Adventurer in need

[Lexis]

The DPS queue times seem to go up as you level. When I was in ARR, I'd wait 5-8 mins for a DPS queue. By the time I reached shadowbringers, I was waiting 20+ minutes. At least that's how it was on Leviathan (Primal). Crystal seems to have similar wait times so far but I'm only in the 60 level ranges.

As for the Tank/Healer shortage, it's not unique to this game and happens in every grouping system that relies on the Holy Trinity (Tank, DPS, Healer). GW2 implemented a self sufficient system that required no specific roles to be played, good on them for shaking up the standard, but it personally wasn't for me. Tried it, hated it; I love my holy trinity. I've always been a healer at heart, from my old WoW days to today in FFXIV, it's just something I enjoy doing but it's not given to everyone I guess. I don't think any manner of incentive will ever change the fact that most people apparently prefer playing DPS roles. If anything, they'll feel forced to play Healers and tanks for said rewards and be bitter about this, thus creating unnecessary tensions in groups.

I feel like the current system is fair. Play a needed role if you want shorter queues or stick to DPS and prepare yourself for longer queues. I personally play Ninja for quests and duties, since they're designed with DPS classes in mind, and play white mage for dungeons, trials and other group content. Best of both worlds!

[Alxyzntlct]

The DPS queue times seem to go up as you level. When I was in ARR, I'd wait 5-8 mins for a DPS queue. By the time I reached shadowbringers, I was waiting 20+ minutes. At least that's how it was on Leviathan (Primal). Crystal seems to have similar wait times so far but I'm only in the 60 level ranges.

As for the Tank/Healer shortage, it's not unique to this game and happens in every grouping system that relies on the Holy Trinity (Tank, DPS, Healer). GW2 implemented a self sufficient system that required no specific roles to be played, good on them for shaking up the standard, but it personally wasn't for me. Tried it, hated it; I love my holy trinity. I've always been a healer at heart, from my old WoW days to today in FFXIV, it's just something I enjoy doing but it's not given to everyone I guess. I don't think any manner of incentive will ever change the fact that most people apparently prefer playing DPS roles. If anything, they'll feel forced to play Healers and tanks for said rewards and be bitter about this, thus creating unnecessary tensions in groups.

I feel like the current system is fair. Play a needed role if you want shorter queues or stick to DPS and prepare yourself for longer queues. I personally play Ninja for quests and duties, since they're designed with DPS classes in mind, and play white mage for dungeons, trials and other group content. Best of both worlds!

Out of the entire thread, I agree with this perspective the most. For all intents and purposes, I feel like the current system is fine.

The reasoning:
If/when I want to play DPS, I play it. And I enjoy it! And yes, that does mean at times if I want to do a dungeon then I have to wait for a queue, but this game also has a TON of other stuff to do in the meantime. I've seen what others have noted, that queue times can get up to 20-30min, but I don't mind that at all. Sometimes it's 5 or less, sometimes more. Either way, I don't mind because I recognize that I'm playing DPS which is super common and again, there's plenty else for me to do with my time while I wait.

Conversely, I also love Tanking and Healing! I do 95% of my daily DF runs as one of those two roles; I'll just bounce between them depending on what's needed. And of course, the queues are usually either instant or just a few minutes. I'm good with that too since it means that a need is being fulfilled (not just by me, but by anyone who so chooses).

If players only want to play a single role, then so be it, they're making a choice that affects their experiences. That's part n' parcel to the entire situation. If they want something different, then there's every means currently to do just that, it simply requires exploring new options and learning.

Regarding the whole 4-person vs 5-person small team setup... After having played WoW for 15+ years and having moved over to FFXIV, I find myself greatly preferring the 4-person setup. I personally find it makes for a more 'balanced' mindset in general, while overloading on DPS tends to lean more toward the gogogo mindset which I absolutely detest. Don't get me wrong, I've seen a few pushy Tanks or Healers that were apparently late for a hot date and just HAD to get that dungeon done nownownow, but I see a great deal less of it in this game than I did WoW.

So, yeah... I know it doesn't help some of the folks who focus primarily on DPS in this thread in making their lives easier specifically in the manner they want, but to be fair, there are other options that can be explored. I did it, and it didn't require any great modicum of additional time or effort, so it's something I'm confident most if not all folks could do as well.