How to make tanking more rewarding?

[Zacky]

I don't think the big numbers will help, by thinkin this you are looking the tanking role in a dps way. And tanking is another thing.
I like tanking because it's a controlling role.
People prefer dealing dmg, it's a fact and you'l never change it.

[Shneibel]

tank in FFXIV : deal less dmg and make of glass
DPS in FFXIV : deal more dmg and make of super thin glass <--------- this one sound more fun

@on topic: the reward are fine for tanker, if ppl don't want to play tank, they don't want to play tank, simple as that. Add more reward "might" solve issue for queue (it is not like it is an issue anyway) for DFR but after that, they will go back to what they like, the problem remain

[BunnyChain]

Playing Warrior on the side; I think it's more the general fear of having too much responsibility in a party and or getting blamed for mishaps. I've been playing the job mostly for duty roulette and haven't encountered many, I can't remember any right now, people complaining about anything. I'm not doing speed runs most of the time and not every 'pull' is perfect but the majority of random people I've played with never complained...

Personally I think it's already quite rewarding, the adventurer in need bonus, the mostly instant queues and the feeling of helping people getting through content (especially if you play low-level roulette or story).
Though some nice glamours wouldn't hurt, especially for Warriors, not job specific mind you but something that fits the Warrior style, many current pieces fit more the Paladin with all their plates. I'd like to see more armour in the style of Warrior's AF gear.

[SummonerSenah]

I'd love to see some more really cool axes for warrior. Paladins get a lot of cool swords to choose from (Allagan, High Allagan, Ifrit, Garuda, Levi, Odin, Ramuh, and Shiva swords are super rad IMO) but I feel like a lot of the axes are boring in comparison. I'd like to see more variety I guess.

[Ophie-Mio]

Hmmm... My FC has a huge number of tanks present and none of them play it anymore for a variety of reasons. My main raid tank plays tank all the time because he likes to do it and be dependable. However, he never goes into low level things on it unless it's for us. He just doesn't need anything.

Our once main healer went WAR and he doesn't do it for anything besides raid because he doesn't like to feel like he's letting down the party with a single mistake. So high pressure there. Our current raid WHM was once a main tank but he doesn't bother anymore because he's bored of it and has gotten everything. Myself? I personally hate it when no matter what you do, you're not good enough for the party nor feeling as if you did enough.

For my friends who were once tanks, they all complained about not having enough to do on tank. Mechanics ignored them and their drops came easily (aside from a stubborn T9 fending ring), leading them to be geared up too early and unfulfilled in playing. Our raid tank takes on all misc jobs like markers, call outs etc because he feels he isn't doing enough.

[Nadrojj]

My main is PLD, and I can get an insta queue every day for my roulette, however I queue as BLM. It's just more fun to play. DPS is generally easier than tanking in most dungeons, you can halfass as a dps and still get by, whereas the tank has to be on his game the entire dungeon run. Not saying tanking isn't easy, one combo and a few hate generating actions and you have all the mobs on you all the time.

There are other things that contribute to people not playing tanks too here are some things I've heard in the past

Too much pressure
People expect you to lead the party all the time
People think you're a jerk when you tell them what to do
People don't listen
People don't attack numbered mobs

[Ladon]

I don't want to tank in PUGs. In fact I don't want to really do much of anything in PUGs and I think the bigger problem is a lot of people, especially the better tanks, share my displeasure in the prospect of tanking for duty finder parties.

[Recaldy]

Good example for me is Stormcloak. As the tank from start to finish...I feel like I'm soloing the dungeon. From always running ahead to interacting with everything and always adjusting the damn Sasquatch so it creates snow balls while stunning the other add. Aside from that it's do this then this then this then this till your eyes bleed from babysitting everyone and everything in the dungeon for 30 to 60+ minutes straight.

[Kuwagami]

always adjusting the damn Sasquatch so it creates snow balls while stunning the other add.

Actually you can spice this up by playing the "I freeze ya" game with the party (ofc don't tell them beforehand). I also never pick up the add. This guy always mess things up when I'm building my snowman, and it doesn't hurt the dps classes, so I just don't care. If they don't like it, they can always kill it.

[Earendur]

The main reason in my opinion that people dont tank, is the responsibility of tank switching, repositioning the boss, gathering mini bosses wile trying to keep the boss in position, its alot to handle and keep straight for very long when the rest of the party keeps wiping to silly things. Very stressful and can take its toll on your soul when you get blamed for others mistakes.