GLA cannot roll need (low level)?

[Imladris]

I've noted already so far in my short (FFIX wise) tanking career, that low level gear isn't tanky anyway. At 25, your first set of real tank gear shows up to acquire, which lasts till 35. Up till then, it's a chain mail free for all, shields and such all inclusive.

Still, not being able to need roll on low level tank gear seems a bit off to moi.

[Rbstr]

This originates from weirdness in armor types where "mail" is typically allowed on tanks and lancer/dragoons. Plus some dungeons not dropping "symmetric" gear sets - not every class gets a named drop from every dungeon. But is basically sorts out like this:
Lancer gear had/has higher defense values than the other DoW gear and it's restricted from monks and bards. It often has lower Mdef than Pdef.
Tank gear has the highest defense and the Pdef and Mdef match.

Still, not being able to need roll on low level tank gear seems a bit off to moi.

Does this make sense now? You can't roll need because it's not technically tank gear.

For example. The Plundered Haubergeon is Listed as "GLA MRD LNC PLD WAR DRG". The Cuirass is "GLA MRD PLD WAR". The Cuirass has like 2x the defense on it.
Lancers get to need on the Haubergeon, Tanks get to need on the Cuirass.
The other two Disciple of War drops are the Monk/Nin and Bard. They each get to need on their specific pieces only too.

Much of the lancer gear in dungeons is like this in some way. Other examples:
Kokoroon's Darkshell Mail (LNC/GLD/MRD) is TANK need only. It has matching Pdef and Mdef on it.
The Hoplite Tabard (Tank) vs. Hetairos Mail (Lancer+tank, lancer needs) vs. Peltast Acton (DoW).
There's also the Vermilion Haub (tank) vs. Alpine War Jacket (tank+lancer, lancer needs) vs Sipahi