How to make tanks more fun to play (devs please read)

[Remn]

Melee targeting is problematic on a PC as well, at least in my experience. If I accidentally tab off Acheron, and hit tab to get back on him, it doesn't work even though he's literally in my face and also the only enemy in the room.

then use " target closest enemy" it will target the mob closest to you, lot easier then cycling thru all mob

[Nahara]

• Change ‘Spirits Within’ to ‘Hallowed Bolt’ (Orlando and Aegis’ iconic Holy Sword ability from FFT, using the revised translation from the PSP version WotL. Since “Spirits Within” is clearly a holy attack that adds Silence I’m pretty sure this is what the move was inspired by). Also remove the HP decrease reduces Potency penalty, that is completely unnecessary and reduces the usefulness of the attack for no good reason.

Spirits Within is a sword weapon skill from FFXI that dealt damage based on the user's current HP.

[Noshpan]

I'll main a tank when people stop behaving like petulant toddlers throwing temper tantrums. But since that is never going to happen...

[LineageRazor]

I'll main a tank when people stop behaving like petulant toddlers throwing temper tantrums. But since that is never going to happen...

Basically, that's the real solution. It isn't a problem that SE is ever going to fix, because the problem is with the FFXIV player community, not with any game mechanic.

I disagree, though, with the assumption that it CAN'T be fixed. Certainly it won't be easy, but every player has the option to lead by example. When you see a tank performing badly (or that you perceive to be performing badly, at any rate), don't jump down their throat. Especially if they seem inexperienced, rather than incompetent.

Even if the poor performance of the tank directly results in the loss of the instance, throwing a hissy fit about it will do nothing productive. Chances are the tank knew they dun bad and are feeling bad enough about it already. An ego-lashing on top of that is just going to make them want to hang up their sword or axe and join the teeming throngs of DDs already waiting in line.

Honestly, kindness and consideration towards other players, rather than assuming that everyone but you is trying to slack off as much as possible, will do a lot to improve the general atmosphere of the game and make players more likely to brave the scrutiny that tanks regularly find themselves under.

[RegnumMagik]

I personally find Paladin has very little interaction from most of the bosses. For the most part, you just do your 3-hit combo and you're done. And when you're over-geared, you can nearly disregard your CD except maybe EX and t5.

What I mostly enjoy about Warrior is that there's slight more things to do. Storm's eye/path + butcher's block, using your stacks at the right time, and locking a mobile boss into a position with holmgang.

[Alkimi]

Even if the poor performance of the tank directly results in the loss of the instance, throwing a hissy fit about it will do nothing productive. Chances are the tank knew they dun bad and are feeling bad enough about it already. An ego-lashing on top of that is just going to make them want to hang up their sword or axe and join the teeming throngs of DDs already waiting in line.

I've rarely seen this happen to be fair. Tanks are pretty easy to play effectively and problems usually only arise when they are undergeared compared to the rest of the party.

Now DPS on the other hand, a category where there are so many truly awful players that have no idea what they are doing, don't get noticed so much if they fail horribly. I've done more damage in dungeons on my SCH (while simultaneously healing) than some full i90 DRGs and MNKs, but the only way to know if they screwed up is to use a parser, which we're apparently not allowed to do.

[BotenAnna]

I've rarely seen this happen to be fair. Tanks are pretty easy to play effectively and problems usually only arise when they are undergeared compared to the rest of the party.

And even that's not a problem if you're a real tank (WAR) or use your abilities effectively (don't write screeds about how the game is broken and take nobody's pull-rotation advice).

As I said earlier I just levelled a new character as a tank and was doing things like tanking Behemoth in CT with an i55 weapon and half-af-half-darklight. Knowing how to play your class is a bigger part of the equation than gear.

[Giyari]

I started PLD so I can help with the shortage of tanks. I am new so I make mistakes. I guess the fun for me comes from helping people who need it.

However...

The stress of PLD has turned me into a jerk to others. I once complained about a tank stacking skeletons in CT on first boss. To be honest what made me mad was that before the pull I said in alliance chat, to talk to your party if you are new to the content.

It probably didnt help that the day before a high level PLD snapped at me and called me a scrub.

It is a vicous cycle of hate that cant seem to end.

I love the job, I just cant handle the people I have to deal with in order to become better.

[TitanACU]

yay someone else crying about how this game isn't tailored to only their needs. -_- Get over it. PLD is a great job.

[Klandestineone]

I like tanking with my warrior. Dat axe....but seriously, tanking can be fun. It's just the people who you run with who cause the headaches.