Welcome to our Final Fantasy XIV Job Guide for Tanks! So, you've heard of critically-acclaimed MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV? You'd like to give the game a try, but aren't sure which tank is right for you?
There are currently 17 different jobs playable in the game right now. Two more are coming in the Endwalker expansion this November. All jobs are playable on the same character, so you certainly won't be at a loss for choices. Out of these 17 jobs, 4 are tanks. We'll give you a quick overview of them here.
Final Fantasy XIV Job Guide: Tanks
Tanks are the impromptu leader of dungeon runs. Typically, they are expected to be the ones in front as players make their way through dungeons. They all excel at holding enmity (FFXIV‘s term for aggro) and have the highest HP pools in the game. In higher-end content, they're also expected to disable certain boss casts. Additionally, they need to learn to “tank swap”, which involves passing the boss' aggro onto their co-tank.
WARRIOR
The greataxe-wielding, fearsome warriors is one of the best jobs for newcomers wanting to start their FFXIV journey. They also work well for existing players who want to dip their toes into tanking. Warriors have the best self-regeneration tools in the tank pool, such as Thrill of Battle, which increases their HP by 20% and restores the same amount. They also have Nascent Flash, allowing them to absorb damage dealt as HP, and heal an ally for 50% of this amount. They also have a relatively simple rotation. It focuses on lining everything up into the Fell Cleave burst phase. This makes Warrior quite easy to learn compared to other tanking jobs. Players looking to take up the axe will start their journey as Marauders in Limsa Lominsa.
PALADIN
The only other tank available at level 1, Paladins are an MMORPG staple. Here in Final Fantasy XIV, they've got everything you'd expect. They have lots of support skills to help keep allies alive, such as Cover, which takes all the damage intended for another party member. Their invulnerability skill, Hallowed Ground, also simply makes them impervious to all incoming damage for a set period. This means they won't even need to get topped up during invuln'ed tankbusters. Their rotation, which involves a melee physical damage phase, and a ranged magical damage phase also makes them quite versatile in higher-end encounters.
Additionally, they also have Passage of Arms, which is the coolest looking skill in the game (don't fight me). They're relatively newcomer-friendly and easy to learn. However, their relatively static rotation will require some slightly meticulous optimization in the end game. Players looking to become Paladins begin as Gladiators in Ul'dah.
GUNBREAKER
First released in the Shadowbringers expansion, Gunbreakers finally brought Final Fantasy-staple gunblade weapons into the game. They're also the only tank whose default job gear doesn't look like heavy armor. So, if you're into tanking with a more magitek-themed aesthetic, this job might be for you. However, Gunbreaker's rotation is much longer than other tanks, making them quite akin to melee DPS jobs in terms of playstyle. Their invulnerability ability, Superbolide, has also caused some headaches and funny moments for healers. It reduces the Gunbreaker's HP to 1 but renders them unable to die for a set period. Additionally, aspiring Gunbreakers need to be at least level 60 in any other Job before they can take up the first Gunbreaker quest in New Gridania.
DARK KNIGHT
The Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers poster-boy job certainly doesn't lack in style. The Dark Knight is also relatively okay to pick-up-and-play, but is quite difficult to optimize in high-end content due to its tight burst-window timing. Dark Knights also have “The Blackest Night” which is the best defensive skill in the game, as it grants additional damage once its shield is broken. However, it will take some time for newer players to recognize and remember damage thresholds for certain attacks.
Personally, though, this is the most fun tank to play, as it has a very active playstyle and The Blackest Night feels very good when used correctly. However, Dark Knight's invulnerability skill, Living Dead, requires them to be healed to full HP, otherwise, they will die. This presents quite a challenge for newer healers, especially when there is no White Mage in the party. Players wanting to pick up their greatswords need to be at least level 30 and have access to Ishgard to start the Dark Knight storyline (which is also the best job quest storyline in the game, by far).
Final Fantasy XIV Job Guide: Tanking – Conclusion
When it comes to bringing tanks to high-end content, don't fret too much, as any standard team composition (two tanks, two healers, 4 DPS) can clear any content in the game. Pick what feels the most fun to you and go with it. Though there is some level of “tankxiety” that comes with being a fresh tank, most players will understand, especially if you mention it at the start of the instance. You'll also be able to enjoy the fastest queues in the game.
If you're set on beginning your Final Fantasy XIV journey but have been confused by the frankly convoluted Free Trial registration process, we've got a guide that walks you through it right here.
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