Welcome to The Tank Club, your ultimate resource for MMORPG tank content, and today we’re diving into the world of Final Fantasy XIV! As a paladin in Eorzea, you have a crucial role in protecting your party and mitigating damage. To help you excel in your tanking journey, we’ve compiled some essential beginner tips specifically tailored to Final Fantasy XIV. Let’s embark on this adventure together!

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• Master Sheltron for Damage Reduction: The “Sheltron” ability is your best friend as a paladin. It provides a 15% damage reduction for 4 seconds (6 seconds from level 74 onwards) and pairs well with other damage mitigations. Sheltron is especially useful against tankbusters and large mobs during dungeon pulls. At level 82, Sheltron upgrades to “Holy Sheltron,” extending the base duration to 8 seconds and offering an additional 15% reduction for the initial 4 seconds. It even grants a 250-potency health regeneration for 12 seconds. With Holy Sheltron, you enjoy a total of 30% damage reduction for 4 seconds, along with a regen effect and an additional 4 seconds of 15% reduction.
• Support Your Main Tank with Intervention: In situations where you’re off-tanking, don’t forget the “Intervention” ability. Similar to Sheltron, Intervention provides your main tank with a 10% damage reduction for 6 seconds (8 seconds from level 82 onwards). It uses 50 Oath Gauge, just like Sheltron. If you have skills like “Rampart” or “Sentinel” active, the reduction increases by an additional 10%. However, it’s important not to plan around this unless absolutely necessary. If you’re receiving minimal damage as an off-tank, deliberately activating these skills can provide extra mitigation for your main tank. At level 82, Intervention also grants 4 initial seconds of 10% extra mitigation and a 250-potency heal for 12 seconds, similar to Holy Sheltron.
• Use Clemency Sparingly: While “Clemency” is a powerful heal, it’s generally not worth using except in emergencies. The only exception is during an active “Requiescat” phase, which nullifies the cast time. However, keep in mind that casting Clemency provides no damage output and wastes your global cooldown timer. As an off-tank, you can consider using Clemency more viably since healing someone else will provide you with 50% of the heal provided. Nonetheless, healing is usually best left to dedicated healers. Casting Clemency immediately after a Tankbuster might seem like a good idea, but competent healers will likely have prepared means to restore your HP. The exception to this rule is when your healer is currently incapacitated.
• Optimize Spellcasts during Requiescat and Fight or Flight: Avoid spamming “Holy Spirit” (single target) or “Holy Circle” (AoE) continuously, as it hampers your potential for increased potency. Instead, focus on using these abilities repeatedly during a “Requiescat” window. Similarly, prioritize casting these spells during your “Fight or Flight” damage window. After completing your basic AoE or single-target combo, you gain an instant cast of either Holy Spirit or Holy Circle. Decide which option is best for the current situation you find yourself in, rather than mindlessly spamming them.
• Maximize Atonement and Sword Oath Stacks: Whenever you complete a combo, ensure you utilize the instant cast of Holy Spirit/Circle alongside the additional sword oath stacks obtained from your 1-2-3 combo. These stacks allow you to cast Atonement up to three times. While casting Holy takes priority, you can use the sword oath stacks later. However, never let them go to waste by completing another combo afterward. It’s advisable to perform the first two parts of your 1-2-3 combo and THEN use your Atonement strikes. This approach activates your damage buff more effectively, ensuring the initial, softer hits of your combo are not included.

• Leverage Confiteor and Blade of Valor: Once you unlock “Confiteor” and its three additional follow-ups that end with “Blade of Valor,” prioritize fitting them into your damage window while “Requiescat” stacks are active. This combo’s potency practically doubles when cast with active Requiescat stacks, and it includes innate AoE aspects, making it the optimal choice for both single-target and group situations. Insert instant casts like “Circle of Scorn,” “Intervene,” and “Spirits Within/Explacion” between the Blade combo to maximize your damage output and maintain a fluid rotation.
• Reduce AoE Damage with Reprisal, Passage of Arms, and Divine Veil: As a paladin, you have several means to help reduce incoming AoE damage. Abilities like “Reprisal,” “Passage of Arms,” and “Divine Veil” play a crucial role in mitigating damage for your group. With “Passage of Arms,” you don’t need to channel it for the entire duration. People in a cone behind you immediately receive a 15% damage reduction for 5 seconds, even if you cancel the channeling right after. Though it’s easy to forget these abilities in the heat of the moment, learning to utilize them optimally can greatly benefit your group by reducing overall damage during encounters.
• Always Activate Your Tank Stance: Don’t forget to activate your tank stance! In Final Fantasy XIV, this is crucial for maintaining threat and drawing enemy attention. When you load into content, the first thing you should do is ensure your tank stance, known as “Shield Oath,” is turned on. It will enable you to effectively generate and hold aggro, protecting your party members.
• Coordinate Tank Roles in Trials: Trials are epic battles where coordination is key. Establishing tank roles from the beginning is essential. Typically, the first person to activate their tank stance will assume the role of the main tank. Avoid conflicting with other tanks to claim the main tank position, as having both tanks in a stance will cause the boss to switch targets unpredictably, putting the entire group at risk. You should only “Provoke” the boss to steal aggro in emergency situations or for planned tank swaps. After a few seconds of combat, you can activate your tank stance to assist with add spawns during the fight. However, always ensure the main tank maintains slightly higher enmity at all times through dealing damage.

By following these beginner tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an exceptional paladin tank in Final Fantasy XIV. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep honing your skills and enjoy your journey as a stalwart defender of Eorzea!

Stay tuned to The Tank Club for more in-depth guides and expert advice on tanking in Final Fantasy XIV. Happy tanking, adventurers!