Unsure of whether to level a DPS or a Tank first

[Cythil]

So I am interested in both Bard and Paladin and I am not sure which to level first. I have heard that it is better to level a DPS through the MSQ since you can level Tanks and Healers easier through running dungeons later on. But I've also heard it's better to play tank (or healer) for the MSQ to get into story dungeons quicker. I should probably also mention that I am more intimidated by the idea of tanking just because of the fact that leading and needing to set the dungeon pace might add more pressure onto me.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

Between those 2...Bard

[Hawklaser]

Level both for a bit through a few dungeons. Then pick which one you find more enjoyable to run with.

Tanking is often made out to be more daunting than it really is. The big reason the tank usually sets the dungeon pace, is due to them having the best knowledge of how many mobs they can typically hold safely at one time provided the rest of the group is performing normally. Healer is a close second, due to being the one that has to keep the tank alive once things get going.

If you find you enjoy Paladin, just start slow. Do a few mobs at a time, and as you get used to your cooldowns, facing mobs correctly, and dodging aoes, over time you will get better and can start doing larger pulls. Most groups are more than happy to work with someone that is upfront about learning a new job. Just make sure to communicate with your parties and you will do just fine.

[Temjiu]

Your good either way. Tanks do get faster queue times, but once you hit 71 that's no longer an issue with trusts (for the most part). But not getting MSQ XP for a DPS job is a serious pain, and leveling a DPS second is much slower. I prefer DPS first, then tank, and I tend to do that every expansion. Bards a great class, plenty of personal DPS to solo, and a fun support class in dungeons.

[Edax]

It depends on your skill. DPS is more brainless and less mission critical. If you screw up as a tank you ruin it for everybody in the dungeon.
If you go the tank route, I recommend just watching a youtube guide of the duty you are about to go on. It'll take 5 minutes but it'll ensure a much smoother run every time. If you don't feel like making that commitment, then DPS would be your better choice.

[KageTokage]

It depends on your skill. DPS is more brainless and less mission critical. If you screw up as a tank you ruin it for everybody in the dungeon.
If you go the tank route, I recommend just watching a youtube guide of the duty you are about to go on. It'll take 5 minutes but it'll ensure a much smoother run every time. If you don't feel like making that commitment, then DPS would be your better choice.

I'm kind of disinclined to view DPS as more brainless simply on the basis that they aren't required to play well and deal DPS within the expected range for their gear level. I tend to bemoan having to do dungeon runs with low DPS more then anything else (Save for exceptionally bad tanks/healers who are letting party members die regularly) as they force you to go through additional cycles of a boss' mechanics and also put more stress on the tank/healers both for dungeon trash and bosses. I simply can't keep a tank up during big pulls if the DPS can't start thinning out the mobs before I run out of cooldowns.

A tank's personal role is also generally not much more complicated then:

1. Get aggro
2. Turn enemies away from rest of party
3. Mitigate tank busters

It's only when you get into stuff like extremes and savage that you need to worry about more then that.

[Edax]

I'm kind of disinclined to view DPS as more brainless simply on the basis that they aren't required to play well and deal DPS within the expected range for their gear level. I tend to bemoan having to do dungeon runs with low DPS more then anything else (Save for exceptionally bad tanks/healers who are letting party members die regularly) as they force you to go through additional cycles of a boss' mechanics and also put more stress on the tank/healers both for dungeon trash and bosses. I simply can't keep a tank up during big pulls if the DPS can't start thinning out the mobs before I run out of cooldowns.

A tank's personal role is also generally not much more complicated then:

1. Get aggro
2. Turn enemies away from rest of party
3. Mitigate tank busters

It's only when you get into stuff like extremes and savage that you need to worry about more then that.

I agree and disagree. I could be tanking for a pug and yeah it sucks if the DPS is very low or they keep dying repeatedly during a boss fight, but it's not mission critical. A tank and healer could defeat a boss on their own. If I'm a DPS and the tank keeps dropping dead, then we've hit a dead end in the run, I gotta eat a penalty to just leave.

[zar]

You make one of these threads every other day. Stop overcomplicating it and just play the damn game.

[AlphaFox]

A big thing if you are scared of tanking, ask your FC to run with you. Let them know the worry and if it's a halfway decent FC they won't attack you for a screw up. How I got started tanking

[Arrius]

Paladin first.
Tank AIN rewards and fast queues are a good thing to get your bard geared up for later.