A Guardian's RantFollow

Seems everywhere I go I hear about how it is the guardian's responsibility to keep everyone else alive. I hear this stuff in game, and i read it posted hear a lot. True, the guardian's role is to absorb damage, BUT (and this is a big but) the other party members have to take some responsibility for their own foolishness. Fighter types are not the only players who can be dumbasses. Firstly, if you are a mage for example, and you get aggroed, the ABSOLUTE LAST THING you should do is run away. I can't tell you how many times some idiot has gotten aggroed and then took off running for the hills before I could taunt or sentinel, only to get killed anyway. At least stay near the guardian so I have a chance to save you. Secondly, why in hell do mages and scouts pull? Why not leave that to the fighters of the group? That way in case the mob gets some shots in, at least the fighter can take it. Third, this is for priests, watch what is happening during battle. For example, if you or a mage or a scout take a little damage from an AoE don't waste your heals on yourself or the others while the fighter is still taking the damage. Read what is happening and what is being said, that is why the dialogue box is there. To often I see caster types trying to rely on the graphics to let them know what is happening. Sometimes it looks like the priest is being attacked but all the damage is going to the fighter, so READ. Fourth, when exploring uncharted dungeons, let the fighter lead. Don't run ahead and get killed and then say something like "why didn't you tank?" Fifth, watch your tank's power. Fighters need power to taunt and protect. Power is just as important to fighters as anyone else. Sorry for the rant, but I think that too often fighters get blamed regardless of why someone died. I think it is also a misconception that all the intelligent players are mages, priests, and scouts, and the fighters are morons who need to be told what to do. I also think a lot of players see fighters as a dime a dozen when it comes to forming groups, while preists are like gold. A good smart tank is hard to find, so my advice is if you find one, befriend him. And you should be able to tell real quickly if the tank you have doesn't know what he is doing, in which case, get rid of him.

Edited, Fri Feb 4 08:45:03 2005 by Heightserz