Should your abilities be called into question if you can't pick up mobs right away?

[TarynStryker]

My opinion on the matter is to flash like you're wearing a trenchcoat. Once aggro is established, you can then use your Riot Blade combo to get some MP back. When dealing with high-damage AoE dealers, it is always better to Flash every couple of combos so that you don't lose established aggro.

I'm just branching off into tanking, but I main ranged DPS. I do try to keep an eye on my aggro table, however. Anything that can help the tank do their job is good in my book. More time for me to unleash Hell.

[NephthysVasudan]

My opinion on the matter is to flash like you're wearing a trenchcoat. Once aggro is established, you can then use your Riot Blade combo to get some MP back. When dealing with high-damage AoE dealers, it is always better to Flash every couple of combos so that you don't lose established aggro.

I'm just branching off into tanking, but I main ranged DPS. I do try to keep an eye on my aggro table, however. Anything that can help the tank do their job is good in my book. More time for me to unleash Hell.

So that's what Paladins call it...good to know.
I'll argue however that DPS's shouldn't have to worry about aggro....granted...it pays to be aware and such but your doomed regardless if the Tank isn't doing their job in majority of dungeon mobs.
DPS need to focus on one thing....doing damage...as much as possible..and as efficiently as possible. Course sometimes you have to adapt..that's a given.
Oh and avoiding taking damage as well hehe.

[Linx0r]

My opinion on the matter is to flash like you're wearing a trenchcoat. Once aggro is established, you can then use your Riot Blade combo to get some MP back. When dealing with high-damage AoE dealers, it is always better to Flash every couple of combos so that you don't lose established aggro.

I'm just branching off into tanking, but I main ranged DPS. I do try to keep an eye on my aggro table, however. Anything that can help the tank do their job is good in my book. More time for me to unleash Hell.

If you are having issues getting agro, use your Rage of Halone combo - that will definitely get you back on top. Once you get more experiance, you won't need to use it. But, there's a reason it's there, so if you are having agro issues, use it. good luck

[Gemina]

The class I've been playing the most on FFXIV is the paladin. For the most part, I enjoy playing as the class, but I'm not always the best at picking up adds. Specifically, if I had to pick a specific situation, it'd be the last boss of Haukke Manor, with all these bombs and the three adds she spawns near the end and stuff. I'm not able to pick them up right away, mostly due to targeting issues. I'm still trying to get the hang of targeting filters and everything, like there are times where I'm scrolling through the enmity list and there are some enemies I can't scroll over. I'm guessing that's because I'm not close enough, and there comes a time where I'm just gonna have to move closer and lob a shield at them. But I'm getting off topic. In the time I haven't gotten those mobs aggroed, they're obviously attacking my other party members. Is it generally considered a reflection on your abilities if you can't snatch mobs right away? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question.

Generally speaking for trash mobs, if another players gets aggro, they should run to the tank. It just makes it way easier for the tank to pick it up with out changing the positions of the mobs they currently have in their net. If the player stands in one spot, or runs around, it disrupts the whole pull if the tank chooses to chase it down.

Losing a mob, or letting one slip though happens from time to time for even the best tanks, and I am sure every single one appreciates when they have a supportive group that helps them out.

As far as Haukke HM goes, bomb adds don't hit for much, and are only a threat when they explode, and sometimes it's better to just let them and move out of the blast radius. The most important part of that fight is to focus down the main add before she absorbs it. If DPS is too high on the boss, you can actually push the add phase before getting a chance to DPS the adds down and wipe the group, so it is really important to switch all DPS to the adds when they spawn.

[ArianeEwah]

As far as Haukke HM goes [...]

Bet OP is talking about Haukke NM, his Gladiator just hit 42.

[Metalwrath]

In these kind of situations there is always going to be a chance that healer will get agro healing you when adds spawn.
The healer needs to run to you though so you can agro the mobs.
Especially at later levels you will learn that when the tank has to chase mobs across the room while tanking a boss it leads to things like party members getting hit with aoes or cleaves.You dont want this.
If a dps or healer agro an add they should bring it you to help unless the mechanics require otherwise.This way you can just hit a flash or 2 and group all the agro together while still applying hate to main target.
If a single target does chase after a dps or healer you can always hit provoke followed by a shield lob to pull it back to you.

[Derio]

In these type of situations you party members can run to you to help you pick up the enemies. Also you can use sprint to move to enemies more quickly to grab them or reconfigure your targeting options to allow you to target enemies better.

[Aana]

TLDR: Don't feel bad. You aren't somehow failing miserably at tanking.

Low level dungeons are more forgiving so you can do just what youre doing. Learn and get comfortable with the systems. Lower dungeon monsters aren't as threatening and give you some breathing room if they hit another party member before you wrangle them in. As levels go up, so does the threat of monsters. They hit harder, but tanks become relatively tougher than their party. So the repercussions of not grabbing monsters quickly slowly escalates.

Get used to the targeting system. Try out Tab/Shift+Tab, the monster list, get a better feel for how long the range of your flash and shield lob is. Keep your camera angled in ways that allow you to see more of the room so you don't get caught off guard. Watch the agro bar in the party menu under their job icons to see who has aggro, who is close to stealing agro etc. Over time you will find what works for you so that when endgame comes around you are quick on the uptake for any troublesome adds that can 1 shot your team mates.

[winsock]

Is it generally considered a reflection on your abilities if you can't snatch mobs right away? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question.

Technically yes. More skillful tanks do a better and faster job of picking them up.
However, the majority of the community is, at the very least, understanding. No body expects you to be flawless or have that skillset immediately (save the most elite of douches). If someone gives you a hard time, don't let it get you. You'll get the hang of it eventually if you keep at it. Alot of players give up on tank quickly, just because they aren't instantly getting it right. But the tanks who get it right, get it right because they've practiced.

[Canadane]

Funny thing about the bombs in Haukke that you mentioned.
If you ignore them they'll simply explode in a small, easily avoidable AOE which results in their own death. No need to bother with them honestly. As a tank there my priorities are on other things.