Anyone REAL nervous about tanking?

[TheTen]

As a Paladin, especially at lower levels, there is one super simple secret to holding hate (and therefor doing your job) successfully:

Start the fight with more than one Flash.

That's it. That's literally all there is to it. I'm not kidding. (Unless you have only one little mob on you, in which case one Flash is fine. You could even do without if you need to recover MP.)
I found a good rule of thumbs is 1 Flash Per Mob in the group or until half your MP are gone, whatever happens first. If you notice your DPS racking up a lot of hate, you can add another Flash every now and then at your leisure, but the start of the fight is the most critical.

(And yet, countless low level tanks act like they are allergic to Flash.)

So you see, GLD/PLD tanking is really easy, and you can't really do it wrong as long as you love your Flash.

By the time you get Circle of Scorn and all 5 cross skill slots to fret over, you'll already have gained more confidence

[slipmac]

last night was the first time ive ever done sunken temple. i told them that when i got in. got to the first boss and i asked any tips?
one member told me "when he uses groul stand on the platforms. i said ok. so i did and we wiped then the party was pissed because we wiped. they were all like i told you what to do!!!11!! i said i did!
then he was like when its glowing! disbanned the party or kicked me im not sure. bottom line is. this is why we have a "tanking shortage" because this game promotes this kind of thinking that its ok to be a complete ass to whoever is learning.
thats why i like sandboxes because all the people who dont have time for anyone to learn anything with out poping a vein wouldnt stick around for anything that takes real effort/commitment.

this is the kind of thing i complained about to se in beta 1 and beta 2. dont make cheap difficulty based off ping and movement.
its just unfortunate that people with A.D.D. have just as manny dollars as people with out.

[ceiimq]

Since it doesn't look like you're that particular brand of idiot that's just completely impervious to social pressure (which is fortunate), my advice is to keep reminding yourself that:

• The other members in your party are (usually) also learning their role, their small mistakes are just less obvious.
• 10 seconds of lost aggro on trash never killed a run; if anything, they're more of a pain to you because you have to do something about it.
• Speedruns aren't the only way to play the game. It's okay to move at your pace; that's your privilege as a tank.
• Anyone who snaps at your hurts their game more than they hurt yours. Don't be afraid to back down from a nasty group, you'll find a better one right away.
• When in doubt, ask politely. People will feel a lot less entitled to flame you once they see you as an actual, friendly person.

You don't need to grow a thick skin - it's better if you don't, that's how you stop improving. What you need is perspective, and to see your teammates as normal people and present yourself as one.

To be honest I've found that, once you're used to it, tanking is the easiest and most laid-back role in this game (at least since the 2.1 aggro bump). Even the relative speed bumps (Garuda EX, Coil T4) are easier than what a DPS, or especially a healer, can have to put up with. Therefore, the barrier to entry is mainly at the very beginning. Pick up the basics, don't let yourself burn out, and you'll make a good tank.

[Bixby]

I used to be. Then I did it a bunch. Now I don't care all that much what strangers think of me for an hour.

Keep the following in mind:

1) People are not as mad as they seem. The guy ranting and raging and throwing a fit is really just sitting there, slouched in his chair, eyes glazed and chin dusted with Dorito crumbs. Words are easy to type.
2) It's all temporary. Wake something up and take a little extra damage? Lose threat on something for a few GCDs? That pull lasts a matter of minutes, if that, and you'll do better on the next one. Or you won't, and somehow, everyone's life will go on. The dungeon itself is maybe an hour, 90 minutes at absolute worst.
3) Screwing up is part of learning. Amazing tanks who make it look easy can do so because they F'ed things up a lot and learned all the things not to do. The best of the best get their parties killed on a regular basis, and you should too, or you'll only ever be mediocre at best. Be uncomfortable. It's how you get comfortable.
4) Talk. Tell people when you're new, definitely. But also, make some jokes or talk about freaking anything, and use character's names, not roles. The tiniest bit of connection/humanization will make people empathize more than they would otherwise.

[Synapse]

Getting partnered with azzholes on your first few DF as a tank can traumatize you for the future.

As a tank, once you do the dungeon u should be familiar with it. Now who are we kidding, all the dungeon in FFXIV are linear, you can just follow the mobs and you will get to end.

Just spam flash and rotate your weapon skills on all mobs.

[NyneAlexander]

coming from someone who has played rDPS and healer until this point, the hardest part about tanking so far is remembering that I'm the tank.

[Sheer]

especially paladin with very little AoE at lower levels and not knowing the dungeons inside and out :/

I swear, I get so excited and wanna log on and go for it.. But then I remember people not following marks, running ahead, or just plain rude.(and yes sometimes I make mistakes and they aren't received well from party members. this is also a problem the rudeness)

You'll get bad groups, but I've had more decent and good runs than I have bad runs with my PLD. Mark the targets, pull the first one with Shield Lob, get the others in a group, and pop Flash once or twice. Then go to using Fast Blade -> Savage Blade -> Rage of Halone (when you get it). Occasionally pop Flash throughout the fight to make sure you don't lose the aggro of the other MoBs.

That's really all there is to it until you hit the high 30s, I promise.

[Zourin]

Tanking isn't too hard, although a well played tank will have you moving around your keyboard like a piano for the first 5-10 seconds, then it's just a matter of rotation and maintenance

If your new, say so. Dirtbags will leave, and be replaced momentarily. Good players will tell you what you need to know. Trash pulls are fairly standard, although now and again there's something to look out for.
Decide the kill pace. The impatient will leave, and be replaced momentarily (WP, don't take it too slow!)
You're only obligated to keep the healer alive. DPS is responsible for not usurping your threat level. The incompetent will get angry, leave, and be replaced momentarily.
If you aren't sure, ask for a quick check on boss mechanics. Most fights are 'tank and spank' in the middle, 'dunce' tank in a corner, and the usual 'step out of the way of big attacks'.
Don't stress if a summoner pulls out a tank pet and throws it into a furball. Good Arcanists/summoners will do this at times to take pressure off the tank and healer in a furball of adds.


90% of boss fights don't come down to the tank unless you either A) fail to dodge big attacks B) maneuver the boss in appropriately (Brayflox) or C) Genuinely have weak gear and overstress the healer. A and B come with experience. You have plenty of time outside of a dungeon to deal with C to make sure your gear is as up to date as possible. HQ not required as long as it's the best you can wear.

It can also help to remap your controls so you can mark target orders. DPS aren't terribly bright, but the lit matches in the group will at least understand and follow target markings unless they know something you don't (in which case you'll usually see two dps 'outvoting' your marked order)

[Stigmar]

Here is what recommend either lvl armor blacksmith and GSM hq gear will help hate control or if your friends got them leveled ask them to help ya out I make for new tanks in my fc for small donation also if your wanting to lvl war take galditor to 22 for provoke it will help hope this helps

[SummonerSenah]

I have PLD at 36 and WAR at 37. Not going to lie, most of the levels are from hunting logs and Fates. Mostly I have only tanked instances with members of my FC. The two times I did duty roulette, I was nervous. I got Brayflox and briefly considered leaving, but ended up sticking with it. I was pretty happy with myself since no one died the entire run. The second roulette I got story mode Titan, and that's one of my favorite experiences. In the beginning I mentioned that while I had done the fight before, this was my first time tanking it. I got three commendations for that run. I can say that it helps to know the dungeon already. If you don't have that luxury (tank is your first class and/or it's your first time in the dungeon), the best thing is to be forthcoming about being new. I love when tanks say "This is my first time here, so any tips are appreciated." Most experienced players don't mind new players for being new; they mind when the new players don't listen to advice.