Lack of tanks in the game

[Warrlordd]

Why they gotta exclude T3? Not like its too easy or anything, no... :P

[D00meriksen]

I think I can tell you guys from the perspective of a new player, why tanks are not that popular in this game.

1. Using the Roulette is inefficient aside from the first one each day. The bonus for being "in need" is just a joke, compared to just queuing the highest level dungeon you have access to.

2. Tanks are the most gear-dependant role. I haven't had a single issue with being undergeared on my SCH. You have to spend Gil to gear up, which no other role has to. In the beginning I just tanked with whatever dropped for me and even with me rotating defensive cooldowns I couldn't live for 5 full seconds without the healer's attention. The cooldowns, especially on MRD/WAR don't do anything unless you have decent gear.

3. Paladins are regarded as boring and warriors are almost unplayable until they get the better mitigation cooldowns later on. Again, this is from my undergeared perspective.

4. There is no reason for me to queue for a dungeon. Because of #2 I basically already need to have the gear and levels beforehand. If I barely have the level requirement, it'd actually be very efficient for me to queue for that dungeon, because the EXP is good. However, if I do that I will get hit like a truck and healers (rightfully) complain about the "paper tanks".

[valho]

I think I can tell you guys from the perspective of a new player, why tanks are not that popular in this game.
....

1. That is correct, once you done your roulette it's time to Q for the highest level dungeon
2. Incorrect I tanked with whatever drop for me from 30+ onwards, I never spend gil buying gears, impossible that I get awesome healer in every dungeon I go to right
3. Incorrect, war are good tank, just different from PLD
4. Read 2. I leveled my war through dungeon all the way, and I always queue for the highest level dungeon I can as soon as I reach it.

[FurryFury]

Never seen someone bitching if tank was at least half-decent. New or not. On the other hand bitchy tanks with "omgloldpsimouttahere" attitude for no reason are quite common. Failed once at Demon Wall? DFed into WP without relic and can't speedrun? "Bye n00bs i will get another DPS in no time". Don't open that can of worms.

Low-level roulette won't help you get those mounts.

It will. To tank in 8-man dungeons, one has to level tank up to 50 first - and DR still the best time/exp method to level alt classes.
So, i've got 50 PLD, but want a bear? Time to blow the dust from that newb MRD!

[Bixby]

It will. To tank in 8-man dungeons, one has to level tank up to 50 first - and DR still the best time/exp method to level alt classes.
So, i've got 50 PLD, but want a bear? Time to blow the dust from that newb MRD!

Oh, gotcha. Right.

[Spiderjeru]

I've played mainly DPS classes in other MMOs over the years. I started a tank for exactly this reason and levelled exclusively through instance runs.

There's no comparison between DPS and running as a tank. Half-afk as a summoner the only thing that suffers is the occasional botched rotation. Tanking requires constant attention to what's happening. As a DPS I learned by followin. As a tank, I went back dungeons to check mechanics and maps. No one else is likely to provide information to any new or forgetful members of the group. I have an entire bar of macros to tag, flag, and communicate.

I tag every instance I run and keep my mouth shut when DPS ignores flags. I stay quiet when the new guy healer isn't playing at par. I let it go when people say I'm undergeared (in on-level greens, pinks, and twink-purchased HQs) because they feel entitled to run through Brayflox with a level 50 tank. Playing a tank is not for everyone.

[Spiderjeru]

That said for me at least those frustrations aren't the norm. Most of the groups I've run with have been great, and have shown their appreciation with commendations and thanks. Learning dungeons and stressing out about the first run through each has really improved my own enjoyment of the game and what it took to put it together.

[Drenkal]

With starting less then two weeks ago switching from pugilist at level 25 to gladiator I have really enjoyed the tanking prospect of this game in most mmo's WoW, Rift, The Secret World i played healers so i figured i would play a dps got bored relativity quickly and went the tanking route and i haven't looked back.
Yes there are times when dps go for the 7 and 10 spilt attacking two different mobs or the intentionally attack the mobs before my shield lob even hits the mob but it comes with the territory i guess i am an aggressive tank i don't like to let go of my aggro unless your doing something stupid like contentiously attacking a separate mob from then i let it pound on you til either A. you die or B. your learn to correctly attack the right mob.
I haven't hit the 50 dungeons yet or the hard modes if that's what they are called but the community so far has been acceptive even when i say i am new to this dungeon.

[Pizzaparty7]

Tank shortage makes tank a great role. They need you more than you need them. Don't worry about gear. Outside of your weapon, gear has minimal impact until 50. Just do your best to hold hate and not die. If the group doesn't like the job you do, let them kick you or leave. Either way, you'll have a new group ages before they do.

later when you are geared and speed pull dungeons, those same players will kiss your armored butt in appreciation!

[Darkduck]

People play the roles they want. Tanking is as much a skill as an artform, and yes, there is some small improvements needed to the tank classes, in particular is the threat generated by a fresh level 50 in a level 50 dungeon with a blackmage, summoner, etc who has been doing raiding.

Basically if you are new to the level 50 tanking role, and you are trying to gear up, there is no way in hell you can hold threat on a geared BM or Summoner, or hell even some of the geared healers. So this is where it gets tough. That is my main issue, the other issues lie in I feel traits like "Oath of Shield" should be open to you from say 30 plus.

I find most of the problems is that DPS just don't care alot of the times.