The Journey Of A Warrior In Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
The first choice you face in any MMO is your most important, what class and role will you play in the epic adventure set before you? That trend proves true in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn but unlike many of today’s top MMORPG games, you’re able to switch freely as you progress. However in saying that, I still stuck with my regular method of choosing a class, the one with the biggest weapon.
So I decided I’d choose Marauder (MRD) as my first foray into the world of Eorzea. Unbeknown to me at the time it was actually a tanking class, something I didn’t really expect as the Gladiator (GLD) appeared to be the obvious choice but that’s my own fault for not bothering to read the description thoroughly. I have a lot of experience in end-game content and raiding in MMO’s but I’ve never been a main tank before; I was up for the challenge.
The traditional MMO grind wasn’t overly challenging. I had enough DPS to keep myself going at a steady pace and joining the FATE events was as easy as spamming a few AoE taunts. The serious leveling content for a tank resides in the dungeons and GuildHests. I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed the challenges on offer in each of the dungeons and despite having a poor draw with some groups on occasion, generally it was a very positive experience.
On my journey to becoming a Warrior at level 30 and reaching level 50 I allied with every combat class in the game and learned their basic functions and abilities. I never struggled to maintain aggro throughout my journey to level 50 and took pride in knowing that I had never let a healer die due to a lack of ability (not to say I didn’t screw up the occasional mob pull). However upon reaching level 50, everything changed. I wasn’t the biggest fish in the pond as my support job was underdeveloped and the allies I had were boasting far better quality of gear but I didn’t think that would have such a hugely negative impact on my ability to fulfill my role.
Since reaching level 50 I have participated in a number of end-game dungeons, fights against Hard Mode enemies and I’m a few steps into my Relic Quest, but I feel my class has become entirely useless in the space of just a few dungeons.
I’m aware that it’s far more likely that I need to adjust my WAR playstyle to suit the challenges facing me at end-game but I continue to struggle to maintain aggro for long periods, especially when grouped with Bards (BRD) and Black Mages (BLM), I just can’t keep up.
I won’t give up on WAR just yet. I have plans to get my Ifrit weapon and upgrade my jewellery to help reduce the difference in gear when compared to my allies, but maybe I’m just not good enough at tanking.
Do you have any tanking experience in FFXIV? Maybe you’ve had a bad experience with tanks in the game. Either way, leave a message below; I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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WAR class are the dps tanks they help keep bosses and mobs from mobbing the squishier members with heavy hitting AOE DPS. If you prefer to tank-tank then GLD to a PLD would do you better. As a Paladin, your defense are far more enhanced than a WAR class( Due to % dmg reduction traits and abilities). I was a PLG so I was the fore-front of DPS. I also played a PLD and it is a wondrous class to become a tank.