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Inside any conventional Remaining Fantasy XIV social gathering, there are three roles to fill: one Tank, one Healer, and two DPS in a lightweight social gathering or double that in 8-man teams. For a very long time, I checked that final field as a strictly DPS-only participant. It wasn’t till years into my adventures that I’d stray from my consolation zone, thrust headfirst into tanking. I’ll always remember my first correct tanking expertise in FFXIV. My FC (Free Firm) mates on the time, whom I’ll truthfully by no means forgive however at all times be grateful to, insisted I give the position a attempt. They promised to go simple on me and promised I’d be tremendous. Reluctantly, I agreed. I used to be amongst pals; it couldn’t be that unhealthy, proper? Improper. However earlier than we get into that, let me clarify one thing. I had tanked earlier than, however by no means with precise individuals. I’d clawed my method by way of the degrees utilizing Obligation Help and a seemingly unending listing of facet quests and, finally, by avoiding individuals in Eureka, the Bozjan Southern Entrance, and Zadnor. My Tank Job, a Paladin on the time, sat comfortably at stage 80, and I used to be glad by no means to by no means reprise the position till the decision of peer stress.
Screenshot by Destructoid Then, the chief of our ready-made mild social gathering dropped us instantly into Paglth’an. Truthfully, it’s certainly one of my favourite dungeons of all time now, however again then it was a horrifying hellscape that I used to be fairly glad by no means to go to once more. After I let you know that I tanked that dungeon whereas screaming each internally and externally, shaking like a leaf and nearly hyperventilating, I’m not exaggerating. It was, in equal measure, essentially the most enlightening and terrifying expertise I’ve ever had in FFXIV. I used to be horrified on the considered main the social gathering in that method.
For some time, I refused to leap again onto Paladin. I by no means needed what felt like a lot duty once more, at the very least not with different individuals who would want to endure by way of my errors. However then I noticed the blasted Amaro mount, the reward for reaching stage 80 in every class. Screenshot by Destructoid
The Amaro is, to at the present time, my favourite mount. I name mine X-Wing and it ties me irrevocably to the one important story character who has touched me most deeply in my journey all through Eorzea — Ardbert. So, after all, I needed to have it, and that meant I had no various however to choose up a sword, axe, and gunbladeto get there. This was the beginning of my deep dive into tanking, and thru this, I’ve develop into a tank important. I overcame that depressing tanking anxiousness, and it wasn’t simple, but it surely’s taught me a lot. Principally due to X-Wing, however helped alongside by the tank titles and rewards. They gave me one thing purposeful, one thing actionable I might work towards to really feel slightly happy with the child steps there.
I threw myself in with full drive, studying a laundry listing of vital MMO expertise — just like the significance of frank communication. I misplaced rely of the variety of occasions I instantly introduced that I used to be new to an occasion, asking for slightly endurance and style. Generally individuals simply dropped with out saying a phrase, which I understood to imply they didn’t need to play with a rookie tank. I can’t say I didn’t take it personally at occasions, however I pulled up my pants and gave myself a pep speak whereas we waited for a substitute.
Screenshot by Destructoid More often than not, although, individuals had been unbelievably understanding. They’d give ideas, inform me I used to be doing an excellent job, and assist me alongside the best way. It’s this sort of behaviour that saved me going. It’s additionally this sort of behaviour that drove me to develop into a mentor, to assist others with those self same anxieties.
After I met my fiancé, I strove to assist him attempt different roles one and solely Job — Summoner. Not towards his will, I ought to add. Summoner had simply been fully overhauled with the Endwalker enlargement, and he was complaining that he was bored. After my very own experiences, I used to be already getting a knack for instructing, and now he’s received a full roster of stage 90 jobs, together with Tanks, and mains Healer. Sure, we’re the dreaded healer-tank couple, however attempt to not choose us for it.
Screenshot by Destructoid That was two and a half years in the past, and it’s onerous to consider it’s been that lengthy since Endwalker dropped. However now right here I’m, a Darkish Knight important, and I can’t DPS with out losing interest. After all, I’m going to stage all the things after Dawntrail releases, however I’ll at all times return to tanking.
Tanking did greater than train me a brand new position, too. It gave me perspective on fights I didn’t have earlier than. I get why and when a Tank will transfer so early in some boss fights, so it doesn’t catch me off guard. I see the significance of a wall-to-wall pull in sure dungeons and the way a lot time the DPS need to mild the mob up earlier than, nicely, the mob lights the tank up. Screenshot by Destructoid
That’s to not say that I’m an ideal Tank. I’m fairly removed from good. I neglect my tank stance greater than I’d wish to admit, I nonetheless handle to lose aggro on stragglers in a giant pull, and I nonetheless get slightly irritated after I’m watching the opposite Tanks battle it out for aggro throughout an Alliance Raid, however I’ve discovered to not take it too critically. What’s the worst that may occur? We wipe? That’s not so unhealthy. If another person desires aggro in an Alliance Raid, I’m glad to present it to them and switch myself right into a blue DPS. If I neglect to activate my Tank stance, I snort it off and ship a fast “nicely that would have gone higher” in chat. Humor helps, and folks appear to understand it.
Screenshot by Destructoid Consider me, I understand how petrifying Tank anxiousness, or anxiousness over any position, could be. Even when it’s not within the Job description, your social gathering typically seems to be to you as a de facto chief, and that comes with stress. However in the event you’re not sure about it, or really feel like you’ll be able to’t do it, I’m right here to let you know that you could. It could not come simply at first, however speaking your fears and inexperience is a part of venturing out of your consolation zone on a brand new Job. Giggle it off; persons are, often, extra understanding than you assume. Give it just a few runs, and I promise you’ll not solely be a greater participant for it, however perhaps you’ll decide up a brand new important Job, too.
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