FATE Grinding = Not learning?

[AvonRekaes]

So, I just participated in my first real chunk of fate grinding this past week, trying to get MAR up to 30 in Quarrymill. Initially, it was at lvl 19 or so as I was just derping around on it while waiting for DF queues for DRG. I only ever leveled it at all because of the Dragoon job requirements, but after learning I'd want Mercy Stroke for my dragoon endgame repertoire, I figured I'd shoot past level 26 and at least start working on qualifying for Warrior.

So, prior to fate grinding with random pickup groups, I had never played Marauder with a party before, meaning I never had to learn to tank. I see a lot of sentiment on the forums that fate grinding does not teach you how to play your role, but I'm confused. Fate grinding in Quarrymill has taught me how to grab enmity from both multiple mobs (that one courell poachers + goblin thieves fate) and single bosses (the Courell King), and how to effectively use my abilties to keep me alive (like popping Bloodbath right before Overpower spamming).

So, what am I missing? Is there something else I should be doing to make me an effective tank? Because I feel like I have learned a lot, but I don't want to assume I know what I'm talking about.

[NyneAlexander]

Go do dungeons and keep your TEAMMATES alive. Then you will be an effective tank.

[Doo]

Most of the time Fates is just a massive zerg fest with everyone trying to claim and kill as many things as possible. Tanks just have to flash here and there to get credit. DDs take this with them to dungeons and then starts whacking at every mob before the tank gets hate.

[ceiimq]

If you're actually trying to play your class the way it's intended then it's true you'll probably learn something. Most people just don't bother with that once they realize that Flash -> Flash -> Flash -> run away gives them easy Gold on everything.

[AvonRekaes]

Oh, okay. I guess I wasn't doing "real" FATE grinding then... the parties I was in usually stayed to the end of the FATE and worked like a real party.

[Joygasm]

Players who don't bother to fully understand their class won't understand it no matter how they get to 50, at least, in any game you're able to solo to level cap.

Your first class via storyline requires you to play your role in dungeon formats, over and over again. Questing to max level isn't going to make you any more comfortable with your class either.

It comes down to basic reading of your tooltips for abilities and traits, and simple understanding of how they synergize.

[Starlord]

If I liked doing FATE grinding, I would never learn as well as I have right now on how to tank. In a FATE you don't have many opportunities to practice and learn.

[Keneblerz]

You also have to remember alot of melee DD's have positionally effective skills, NONE of which most DDs realize even if theyre doing Qarn or Stone Vigil. I can't count how many DDs and Tanks ive PuG'd that didnt know how overpower/flash or Bootshine/Twins Snakes/Snap Punch or Heavy Thrust worked. I can forgive Brayflox, but not Qarn or Vigil. You can't get past any dungeon lv35+ without knowing your job...

[AvonRekaes]

You also have to remember alot of melee DD's have positionally effective skills, NONE of which most DDs realize even if theyre doing Qarn or Stone Vigil. I can't count how many DDs and Tanks ive PuG'd that didnt know how overpower/flash or Bootshine/Twins Snakes/Snap Punch or Heavy Thrust worked. I can forgive Brayflox, but not Qarn or Vigil. You can't get past any dungeon lv35+ without knowing your job...

It comes down to basic reading of your tooltips for abilities and traits, and simple understanding of how they synergize.

That... okay. Well. I know how to read, so I guess that isn't an issue for me. O_o

[Sylve]

It comes down to basic reading of your tooltips for abilities and traits, and simple understanding of how they synergize.

Theres a lot to be learned by reading.

But theres a lot more to be learned by doing.