Tanking, need some advice?

[vanityobscene]

Thanks for your replies, Thaliss, JeniLinsky and valho!

So consensus on DPS who don't follow my lead is to let them do as they do, and focus more on what I can do? That's good to hear. A lot of the stress came from scenarios like this:

Shield lob > Run in > DPS run in and attack > flash x2 > Aggro starts to wane and I start switching from target to target using Fast Blade + Savage Blade to build aggro.

I'll definitely take that advice to heart, JeniLinsky. That seems almost to be what I try to do at the moment.

It usually goes: Shield Lob > Flash x2 > Fast Blade > Savage Blade > Fast Blade > Riot Blade + Shield Bash depending on the situation.

Speaking of Shield Bash, is it worth continuing to use? I tend to use it more against the bosses for it's stun benefit.

Thank you all!

[JeniLinsky]

Shield bash is a mixed blessing. It's very expensive (TP 150), which, in a longer fight can lead to you being out of TP. The stun effect is subject to diminishing returns (first bash stuns for 3 seconds, second interrupts but doesn't stun, third doesn't stun or interrupt). On the other hand, it's a decent hit, at potency 110, and there are times (like the Manor Maidens at Haukke Manor) where you really need that interrupt. So keep it on your crossbar, but don't lean too heavily on it.

[vanityobscene]

Ah, this makes a lot of sense now. I'll try to reserve shield bash for those sticky situations then.

And building a resistance? 2 uses before it's useless? Haha, no kidding.

[Thaliss]

Ah, this makes a lot of sense now. I'll try to reserve shield bash for those sticky situations then.

And building a resistance? 2 uses before it's useless? Haha, no kidding.

The resistance is temporary, after sometime they are not immune anymore.
There are some Trials where PLD are on Stun duty, Ifrit Hard Mode or Chimera for example.

[Kyana]

The resistance is temporary, after sometime they are not immune anymore.
There are some Trials where PLD are on Stun duty, Ifrit Hard Mode or Chimera for example.

Ifrit got nerved, so you can't stun every eruption anymore.
And in general, it's a waste to keep a PLD on stun duty because the stun is on GCD.
It's easier for other classes to stun with off GCD skills. (WAR, DRG, MNK)
Silence with Spirits Within is something different though since it's instant and off GCD.

[JeniLinsky]

There's an old rule of thumb for parties: If the tank dies first, it's the healer's fault; if the healer dies first, it's the tank's fault. If the DDs die first, it's their own damn fault.

[Kyana]

Aggro/Hate:
It's not just your job to manage hate.
Especially at lower levels you lack a number of skills to establish solid hate on all mobs you're tanking.
DDs should wait a few seconds before going all out, healers can't do much if they have to heal you to prevent you from dying.
If they draw hate for that you probably took on too many mobs at once.
As GLD/PLD you'll always have a harder time holding hate of a bunch of mobs compared to MRD/WAR.
Never use Provoke to pull and always use a enmity generating attack after Provoke.

So, for your list:

- Getting over the DPS rushing ahead: You can't (well, you can if you feel like it). If they can't wait, let them die. *see above*

- Getting more self-assured: If you know the dungeon/fight in and out, you will be prepared for any situation. You know what to expect and how to handle it. Experience is king.
EDIT: The sad thing is that people expect tanks to know everything. They think as soon as you hit 50 you know how to do all endgame content.
Your best bet for harder content is to join training parties or make your own to get a feeling for it.

- Building enmity as quickly as possible: As you level up you will get more tools to work with and to make your life easier. For GLD/PLD there's only Flash/Circle of Scorn and splitting up combo to maintain hate on multiple mobs, and for quick hate you should use your combo and add your instant skills in between, then keep going with hate combo.

- Good low-mid-level combo strategies: Not sure what you mean. There is no strategy. Either use hate combo on single target or split up between multiple targets, according to enmity level, with added Flash as needed.

- Methods for marking (who first, etc): Healers -> DDs/mobs with annoying AoE or strong attacks -> Tanks, but it all depends on the situation.

[vanityobscene]

EDIT: The sad thing is that people expect tanks to know everything. They think as soon as you hit 50 you know how to do all endgame content.
Your best bet for harder content is to join training parties or make your own to get a feeling for it.

Haha, there's a degree of anxiety about this. Especially entering a dungeon for the very first time. Sastasha Seagrot was good after the second go at it, I was in the groove. When I hit Tama-tara Deepcroft I was starting to feel a bit lost, and on my first run that carried through into some mayhem in spots as DPS/DDs had their way and I was scrambling to keep heat off of them.

Still. Experience, so I'll keep trying and hopefully other players will forgive me for the mistakes I make along the way.

[Zaero]

I pretty much parrot everything here.

Unfortunately, GLD at Lvl 20 is rough for tanking IMO. My secret was to mark mobs when I started a pull. If the DPS can't kill by numbers, I let them tank it. Otherwise, Shield Lob is good when you need to stun an ability (Spoiler: The handmaidens in Haukke Manor when they use the "Dark Mist" ability). Either way, like others have said, PROTECT YOUR HEALER. (especially if they know you IRL). I run with someone who heals as I tank, so we have an "understanding" (never let them die).

It gets easier when you pick up Rage of Halone (level 30), where you're just going to combo 1 mob, then the next, then the next, flashing inbetween, n repeat.

IF you're starting tanking, try out MAR. I'd never tanked before, and I find it's easier to get/hold aggro. Buuuut, you lose out on survivability later on (yes, I know the thread, but different strokes n all).

[JeniLinsky]

IF you're starting tanking, try out MAR. I'd never tanked before, and I find it's easier to get/hold aggro. Buuuut, you lose out on survivability later on (yes, I know the thread, but different strokes n all).

My experience (I'm currently leveling Marauder, and have an i78 Paladin) is that Marauder does more damage, but Gladiator generates more agro on more targets more easily. Your experience may vary. Also, the fact that Overpower does damage, and thus wakes up the mob that the mage just put to sleep, puts it in the -1 category for me.