Post by The Zrogfather on Dec 18, 2005 23:44:40 GMT -5
Ok, you all know how to tank now... Taunt, Sunder, Revenge and Shield Block are your friends and constant companions. What more can you do? I have a few suggestions...
Use Taunt To Bridge Aggro-Gaps
If you notice a string of misses, use Taunt. You will miss using Sunder from time to time. Because of your high tanking stats, you might dodge/parry a few hits in a row, leading to a lack of rage, leading to no Sunders hitting your target(s). Use Taunt as a temporary aggro-holder while you build rage and aggro.
Dealing with Knockback
Relevant abilities: Taunt
Related Strategies: Positioning
Knockback reduces your aggro against that mob, and generally messes up your tanking. If the mob uses knockback, place yourself between it and your party (rather than facing backwards towards them), and save your use of Taunt for the moment that you are knocked back, or just afterwards. If you are quick enough, you can Taunt the mob as you fly backwards, before you get out of range to Taunt. You want to fly backwards TOWARDS your party, so that you can Taunt without having to chase the mob, even if you lost aggro.
Manage your Own Health
Relevant Abilities: Concussive Blow, Disarm, Shield Block, Demo Shout.
If you're used to good healers, this is something you may forget to do. You can manage your own health in many ways... chiefly by limiting the mobs' ability to damage you: disarms and concussive blow. Always use Demo Shout unless you really can't spare the rage. It's ok to Demo Shout halfway through the battle, after you establish aggro, if you have some really high DPS threatening to pull aggro off you. Don't forget to use potions to top up your health if you're constantly hovering around 1/3 health, despite heals. You should also be using Shield Block more than you ever have, as soon as it's cooled down.
Start Using Right Mouse to Turn
Related skill: Movement
Yes, there are still those who use the arrow keys to turn around. Stop this bad habit, and hold down your right mouse button and move your mouse to turn. This skill is easily practised in PVP, and against mobs that like to charge random party members during combat. The faster you can get to your target to pull them off a squishy, the better those squishies will like you.
Use Intercept
Related Skill: Movement
While many people may never think to use this skill as a tank, there will be times where you are slowed by a debuff and yet have to move a good distance to pull something off a party member. This is where your Tactical Mastery talent shines - switch to zerker, bloodrage if you have to, and intercept. Comes with a handy stun, too. Unlike charge, it has no minimum range, and can be used in combat. As a tank, you'll rarely need to use this often enough to worry about the cooldown, either.
Sunder First
Related Abilities: Charge, Sunder
If you are lucky enough to get to charge your first target (giving you the extra rage), throw a Sunder on your first target BEFORE you stance-switch. If the DPS opens up right away or the priest throws a shield on you right after the charge, the aggro from the Sunder could keep the mob from charging past you to your party.
That's all I can think of for now...
Zrog
Use Taunt To Bridge Aggro-Gaps
If you notice a string of misses, use Taunt. You will miss using Sunder from time to time. Because of your high tanking stats, you might dodge/parry a few hits in a row, leading to a lack of rage, leading to no Sunders hitting your target(s). Use Taunt as a temporary aggro-holder while you build rage and aggro.
Dealing with Knockback
Relevant abilities: Taunt
Related Strategies: Positioning
Knockback reduces your aggro against that mob, and generally messes up your tanking. If the mob uses knockback, place yourself between it and your party (rather than facing backwards towards them), and save your use of Taunt for the moment that you are knocked back, or just afterwards. If you are quick enough, you can Taunt the mob as you fly backwards, before you get out of range to Taunt. You want to fly backwards TOWARDS your party, so that you can Taunt without having to chase the mob, even if you lost aggro.
Manage your Own Health
Relevant Abilities: Concussive Blow, Disarm, Shield Block, Demo Shout.
If you're used to good healers, this is something you may forget to do. You can manage your own health in many ways... chiefly by limiting the mobs' ability to damage you: disarms and concussive blow. Always use Demo Shout unless you really can't spare the rage. It's ok to Demo Shout halfway through the battle, after you establish aggro, if you have some really high DPS threatening to pull aggro off you. Don't forget to use potions to top up your health if you're constantly hovering around 1/3 health, despite heals. You should also be using Shield Block more than you ever have, as soon as it's cooled down.
Start Using Right Mouse to Turn
Related skill: Movement
Yes, there are still those who use the arrow keys to turn around. Stop this bad habit, and hold down your right mouse button and move your mouse to turn. This skill is easily practised in PVP, and against mobs that like to charge random party members during combat. The faster you can get to your target to pull them off a squishy, the better those squishies will like you.
Use Intercept
Related Skill: Movement
While many people may never think to use this skill as a tank, there will be times where you are slowed by a debuff and yet have to move a good distance to pull something off a party member. This is where your Tactical Mastery talent shines - switch to zerker, bloodrage if you have to, and intercept. Comes with a handy stun, too. Unlike charge, it has no minimum range, and can be used in combat. As a tank, you'll rarely need to use this often enough to worry about the cooldown, either.
Sunder First
Related Abilities: Charge, Sunder
If you are lucky enough to get to charge your first target (giving you the extra rage), throw a Sunder on your first target BEFORE you stance-switch. If the DPS opens up right away or the priest throws a shield on you right after the charge, the aggro from the Sunder could keep the mob from charging past you to your party.
That's all I can think of for now...
Zrog