Quote Originally Posted by Launched View Post
Because underperforming tanks stand out a lot more than the other roles even though tanking is incredibly easy to do decently.
That doesn't seem to make much of a difference - Even in games where DPS are on perma-CC duty and failure is obvious by the fact the enemy is not stunned/electrified/a sheep or whatever, DPS dominate the population.

Even in single-player games where you are in full control of the entire party, people prefer to let disposable summoned creatures or the least liked character of the party be the group's tank. "He's useless, dump him full of Endurance and armor, we'll use him as cannon fodder.". It's a punching bag you throw at the enemy in the hopes that they will attack it instead of actually valuable targets and a sacrificial goat you throw at traps because it won't be missed if it dies.

It really isn't in any way surprising most people rather not fulfill that role themselves. It's most commonly a role you give to those characters you deem worthless and people typically don't identify with such. It takes a lot of glorification to make it sound remotely appealing. And because of that, tanks have always been a niché appeal, no matter how the playstyle, difficulty and responsibilities within the group turned out.