What do you guys think is the cause of severe lack of Tank users?

[Ramura_Sono]

Sometimes feels like tanks are only necessary to catch tankbusters. Other than that they're just there to increase efficiency in most content it seems. I agree this shouldn't be the case.

That's not really a tank only thing though. "Sometimes feels like dps are only necessary to beat enrages. Other than that they're just there to increase efficiency in most content it seems."

[DRKoftheAzure]

That's not really a tank only thing though. "Sometimes feels like dps are only necessary to beat enrages. Other than that they're just there to increase efficiency in most content it seems."

So what's the healer equivalent of "Tank are only there for catching tankbuster/DPS are only there for beating enrage timers" then?

[Kabooa]

So what's the healer equivalent of "Tank are only there for catching tankbuster/DPS are only there for beating enrage timers" then?

Only there to "Keep hp from hitting 0"

[SamRF]

That's not really a tank only thing though. "Sometimes feels like dps are only necessary to beat enrages. Other than that they're just there to increase efficiency in most content it seems."

Yeah fair point. I guess I just wish Tank had more responsibility since they have simpler rotations than DPS. I'd be in favor of all roles having (much) more responsibility in normal PUG content but I guess I understand why that isn't the case.

Like many other's have said here, I wonder if lack of responsibility for Tanks is actually the bigger reason for why there's a role shortage. I'm just assuming here but it seems to me people get much faster burnt out on tanking than dps, probably because of the lower skill ceiling or simpler dps rotation. The role might feel a good deal more exciting if you had some more responsibility or had to deal with more complex role specific mechanics.

Idk though Tank and Healer seems to always be in shortage compared to DPS in any game. Perhaps it might have more to do with the fantasy aesthetic and archetype than anything else. I know that for me personally, aesthetic and theme is the most important factor I consider for maining a job or class (in any RPG).

[Liam_Harper]

Tank's a low reward role. You're sort of like the group slave in that the healer sets the pace, can pull the mobs and holds the groups life in their hands, while you have to do as you're told and keep up, or they'll make you keep up. Dps get a much more engaging rotation and do the real damage, with far less responsibility. You're like a walking mob magnet with a bland, boring wet noodle rotation who actually has little impact on the run in most cases. You also make an ideal target to blame for others mistakes (healer does have this problem too) "wtf use cooldowns", "pull more", "don't pull so much", "wait ffs", "go ffs".

It just doesn't have much appeal. Unlike some other MMO's you're not a juggarnaut. You're not the group leader. Your skill doesn't amount to that much. We're not even allowed self-sufficiency in our toolkit unless you're a PLD, 6 seconds of a Bloodbath copy on War is considered so OP it has to be locked to having a party member in range. Blue slave dps with occasional defensive cd is hardly a dream job.

[Shurrikhan]

That's not really a tank only thing though. "Sometimes feels like dps are only necessary to beat enrages. Other than that they're just there to increase efficiency in most content it seems."

It's not just a matter of proportions, but also quantity, though. Even now, a tank is vital. It's just the actual gameplay that goes into being vital that is lackluster compared to DPS. If we consider, on a mechanical level, the general number of decisions and the quality and quantity of button-presses that go into them --as ridiculous as a perfect measure of either may be to try to find, you should get the gist of my meaning here-- those tank responsibilities amount to far less of anything conveyable into enjoyable skill-gap than do those of most DPS. And that's not to say DPS are any pinnacle; far from it. They, too, are arguably lackluster.

To take an extreme example, tank, healer, and DPS responsibilities could amount to hitting a Blue button, a Green button, and a Red button respectively, and --those buttons having the same value-- each would be equally uniquely valuable. Alternatively, all three could each be involved in far more engaging mechanics arguably classifiable as "tank", "healer", and "DPS" tasks and they'd have less unique value or responsibility (as a portion), and yet far more to do in their respective roles, and would probably reach far higher engagement.