Homogenization and Simplicity in Tank Roles

[LaylaAlder]

Hmm... Well, how would we split the tanks up? If Healers are going Pure and Shield, what would separate tanking? I'm new to MMOs, so I don't really know what their needs are, but in single player games I often see the following kinds of tanks:

1: Bodyguards - your classic FF tank, taking damage in palace of another
2: Intercepters - interrupt and spoil enemy attacks
3: Harriers - singles out a strong foe via taunts and punishes, the D&D 4e tank
4: Aggro Pullers - produces threat to draw the attention of all foes, how they seem to work in FF14

So, I don't think adopting those separate types as a whole would work for FF14's design without an overhaul of the entire game, but I can see aspects of each being inserted into it. Everything's gonna be a type 4 anyways, and that's kind of redundant with type 3s. However, I can see Paladin and Gunbreaker gaining Bodyguard style effects, such as abilities that redirect damage towards them, and abilities that let them interpose themselves to take a hit for an out of position ally - an inverse rescue, per se. Dark Knight and Warrior on the other hand could be interceptors, with abilities that have extra effects within a second or so of losing aggro, or punishing effects for when enemies use abilities that ignore threat. If Interceptors were the only ones to be able to break flashing cast bars, it'd also give a reason to bring one of each tank type, just like how they'll be doing it with healers.

On top of that, I could see the Paladin and Dark Knight being the more defensive of the two, while Gunbreaker and Warrior being more offensive. Paladin would have shields and heals, Dark Knight would get many of its classic draining effects like Blood Sword. Meanwhile, perhaps Gunbreaker could provide defense down effects, while Warrior could provide attack up/rally buffs. Thus, you'd get an offensive and defensive flavored version of both types of tank.

What ways could you see splitting them into different types?

[ItMe]

What ways could you see splitting them into different types?

Considering we had an Main Tank / Off Tank metal emerge, and the devs didn't like that and tried fixing all tanks to be near equally good as either, I'm not sure they will ever get split up and I think people are overthinking the pure vs shield healer split.