Post by hunter on Sept 18, 2011 21:21:33 GMT -5
Like Domm, I've been playing a tank for a few years now, starting in the cluster that was 15 man UBRS (WoW). It eventually progressed into the original Zul Gurub, Molten Core, Blackwing Lair during a time when the content was relevant. While it's had its ups and downs, some things just stay the same, those things being tanks, healers, and dps.
Any time there's a chore worth conquering, a multitude will gather in these mmo's and face it down. While I can't speak for healing, or dps'ing in general, I can give you some common courtesy tips to help with the flow of the raid when it comes to tanking, as well as not rub anyone the wrong way.
1. Situation: Multiple Mobs
Three tanks have risen to the occasion, Lefty, Righty, Middleman. Ol' MM here is the Main Tank. From the dimensional chaos, three mobs spawn from the rift. Like rival football teams, the lines face off.
Should MM taunt all three?
No. He's part of a team, the same team Lefty and Righty are on. Let Lefty and Righty pick up their respective mobs. This decreases the damage input on a single tank, as well as leads to your healers not spazzing out trying to keep MM's overconfident rear alive.
1a. Once MM's target is dead, should he taunt off of Lefty and Righty?
No. Unless L or R are in dire threat of taking a dirt nap, MM should not taunt. In this situation, MM would try to assist the dps, debuff the mobs, or be prepared to pick up any other adds that may enter the group. Again, his position as MT doesn't mean he has to be taking damage during every moment of every encounter.
2. Situation: Unexpected Adds
In a fury of uncontrolled aggression, the rift spews forth numerous death squirrels. Armed with the nuts of Regulos, the shade bound rodents set aim at guardian casters and healers, hoping to break the stride of the raid group. Lefty immediately grabs a target, as does Righty. MM decides Righty should be grabbing an un-tanked add and pulls away his target.
No. No. Don't do this. Ever. Watch the mobs. Watch the people you're working with. As a tank, in an uncontrolled situation, your job is to protect your group. Healers, first, especially. If your tank-mates have two of the adds well under control, your job is to locate the third (fourth if necessary), and keep that from wiping your group. There is no Main Tank in this situation. There is only tanks, healers, and folks trying to dps down the confusion.
3. Situation: Battle-Rez
His ire invoked at the demise of his death squirrels, the beast of the death woods, Lord Wafflefuzz enters the fray. Summoning his great strength, he stomps poor MM into nothingness. Righty, seeing this terrible incident take place, springs into action and takes the beast away from his group, where his agile nature keeps him well and away from Wafflefuzz's nasty feet.
By the blessings of the Vigil itself, a devout healer returns Middleman back to life! Should MM retake his position tanking Wafflefuzz or allow Righty to carry on diligently?
The answer? MM should not taunt. He should position himself delicately as second threat in case some unexpected tragedy befalls Righty. If you're in this situation, do not try to re-establish yourself as top threat. Your healers have already juggled the transition once and helped Lefty get into position. Remember---tanking is not a pissing contest. It is a cooperation between individuals to insure success for the raid group. Taking a hard hitting mob from a tank that has it under control frustrates healers, your tank-mates, and ultimately penalizes the group with taunt immunity and threat loss.
With tanking, accidents with taunt management will always happen. As a vigilant defender of your team mates, taunts fly out in a hurry in chaotic situations. Apologize, move on. In controlled situations, however, with multiple tanks, there is --no-- need for one tank to tank everything. In controlled situations, where Lefty is tanking a mob, and Righty is tanking a mob, Middleman needs not taunt off either individual.
These things do take getting used to. While I understand that for some, this is a new experience. If I am there on the battlefield with you, I expect this courtesy from you, as I will try to treat you with the same respect.
Remember, Vent is a wonderful tool amongst tanks. Both a microphone and speakers to make it work optimally. Sometimes, explaining why you did something in a busy moment helps things out.
Any time there's a chore worth conquering, a multitude will gather in these mmo's and face it down. While I can't speak for healing, or dps'ing in general, I can give you some common courtesy tips to help with the flow of the raid when it comes to tanking, as well as not rub anyone the wrong way.
1. Situation: Multiple Mobs
Three tanks have risen to the occasion, Lefty, Righty, Middleman. Ol' MM here is the Main Tank. From the dimensional chaos, three mobs spawn from the rift. Like rival football teams, the lines face off.
Should MM taunt all three?
No. He's part of a team, the same team Lefty and Righty are on. Let Lefty and Righty pick up their respective mobs. This decreases the damage input on a single tank, as well as leads to your healers not spazzing out trying to keep MM's overconfident rear alive.
1a. Once MM's target is dead, should he taunt off of Lefty and Righty?
No. Unless L or R are in dire threat of taking a dirt nap, MM should not taunt. In this situation, MM would try to assist the dps, debuff the mobs, or be prepared to pick up any other adds that may enter the group. Again, his position as MT doesn't mean he has to be taking damage during every moment of every encounter.
2. Situation: Unexpected Adds
In a fury of uncontrolled aggression, the rift spews forth numerous death squirrels. Armed with the nuts of Regulos, the shade bound rodents set aim at guardian casters and healers, hoping to break the stride of the raid group. Lefty immediately grabs a target, as does Righty. MM decides Righty should be grabbing an un-tanked add and pulls away his target.
No. No. Don't do this. Ever. Watch the mobs. Watch the people you're working with. As a tank, in an uncontrolled situation, your job is to protect your group. Healers, first, especially. If your tank-mates have two of the adds well under control, your job is to locate the third (fourth if necessary), and keep that from wiping your group. There is no Main Tank in this situation. There is only tanks, healers, and folks trying to dps down the confusion.
3. Situation: Battle-Rez
His ire invoked at the demise of his death squirrels, the beast of the death woods, Lord Wafflefuzz enters the fray. Summoning his great strength, he stomps poor MM into nothingness. Righty, seeing this terrible incident take place, springs into action and takes the beast away from his group, where his agile nature keeps him well and away from Wafflefuzz's nasty feet.
By the blessings of the Vigil itself, a devout healer returns Middleman back to life! Should MM retake his position tanking Wafflefuzz or allow Righty to carry on diligently?
The answer? MM should not taunt. He should position himself delicately as second threat in case some unexpected tragedy befalls Righty. If you're in this situation, do not try to re-establish yourself as top threat. Your healers have already juggled the transition once and helped Lefty get into position. Remember---tanking is not a pissing contest. It is a cooperation between individuals to insure success for the raid group. Taking a hard hitting mob from a tank that has it under control frustrates healers, your tank-mates, and ultimately penalizes the group with taunt immunity and threat loss.
With tanking, accidents with taunt management will always happen. As a vigilant defender of your team mates, taunts fly out in a hurry in chaotic situations. Apologize, move on. In controlled situations, however, with multiple tanks, there is --no-- need for one tank to tank everything. In controlled situations, where Lefty is tanking a mob, and Righty is tanking a mob, Middleman needs not taunt off either individual.
These things do take getting used to. While I understand that for some, this is a new experience. If I am there on the battlefield with you, I expect this courtesy from you, as I will try to treat you with the same respect.
Remember, Vent is a wonderful tool amongst tanks. Both a microphone and speakers to make it work optimally. Sometimes, explaining why you did something in a busy moment helps things out.
