Returning tank - some questions

[Peemja]

Hey guys. I've had a break from FF since.. a while (a year or smth), and I have both a Warrior and a Paladin. I'm not completely sure what I want to main at the moment, so some advice, info and help would be greatly appreciated.

Basically, I wonder, are any of them more viable than the other atm? I remember Warriors used to be terrible compared to Paladins, but after a buff, they were brought up the about the same level. I also think PLDs were better main tanks and WARs better offtanks. Is that still true today?

I've tried both, and the rotations on WAR is a bit confusing to get back into. Any clever rotations I should keep in mind if I decide to go by that?

And last (I think), are any of them overplayed compared to the other (my inn hipster wonders).

[Rufalus]

The annual census data they put out says Paladin is more played than Warrior. Yes it's easier on the rotation and is great at just being a straight-up tank with all those defensive cooldowns. I would think that it's true PLD makes a better main tank. Warrior is obviously very nice for dungeon runs attacking big groups of enemies with aoes. Then you have Dark Knight to consider a few months down the line.

[Donjo]

Paladin is better at generally taking less damage through the course of the fight. Their cooldowns are more powerful, their Shield provides free mitigation, and Shield Oath works wonders.

Warrior is currently better at mitigating large, predictable hits. This is because the relatively low cooldown on Inner Beast allows a well timed Beast to reduce the damage of all "Tank Buster" hits in a fight by 20%. They also completely wreck face while Tanking due to abilities that negate the damage penalty of their Tanking Stance.

The whole Off Tank thing is one big "it depends".

Regarding Damage Dealt:
-If Slashing Resistance is on the boss, a Paladin will deal (slightly) more damage as Off Tank than a Warrior will.
-A Warrior will deal more damage as the Main Tank than a Paladin will. Thus, if damage is a worry you want Warrior MT and Paladin OT.

Other Considerations:
-Warriors are better at quickly picking up a group of adds.
-Both are competent at picking up a single new add.
-In a bind, an Off Tank Paladin can Cover the Warrior.
-Off Tanking allows a Warrior to easily maintain both Storm's Eye and Storm's Path on the enemy.

It goes without saying that both Tank can do whatever they put their minds to. They're pleasantly balanced like that. In the end, it'll come down two two things: whether or not raid DPS is an issue and personal preference.

[MythToken]

Warrior is just as good mathematically, and we are more fun.

[Ruddi]

Hi, my first job at 50 was Paladin in version 1.0 this was my favorite job then and I soloed from 1 to 50 and could solo a lvl 58 monster just to put it in perspective vs our version now.

Today I play WAR as main tank, I got WAR at 109 average with crafted 110 wots with overmelded 5 on each 6, I put in parry and critical hit.

You may think I like to play WAR and have a blast at it? YES I do I play WAR because I know it is my favorite tank job and I have not seen any PLD do better than WAR unless they were just at a much higher level and is that better stats. You should play both jobs and see what you like the best and it wont matter if PLD or WAR both jobs can do what is needed in most and every situations.

[Peemja]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll try out my WAR a bit more. I'm god awful, but some guides and practice should hopefully do the job.

[Ceodore]

Warrior is just as good mathematically, and we are more fun.

You made me lawl.

Anyways, as everyone has said, both tanks are perfectly viable in ALL content. You should really choose based on what your preference and play style is. I won't go into the math, but it's generally conceded that at their core (i.e. two equivalent tanks only using their defensive buffs with no other forms of defensive mitigation) that the Paladin is a little easier to heal, but the FACT is that there are WAY too many variables involved with both these classes to truly determine either way and ALL content has been successful with both tanks.