Healing/Tank on PS3 or PS4

[Melinabean0]

Hello, I'm sure there is helpful information out there on this somewhere, but I have already done some digging so I thought I would just post here.

This is the first MMO I have REALLY played. I did play WoW a bit but had to cancel my sub due to RL priorities and now I don't have a PC to play on at all. So, I decided to pick back up FFXIV, and I have definitely been enjoying it. But in my time in WoW and my time here I have always played as DPS, not wanting to be the make it or break it bit of the group. Now I'm branching out, but I'm just not sure the best way to go about healing or tanking on a controller. I know there are other players who do, so I was hoping to get some helpful insight, or even just some little tips.

Thanks!

[Eye_Gore]

Well don't know much about healing in parties, except myself. This is the only MMO I have ever played. As for tanking on the controller its all I know, so it doesn't seem so bad. The only thing I wish that there was a way to go backwards while switching up the hot bars, can only go forward, unless I missed something.

I have mine setup for my main attacks on the right side, cool downs on the left, mitigation in the middle. Things that I only need to use or cast once are on a different hot bar. There are always macros too, I personally do not use them, but for many that is the route they take. Good luck being a tank or healer, its a jungle out there.

[Melinabean0]

I pretty much have the same hotbar set up of main attacks, cooldowns, and such. If I need a second hotbar I hold R1 and then pick the necessary hotbar from there. I've been playing as a Bard and ended up needing two sets, one for main attacks and one for songs.

I think I would do better tanking, mostly because it seems like it would be difficult to target/cycle through party members to heal. So, I suppose healing worries me more than tanking. I thought about trying out a few guild heists as both, just to get a feel for each one. Or maybe pull together some FC members who wouldn't mind me being a bit of a noob. I did also check out the macro deal, since my husband suggested that. He's been playing WoW for years. May look into that a bit more as well.

Thank you for your input!

[Eye_Gore]

Cycling through targets can be a pain for the tank also. If someone draws aggro from a different monster and I will switch to the monster to get the aggro off them, and can be a challenge in a large mob to get the right one selected. To help with that is the marking of targets for the tank to mark a kill order, but some don't care about it, and actually I have never marked a single target and no one has ever said anything about it. But picking up different enemies can be a pain.

[Melinabean0]

Ah, right. I usually like it as a DPS when tanks mark them, but it's not necessary in most cases. I assume it may help for more chaotic fights. I figured I would use it, but then again I haven't actually attempted it either. I suppose it will be bit of trial and error for awhile. :/

[ChameleonMS]

I think I would do better tanking, mostly because it seems like it would be difficult to target/cycle through party members to heal.

Use up / down on the D-pad for party member cycling.
Edit your standard target cycling (left / right on D-pad) to remove Party members, non-party members PC, NPC, keep Duty NPCs and object included. This is done under the character configuration menu.
By removing these targets for the standard targeting list, you will dramatically increase the success rate of clicking on the next enemy by simply pressing X.

[Odd]

Well don't know much about healing in parties, except myself. This is the only MMO I have ever played. As for tanking on the controller its all I know, so it doesn't seem so bad. The only thing I wish that there was a way to go backwards while switching up the hot bars, can only go forward, unless I missed something.

You didn't miss anything. But you can hold R1 and press the buttons on your controller and dpad to select specific hotbar sets. My main hotbar on WHM is R1+Triangle. So when I press R1 to switch to my secondary, I can just hold R1 and press triangle to get back to my main. Beats cycling through the other 4 first.

And to the OP, like Chameleon said it's very easy to target party members with up and down on the dpad.

[radioactive_lego]

don't play healer on the consoles. switching between enemies (to kill them) is a breeze. switching between party members (to heal them) is a nightmare.

[GuardianX]

You controller players are making it harder on yourselves. You can set hotbar option where you will only cycle through the hotbars you want instead. So if you have stuff on hot bar square and triangle, you can set it where it will only cycle between those two with each R1 press.

[Melinabean0]

Oh, I didn't even notice these replies! I have been going through the settings more and seeing what can be done to target enemies or party members. Figuring I'm just going to have to play with the settings, try it out, adjust as needed. I have tried a few guildheists as a tank, reached my levequest limit trying to level to 15, and it went fairly well. Though not much was happening in terms of having to keep aggro on me and such. Just going to have to practice!

Thanks everyone!