What makes a great tank?

[MMRV]

I will only say I think it is unfair to place the burden of knowing the dungeon and each encounter on the tank and what makes a tank good. I think far too many people take the easy path out play dps roles and then expect to be handheld by the "tank" as they mash a basic dps cycle, if the tank doesnt hold the hand enough tank is bad :P

[Ojikuh]

Hold enmity, take less damage for healers, position raid boss for damage dealers. Don' expect to use two trick attacks and not pull threat when tanks are less geared.

[Sipherous]

I tank DF a lot, its one of my little passtimes. Some end badly others go smoothly. However whenever I enter a dungeon I always do the same thing.

1. I check Peoples gear and quickly estimate their ilevels in relation to the content. I also look at what classes I have because running say brayflox HM speed run with 2 mnks isn't ideal. This gives me a base on what I can push in terms of running an instance. If I see something I don't like I'll slow things down.
2. If I see a new person message flash across my screen I wont speed run, its not fair to them and really I don't expect them to be able to keep up with a hardy group.
3. As a PLD I stuff cover onto my bar. Sometimes I will lose agro just from things like a heal going off to early or a DPS thinking imma stop and begins to go ape shit on the mobs. Cover saves lives XD.

In all honesty if you are tanking an instance you control the pace. If someone doesn't like it they can leave and suffer the penalty or tank themselves.

[Delorean]

the ability to play a melee DPS well - there is nothing a tank does that a melee dps does not do and knowing what a melee DPS needs from a tank will make you better at positioning and movement.

other than that it's just about being an all around good player and person

[Warrlordd]

Hold enmity, take less damage for healers, position raid boss for damage dealers. Don' expect to use two trick attacks and not pull threat when tanks are less geared.

Funny you said that, I had a tank challenge me on my NIN to rip aggro off of him. Consequently, I did. I was quite amused by his bravado and ensuing failure

[Blitzace]

Well i've tanked over 700 dungeons.

First thing i do is say Hello to everyone, At that point i'll take a glimps at their HP(Often a good indicator of their gear and such) If no one says they are new or rusty, and there is no MSG saying there is a new player. From the first pull i'll get a good impression on what the healer & dps are capable off and i'll pull accordingly to that.

Dungeons wise i know them all(Atleast lv50+) Out of my head, Know the strats the tricks etc.
And if i notice people struggle or they don't know what to do i usually just type it in chat, without directing it at someone because i had cases where people would flip out.(I always say it nice and just try to be helpful)

But when i get into a dungeon and i see i have 2 DPS that are both fresh(Lv 50/55 gear or even below) I'll take it easy and i'll take the time to explain the bosses and answer any questions they have.
I mean 10 minutes more or less in a dungeon is not gonna kill my fun and i think they'll enjoy it 10 times the time if i would just rush in and let them wipe over and over.

And i think a few key points for tanks are

- Micro managing hate, Not losing hate and just switch targets to make sure the DPS can go full out without holding back.
- Know the surroundings - It happens that people on accident pull a chain of mobs, Its your responsibilty to get them out of that mess.
- Know the strats - If a DPS screws up, you won't notice it as fast as a tank or heal screw up. That usually means a wipe.
- Know your cooldowns - The amount of time my party has wiped and i was literally the last guy standing and somehow managed to still kill the boss? Or just to give your healers a breather to get other people up/heal em.
- You're just a player like everyone else <- Just because you have an important role doesn't mean you're god by any means, I've seen those tanks.

[Kenji_]

I know this may sound like blasphemy because it does add responsibility to the dps group too. Everybody works hand in hand and mistakes do happen, holding aggro is a tank main duty, however the entire party is responsible for managing aggro. Started to play FF as a BRD and now I am a proud WAR that is trying to do his best at keeping his party safe and learn from his mistakes. Sometimes I wish dps would not be drones and just atk a target until its dead and keep an eye on that hate meter. I believe if slowing down for 3-4 seconds as a dps in order to grant the tank a window to catch up its not a bad thing, its key to success Vs. take aggro then swap with healer because panic time and let the medica spam begin while the tank runs around trying to get things back to normal. Anyway sorry for the rant :P

[Mykll]

I know this may sound like blasphemy because it does add responsibility to the dps group too.

You are spot on. It is not 100% of the responsibility of the tank to keep agro. Mostly, yes. Just like it is not 100% responsibility of the healer to keep everyone alive. Mostly, yes.

[Kossuranta]

- Micro managing hate, Not losing hate and just switch targets to make sure the DPS can go full out without holding back.

This is also a job for DPS atleast when they have better gear than tank. I mean every tank knows situation where is BLM doing awesome AoE and MNK/NIN doing awesome single target damage where you are usually just barely keeping aggro.

- Know the surroundings - It happens that people on accident pull a chain of mobs, Its your responsibilty to get them out of that mess.

Accidentally (like patrols) and on purpose which happens with impatient people (usually that means that you are doing too small pulls)

And then ofcourse NUMBERING!
If you are DPS focus the ones that are numbered! Lower geared tanks might not keep up with 2 players going full down on different mobs like well geared tanks can. Or we also usually mark targets that should die asap for whatever reason.

[Llyren]

The Tank's job is to die before the Healer.
The Healer's job is to make the Tank not die
The DPS's job is to kill the mobs and not die.

To be great, communicate, be aware of the surroundings, your abilities, the abilities of the others in your group, and the mechanics. Often as the Tank you will be expected to step into the role of Leader, and the role of Puller, both of which control the speed of the event.