PLDs are not MT, but DRK are. Discuss.

[SleepyNeko]

The facts behind such a statement are as such:

PLD have pretty bad snap aggro. Meaning they can't pull very well at all. (Often mitigated by having the WAR or DRK pull and then swap if for some reason the PLD is MT)

Outside of that, they're fairly equal to both other Tanks in terms of MT role. WAR edges out because Holmgang lets them one button ignore TB's more frequently than any other Tank. But otherwise the 3 Tanks can all mitigate damage adequately.

On the flip side, PLD has plenty of tools that allow them to be effective while in the OT position. They can Cover people, they can use Intervention on people (Also, enhance it with Rampart and/or Sentinel), they can use Passage of Arms to mitigate a bunch of damage in an AoE and they can shield people with Divine Veil. Heck, in a pinch they can even use Clemency and heal people.

Meanwhile... WAR can... Shield people with SiO and... Slap the boss... DRK can... Shield people with TBN and... Slap the boss...

So, essentially, while PLD's are functional as MT's, given that their only weakness can be covered by the other tank... Both other Tanks are absolutely trash in comparison to PLD in the OT position. Since PLD has far, far more utility that they can bring to aid the party - Even if it's not necessary to rely on these tools, the fact that they exist and can be useful at no loss of actually bringing the PLD makes them the go-to OT.

Pretty much what Kalise said, PLD is not favored as MT mainly because of:

1: Stance switching costs 1 gcd, you can try starting in Sword Oath but you will have a much lower starting threat and without a NIN you will lose aggro to any competent dps. And you most likely need to throw out 1 threat combo even in shield oath at the start unless you are being shirked on CD.

DRK also has this issue, however turning off grit does not require a gcd and DAPS gives a ton more threat than Shield Oath RoH.

2: Cover can be used for soaking TBs and you can't cover yourself when you are MT.

WAR is just the best MT because it is the best at MT and OT. ogcd Stance Changes means you can swap to Tank stance to build more enmity if required, also has unchained to remove penalty from the stance. Snap aggro generation from ogcd skills like Equilibrium and Last stand, gives a better Adlo shield and deployment for pre-pull, etc.

[Izsha]

WAR is just the best MT because it is the best at MT and OT. ogcd Stance Changes means you can swap to Tank stance to build more enmity if required, also has unchained to remove penalty from the stance. Snap aggro generation from ogcd skills like Equilibrium and Last stand, gives a better Adlo shield and deployment for pre-pull, etc.

Almost got it right until this.

War is terrible at ot. It brings nothing to the role of OT it cant do as a Mt. A properly played raid war sits in deliverance and slams fell cleave. As MT it does that while mitigating damage and using HG. As ot it just....cleaves the same amount. War is the worst OT in the game by a mile. Drk can at least tbn the Mt. Pld can do all the things. War just fell cleaves and it does that as MT anyway.

[SleepyNeko]

Almost got it right until this.

War is terrible at ot. It brings nothing to the role of OT it cant do as a Mt. A properly played raid war sits in deliverance and slams fell cleave. As MT it does that while mitigating damage and using HG. As ot it just....cleaves the same amount. War is the worst OT in the game by a mile. Drk can at least tbn the Mt. Pld can do all the things. War just fell cleaves and it does that as MT anyway.

I'll disagree with this because there isn't actually many OT mechanics that require you to have anything special for the OT. Like I said before PLD can cover but even that is not required because you can just tank swap (cover with have less enmity generation as well compared to a tank swap). WAR is best in general just because it brings the most dps in most scenario due to not every encounter providing a 100% uptime and any fights that has a section for dps check will favor the warrior even more so. The only reason you don't see 2 Wars doing both MT and OT as much is due to LB building.

My main point is that WAR's damage is more preferable than PLD's Intervention + cover.

Note: These are my personal opinions/preference and by no means a rule that needs to be followed or anything like that.