I really would like to tank, but

[File2ish]

As others said, go for a weapon ASAP. will greatly help you.

As for people being pricks... It's best to just ignore negative comments that have no criticism to them and do your best to fulfill your role.

If someone is being critical of you for doing/not doing something (such as using provoke to pull being the most common criticism, not that you do) ask them to explain if they don't give a reason as for why to or not to do so. If the answer is logical (some sadly aren't), incorporate what you learned into your game. Some people come of as asses when they are really trying to help (reader's perception of tone and whatnot).

[Gorlioliolio]

As others said, go for a weapon ASAP. will greatly help you.

As for people being pricks... It's best to just ignore negative comments that have no criticism to them and do your best to fulfill your role.

If someone is being critical of you for doing/not doing something (such as using provoke to pull being the most common criticism, not that you do) ask them to explain if they don't give a reason as for why to or not to do so. If the answer is logical (some sadly aren't), incorporate what you learned into your game. Some people come of as asses when they are really trying to help (reader's perception of tone and whatnot).

Nothing wrong with pull with provoke, that's how you unleash a high agro combo immediately instead of having to lob, why break my combo for a lob when I know the rage of halone waiting there is going to pull a lot more initial agro, the problem is when stupid dps start firing on the mob that has only been provoked before you can hit it.

[Blim]

Not sure if its an option that is viable for you, but you could also try the JP servers.

On JP servers (at least on Tonberry), the culture is somewhat different. The tank usually drives the run, the healers as co-drivers and the rest just chillax and enjoy the ride. Whether the tanks decide to do full runs to help non-synced players maximize exp for leveling or just do speed runs, there's usually no quarrels or discontentment and everybody defers to the tank and just plays along even when nothing is said by the tank before the run starts. In fact most tanks are pretty happy to oblige to do a full run for extra exp as long as they're specifically asked at the start (politely of course).

In 24 man raids, the B alliance tank is always the de facto MT, sort of an unspoken rule (but that can be adjusted if the B tank says in the alliance chat he's relinquishing it). Deference is always given to the B alliance MT, and the other tanks always control their aggro output to ensure they don't unintentionally grab it off, unless for some reason they're required to take it up eg. the MT dying etc. Alliance chat is mostly reserved for the 3 alliance's tanks and to organize the parties and all other communication between the tank and parties are in their party chat. You won't find people barking orders across the alliance chat or just filling up the alliance chat with text that is irrelevant.

In the DF such as the coils, if the run/party turns out to be really bad, the party just simply tries again and again until the 15min mark, disbands and reforms. My experience with abusive behaviour has been fairly minimal so far. That is not to say, just go in unprepared, but if for whatever reason things don't work out, you usually won't find people talking down or acting abusive (at least I've never encountered or observed it happening so far).

[LimeSamurai]

So as of right now, I have half the soldiery for the DoW sword, which Im savin up for, but I've got 500 poetics.
I've been lookin around and I've not really found a definitive answer between the noct hoplon and the magitek shield. is the magitek shield worth getting or should I save poetics for gear/accessories?

Also, good news, managed to OT ST without getting yelled at, also, not sure if I was complimented but the main tank was losing aggro to me and the other tank said "If you're losing aggro to B tank then we have a problem." So I'll take that as a compliment lmao

[viewtyjoe]

"If you're losing aggro to B tank then we have a problem." So I'll take that as a compliment lmao

That is almost guaranteed to be a complaint against the tank losing aggro rather than a compliment to you. I would assume that they had a better weapon/gear, or were otherwise expected to generate more threat (WAR stacking STR comes to mind) but were not.

So far, in my tanking experience, things have been pretty chill outside of leveling dungeons. Then again, I also have the benefits of being a high 120 ilvl DPS main and was sitting at 114 on my WAR once I hit 50 because I built up the gear over the last six months or so. Additionally, one of my best friends in game is a PLD main and he's been fantastic at covering tank mechanics I wasn't aware of when we've run stuff together.

[JimboTCB]

You do realise that provoke is basically useless on a mob nobody has any aggro on yet, and the only reason you'd even consider using it to pull is because it has a slightly longer range? In terms of initial aggro it's even worse than shield lob, as it will generate an entire one point of enmity. And if it's the initial pull you're not going to have an enmity combo prepped unless you're chain pulling trash packs.

[Bombast]

You do realise that provoke is basically useless on a mob nobody has any aggro on yet, and the only reason you'd even consider using it to pull is because it has a slightly longer range? In terms of initial aggro it's even worse than shield lob, as it will generate an entire one point of enmity. And if it's the initial pull you're not going to have an enmity combo prepped unless you're chain pulling trash packs.

Provoke is off the GCD, allowing you to pull and immediately do something else, like go straight into a Combo, Shield Lob another distant foe, or whatever.

Its certainly not the preferred way of pulling, but theirs some situations where it works.

Also, how else will people see our sick Provoke macros if I don't pull with it? It's not like we get to use it legitimately in every dungeon or raid.

[LimeSamurai]

I tend to pull into a flash, CoS and flash again into FB > SB and then target a different mob for Halone, and repeat.

As for weapon/shield being top priority.
I have enough poetics for either boot/gloves/or belt or an accessory. Do get the poetic shield or armor/accessory instead since I'm working to get the soldiery sword at the moment.

Also I did bout 4-5 runs of ST yesterday and only got one tank drop but when I'm dpsing and my friend is tanking he gets all the tank drops. Is this a sign? lol jk

[SpookyGhost]

I tend to pull into a flash, CoS and flash again into FB > SB and then target a different mob for Halone, and repeat.

This is good, however now that you're @50 you'll be seeing a lot more AOE heavy DPS so just a double Flash won't always work. The better your weapon, the less Flash you can get away with, but if DPS start AOEing then Flash like it's your only button.

[DxWings]

If its a boss fight or single target pull, I would suggest not to pull using provoke. There are various ways of snap aggro pulling. Learning how to snap aggro pull not only allows you some breathing room between you and your party, but also allows you to do some positioning (if needed) at the start of a fight.
And Jimbo's got it summed up on why not to do it.