Tanks that don't tank

[Grenwal]

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So should I share his target or pick off the stragglers (i.e. mobs that are healing his target)? Thanks for your patience
Edit: just found this and it explains my role and the on screen meters quite well: http://eorzeareborn.com/enmity/

[Gnova]

Question from an mmo/ffxiv noob: as a dps role, should I be switching targets now and then when doing dungeons in order to not sap "hate" from the tank? Very new to this type of game and I just completed my first try at Satasha(sp?) a few days ago so any advice is welcome!

It depends on your role IMO.
If you are an arcanist and not switching targets to spread dots you aren't doing your job IMO. The tank should recognize they have a arcanist/summoner/scholar in the group and make sure his aoe hate is a priority.
If you are more of a single target DPS then assisting the tank is ideal because you draw a ton of hate on the single mob and the healer appreciates when the first mob goes down. Ultimately that will increase DPS because the healer now has time to DPS more and heal less.

[Urthdigger]

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Generally, you should share his target unless told otherwise. If you focus your DPS on a mob healing his target, you WILL wind up tanking that mob. Tanks take MASSIVELY less damage than DPS, especially at higher levels (assuming they are geared correctly), so you tanking a monster on the side means more work for the healer.

There is an exception though. Commonly in boss fights, there will be additional monsters (adds) that spawn. Typically, these monsters can be killed before they damage DPS too much, and/or the tank can't move the boss without endangering the party (many boss monsters have conal attacks that must be faced away from the party). As a DPS, you will almost always be needed to attack these additional monsters, even if it means tanking them.

[Grenwal]

You've been a lot of help, thanks so much! Happy hunting