 tank. Everyone blames the tank for everything and they have the most responsibility in the dungeon. There is a reason why there is a lack of tanks in this game, it's because too many people don't want to take charge and would rather have an easy mode dungeon so they queue as dps. The ones who don't want to do the research before the run get ridiculed because they don't know what they're doing and then you get threads like this.

You're right that most people will blame the tank for everything, and for that reason your advice is probably better than mine. Unless you're an exceptional tank to be a DPS class instead. But I say it's good advice because it save the Tank some inevitable abuse. Following my advice they would need to be kind or pig headed like me and not care what most players think.

The thing I want to get across most though is that if you want to tank, and not research before the fight or have to put in an exceptional amount of time / effort learning mechanics (compared to say, your average DPS player), that doesn't make you inconsiderate. It's the other way round, but it still may be worth switching to DPS or avoiding duty finder if you'd rather avoid being blamed for everything non stop.

EDIT:

Sounds like an MMO isn't the game for you.After beating an instance the first time (which most endgame players do the day of the patch) no one is really interested in a slow exploration of a dungeon. Everyone wants to get in and get out as quickly as possible so that they can cap their tomes faster. It's to the point now in Brayflox no one even bothers with the colobri chest, an extra minute at most for a chance at a rare minion. This is one of the flaws of making these dungeons point based, no one ever stops to smell the roses.

Yep, I understand this, and it's very frustrating sometimes, but I'm still loving the game and when I do eventually get a pre-formed group together it's worth the wait. Often I'll help other's in my linkshell with lower dungeons which is great fun too, and I've finally hit coil turn1. Now I've hit coil and ex modes I think it's hard enough content that you can find learning groups more easily, and people not expecting a fast win every time, so I should enjoy that a lot.

[Richiealvian]

I don't care unless I'm playing with friends, if I'm new, then I'm new. I just don't join experienced only PF and I loathe people who do so. No way I'm going to watch amdapor ruins video before going in, you can tell me what to do or you can watch me die over and over again. You kick me, I report you. DF is there for my convenience.