The joys of being a tank =DFollow

Well I thought I was burnt out of mmo’s turns out I’m not. All the game’s I play I select the highest damage output character. Always looking to dish out the damage and put a hurtin on something. This really is the only thing I’ve ever done or known.

Well I was sick on Wednesday (still am, I hate the flu) and I had a choice. I have basic cable so, watch all sort of court TV’s & soaps OR login to EQII =)

So I decide to jump on my level 9 fighter, his original purpose was a mule. Did my Crusader quest which I enjoyed, Soloed a level then joined my first party as a tank.

How did I feel about it? I did non stop partying until I reached level 16. At which point I had to, for upgrades and quests. I just finished upgrading him and he’s all set for next weekend (I work till 2am EST this week ; ;) might get lucky if people are on.

Anyway turns out I’m a natural at it and imo I did a great job. I have to say it was the most fun I’ve had in a game in a pretty long time. I really enjoy this class, no correction love this class. It’s a welcome and fun change.

I never knew the concentration, and the responsibly of a tank. I used to say “Yeah tanks just keep hate so the mob only beats on them”. Man I was so wrong. I mean yeah in a nutshell that’s what they do, but there is a lot of technique behind keeping that hate it’s remarkable. Managing your skill’s correctly is essential. Taunt, shout, etc each one of them has a different duration cool down time before you can use them again. You must closely monitor damage output by others to know when and how to use all of your skills. Have to watch for add's and grab them before they attack your party.It’s just crazy fun and I love it!

berzerkers tank better than guards?

I agree Eonz. That's what everyone want's. It things are "out of wack" in regards to that i'm sure it would be corrected. Really it's the way it should be. No more 1 million such and such's looking for group. I like verity =)


Edited, Tue Dec 14 01:43:20 2004 by toxicmoon

yes being a tank is fun. I have a lvl 21 pally and although I don't get to tank a lot (people won't let me tank unless there is no warrior type around) when I do tank, no one ever complains so I think a pally really can tank. it just depends on the person playing it.

and yes I love my cleric too :P

I made a warrior in my first day back in EQ1 thinking it would just be so i could run around and learn the map.....

I have never played anything else. I got to 52 in EQ1, then played a Master Swordsman (tank) in SWG, and now im a 21 guardian in EQ2.

Agro? Let me tell you about holding agro!

:) Welcome to the fun

Also, as a healer it's good to read your post. Too many on the frontline just don't get it. It sounds like a perfect match for you. It's really hard for me not to go into examples of bad techniques (if you can call them that), but your post gives me hope.

Keep on keepin' on fellow tanks! :D
/salute

I haven't had complaints about my tanking, but then again... I've hardly partied up regularly lately.

I tanked both ways (Hey! What are you thinking!?), where someone else pulled and then when I pulled. Either way is easy. Just a difference on who my initial target is.

I don't have to say it, but will anyway, don't mind the babies. If you have appropriate equipment, manage your abilities and do your best, it won't be your fault for losing hate. Once you do your half, the rest is a group effort. If a "What's around this corner?" person trains a party killer, it's that person's fault. If they do it more than once when they are told to stop, kick them (or have the leader do it). If they are leader, leave the party. If no one says anything, then it's the party's fault. You have more important things to worry about, like keeping the good people alive, so don't mind the crap.

kanonyuki,
Every class from the Fighter Archetype can tank. Just differently. If you are confident in your abilities, next time you're in a party that would rather have a warrior type, just ask if they are willing to let you tank for a couple of fights.

This is one of the things I love about EQ2. So many choices for being a tank. It's all I know and not being limited to 2 or 3 types of tank can really help keep me hooked. After Guardian, I'll probably try Monk, hehehe.

fwiw, I tried Scout and don't care for it much. I need more meat on my bones and take more hits! :P Battle scars... that's where it's at!

Well I'm just the opposite. I always played a tank, was a 55 pld in FFXI, and yes, messed with other classes a while...monk got to 36 but I was always a PLD meat shield at heart.

Tried it in this game... got crusader to 14, then tried priest. Had fun with cleric, but made off to the side a little Iksar scout.

Now I'm a 17 Rogue and having a lot of fun. I've never played a "thief" class before, couldn't stand them in FFXI, but it's a lot of fun in this game. I'm fast,I whack out the damage, I shoot bows and throw knives and knock mobs on their butt, just a lot of fun for me, since I've been a meat shield for so long.