Why aren't there more tanks in FFXIV?

[ruskie]

Hmmm I started as bard, then went white mage and now(in between all other jobs(other than lnc/drg *shudder*) working on my tanks... first both to 22 then war to 50 and after that pld. And just to make things interesting for myself I'm going a str war with stat allocation.

[Nel_Celestine]

Not to be a dick but when you pull someone else's site and quote them, the least you can do is link that article in your post >.>;

[myahele]

I see mostly "tanking is easy" responses. I suppose that is why tanking is not seen much in Duty Finder?

It certainly is easier than I pictured it. Healing is much more difficult in my experience. Overall, I think one of the reasons tanks are few in mmorpgs is due to being in the "leader" role. Like you said, you set the pace and go where you wanna go. As such Tanks (and maybe healers) are easy targets to blame

[Kydi]

The main reason for lack of tanks is a toxic community. You make a mistake, well, you're useless and shouldn't play and should terminate your account and never touch an mmo again.

OK, I know this isn't common, but the perception that it is prevents players from tanking. If the community were more supportive, both in game and on forums (yes, I'm looking at elitist tanks) I suspect you'd get far more people taking on the role.

Edit: it can also be quite dull. 1, 2, 3, pop cooldown, move out of telegraph, continue as before. It would be nice to have a couple of extra things to do at least.

[Granyala]

It certainly is easier than I pictured it. Healing is much more difficult in my experience. Overall, I think one of the reasons tanks are few in mmorpgs is due to being in the "leader" role. Like you said, you set the pace and go where you wanna go. As such Tanks (and maybe healers) are easy targets to blame

They are easy targets, because a fail is MUCH more visible and often wipes the party.
if a DPS derps, he gets an instant rez and everybody forgets about it 30s later.

Personally I love to heal. So exciting when stuff goes wrong, so relaxing if everybody knows what they are doing. You never know what's in the box!

[Loony_BoB]

I'm a tank, I love being a tank. I don't like dungeons, though - for two reasons. Firstly, they require time, and I like to be able to walk away from my PC when I wish. So if I am doing a dungeon, it's a sign that I have the time. Secondly, I detest speedruns. Everyone puts the pressure onto the tank for a speedrun. This is why I run with my own FC/LS when doing dungeons 90% of the time. There are a lot of tanks, they just don't have time for the crap on Duty Finder because Outspoken Random wants to get it done FASTER FASTER FASTER. Speedrunning as a tank can be very annoying. Some of us like that comfort that we can move at our own pace. I don't even do my daily Duty Roulettes because of this. It's just not in my interest at all. I find that more often than not, people want things done as fast as possible, and that is not my preferred way of playing.

I don't think it's a massive difficulty barrier, though. I feel all jobs have different difficulties in different fights. Tanks have some horrid fights, they have some really easy ones. Same for DPS. I imagine the same goes for healer too? Not sure. Regardless, we all have the odd annoying fight, and that's fine. What isn't fine, for me, is people who insist on you playing their way. If you want to control the pace of the run, be a tank. Clearly, it's not like the game has too many of them, so you'll even queue faster. It's win/win. If you don't want to control the pace of the run, be a DPS or a healer and deal with whatever pace the tank sets.

[Mejingjard]

There's a lot of good points around here, but mostly, I find the main reason for lacking tanks (and in every mmos) is simply that players mostly like to deal damage and see big numbers when they hit. It is more appealing, more cheerfull, and the difference is way more visible when you upgrade your gear.
As a tank, your damage will not increase that much, when you get better stuffs, Players in the party don't see a real change in how fast you clear content. DPS is more "instant" rewarding when you get to progress.

[myahele]

Also, playing a DPS is alot more fun. You don't have to worry about aggro or HP just kill mobs ASAP with your flashy skills.

[Kiara1]

I have tanked in other mmos, but in this mmo I won't do it.
I like tanking, I like playing a role that needs to make sure the party survives, sets the pace and all that stuff OP said.
It's fun!

But I'm a bit silly, you see my character would never tank, she's very fragile and uses magic, I couldn't let her get hit by mean monsters

[Granyala]

I'm a tank, I love being a tank. Secondly, I detest speedruns. Everyone puts the pressure onto the tank for a speedrun.

As a healer, I totally feel you.
I hate speedruns too, but I also hate tanks that draw a plan of attack in the sand for every trashmob.
A tank should pull at a speedy, but comfortable pace, depending on: healer mana, TP reg, DPS output.

Also, playing a DPS is alot more fun. You don't have to worry about aggro or HP just kill mobs ASAP with your flashy skills.

Seriously? Oo
Coming from a haste capped Shadow Priest in WoW (<1s GCD during lust ) I regularly fall asleep when playing as a BLM. GOD this 2.5s GCD is SOOO annoying as DPS.