I really would like to tank, but

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[Austthenoob]

With my focus being more towards new player assistance, I'd say you're doing great with the friendly folk helping out here. As for support, if you ever doubt yourself because of others, don't. Rise to a challenge and be the kind of tank you want to be. Or bail and chill, who needs negativity?

[JimboTCB]

Generally I work on the assumption that DPS are going to be dumb and blow all their cooldowns straight out of the gate, so I do the same. Shield lob, fight or flight, circle, spirits, then start on the usual enmity combo, and keep provoke handy in case I need to pop it just before Halon.

Provoking and doing nothing afterwards is another common mistake, it literally places you one point of enmity ahead of the current target, so any hots or dots will yank aggro right back where it just came from. Better to get your combo primed, wait until the GCD is up, and provoke right before hitting Halone/Butchers. Would be much more useful if provoke actually forced the target to attack you for a few seconds, but it is what it is and you have to act accordingly.

[LimeSamurai]

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.

Of course Ill use Flash or CoS depending on amount of AoE, like the other day where I had a Bard n Dragoon going AoE crazy, all I did was Flash and Riot Blade.

With my focus being more towards new player assistance, I'd say you're doing great with the friendly folk helping out here. As for support, if you ever doubt yourself because of others, don't. Rise to a challenge and be the kind of tank you want to be. Or bail and chill, who needs negativity?

I'm getting over the negativity at this point mostly due to this forum topic where its all encouragement and tips. Also helps that I'm not alone in this kinda situation lol