This setup organises the tank kit used while progressing from Gladiator to Paladin. It does not mix jobs or invent talent choices: FFXIV unlocks these actions by level and relevant quests. A synced duty can remove actions, so use the sequence for the level currently shown.
Your starter configuration
- Role
- Tank — first PvE dungeons
- Equipment
- Gladiator / Paladin sword + shield, appropriate tank gear
- Stance
- Iron Will
- Single target
- Fast Blade → Riot Blade → Rage of Halone (26+) / Royal Authority (60+)
- Nearby packs
- Total Eclipse → Prominence (40+)
- Defence and utility
- Rampart · Reprisal · Interject · Shield Lob · Sentinel when unlocked
- Level sync
- Use only actions available at the current duty level
Equipment and tank stance
Equip a Gladiator/Paladin-compatible sword and shield with appropriate tank equipment, then save the full gear set. Complete the job unlock and equip the soul crystal when playing Paladin. Before pulling, check Iron Will is active. Keep the whole set current enough for the duty; do not replace tank pieces merely to increase a secondary damage number.
The early single-target sequence
Use Fast Blade into Riot Blade once both are available. Add Rage of Halone after its level-26 unlock. At level 60, Royal Authority replaces that finisher through progression; do not try to put both finishers into one combo. Use the damage cooldown Fight or Flight during a safe attack window. This short sequence teaches combo order before later magic and follow-up actions appear.
Collect enemies without losing the group
Shield Lob provides a ranged pull after its class quest. Use Total Eclipse to hit a nearby pack and maintain enemy attention; once unlocked at level 40, follow it with Prominence. Face enemies away from allies where the arena allows it, and avoid rotating them unnecessarily. If a target leaves you, regain its attention rather than chasing an unrelated damage target.
Rotate useful defence instead of stacking everything
Put Rampart, Reprisal and the later-unlocked Sentinel where you can reach them while moving. Apply mitigation before predictable damage, with the group size matched to your equipment and healer’s comfort. Interject interrupts eligible casts; a stun is a separate response and does not work on every enemy. Check role-action availability after level sync before relying on it.
Before your next session
- Save sword, shield, tank armour and the correct job crystal.
- Confirm Iron Will before the first pack.
- Use only the combo actions available at the synced level.
- Bind Rampart and Interject separately from damage actions.