What is your preference for a player to get a commendation?

[Lunaxia]

I don't really have a default role I give comms to, it depends purely on how they played/ behaved. I can be quite stingy with comms so unless someone impressed me or really improved the run in some way, I won't always give them out.

Friendly/ helpful players will usually get one though, first and foremost. Healers who stance dance well too. Occasionally the tank if the dungeon is well-paced and feels seamless, and they don't give me a lot of work to do. I do keep a special eye out for DPS, because they can definitely be the unsung heroes - I gave one to an amazing MCH yesterday who completely annihilated the mobs and got us to Hraes in 20 minutes despite practically carrying the BRD damage-wise.

But it's ultimately behaviour > performance. I can comm a guy who was chatty and friendly even if he didn't play all that well, but I will never comm someone who was great at their job but acted like an ass.

[Chalbee]

I give it to whomever has earned it, and it really varies by role, job, and duty. A summoner slinging DoTs around like a pro will always get my comm over a White Mage who is just there existing. I understand the impulse to give healers all the comms, and I probably give a plurality of my comms to healers anyway, but they need the Tank/DPS as much as the Tank/DPS need them, so they still have to show some effort.