Making a Tank...

[Dwent]

So I am thinking about leveling up a tank but I don't really know dungeons very well due to being new. Should I worry about this? or just let people know at the beginning that I am new tank and ask for help?

[Canadane]

Almost all dungeons have a single path. Even the few with multiple paths there's no 'wrong' way to go.
Knowing them is more about knowing yourself, in what you can pull and not die from. Generally this is reserved more for the level cap dungeons (level 50, 60, 70, and 80) while the starting and in-between dungeons for levelling are accepted to be a slower pace.

Tanking is the easiest job in the game while also somehow being the most intimidating one.

I couldn't suggest tanking hard enough for anyone who wants to try. It's a great place to be and puts you right into the combat, makes you feel like you're the main star of the show, which the story does well to compliment.

[Dwent]

I am a huge fan of the Paladin in Dungeons and Dragons (and multiple other games) so I am wanting to try one.

I was a Warrior Main Tank for 13 years in EverQuest.

I am not sure why I am intimidated by being one here... I just am.

[Enkidoh]

Firstly, welcome to Eorzea!

Adding to what Cana said, tanking really does put you right into the action in that it allows you to guide the flow of the party - most parties will usually wait til you make the move before engaging (of course, there are always exceptions to that), and it is incredibly satisfying to get through a challenging battle or dungeon where you've been the guiding light to that success.

Of course the other side of that coin is not to be arrogant or selfish - a good tank is only as good as his teammates, especially the healer but even the DPS are just as important too, as they're the ones keeping you alive while you keep the horrid Voidsent from eating the squishy lalafell WHM's face - so good communication is key.

But really, if you're especially wanting to play as PLD, then you picked a good class to get yourself aquainted with the game, as PLD's starting class is GLA which is a good beginner's tank, as it's abilities start off being simple to learn the ropes with and there are no complex mechanics to keep your alive or hold hate with (bare in mind all classes and Jobs underwent revision with the new expansion so a lot of things changed with GLA and PLD especially). So really, if you're interested in taking up the sword and shield, give GLA a try for yourself! The beauty of this game is like many FF games, you're not stuck in the same class forever, you can change classes/Jobs at will by simply equipping the weapon or tool. So even if you try GLA and don't like it, don't feel you've made a big mistake. Find another class or Job that's right for you!

[Hasrat]

Just remember that any job guides (besides the official) you look up now are probably going to be obsolete with 5.0 changes.

Honestly, as a fairly patient dps, big pulls, small pulls, slow pulls, fast pulls, I don't really care. Just keep aggro. That's all I ask. I know, some tanks feel really sad or whatever if they're not being optimized for everything. But it's seriously no fun, for probably anyone involved, if your dps or healers are ripping hate without any strong effort.

This salty post brought to you by a recent dungeon where tank just wouldn't aoe more than once and couldn't keep a strong aggro lead during single pulls.

[ovan20]

To start tanking it only really requires two things, know the boss and pay attention around you to possible mobs that scape your agro.

Later on you have to take care with tank buster attacks from the boss and learn tank swaping, but it's nothing complicated really.

If you are new to a dungeon, just let the party know and make small pulls, it's easy. Just act as the leader of the party, because for all effects, you are when you are tanking.