https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...kE&output=html

Servers polled: NA new servers. I didn't poll legacy servers because they had over 1000 hits, and results are capped at 1000 hits. Also I didn't poll EU nor JP servers because I thought NA was sufficient. Results were obtained via Lodestone search.

Highlights:
Total PLDs = 10,491 (63% of the Total Tank Population)
Total WARs = 6,193 (37%)

Across all servers players prefer PLDs to WARs in a ratio roughly 2:1. Why is this? I find warriors more fun to play (this is subjective, yes).

Possible reasons:
  • PLDs are easier to play as a class (faceroll tanking ftw). A bad PLD, thus, is better than a bad WAR, and players feel safer playing it. Or players don't want the extra work of tanking a WAR.
  • Players have noticed that PLDs are the better tanking class due to its stronger mechanics and CDs.
  • Players were attracted to the shiny PLD artifact armor. Or thought a *real* tank needs sword & board.

I'm leaning towards #2: PLDs are the stronger tanking class. Discuss.