As fun as it is to inflict tons of rapid attacks in Bravely Default 2, it’s impossible to ignore the utilities that the bulky tank jobs can supply. Prior Bravely Default games in the series haven’t cared as much about providing abilities to draw in attacks, but this new entry is filled with HP-heavy job classes to take hits for your team.
Unfortunately, some of these absolutely care more about dealing damage than protecting your team, so you’ll have to carefully consider which job you choose for your tank role. Once you choose the right job for your tank, the things your other party members can do massively opens up.
7 Berserker
While this might seem more like a DPS class than a tank class, Berserkers have an alarming amount of health compared to most of the game’s other jobs. It combos fantastically with nearly any other tank job as its subclass, letting you deal out massive damage while still pulling aggro and protecting teammates.
This isn’t to say it’s better than the other classes, but Berserker is definitely a great way to shake things up if you’re getting tired of the Vanguard class through the long early section of the game. That said, its tank utilities are hardly on the level of anything else, and it often fits better as a subclass for most positions than being useful in its own right.
6 Dragoon
Another off-tank role is the Dragoon, a classic role from JRPG history and a returning job in the Bravely Default series as a whole. The class has been slightly revamped this time around, featuring many abilities to dodge attacks and fling your team into the air for a turn.
These are hardly a great way to protect your team, though, as they’re fairly quick and won’t give you the longer sustainability you need. Unlike the Berserker, this class also doesn’t have anywhere near as much health; furthermore, while its speed is quite nice to fit with another tank as a subclass, Dragoon’s disappointing spot in this article is well-deserved.
5 Swordmaster
Funnily enough, the Swordmaster this time around is much more of a heroic tank than a dexterous samurai, as it was in the original games long ago. It’s still quite powerful and fundamentally similar, putting yourself in various stances that can either counter your foe’s moves or improve your own basic Attack command.
However, the new moves it has received include the ability to draw in an opponent’s next attacks, making your counterattacks more reliable and protecting your team much further than the original Swordmaster could. You’ll want to equip some high HP items like the Mythril Bangle, but for the most part, this class is an ideal tank for any team’s needs.
4 Freelancer
Even though it’s the most general class, it can’t be mistaken how useful Freelancers are early in the game as your resident tank characters. Most of this role’s abilities revolve around giving light support to your teammate, and their overall stats let you build them into any role you want through its items.
As a result, putting tons of items that increase your chances of receiving attacks can make this class into a solid late-game tank, while also being able to heal your team and examine opponents using the job’s unique abilities. It’s not as dedicated as the best options in the game, but ends up being the best direction for this underrated job to take.
3 Bastion
Bastion is not only the final tank class unlocked in the game, but it’s perhaps the most unusual one you get among the traditional styles. This class provides all kinds of physical attacks that can raise your own stats, but also tons of abilities to create barriers that negate certain attacks against your entire team.
These cost tons of your HP, so you’ll absolutely need a dedicated healer on your team if you want to make good use out of it. However, the risk and expense are absolutely worth the reward, as some good planning can often counter any opponent’s strategy.
2 Shieldmaster
The Shieldmaster battle might very well be the longest boss fight in the game, solely due to the ridiculous amount of health and defense this class provides. Rather than a traditional barrier or wall, this class literally makes the user dive in front of your allies to take the damage, while simultaneously putting yourself in the Default state to protect yourself further.
This job class deals hardly any damage compared to other tanks, but in return, it has some nearly invincible defensive stats before any of your equipment gets added on. Once you unlock the Dual Shields passive attribute at level two, though, you’ll immediately be an even stronger wall to keep your teammates safe and well.
1 Vanguard
It’s almost a shame that the greatest tank role in the game is the first one you get, but the Vanguard class is absolutely no joke when it comes to pulling aggro and dealing damage. It’s a remarkably balanced job class, having a great mix of earth-infused physical attacks and a strong suite of enemy-attracting moves to keep your foes on you instead of your mages.
You can absolutely have more gimmicky tanks that are more fun to play, but the Vanguard is going to be the greatest option for nearly the entire game, and even longer if you don’t have time or interest in grinding against mobs for hours at a time. If you need a tank, the Vanguard class will always get the job done.
