Tanking tips, dos and donts

[Killabye]

I'm opposite, I hate to mark. Like in t5, I'd rather dps not focus cause 1 is always gonna get beat to hell and lose aggro. I'd rathernot mark, and be able to roh or bb to keep aggro instead of flashing till mp runs dry. Sr? If you can do it, do it. ESP in ext, it's ext for a reason, pug can keep up or kiss my ***

[Killabye]

Sr on ext I feather foot, foresight, bloodbath first mob. Second I use vengeance and tob. Pali use long cd first mob second mob short CDs. For war I link ac heavy swing to berserk on my secondary hotbar then add inner release to maim so I op op HS maim op op then around 30% health switch to combos to get wrath up. Besides that for heals I use sc with bb up, dual hit in a good mob for 1200 or so hp

[Astralos]

1. Do NOT wear 'Disciple of War' armor in dungeons/instances - it might have nice secondary stats but it just doesn't have the DEF/MDEF that tanking armor has, which are the most important stats until endgame. 'LNC/DRG' armor is passable since it has higher DEF (at the cost of lower MDEF) but I really wouldn't recommend using that armor for tanks. The types of accessories you use don't matter nearly as much.

2. Mark your targets, unless you don't care if people use AoEs or attack any enemy they want.

3. You set the pace of the dungeon/instance run, and nobody else. If a person is rushing and putting the party in danger (thus making your job harder), speak up and ask them to stop. If they don't comply, Vote Kick and replace. If that fails (or the entire rest of the party is rushing), leave and find another party.

4. Similarly, if a DPS is not following marks, running ahead into groups of enemies, or pulling enemies (without it being discussed beforehand), follow the same procedure: ask to stop, vote kick, leave.

If you are going to do a certain method for handling a pull or a boss, make sure that's made clear beforehand. Lost City of Amdapor is a good example of this; make sure you know who is going to handle doors before entering. Don't assume anything of a group if there are multiple methods.

Absolutely. Cutter's Cry is another good example of this; the healer kiting method during the Myrmidon Princess fight is an alternative way of fighting, but some parties seem to think it's the norm or only way to do it, and they don't even have to mention it to the party. NEVER ASSUME.

[Ringabell]

Loving this thread. As someone who mains BLM I feel like a fish out of water when I tank. On my first dungeon as a tank I had to keep telling the BLM to attack what I was attacking. Had me constantly snagging mobs he aggro'd.

As a BLM I felt free. As a tank I felt responsible for everyone's survival.

[Eggnook24]

Really good info here, and not much for me to add, other than placement. Keep mobs facing away from party, and make sure you are front tanking, because shield blocks don't work when getting hit from behind.

Also, good call on dropping regen when pulling, never thought of that!

[givemeraptors]

Gonna second/third/fourth what people have said. Always make sure to ask about speed runs. One of my pet peeves as a healer is when a tank runs off and aggros everything in sight without a peep and dies because I wasn't done eating my pizza or whatever.

Also double check methods. There are lots of different ways to approach fights in this game, ranging from popular (healer kiting Cutter's Cry) to obscure (tank leading final boss around room in Copperbell HM).

[Aloreal]

I know it can get repeated, especially since good info comes at a very nice pace here, so to change things up

I would like to know the thoughts and feelings of paladin versus warriors. its been overdone a million times, but i am not asking their attributes, or fun factor. I am asking on the sole basis of skill variation, Prominent uses, especially when leveling. I am pretty sure they both excel at what they do at higher levels (a competent skillful player that tanks can tackle both is my opinion)

What i am specifically asking is what are their restrictions in lower dungeon playing. I would like to know more how to level either, and if possible, what to watch out in different dungeons.

I am asking alot, but i would like to make it as comprehensive as possible to newer people entering new dungeons. in the off chance that new players will enter forums to find out what is going on with their tank I would like it to be a nice guide for both tanking classes

[Thaliss]

Lvl 1-29 :
At low level, they are pretty much the same, for single aggro just do enmity combos

Multiple targets aggro
- PLD have flash at Lvl 8 (point blank aoe and blind effect at lvl 20)
- MRD have overpower at lvl 12 (must be positioned)

But MRD can get the Flash as cross class skill (Highly advised)

Lvl 30-39 :
MRD has Defiance that helps greatly to generate enmity while PLD only have Sword Oath available so holding hate can be a bit difficult on overzealous dps

Lvl 40-50 :
Back to same enmity generation as PLD gets Shield Oath. Mechanics change between the two, warriors playing with wrath, PLD with their damage reduction CDs.

[Rbstr]

Lower dungeons are probably easier with War. IMO overpower is better than flash...and War can cross class flash for even more aoe enmity.

[givemeraptors]

MRD/WAR is awesome at lower levels in terms of enmity generation, they also get a bit more diversity in combos.
PLD is more a DPS class than a tank until they get Shield Oath at level 40.
Both tanks rock at end-game, but MRD/WAR is the better tank until 40 (imo).