How to be a tank!

BlaineHall · April 2018

CornishRex wrote: »

Zalm wrote: »

1. While leveling a zerker, is there a skill or combo that I should use to get aggro and tank without a lancer/brawler in the team?

2. At end game, without a tank, I see the 'intimidation' skill set and was wondering if this made tanking easier. Again, this is without an actual tank in the group.

1. While leveling, sadly there isn't a way. You won't be able to hold aggro unless you're like 5 levels above everyone else in the run and you deal tons of damage. Tanking stance for zerks appears only at max level, and even then zerks are usually used as emergency tanks because they lack enrage and party buffs ;_;
2. Yeah this is your tank stance.

YES! I main priest/lancer/Zerk/slayer and when my zerk has to tank even for a short while I am doing about 60% damage compared to my lancer. DO NOT tank with zerk unless you absolutely need to if the tank dies. Your block is worse, your dps dies, and you will most likely die unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing. If you wanna see me zerk tanking then watch the below video. My goal was to literally JUST hold aggro XD

http://xboxdvr.com/gamer/crazywhiteguy99/video/48285586
http://xboxdvr.com/gamer/crazywhiteguy99/video/48285582

ENJOY MY PAIN!!!!!

AngelOfDoom · April 2018

Another tip. Just play around with every kind of BAM possible. It pays to learn the basic "tells" of each kind of BAM, which in the long run, makes life so much easier for you, and most of all, the healer.
The leveling process is fun while running dungeons, apart from Necromancer Tomb and Golden Lab, which is pretty much all random aggro. But always have atleast 1 aggro crystal on to make it easier.
Also, shield counter is your best friend as a lancer, so spam it!

K4TDCYEPR6 · April 2018

Having played mostly a Lancer i never had problems with aggro and didn't realize so many tanks have aggro generation problems until i made a sorc and ran my first 410 dungeons.

The literal second i land a back crit with a empowered meteor i have to brace for impact because 80% of solo queue tanks lose aggro instantly, heavens forbids if the boss is enrage i have to blow stone skin or i die before the tank gets aggro back.

KNE96RGXT5 · April 2018

Additional info here:

As a lancer, wallop triggers successful block everytime you do it, even if you didn't block an attack, so I advise you to always shield counter after wallop, no matter what.

I would also like to talk about the aggro crystals, because there is alot of misinformation out here.
It's true, if you aren't yet a good tank, it can make sense to use them.

But once you get a little better, you should stop using them. The same goes for CS. You should basically never use it anymore.
This is because of the knockout patch, which we already have on console. They changed the aggro system and for holding aggro 100% of the time even against more skilled/geared players you should be fine without using/relying on them.

DatGeek · April 2018

How to be a DPS'er.

1: Stop pulling left and right.
2: Wait for the tank.
3: If you get aggro, don't run around like a headless chicken, and run to the tank with the mobs.
4: If you're impatient, get a different hobby.

Hmmm, i suppose this could work for the healers as well to be honest!

Depa420 · April 2018

Could use a guide for rotation mine is ok but I think it could be better...

KNE96RGXT5 · April 2018

Depa420 wrote: »

Could use a guide for rotation mine is ok but I think it could be better...

Unfortunately there is no 'fixed' rotation for the lancer as you need to interact with every boss mechanic.
Try to block in the last moment, and bring as much dps as possible in between the attacks.

A simple rotation for me goes like this:

Boss hits -> Block -> Shield counter -> Shield barrage -> Spring attack -> Wallop -> Shield counter -> debilitate -> Block -> Shield counter etc...

Didn't write up the BC in between.

Nemmar · April 2018

voidy wrote: »

Nemmar wrote: »

"5.DONT CHASE THE BOSS. If the boss charges or jumps away, just stand there and wait for it to come back. You should easily have enough threat to hold it against ranged dps until it walks back."

This was useful information.

I am usually at a loss as to what to do when the boss charges away and keeps having the time of his life in the back even though i have agro. It's really annoying. I always struggle wether to stay put or go after it and turn it around on the other side. Some bosses can ge real d*cks.

When the boss turns to face the DPS, any skilled DPS with common sense will leap back around behind the boss. If you don't complement them by chasing the front, then you are forcing the boss to turn a second time to face you, which makes everyone move twice as much. PLEASE chase the front of the boss. Be an aggressive tank. Don't be passive. Passive tanks are the worst.

edit: Yes of course this depends on the boss and there are minor exceptions. Some bosses, like the spider at Ruinous Manor, you'll have to be uncompromising in your positioning and sometimes that will mean staying in one spot. But for like 90% of boss fights you can chase the front without any problems, and you should.

? Well... first of all you can't pretend to know what kind of tank i am with just that post. I have tried different approaches.

I am confused about what exactly you are saying. The boss facing a dps and the boss rushing to the other side of the room are very different things. I never suggested that i would move to the boss' face when he turns. The question was between staying put when he charges to the other end of the room or chasing after it and repositioning.

Anyways, my tank is an alt and i have yet to find a better tank. I have experience from tanking on other mmo's, the approach is the same. The difference is that in other games, the boss doesn't charge to the other end of the room unless it's a scripted event. If it does, and you have the mobility the right choice is to grab it again and face it towards the nearest wall again (less possibility that it will cleave someone on the way back). Thus my doubt.

How to be a tank!

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