FFXIV Tanking 101 Beginners Guide Stormblood Edition

[@pizzamanwannabe90]

Target Macro: /p Just TWO?... /focustarget /enemysign attack1 /ac "Target Back" /enemysign attack2 /target Thanks for this!

[@Work2Game]

It's such a help. Thanks for typing this out for others to see. Going to pin it so others can find it easily. :)

[@Kylar195]

Work To Game I‘m playing the german version and tried this macro. It doesn’t work for the line /ac „Target Back“ . Have you an idea, where the problem might be?

[@christopherdcrus605]

With this macro above do you have to make multiple button pressed or just press the button once to initiate the whole macro? Also could you incorporate into the above macro a distant pulling attack like SHIELD LOB and if so what would the macro be? Thanks I love the video btw very informative! 😁

[@caafion]

@@christopherdcrus605 You can make all of this a single button macro. The pulling attack command would be: /ac "Shield Lob" You can place that anywhere in the macro to take the action. I haven't tried the macro myself but I'd start by trying it after /enemysign attack1 Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@Tac-oBella]

I just started this game a week ago as a tank and let me tell you, its NOT easy (as you know you make tons of videos regarding this) but your videos are awesome and helping me be less apprehensive, I hate admitting this but sometimes, especially when the anxiety rolls in, im not a fast learner. I need to absorb information several times for me to pick it up, tanking really isn't easy for me and someone in a dungeon this week made me feel like absolute horse dung, kicked me out of the party, all because I couldn't even figure out to get to the chat screen (apparently using a keyboard is a whole lot better...) please, PLEASE be kind to people in the dungeons, now that I understand the fundamentals and have done hours of research I feel that im ready to be a major asset to the party. thank you to the community who jumped in when I had a bad time and helped, I had someone spend 3 hours making me new shoes, teaching me about leveling up, main quests, roles, jobs... NEW TANKERS DO NOT BE ME AND BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP! I regret not asking the community sooner, such a great feeling to actually understand my cool downs/buffs. This is my first MMO and I'm enjoying It, thank you GTW for these videos, you're saving me rn. if anyone wants to throw some advice under this comment, I'd be super grateful. Really want to be the best tank I can be. thank you.

[@Work2Game]

I'm proud of you for taking on this challenge and jumping in despite your anxiety. Let me know if we can help more. :)

[@patricesavard366]

@$$ holes unfortunately exist... I started tanking as well, and my guild made me learn the hard way 🤣kinda did a full "roulette" of daily dungeons...including a 24 man raid...which I had never done before in any roles... I can usually handle a boss, the only thing I might struggle a bit are clusters of monsters...you wanna pull enough so you go forward and people dont complain, but you dont wanna pull too much that your healer struggle... finding the sweet spot is the hard part... that and aggroing adds at boss level... sometime, i'm so focused on the boss that I dont "see" the adds around. I started with gunbreaker and I really enjoy it! Dont give up! It actually become easier with time... you handle the aggro and the dps do most of the damage!

[@Denis-TheLyndin]

Another good advise for Beginners: Use your Range Skill (Shield Lob PLD // Tomahawk WAR // Unmend DRK) on the first Target in Range and use your AOE Enmity Generating Skill (if there is more than one Enemy) (eg Flash PLD (or Total Eclipse/Circle of Scorn) // Overpower WAR (or Steel Cyclone) // Unleash DRK (or Abysal Drain) twice to make sure you have the attention of all the bad guys. After that alternate the hits of your Combo on the targets, even when everyone is hitting only the Target marked as "1" first the Healer will still generate Healing-Emnity on all Targets in Range, and you dont want your Healer being eaten by some Monsters. Also keep in mind, only the second and third skill of your Combo will generate additional Emnity.

[@Work2Game]

Great tips all around! :) thanks for posting :)

[@Denis-TheLyndin]

Sure thing, i thought i add them even though they are a little bit more advanced and specific, but it's mostly the first seconds after the pull, where new players (or new Tanks) struggle. I even got a Tank in "Keeper of the Lake" who complained when i gave him Regen before the pull.

[@BiffTech05]

@@Denis-TheLyndin I know this is a year late, but I'm first time tanking right now and this really helped me keep enmity up, which I was really struggling with early game. So thanks! I couldn't figure out why the healer kept pulling threat and target switching really helped keep the focus on me.

[@Denis-TheLyndin]

@@BiffTech05 Glad to hear this :)

[@terradraco1312]

Become a tank and enjoy fast lane in dungeon finder

[@Work2Game]

It's like Fast Pass at Disney World :)

[@livehideki015]

Terra Draco LOL

[@ZaneLionhartffxiv]

as confident as i am as a tank i always do dungeons as a dps few times first. then i go in as a tank. makes it easier cause u know mechanics and how to react to em.

[@klumaverik]

Why did I cry when you said "dont let that trait hold you back." Real talk. That's some serious deeps

[@MaskyFalle]

Please, new tanks! Remember to use Convalescence only WHEN YOU ACTUALLY NEED IT. Can't tell you how many times I see new tanks pop that at the beginning of a trash pull when their hp is already almost full, and then they don't have it when they drop to less than 50%. Save it for when your health is starting to fall pretty low and the healer could use some help getting you back up to full hp. It boosts healing received, it doesn't mitigate damage lol

[@kazey2]

Markk F thank you for this! Lol

[@daneyeahh]

first time playing an mmo and as a tank! so much pressure!!! im watching this to boost my confidence. and probably need to get a keyboard to easily get in the chat. (btw playing on ps4, and im overwhelmed with everything)

[@Work2Game]

You can always make a macro or more to say hi, but a wireless keyboard will help when talking with others.

[@shiroelo6210]

Thanks for this never done tanking before and found it helpful to see the differences

[@Work2Game]

Glad I could help :)

[@cosmosofinfinity]

As someone who has been curious about giving tanking a whirl, this guide is PERFECT. THANK YOU, BRIAN! I also find that there is a drought of relevant FFXIV beginner guides that take into consideration all the major Stormblood revisions. You could do well making more videos like this.

[@dvgsarge2065]

Hey Guys, just started playing, currently a lvl 23 Gladiator and loving it. Your videos are helping me with positioning and planning for future abilities! Keep up the good work!

[@Work2Game]

Welcome to the game Peter and I'm glad we can help in some way. Hope you keep enjoying #FFXIV :) And hopefully we can play together some day :)

[@dvgsarge2065]

@@Work2Game Yeah that'd be great. :)

[@magnedeusfenrir9582]

The awesome thing about being a tank is not only do you get into dungeons and raids fast, it also makes it faster to gear up another class you are working on if you are getting tired of tanking. Especially if you are well geared.

[@Work2Game]

Very true, so much gear just drops to the floor that you can have full sets ready to go.

[@hellomynameisjim]

Recently found your channel and I'm seriously glad I did! Been a focused DRG for a while now and you've made my foray into tanking that little bit easier, thanks!

[@thanu9795]

Thanks Mom

[@Work2Game]

???

[@JR-qt8qb]

Thanks for the video! I usually play healer but I'm trying to get familiar with the tank jobs to be able work together better and this video was very helpfull!

[@Work2Game]

Glad to hear it JR. :)

[@magnedeusfenrir9582]

Not many people do this. But if you combine reprisal with rampart or any other damage reduction action. It'll further increase the reduced damaged. Rampart=30% Sentinel=50% and so on depending on your tank class. Though I would only recommend doing this on boss fights that do tank Busters a lot.

[@Work2Game]

Very true :) it all adds up :)

[@pkmntrainereevs116]

As someone who has suffered with q times and the ever growing curiosity of Tanking this helps a LOT. I started Tanking today and I'll definitely hold this guide to heart as I learn and grow as a brand new Tank. Also you've earned a sub from me (on both of my accounts xD)

[@dkrise6738]

Just started playing, level 34 now and loving the game, thanks for the guide. I only play tanks so it is really helpful

[@SirenoftheVoid]

Thank you Brian! I got one main concern, and it's that i might go too fast for people if i fully embrace the energy of the role. Pacing will be my challenge in performing this guardian role.

[@SyonX05]

solid advice for new tanks. i would emphasize keeping track of your enemy list however. the symbols for if the enemies are targeting you is INVALUABLE to keeping control over the fight some 102 advice I'd like to add is to try your best to keep enemies still and facing a consistent direction. your melees will thank you for it.

[@Esmoire]

Fantastic guide! This has been very useful for me just getting into this game. I love tanking in MMOs and so far this is looking to be a great game for it! :)

[@AdrianCardoza]

Ty for your guide! I am a new player and loving being a tank!

[@Work2Game]

You're very welcome Adrian :)

[@SuikodenGR]

I really needed this Video. I not too long ago started to play DRK for the first time... For the first time tanking (wanted to be reliable since good tanks are far in between). I tend to do alright but feel I need improvements. I barely understand the rotation between MT and OT and felt disheartening to be told, " I need to go back to tanking school" when I finally plan to try to clear ShinEX.

[@darkdavid28]

I love this video. It's definitely a great tutorial for tanks. Whenever I get a chance to play, myself, I will be tanking. I don't know the game yet, but see Eorzea as my newest home over Vana'diel. Thanks Brian for your great vids and tutorials. Much love for Work to Game.

[@rebeccanader6137]

Hi, uhm I'm pretty new to FFXIV and I started as a tank (PLD) and I love doing it :) and your video is great! Thanks a lot

[@Work2Game]

Glad we could help out in some way Rebecca :) Hope you enjoy your time in FFXIV and let us know if you have any questions. :)

[@liamaspinall6906]

Im still low level 35ish as gladiator Ive also found being super friendly and asking the healer what they are comfortable with is really good as well, ive also gotten into the habbit of typing a tiny synposis of boss if people people are new or just a tiny bit higher level then the dungeon

[@AoiKaze2000]

4:39 If the rest of the group isn't sprinting with you, stop sprinting ahead.

[@TheChestnutBowl]

I was hoping you would make a SB version of Tanking 101. Great video! After all the years I've played MMOs, I still don't know if tanking is for me. I get too stressed out, and I just feel relief, not satisfaction, once the instance is complete. Even if tanking is mechanically the easiest of the three roles (usually), socially it can be daunting. Heavy armor is badass, though!

[@Zhombeee]

Perfect! I was just thinking about levelling a tank

[@TheBoomh]

I love tanking in this game. Only thing I really wished SE would improve upon is perhaps to change the GCD down to .5 seconds or so. It makes it hard to chain pull in dungeons when you're waiting on a 1 sec GCD to use your enmity spells.

[@seyahtan24]

You guys def deserve more subscribers. Keep it up! :)

[@imgregrice]

As a pretty new lvl 60 darknight switching from keyboard to controller i'm really interested in your hotbar setup. would you share?

[@Work2Game]

Yes, if you check out my Dark Knight Controller guide (in the controller guide's playlist) you should get what you're looking for :) Let me know if you can't find it. :)

[@jeremylong8535]

I have thousands of hours in as a healer/dps main and I've recently picked up drk as my first take and OMGhfjdjs wtf this is frustrating

[@Work2Game]

Just take it a step at a time, Jeremy... it can be, but it can also help give you some really good insight into the world and bosses, etc. :) Let me know if you are stuck or if you have any other questions. :)

[@witchkingkei]

Wait what? I didn't know you could cycle through it enemies list with L1 then down... Ty !!

[@QueenTogepi]

I am new to the game and started as a gladiator. I am now a level 63 paladin and enojying the game a lot (as well as the super short dungeon queues!). I usually get very nervous when first doing a dungeon and not being quite sure if there are particular mechanics to be aware of. I also don't know if a dungeon has to be run quick or not, If I am pulling enough mobs... People are so friendly and helpful I really don't want to waste their time :c I getting more confidence as I do the content and all but that "not-pulling-enough-mobs" thing makes me so nervous ! I never got any negative comment about that tho so I guess I am not doing everything wrong x)

[@thefastestlink5637]

Man, i had a RANDOM teach me half of this in-game. buuut a few dungeons later, I had a healer rush in front of me... almost every enemy group. by the time we made it the one-third or so point, i called him out so he would stop... only for him to stop healing me in the middle of a midboss. he even said "goodbye, little lala" when i was about to die. I came out on top, but i do not like that particular healer anymore. most healers are fine, but risking a wipe out of protest? I call that crossing the line. especially since he did it after rushing in front of me as the healer. (i was the tank, and like you said, the tank initiates fights) oh, and if you want to play with me, my screen name is "Eli Helios", and i'm a warrior lalafel.

[@TheAngryMoth104]

let the daft bugger drop, it's their fault for running ahead

[@OhWaker]

Should've cast shirk on him.

[@Work2Game]

Oh man, shirk would have been a funny monument but I’m sure there would have been some drama for it. Sorry you had a healer like that, I’ve seen that once before and it wasn’t fun.

[@Halinspark]

I don't understand those players. The team only lives because the healer allows it, just let the tank be the leader and enjoy your ego in peace.

[@remrei4566]

My solution as a tank is I just stand back let them die wait for them to respawn and ask if there ready to let me tank

[@Feralus]

You guys made me start the game :D haha great Content! (ofc using the Trial Version for now, as I have tons of other games to Play, but it's a great, great MMO and really the only MMO that for me comes close to the fun that I had in WoW) :-)

[@0nearmedbandit]

not to be a spelling nazi, but its Breathe . . . Breath is singular. Love you guys, thanks bryan! keep up the hard work! we do need more tanks -- DRK/WAR for life!

[@Work2Game]

It’s always something with me, I must have put most of the words into google to make sure. Well done and good catch :)

[@KingdomBusiness21]

DRK for life!!!!

[@sombertone395]

Not a very timely response, but I had a tanking question. I hit 70 just recently on my first class as a DPS, and as you suggest, I'm leveling a tank next. My paladin is just about to his 50 and as I get ready to unlock the Trial roulette, I have a question on etiquette. As a DPS, I've very rarely seen people communicate who should be the main tank. For DPS, it's simple, generally, to know what to do. Is it as simple as "Paladin main tanks over Warrior or Dark Knight because the latter is better at DPS"? Is there some other metric I'm not considering. Have I not learned the tank secret handshake to be in on the secret telepathic communications network? Or, probably likely, am I just overthinking it?

[@Work2Game]

I generally look to see what the other tank stance they are repping. Like if the WAR is in his tank stance I assume he wants to MT. I’ll ask if there is any case fusion ect. But I usually come ready to MT then take a look. I’ve seen PLDs in sword oath and switch to tank stance as a WAR... does that make since? :)

[@sombertone395]

Makes perfect sense. Hadn't thought of using stances as a kind of "Preferred Role" flag in 8-mans. Good to know. Thanks.

[@sombertone395]

Hello again! It's time for another untimely question! In the final stretch on PLD, just hit 66, and I've been having a lot of fun. I feel pretty comfortable, but I've been having a controller related issue. I have a lot of trouble switching targets to party members, which makes using abilities like Cover and Clemency difficult. Any suggestions for controller targeting of party members without having the targeting filter so wide open that cycling to a specific enemy is nearly impossible? It can already feel like forever to cycle to a single enemy that's gone yellow on a big pull without adding party members into the mix.

[@adrianastro1]

@@sombertone395 you might already know this but on the D pad using left and right and for enemies and up and down are for party members

[@drunkteddybear8]

Late reply, but if you are playing PLD or WAR then its fair game. Whoever pulls first. If you are playing DRK do your job and bend over for your WAR/PLD

[@michealsoto6722]

my only problem with tanking is I came from dcuo and tanking is way easier there, you just stand in the frount and take damage like a punching bag and keep your buffs up that's it. in ff you actually have to interact way more with the adds to keep them on you and in ff its seems every one is a class/ dps. it seems you gotta heal or tank plus dps its what makes ff fun but a head ach as well especially for healers. but in ff14 there are many jobs/classes so its best to find one n stick with it.

[@codesymphony]

What do you mean taking skills? Are you saying I have the ability to not unlock certain skills?

[@Work2Game]

As you level yes, and some of the quests give out skills/abilities too.

[@codesymphony]

@@Work2Game Thanks

[@fetzel5055]

Tanking is definitely Not the easiest role. I'm about 1000 hours into the Game now, I Played PLD (*only* PLD) through 2.x and then dark knight for 3.x and 4.x, so I literally never Played anything else ever until recently when I started trying Out different healers and dps, and tbh it really surprised me how relaxing it is to play dps or healer in a normal Dungeon since you have No real responsibility. Healing usually is really easy in Dungeons, so even that isnt really hard. A fresh Tank however has all the responsibility on their shoulder. As I Said, I was truly shocked when I found Out how relaxing dps and healing can be (then again Most Tanks you get in roulettes have no idea what they're doing for some reason lol) Of course end Game raiding is something completely Different than Dungeons, but I only Tank in endgame so I cant really say anything about that

[@KingdomBusiness21]

Fetzel this is very true. This comes from someone who mained WHM in 2.x and 3.x. I also played BLM too. It was really fun. Once I began to tank as a DRK that was a game changer. I haven’t gone back. As a tank, I pay more attention to the fight, learn fights completely for every other role too. Also, being able to stay alive with all these CDs makes a tank feel extremely powerful

[@ZurilasZone]

Ofc not, dps is the easiest by far

[@Halinspark]

@@ZurilasZone Not gonna lie, NPCs will ask me questions during MSQ, and I wish I could just respond "I'm a Black Mage, not a tactician. Get back to me when something needs exploded."

[@dacracking5768]

I love tanking, favourite role in wow and so far in ff14 (first charector) only issue is that i have no idea where im going which causes me to lose confidence. And cause of that dps, normaly end up pulling the enemies to my dismay. Really wish dps would not do that.

[@tonysazz]

Thanks for the guide. Im wondering how do you set up the small crossbars to the sides of your main crossbar?

[@Work2Game]

If you check out my controller guides playlist, I've updated the system with a deep dive into the UI and more and I believe I go over that in depth. If that doesn't help, please let me know :D

[@nodot17]

Number 5 is important to healers too

[@FoxyRaven-TV]

Awesome 😁 im starting to tank today! 😁

[@DBurner9]

It really sucks that everyone I've played with always disregards the numbers...

[@xenx7595]

Where can i find a comprehensive list of macro commands I can use to alter and learn to make my own? =3

[@angel55558]

I currently have a level 59 dps but itching to try tanking with a Dark Knight. Should I level my dps to 70 first or go straight to the Dark Knight? I heard there was an experience buff to your second class if you have a high level 1st class.

[@rogerhopper810]

You both might want to redo this guides.

[@Work2Game]

they are in the works :)

[@darkshadowsaver]

Will you be covering the new tank class?

[@Work2Game]

Very much so :)

[@darkshadowsaver]

@@Work2Game looking forward to it

[@omniburrito]

if i have done hall of the novice as dps, can i do it again as tank?

[@Halinspark]

Tank Tip: At levels below 30 or so, DPS will do their best to do enough damage to steal aggro. It's a good sign we're doing well, and we also think it's funny. DPS Tip: Click your tank to see and switch to what they're hitting quicker.

[@paquirosd]

I'm a noob here... What's a cool-down?

[@Work2Game]

Welcome Pablo, an excellent question. Your abilities in the game fall into two categories. Global cooldown abilities which are skills you can use every 2.5 seconds (and that's reduced with skill speed), and there are your Off the global cooldown abilities, commonly referred to as cooldowns. These abilities are those that have a longer than 2.5 cool down and don't trigger the global cooldown. So like rampart is a good example. It has a 30 or 60 second cooldown (time you have to wait before you can use it again) :) I hope that helps. :)

[@paquirosd]

@@Work2Game sure does! Thanks!

[@ImLegendaryMike]

Dark Knight is Bae!

[@Work2Game]

It's a ton of fun to play :)

[@ek9750]

i wanted to start a tank but people got pissed at me

[@Work2Game]

Sorry, you had a bad experience, did you let people know you were new?

[@ek9750]

@@Work2Game yes i did

[@soldiersaint6753]

Don't worry about it. People love to talk like they always know better. Just do your best and that's it. They don't like it? Well I don't see them playing tank. Talking=self righteous toilet bowl.

[@yamisukehiro3101]

Can i boost WAR to level 60 if i already boost another job to 60 ? I mean is the boost once per character?

[@Work2Game]

At this point, you should be able too... I think that was a restriction once the game launched, but it should have been removed.

[@FaiDro]

Am I wrong in telling people that I'm a much slower tank than most, especially since I've yet to level any tanks up?

[@TheAngryMoth104]

no, that is useful info

[@themicahman3741]

GIVE US SPELLBLADE AS A TANK

[@dolphuscolon9101]

I downloaded the free trial. what's a one-time password

[@Work2Game]

You can setup a security code (optional) that helps protect your account.

[@EllDavis]

Dolphus Colon Similar to the Blizzard Authenticator there is the Square Enix Token (SQEX Token) which generates a code to login. These serve as an additional login security.

[@Angelieth_]

you can only set a one-time password when you own the copy of the game, on free trial accounts it isn't neither required nor accesible

[@dolphuscolon9101]

The next question is how you opp out

[@Work2Game]

Your opted out by default, you have to sign up for it.

[@USA4thewin]

Took a year off the game I feel like a total newblet now

[@Work2Game]

Welcome back! :) it will all come back to you, but if this is your first time back since Stormblood, there is a lot to do and a lot to be excited for. :) let us know if you have any questions :)

[@marcouotinen1428]

Good style to play whit tanking class but macros, never used them... WoW raider

[@ParagonPVEGaming]

I feel like it would be more beneficial for new people to the game and the channel to stop referring to enmity as hate. Using the established vernacular could just make things smoother. I have to be very conscious of this myself, not referring to glamour as transmog as another example. I’ve confused a few new FC members before doing things like this.

[@Work2Game]

Thanks for the feedback, I use hate, enmity, and aggro interchangeably when referring to it, but I'll try to do better to standardize to the in-game norm. :)

[@MCG55SS]

Threat

[@capnbarky2682]

A big misunderstanding with tanking is that "tanks are the leader". In end game, raids, etc, then yes, a lot of the time you might have to make calls and coordinate everyone, but when you're running through the storymode, the trash pulls and bosses are so simple for tanks it's almost insulting. Add on top of this that the roulette system means you'll almost always have someone who's run the early dungeons 20 times as dps or healer and you really don't have to even look up dungeon guides.

[@Halinspark]

It's less of a command leadership and more about deciding how fast to go and how many enemies to pull at once. Tanks determine how quickly you do a dungeon, and if you visit any of the pointless side rooms. They're the leader, but theyre not necessarily in charge.

[@JourG215]

If you use numbers I will ignore them on purpose. Learn to tank without using the numbers -- Using numbers are like training wheels and they will have to come off eventually. Instead learn to use the emnity bars on the party list to check emnity destribution so you can know what mobs to hit and when. Don't be a scrub with numbers that gets mad when people don't follow your stupid numbers.

[@seena6163]

Thanks for this - can I ask - how would the macro go if you were to use it for 3 mobs?

[@Work2Game]

The targeting macro? You'd just add one more line with the #3 marking and it will target 3 etc. :)

[@seena6163]

Sorry - lol I'm new to the game and to macros.... I appreciate your response so much. But you need to add another "target back", correct? -- like this? /focustarget /enemysign attack1 /ac "Target Back" /enemysign attack2 /ac "target Back" /enemysign attack3 /target

[@Work2Game]

Yes, 100% and that will get you 3 targets marketed. Just note, if there are less then 3, it will remark your first target it can find. :) You'll also want to make sure your filters are set to enemies... Otherwise, you could mark a party member. :) If you need help doing that. check out my getting started with the controller series, or join me on stream (Tuesday/Thursday 1:30 PM CST) :) twitch.tv/work2game :)

[@seena6163]

That's awesome - thanks so much. A LOT to learn in this game. Appreciate your welcoming and encouraging words to new tanks. For me - a lot of it is the pressure of being the leader. Performance anxiety sucks! :D