When did you start tanking?

[Jim_Berry]

Got to Lv50 PLD back in either Jan or Feb 2014, but didn't use it until a few months ago. I leveled WAR shortly after getting PLD, but I like PLD better.

Overall, I started tanking as NIN in FFXI back in 2008. Retired in Nov 2014.

[Leidiriv]

I started tanking seriously about 4 days after HW dropped. I weighed the playstyle of DRK and the utility it brought, versus the amount of fun I was having as SMN, and I made the switch. I used the gil I had ground up to buy a set of level 30 armor and a set of level 50 armor, and I talked to "Fray".

I haven't once looked back.

[Erim-Nelhah]

I'm a fairly new player. Started off as ACN, with the intention of going SMN, but while the playstyle was "ok" I wasn't really in love with it. In preparation for SMN, tho, I started leveling THM, and fell in love with it. Got that to 50, then found that my (then) FC often needed a tank, so I leveled GLD and MRD to 15, then bit down and leveled GLD/PLD almost exclusively through dungeons. I still didn't main it, generally preferring to BLM harder content (like EX primals), but I found I liked it. Then came Heavensward, and with the exp curve I knew I was going to have to make a choice. I started with PLD, and got that almost to 53 before I tried DRK. How'd that go? Well, my PLD is still only 53, while my DRK has cleared Alex Normal and even solo-tanked A2 when my cotank decided he'd rather pilot the robot. My BLM? Gathering dust at 50.

--Erim Nelhah
(Master, Astral Descendants <AD>, Malboro)
(60 DRK Main)

[Anienai]

I've been taking it for the group ever since I charged out of the womb and the nurse slapped me on the ass.

[RayneBoemir]

I started tanking back in WoW had a PLD raiding in Burning Crusade and into WotLK. Kind of got tired of the mechanics in WoW so I quit. I tried going back, but every time I would log I would log back out not wanting to play.

Immediately started a PLD shortly after PS4 beta because it's the only tank with shield and sword and I have fond memories of FFIV for Cecil.

I really enjoy protecting party members from harm just like I would in real life for other people, and I like leading the party thru dungeons/raids.

I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, so when I am doing an Ex trial or raid that I haven't perfected yet, I get extremely anxious not only because I am afraid of messing up, but about the expectations of the party members about me.

[PWilson]

I got tired of/frustrated with playing WHM and I knew I didn't want to DPS.
Turns out, I really love tanking. I never could've imagined I'd be so satisfied staring at a boss's feet and calves while watching my health bar go up and down.

[kylelotus]

I am new to the genre of MMORPG so at first I got yelled at for not tanking properly, but after playing for a while I met some cool people who helped me out. This game needs more people who don't get mad so easily. It makes me feel good when something goes wrong and someone says "Nice save" because that tells me my skills are developing.

[karateorangutang]

I've been making tank style characters since i started playing pencil and paper DND over a decade ago. Something about the man or woman the runs in to spare his/her party the pain of an angry beast or person just gets me.


Brings a tear to my eye.

[spelley]

I was a Paladin back in Dark Age of Camelot, but only just started "really" tanking in FFXIV. Leveled my DRG to 50 and once I started maxing out his Poetics gear after a good 6 month break. From there, I decided I'd level 1 of each DPS (done), Healer (my SCH) and Tank. Leveled the SCH, enjoyed that a lot and then moved onto WAR. Enjoyed it well enough, but never really did any of the "hard" content (no EX Primals or anything with it). Currently leveling a DRK and really enjoying it.

I have a great deal of performance anxiety, always concerned about my performance in dungeons but I've decided that, while I'm leveling my DRK, I'll invite (constructive) criticism, and try my best to start doing the harder stuff on it. So far dungeons have gone swimmingly and will probably start trying EX Primals shortly (though I still really worry about messing up deep down)

[Ryaz]

About 2-3 days ago. Getting my pld to 34 for awareness and then onto drk. My first major character in FFXI was a PLD tank and I've tanked in other MMOs, though, so I'm not a complete noob. Only problem I've had tanking so far was when I got two a BLMs in Halatali who decided to ignore all markers and just spam AoEs. When you're - level 22-23 GLD it's a nightmare.

I have to say with MCH at 60 and two melee dps at 50, it's refreshing to try something different again.