Tanking 'Styles?'Follow

I haven't got this game installed yet, as I need more RAM, and thus have been left thumbing through the manual, trying to decide on a class.

It basically came down to Fighter, purely because the others didn't appeal to me massively. I assume and have read Fighters are tanks. I tried tanking in FFXI, and wasn't a massive fan of it, which brings me to the point of this thread.

Are there various tanking 'styles' depending on class? For instance, does one class/subclass use magic to gain hate and defend against damage? Does one hold hate through high damage? Does one center around evasion? Is one a heavily armoured defense orientated tank?

Basically, I'd ideally like to tank by DoT as opposed to a basic hate-grabbing tool, and would prefer evasion to heavy armour. I know this sort of makes me sound like a Scout would be a good choice, what wiith the evasion and DoT, but I'd rather be a fighter. How would a Monk hold up to my specifications?

Thanks in advance.

Edit - As for race, I'm leaning towards Barbarian, though Human and Dwarf aren't out of the question. Do the stats of these classes reflect what I'd like to do? I realize race isn't a big factor, but I'd appreciate opinions as to which race is best suited to your reccomendations.



Edited, Sun Jan 16 08:26:35 2005 by Nja

Thankyou. That clears that up.

The difference between monk/bruiser does not stop at evil vs good. The biggest so far has been the fact that monks get invis, bruisers get fear. I personally cant go too much further in comparing the two sub-classes, due to the fact that I have only really played a bruiser, and have no monking experience. Just be prepared to deal with being told by groups "we need a tank" and such until you reach high 20s. I wont get into why, as there are many threads on this topic, but at my current level ( lev 27 ), my char has finally gotten some good skills that allows for diff tactics when tanking. With a druid healer ( heal over time ) I can use a skill that doubles AC at a cost of losing hp over time. With an inquis/shaman, make sure wards up prior to pullin, etc etc. W/O healers, and ench, you can pull 2 mobs and keep one out of fight by fearing, and mezzing when it comes back from fear, repeat.

Don't worry about reading you Manual, After playing since the first day EQ2 came out. I have my manual on my desk and open. I always take alook into it during down time.

I would have to go with Kensi on this one. I think the Bruiser would be your best bet.

Or a Brawler. Take alook at this type, one that deal damage and can be a very good Main Tank.

Just 1 cent