Tanking in Final Fantasy XIV can feel like a daunting role, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can become a reliable and confident tank. Whether you're new to the role or looking to refine your skills, Caetsu Chaiji Ch.'s guide will walk you through essential tips to elevate your tanking game in FFXIV: Dawntrail.
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1. Pulling
The first task a tank usually faces in any duty is pulling. While someone else might initiate the pull occasionally, you'll still need to round up the mobs or engage the boss. Let's break down AoE pulls and boss pulls separately, starting with AoE pulls.
The duration of Sprint is 20 seconds if used outside of combat but only 10 seconds once you're engaged. Using Sprint just before entering combat allows you to round up mobs for the full 20 seconds. If you know the duty well, you might even use Sprint earlier to ensure it's off cooldown for your next pull. The key takeaway is to sprint before the fight starts whenever possible.
Pulling Strategy
For pulling mobs, here are two strategies to apply:
Standard Approach
Run up to the enemies, use your AoE attack, and then move on to the next pack.
Alternative Approach
If you're pulling a small pack (up to four mobs), consider this method:
1. Pull the first mob with a ranged attack (like Lightning Shot or Tomahawk).
2. Use Provoke (oGCD) on the second mob.
3. Pull the third mob with your ranged attack again.
4. If there's a fourth mob, target it with a ranged attack as soon as your Global Cooldown (GCD) is ready while you run past the pack.
This pulling strategy is effective because it remains consistent, regardless of how the pack is positioned. In many duties, the mobs can be widely spread out, making it challenging for players to time their AoE attacks correctly. However, this strategy avoids that issue.
A notable detail is that the AoE filler combos for tanks have a built-in two-times enmity multiplier, while ranged attacks have a five-times (or possibly seven-times) multiplier, which can vary between attacks. Additionally, Provoke generates over 4,000 potency worth of enmity, putting you at the top and stacking with your tank stats, making it even stronger than your ranged attacks.
It's important to note that executing this ranged attack pulling strategy may be more challenging on a controller.
Pulling Multiple Packs
While pulling multiple packs has been suggested, it's perfectly understandable to start by pulling just one pack at a time, especially when you're new to tanking. Many duties, particularly in A Realm Reborn, don't give a clear indication of how much you should pull, which can be confusing.
It is recommended to gradually work your way up to confidently pull two packs at a time. In many dungeons, it's safe to pull even more, leading to the so-called "wall-to-wall" pull, where you pull everything until you are forced to stop. The key is that the more packs you pull, the more crucial it is to master your tanking skills.
Bonus Tip: While pulling, if you want to ensure a pack stays on you after an AoE attack, follow up with a second AoE attack. Keep moving in a zigzag pattern to slow yourself down slightly, but don't stop entirely, as this could mislead your party into thinking you won't move further.
Pulling Bosses
Pulling bosses is simpler. Use your ranged attack as you approach or start your rotation once you're in range. If you are the only tank or designated main tank, you can also use Provoke after the ranged attack or as you run up to the boss.
Simply running up to the boss with Sprint and then starting your rotation is often more effective for your own rotation and makes it easier for your team to keep up.
2. Positioning
General Positioning in Battle
Once you've engaged in battle, your next focus should be on positioning. Many new tanks tend to move around erratically, but this isn't the most effective way to tank. After pulling, position yourself so that the mobs are grouped together, for instance, in front of you.
While tanks have many attacks that hit in a circular area, some attacks from both the tank and other party members target a single line or focus on the enemy. If mobs are spread out in a large circle around you, it becomes challenging to hit all of them effectively. This is especially true for larger mobs or packs with larger mobs, which may shift away from you.
To counter this, consider stepping backward to force enemies to bunch up. Alternatively, you can use the "sheepdog method," where you either circle the pack of mobs or position yourself where only one mob can reach you, forcing the others to converge on that spot.
Key Points
1. Keep mobs bunched together.
2. Some jobs have ground-targeted AoEs, such as Dark Knight's Salted Earth, Summoner's Slipstream, and Ninja's Doton. Keeping mobs within these AoE circles enhances your effectiveness.
Positioning for Boss Fights
Boss positioning is different due to positional damage bonuses for melee DPS jobs. The goal is to keep the boss still and minimize its movement. When pulling a boss, try to position it in the center of the arena. Then, run past the boss to face it away from the party, which usually means facing it north or "relative north."
Important Tips
1. Remain predictable in your movements.
2. Once a boss begins casting, it typically won't turn to face you until after its spell finishes. Use this time to step away and return to your position before it starts turning again.
3. If a boss spins unpredictably, position yourself in front of it to prevent excessive movement. In fights where the boss jumps around, this strategy gives melee players a break from constant repositioning.
Specific Mechanics
In some cases, proactively turning the boss can be beneficial. For example, during the fight with M4N Wicked Thunder, she performs two half-room cleaves targeting the north and south. By turning the boss 90° before these attacks, you can help melee players avoid sudden movements.
During M4N's first Wing phase, she uses delayed line AoEs. If you don't move her to the center of the arena, she will fight from the edge, making it more difficult for melee players to position themselves and avoid AoEs. By moving her to the center, you create more escape routes for everyone.
3. Selflessness
Maximizing your and your team's damage output is essential because the faster they deal damage, the quicker you win. For instance, pulling multiple packs allows your defensive cooldowns to be used more effectively, benefiting the entire party.
In Final Fantasy XIV, most dungeons follow a pattern of two packs – wall – two packs – wall – boss. This sequence usually repeats three times. Each set of mobs generally takes about a minute to defeat, leading to approximately two minutes of combat before encountering the first boss. This assumes that your team is fully committed and performing at its best.
By playing consistently, predictably, and reliably, you not only enhance your own performance but also enable your party to perform better.
4. Defensives
When it comes to managing defensive cooldowns during AoE pulls, the concept of defensive cooldown cycling is crucial. While you may have multiple defensive cooldowns at your disposal to minimize damage, using them all at once can lead to inefficiencies. If you activate all your cooldowns simultaneously, you initially take no damage, which means all healing from you and your healer goes to waste. Then, when the cooldowns expire, you may take a significant amount of damage, forcing your healer to expend extra resources just to keep you alive.
The Strategy of Cycling Cooldowns
Instead of using all your cooldowns at once, meter them out throughout the fight. By doing so, you can reduce the damage you take enough that the healing provided by you and your healer remains sufficient. This is the essence of defensive cooldown cycling.
Key Points
1. Maintain One Defensive Cooldown at a Time: During a large AoE pull, focus on using one solid defensive cooldown at a time.
2. Order of Cooldowns: The order in which you use your cooldowns is a matter of personal preference. However, a good strategy is to start with your shorter cooldowns, as they will be available again sooner.
Example of Cycling Cooldowns
For instance, if you're playing a Gunbreaker, you might cycle through your cooldowns like this:
1. Open with Heart of Corundum (short cooldown).
2. Once it ends, use Great Nebula (big defensive cooldown).
3. After Nebula expires, you can either use Heart of Corundum again or switch to Reprisal.
4. For the next pull, repeat the cycle but replace Great Nebula with Rampart.
This method allows you to adapt based on the difficulty of the pulls while keeping some cooldowns available for emergencies. An often-overlooked cooldown is Arm's Length, which not only blocks knockbacks but also reduces the damage from enemies that hit you by about 17%.
Managing Cooldowns for Boss Fights
In boss fights, the approach to defensive cooldowns shifts slightly. It's wise to save your larger cooldowns for known upcoming mechanics, especially tank busters. If you find that some cooldowns are unnecessary, it's perfectly acceptable to keep a cooldown active while the boss is attacking you. This strategy is particularly beneficial when tanking high-level content, such as extreme or savage fights, where even basic attacks can deal substantial damage.
The key takeaway is to be mindful of your cooldowns. Use them wisely, and don't let them go to waste. Cooldowns like Reprisal, which also protect your team, should be utilized strategically during moments when the boss deals damage to the group. Remember, if you need a cooldown to survive, don't hesitate to use it.
5. Co-Tanking
When tanking alongside other tanks in duties such as raids or alliance raids, the dynamics change significantly. Often, only one tank is needed at a time, so determining who will tank the boss becomes the first priority. The tanking role is primarily assigned to whoever establishes and maintains enmity.
Guidelines for Co-Tanking
Let the Main Tank Lead: If your co-tank has already activated their tank stance, it's best to wait before turning yours on. Allow them to take the lead for about 30 seconds at the start of the fight, which is typically around when your opener concludes.
Activate Your Tank Stance: After the initial period, activate your tank stance to ensure you remain second on the enmity list. This approach helps maintain a smooth transition if the main tank needs assistance.
Role of the Off-Tank
In many casual fights, especially where bosses do not solely target tanks based on enmity, the off-tank's role is primarily supportive. Here are some key responsibilities:
1. Support the Main Tank: Be ready to assist the main tank and take over if necessary. This can involve using shared defensive cooldowns like:
• Intervention
• Nascent Flash
• Heart of Corundum
• The Blackest Night (TBN)
2. Engage Adds: Off-tanks often handle adds, particularly in alliance raids, where this responsibility arises more frequently.
Managing Enmity
If you are not the main tank, aim to keep your enmity second on the list. You can achieve this by:
• Turning off your tank stance if you get too close to the main tank's enmity.
• Using Shirk to transfer enmity back to the main tank.
• In alliance raids, you can also use Shirk on a member of your alliance to ensure you stay below the tank in the other alliance.
6. Limit Break
Limit Break is a shared resource in PvE content, meaning that when one player uses it, all players lose access to it. Therefore, it's essential to consider who should use it. In PvP, however, the Limit Break gauge is individual to each player.
The tank Limit Break is one of the most situational abilities available. It provides a damage reduction for your entire party based on the level of the Limit Break used:
• Limit Break Level 1: Reduces damage taken by 20% for 10 seconds.
• Limit Break Level 2: Reduces damage taken by 40% for 15 seconds.
• Limit Break Level 3: Reduces damage taken by 80% for 8 seconds.
In most situations, the tank Limit Break is not frequently needed. Typically, it is only utilized at Limit Break Level 3, and you will usually know when it's necessary. Generally, other Limit Breaks tend to be more beneficial for the group.
However, there are specific boss mechanics that deal raid-wide damage, which can wipe the party unless the tank Limit Break Level 3 is activated. In these cases, the attack will deal more manageable damage, allowing the party to survive.
7. Pushing Through When Things Go Sideways
When facing challenges in gameplay, here are some strategies to help you push through. These tips are typically recommended as a last resort:
Kiting: Tanks can effectively pull multiple packs of enemies without using defensive cooldowns because enemies don't hit as hard when they're out of range. Sprinting while pulling is crucial, as it reduces the chances of enemies attacking you. If you find yourself in a tight spot and need to buy time—either to wait for a cooldown or to allow your healer to catch up—stepping back or even running away can be a viable strategy. Just remember, this approach significantly impacts your party's damage output.
Mob Positioning: Many enemies, particularly in older content, must face you to land their hits. By maneuvering around them, you can reduce their attack frequency, as they will spend more time turning to face you. This tactic is generally harmless in AoE situations, but be cautious when applying it to bosses, as it may lead to your party getting hit by cleaving attacks or frustrate melee players who rely on positioning.
Healing Through Rotation: Each tank has unique ways to enhance their self-healing with unusual rotations. For example:
• Warriors can skip using Fell Cleave and instead spam the Storm's Path combo for better survival.
• Dark Knights can utilize their Souleater combo similarly.
• Gunbreakers can focus on the first two steps of their combo to heal with Brutal Shell.
• Paladins can do the same to generate MP faster, enabling them to use Clemency, a spell best reserved for desperate situations.
The key takeaway is to think outside the box and not give up. Tanks possess some of the most versatile toolkits among all roles, so leverage that flexibility to navigate tough situations.
Final Thoughts
Tanking in FFXIV: Dawntrail is a rewarding experience that combines strategy, teamwork, and quick decision-making. By mastering pulling, positioning, cooldown management, and co-tanking dynamics, you'll not only survive but thrive as a tank. Remember, consistency and predictability are your greatest assets in enabling your party's success.
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