Which of the Tank classes feels the most complete earliest?

[NewAgeDoom]

In terms of having access to the full kit it needs to do everything it's best at?

While I've finally managed to decide on an overall main job (It's Dragoon, by the way! ^^), I want to level 1 of each of the other roles (tank, healer).

Thoughts on this?

[Frizze]

I dont play a tank, so consider this hearsay. Everything ive heard from other people who do play these classes would indicate that Paladin is probly the one to look at. It seems to get the important parts of its kit earliest, and is generally considered the easiest to learn/play.

[Hasrat]

PLD also sorta stays the most boring the longest, probably. I'm over here hitting 57, and it doesn't feel like it's playing any differently than 47.

I might even argue they're all pretty similar at lower levels, and by the time you'll get somewhere where any of this really starts to matter, you'll probably enjoy WAR more.

[Frizze]

PLD also sorta stays the most boring the longest, probably. I'm over here hitting 57, and it doesn't feel like it's playing any differently than 47.

I might even argue they're all pretty similar at lower levels, and by the time you'll get somewhere where any of this really starts to matter, you'll probably enjoy WAR more.

You say that, but thats true for a lot of classes. Look at BLM. The gameplay/single-target rotation you learn at level 6(stance switching for damage and regen is level 4, 6 is where you can add your DoT to it) doesnt really change until level 34/40. And that change is just how you cycle elements(tier 3 spells rather then transpose). The feel and timing of the rotation doesnt actually change until you get Fire 4 at level 60. And honestly, nothing after that changes the core of what you do.

[Mikazuki]

Hi! I'm newly back to the game and wanted to go for a tank role, I wanted to be a central part of a team rather than play wack-a-mole with MNK which I originally started with.

From my research and questions GLD/PLD came out on top for those newest to the game due to it's ease of use and getting everything a tank needs fairly early on in the game. I'm still only 39 due to little game time but I feel I have pretty much everything I need to tank.

I like the idea of leveling one of each and if I had more time to play would definitely level Arcanist for a healer type, just seems a bit different than WHM!

Good luck choosing

[ChameleonMS]

PLD is the tankiest tank in the early game if you are MSQ locked.
DRK is the most complete tank early if you have already reached Heavensward on a different class. You start at lv30.

AoE damage, very important when pulling larger packs:
PLD - Total Ecplise lv46, and Circle of Scorn at lv50
DRK - Unleash lv6, Dark Passenger lv40, and Salted Earth lv52

Single DPS target rotation:
PLD - Fast Blade, Riot Blade, Goring Blade lv54 / Riot Blade lv60
DRK - Hard Slash, Siphon Strike and Soul Eater lv38

In all situations, DRK gets more of its toolkit soon than the PLD.

[Hasrat]

You say that, but thats true for a lot of classes. Look at BLM. The gameplay/single-target rotation you learn at level 6(stance switching for damage and regen is level 4, 6 is where you can add your DoT to it) doesnt really change until level 34/40. And that change is just how you cycle elements(tier 3 spells rather then transpose). The feel and timing of the rotation doesnt actually change until you get Fire 4 at level 60. And honestly, nothing after that changes the core of what you do.

Yeah, but... BLM isn't a tank. I'm just comparing the tanks to each other. And PLD seems to have a lot less to do for a lot longer.

[Shurrikhan]

Probably Warrior, though it would feel a lot more complete far earlier if only Wrath wasn't wasted upon leaving Defiance (prior, ofc, to having access to Deliverance), or -- better yet -- able to be generated even outside Defiance.

[Maero]

I would say PLD is the most user friendly to those just starting out as a tank. Warrior feels more complete much later on

[Tex_Mex]

I agree with a lot of the points made in this thread, and have a little bit more info to add.

PLD
Pros: definitely the most user friendly, and best all around tank for those who are new to tanking. Their Defensive kit is very powerful, even at early levels. Once at max lvl, the PLD is an incredibly strong tank, with amazing raid utility, good damage output, and great defensive capabilities.
Cons: PLD doesn't get the majority of their damage potential until they get royal authority and goring blade (both are between 50 and 60).

DRK
Pros: They get access to their main combos very early, and have a fast paced playstyle once you unlock Dark Arts.
Cons: They have generally lackluster defensive capabilities compared to the other 2 tanks until lvl 70 when they unlock TBN. They certainly have enough to get the job done, but it feels somewhat empty to me. If you do not want to click a ton of buttons, this job is not for you. It is very busy at max lvl.

WAR
Pros: Very good aggro generation and pretty fun playstyle with high burst potential. Once at max lvl, WAR is arguably the strongest tank in the game, with massive DPS potential, an incredibly reliable defensive toolkit, and a fun playtslye.
Cons: They do not get much of their offensive toolkit until lvls 50-60, making the job pretty boring until that point.

Just my 2 cents.