Learning to tank FF style(or learning how to be a proper flasher)

[Zetonegi]

Its not just at least one DPS doesn't follow marks but SMN and BLM both AoE a lot because its just what they do. SMNs are going to use Bane and BLMs are going to cast Fire2. The best general strat for any tank on holding hate on multiple mobs is use your job's AoE ability a few times(2-3 is normally fine) then do your 1-2-3 hate combo in the following fashion: 1-2 change target 3 change target repeat. If your DPS are being nice and primarily focusing the same target, you can focus mostly on that target with less frequent poking of the other mobs to keep them off the healers. Eventually, you'll get comfortable enough to weave in your non-hate combo to keep up maim/get some MP back. On bosses, pop whatever damage boosts you have and use your hate combo, maybe twice, then just alternate your 1-2-3 and your DPS combo, although PLD doesn't get theirs till post 50 because SE.


As for defensive CDs, just use them sorta whenever, its infinitely better than not using them at all and your healers will notice even if they don't say anything. After doing dungeons a few times, you'll begin to learn when you want that extra bit of tankiness, usually to protect yourself from subpar healers or to enable crazier pulls. When you start doing serious trials and raids, you'll simply have to learn when you need to pop CDs and that's just a matter of learning the fights and practice.