High-End Tank Performance in Savage & Ultimate
This FFXIV Tank Tier List focuses on Savage raids, Ultimate encounters, and endgame optimisation in Patch 7.4. In coordinated high-end content, tank choice becomes an optimisation decision, not just a comfort pick. While all four tanks are capable of clearing every piece of content, differences in burst damage, mitigation alignment, and invulnerability cooldowns begin to matter in high-end environments. This tier list ranks Warrior, Paladin, Dark Knight, and Gunbreaker specifically for endgame performance in Patch 7.4, focusing on damage contribution, raid utility, and mechanical value in organised groups. Player skill will always outweigh job choice, but when performance is pushed to its limits, some tanks offer clearer advantages than others.
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This page evaluates tanks for high-end raid performance. If you’re new to tanking or unsure which job to level first, read our Best FFXIV Tank for Beginners guide for a learning-focused breakdown.
Savage & Ultimate Tank Rankings (Patch 7.4)
This FFXIV Tank Tier List reflects performance in coordinated Savage raids and Ultimate encounters in Patch 7.4. They evaluate personal damage contribution, mitigation alignment, raid utility, and invulnerability value in optimised groups. All four tanks are capable of clearing every encounter, and player execution will always outweigh job choice. However, at the highest level of optimisation, measurable differences begin to matter.
| Tier | Tank Job | Key Strengths in Savage & Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| S-Tier | Dark Knight | Highest raid DPS potential, exceptional burst, powerful magical shielding (TBN), strong in coordinated comps |
| A-Tier | Gunbreaker | Very high damage with a strong burst window, excellent personal mitigation, rewarding when optimised |
| A-Tier | Paladin | Excellent progression utility, strong raid mitigation, clutch defensive tools |
| B-Tier | Warrior | Extremely consistent, shortest invuln cooldown, slightly lower raid DPS ceiling |
Endgame Dungeon Performance
Dungeon performance differs significantly from raid optimisation. In large wall-to-wall pulls, self-sustain and independent survivability become far more valuable than burst alignment or raid buff synergy.
| Tier | Tank Job | Key Strengths in Dungeons |
|---|---|---|
| S-Tier | Warrior | Unmatched self-sustain, dominant in large pulls, low healer reliance |
| A-Tier | Paladin | Reliable mitigation and defensive stability |
| B-Tier | Gunbreaker | Strong damage output and solid survivability |
| C-Tier | Dark Knight | Lower self-healing, more resource pressure in large pulls |
Warrior – Consistent, Durable, but Lowest Raid DPS Ceiling
In Patch 7.4, Warrior currently has the lowest raid DPS ceiling among the four tanks in fully optimised Savage and Ultimate environments. While the gap is not large enough to make the job unviable, coordinated raid groups pushing strict DPS checks will often favour Gunbreaker or Dark Knight for their stronger burst contribution.
That said, Warrior’s value should not be understated.
Holmgang remains the shortest invulnerability cooldown among the tanks at four minutes. In encounters that require multiple planned invulns, this shorter cooldown can offer greater flexibility compared to longer timers like Hallowed Ground. Certain mechanics across high-end fights can be handled more frequently or more comfortably with Warrior in the composition, which gives it situational strategic value.
Warrior is also a strong off-tank option. Its mitigation toolkit is reliable, its rotation is stable under downtime, and it maintains consistent output without heavy resource alignment requirements. While it does not bring the burst dominance of Gunbreaker or the shielding precision of Dark Knight, it performs predictably and safely in coordinated environments.
Where Warrior clearly separates itself is in endgame dungeon performance. Its self-sustain and mitigation allow it to handle aggressive wall-to-wall pulls with minimal healer reliance. In high-damage dungeon scenarios, Warrior is the most self-sufficient tank in the game, making it the strongest dungeon choice even if its raid DPS ceiling is lower.
In short, Warrior is not the top damage tank for Savage optimisation, but it remains extremely consistent, flexible in invulnerability planning, and dominant in dungeon environments.
Dark Knight – Highest Raid DPS & Elite Burst Optimisation
In Patch 7.4, Dark Knight stands at the top of high-end raid performance. Across optimised Savage and Ultimate clears, it consistently leads tank DPS logs in optimised clears, offering some of the strongest burst damage among the four tank jobs.
Its strength lies in controlled burst alignment and the value of The Blackest Night (TBN) in coordinated environments. TBN remains one of the most impactful defensive tools in the tank role, providing powerful shielding that can be deliberately broken to convert into additional damage. In fights with heavy magical damage or tightly scripted tankbusters, this level of shield precision gives Dark Knight exceptional value.
Dark Knight’s damage profile also scales well in optimised groups. When raid buffs are aligned correctly and cooldown windows are executed cleanly, its burst output consistently places it at the top of tank damage charts. This makes it particularly attractive in compositions pushing strict DPS checks in Savage or Ultimate encounters.
However, that performance comes with mechanical demands. Dark Knight requires constant MP management to balance defensive shielding and offensive abilities, alongside careful Blood Gauge tracking to prevent overflow. Mistimed resources directly reduce damage output or defensive value. In coordinated play, this precision is rewarded — but it demands focus.
In endgame dungeons, Dark Knight’s position shifts. Compared to Warrior in particular, it has noticeably less self-sustain and relies more heavily on proper mitigation timing and healer support during large pulls. While fully capable of clearing dungeon content, it is not the most forgiving tank in chaotic, high-damage trash scenarios.
For high-end raid optimisation, however, Dark Knight currently offers the strongest combination of burst damage and defensive control among the tank roster.
Paladin – Progression Utility & Defensive Stability
Paladin remains one of the most reliable and progression-friendly tanks in Patch 7.4. While its personal damage output does not currently match Dark Knight at the top end of raid logs, it compensates with exceptional defensive utility and group support.
Its mitigation toolkit is among the most versatile in the role. Abilities such as Divine Veil and raid-wide defensive tools provide meaningful group value during heavy incoming damage phases. In progression scenarios, this additional layer of safety can stabilise pulls that would otherwise result in wipes.
Paladin also brings unique clutch potential. Clemency and Cover allow it to salvage mistakes in ways other tanks cannot, particularly during early progression when mechanics are still being learned. In coordinated raid environments, this flexibility can reduce strain on healers and create recovery windows during chaotic moments.
Its invulnerability, Hallowed Ground, remains one of the strongest in the game due to its full damage immunity. However, the longer cooldown compared to Warrior’s Holmgang can limit its frequency of use in encounters requiring multiple planned invulns. In certain Ultimate scenarios, this timing difference becomes relevant.
From a damage perspective, Paladin is competitive but not dominant. Its burst windows are predictable and align well with raid buffs, but its overall DPS ceiling sits slightly below Dark Knight and Gunbreaker in optimised compositions.
In endgame dungeons, Paladin performs reliably with strong mitigation and defensive stability, though it lacks the explosive self-sustain that makes Warrior dominant in large pulls.
Paladin excels in structured, coordinated play where mitigation planning and group support are valued highly. While it may not top the damage charts, its utility and progression strength keep it firmly in the upper tier of high-end tank choices.
Gunbreaker – High Damage, High Execution Ceiling
Gunbreaker remains one of the strongest raid-performing tanks in Patch 7.4, offering very high sustained damage and a burst window that aligns cleanly with raid buffs. While Dark Knight currently edges ahead in overall raid DPS logs, Gunbreaker remains extremely competitive and is more than capable of matching or exceeding other tanks in optimised play.
Its performance revolves around clean execution during No Mercy burst windows. These phases compress a significant portion of the job’s damage into short intervals, rewarding precise weaving and strong uptime. In coordinated Savage and Ultimate environments, this structured burst profile contributes reliably to raid damage checks.
Gunbreaker also brings solid personal mitigation through abilities like Heart of Corundum and Aurora, giving it dependable survivability despite its DPS-focused identity. While it does not offer the same raid-wide defensive utility as Paladin or the shield precision of Dark Knight’s The Blackest Night, its toolkit is well-rounded and effective when planned correctly.
Where Gunbreaker differs from the other tanks is in execution demand. Its burst phases require tight weaving and careful resource management to avoid misalignment. Downtime, mistimed cooldowns, or mechanic disruption can reduce overall output more noticeably than on Warrior or Paladin. In skilled hands, however, this high skill ceiling translates directly into strong raid performance.
In endgame dungeons, Gunbreaker performs well thanks to its damage output and stable mitigation, but it does not match Warrior’s self-sustain dominance. Large wall-to-wall pulls require more deliberate mitigation planning compared to Warrior’s near self-sufficient approach.
Gunbreaker is an elite raid tank that rewards precision. While Dark Knight currently holds the top position for overall raid optimisation, Gunbreaker remains a premier choice for players comfortable with high-execution burst play.
Which Tank Should You Play in Patch 7.4?
As this FFXIV Tank Tier List shows, tank balance in Patch 7.4 remains tight. All four tanks are capable of clearing Savage and Ultimate encounters when played well, and player execution will always outweigh small numerical advantages.
If your goal is pure raid optimisation, Dark Knight currently offers the strongest overall combination of burst damage and defensive value in coordinated groups. Gunbreaker follows closely behind with elite damage potential for players comfortable with its high-execution burst windows. Paladin excels in progression and structured mitigation planning, while Warrior remains the most consistent and flexible tank, particularly in encounters that benefit from shorter invulnerability cooldowns.
For endgame dungeons, the hierarchy shifts. Warrior clearly dominates large pull scenarios due to unmatched self-sustain, while the other tanks perform reliably with proper mitigation planning.
Ultimately, the “best” tank is the one you execute cleanly. At high-end levels, comfort, uptime, and mechanical consistency will contribute more to success than marginal DPS differences between jobs.
Useful Links
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