Tanks that don't tank

[Gnova]

While leveling up alt jobs using leveling dungeons I have noticed that a fair percentage of the low level tanks that end up in the story dungeons have no idea how, or desire to, tank.

If new to MMOs they look at the classes in character creation and want to play a melee character that wields a sword or a big axe. I don't think they actually understand that they are not just DPS in heavy armor.

They happily play the gladiator or maurader class solo and it feels like a melee DPS to them. They get to the point in the main story where they need to do a group dungeon and suddenly people are harping on them about keeping agro, spamming flash, etc...

I'm at the point now where if every pull is an adventure and friendly advise about agro tools is gong unheeded I just quit the instance. Better that than stick around for the drama.

In the lower content I have completed a few dungeons with me resorting to healer tanking but this really isn't teaching the tank anything and is probably hurting more than helping

Do you think there should be a warning for new players choosing the tank class stating that it is an advanced role and if they don't have MMO experience perhaps they should start out with a different class?
Most MMOs allow you to DPS as a tank class but in FF14 this isn't even an option.

[Nomad-phx]

Most MMOs allow you to DPS as a tank class but in FF14 this isn't even an option.

i agree 100%, especially on higher lvl stuff with warriors. they strap on some dps accessories and think the contribution is noteworthy but its really not lol i think to better handle this se needs to job lock certain accessories like fending strictly for tanks, striking/maiming strictly for melee dps, casting for blm/smm. and so on.

[SeraviEdalborez]

So you'd kill STR offtanks in endgame because newbies can't read?

[Nomad-phx]

damn straight lol im also noticing dps and healers using more and more fending gear to try to up theyre item lvl to get into certain things, thats highly gay strategy imo

[SeraviEdalborez]

I don't think you understand what I wrote, so I'll go into more detail.

Offtanks in endgame don't get hit by much, so they invest heavily into STR accessories. WAR can also get away with 30 STR allotment. If you restrict STR accs to DRG and MNK only, you take away a strong niche and one of the only methods of customization in those horribly itemized system.

[Ecosmith]

Or you could give them some friendly advicerather than leave them continuing in ignorance.

[Nomad-phx]

i understood plenty. Imo a small price to pay to get other classes from ilvl boosting with unproductive gear. in terms of endgame content where off tanks arent getting hit theres not much of that. titan, ifrit, leviathan extreme as well as rafflesia all have both tanks taking damage though tank swaps or just regular mechanics. the off tank in my static does that and i constantly have to hold back to not strip hate on tank swap scenarios because hes too busy trying to be a high hp dps instead of tanking like he should be.

[Gnova]

Or you could give them some friendly advicerather than leave them continuing in ignorance.

The problem is that people DO offer them friendly advise but even basic advise like "spam flash two or three times at the beginning of a fight" is completely ignored. I cast one cure and the adds are stuck to me for the remainder of the fight.

It is really frustrating for the healer to be dealing with adds the entire fight while the gladiator's MP bar is sitting t 100% or OP is not used for the entire fight.
In the "learning dungeons" it doesn't bother me when I have to deal with some agro problems as long as I feel the tank is at least trying.

[Gnova]

So you'd kill STR offtanks in endgame because newbies can't read?

Did you even bother to read the post?

"Do you think there should be a warning for new players choosing the tank class stating that it is an advanced role and if they don't have MMO experience perhaps they should start out with a different class?
Most MMOs allow you to DPS as a tank class but in FF14 this isn't even an option."

Where in that is a suggestion to change anything?

[KfLeX]

They should and a gear check