How prepared are you when you tank?

Neodaystar - Sanctuary
Neodaystar - Sanctuary Posts: 1,020 Arc User
edited October 2010 in General Discussion
I did BH3-3 Colluseast just the other day. We did it with just 'one cleric' and a superb barb, no one DD'ed with fists and make it go fast (not even me :D). No one died during random aggro, actually the barb got aggro back as soon it started random aggro-ing after his AoE stuns. He didn't have super refines on his gear, had no hp charm on, nor did he have even one piece of nirvana. I noticed his hp didn't even drop below 50%, also thanks to the competent bm and cleric who did prepare to rebuff phys defense asap when we were purged. I am glad there are still barbs like these. Not long ago, before this successful run, I did it with 2 clerics and a barb with similar gear type - we had squad wipe twice on Colluseast.

With a good tanker and good team work coordination to watch each others back, TT 3-X is really not that hard. My faction mates still farms TT3-X (all bosses) for each other, we don't have gears like those in large TW factions, and many in the squad are still wearing TT90s equipments and some aren't level 100 yet. I believe that a level 90+ squad can still farm TT3-1 without 5 aps chars; with some practice with the same group of people and understanding what needs to be done to improve on the runs instead of going with different people each time and resetting the learning curve of the squad.

Questions to think about the role of the tanker:
1) Should the tank carry hp foods and use them while tanking when bosses debuffs or during AoE stuns/seals, which interrupts the cleric's heal spamming?

2) Should the tank anticipate random aggro, which actually happens at set intervals (typically 30 secs or when adds spawns on certain bosses)?

3) During AoE stuns/seals like in Nirvana and TT3-x, should the tank use genie skills to try and reclaim aggro ASAP when random aggro happens?

4) Should the tank have some damage reduction charms and use them when his/her hp goes down too fast/during debuffs or just to increase survivability?

5) Should the tank not let the cleric take full responsibility for his hp and use hp pots/apothecary items (like samsara wheel) when the situation calls for it?

For all those failed barbs out there that we encounter - now a days more than often, I wonder if they actually have items like defense charms and samsara wheels just in case they should use them. During my nirvana runs, I have yet to see a person (usually I do it) to time and use tangling mire or other genie skills to reclaim aggro when the boss AoE seals every 30 secs so the cleric doesn't get hit. Also, why don't I see clerics using dew of protection to prevent from being 1-2 shot killed?
Post edited by Neodaystar - Sanctuary on

Comments

  • Susylu - Heavens Tear
    Susylu - Heavens Tear Posts: 1,786 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    I did BH3-3 Colluseast just the other day. We did it with just 'one cleric' and a superb barb, no one DD'ed with fists and make it go fast (not even me :D). No one died during random aggro, actually the barb got aggro back as soon it started random aggro-ing after his AoE stuns. He didn't have super refines on his gear, had no hp charm on, nor did he have even one piece of nirvana. I noticed his hp didn't even drop below 50%, also thanks to the competent bm and cleric who did prepare to rebuff phys defense asap when we were purged. I am glad there are still barbs like these. Not long ago, before this successful run, I did it with 2 clerics and a barb with similar gear type - we had squad wipe twice on Colluseast.

    With a good tanker and good team work coordination to watch each others back, TT 3-X is really not that hard. My faction mates still farms TT3-X (all bosses) for each other, we don't have gears like those in large TW factions, and many in the squad are still wearing TT90s equipments and some aren't level 100 yet. I believe that a level 90+ squad can still farm TT3-1 without 5 aps chars; with some practice with the same group of people and understanding what needs to be done to improve on the runs instead of going with different people each time and resetting the learning curve of the squad.

    Questions to think about the role of the tanker:
    1) Should the tank carry hp foods and use them while tanking when bosses debuffs or during AoE stuns/seals, which interrupts the cleric's heal spamming?

    2) Should the tank anticipate random agggro, which actually happens at set intervals (typically 30 secs or when adds spawns on certain bosses)?

    3) During AoE stuns/seals like in Nirvana and TT3-x, should the tank use genie skills to try and reclaim aggro ASAP when random aggro happens?

    4) Should the tank have some damage reduction charms and use them when his/her hp goes down too fast/during debuffs/or just to increase survivability?

    5) Should the tank not let the cleric take full responsibility for his hp and use hp pots/apothecary items (like samsara wheel) when the situation calls for it?

    I think it's mostly a speed issue. You can do it without super gear, but it'll take longer. Taking longer means more chances of someone stealing aggro, more pots cleric must use, more charms that might tick, and frankly some don't have the time or patience. Now a days it's more beneficial I think to get a cleric that knows what they're doing since sometimes even though tanks know what to do, DDs often time don't, and end up taking aggro.
  • vbarbie
    vbarbie Posts: 232 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    [QUOTE=
    still wearing TT90s equipments and some aren't level 100 yet. [/QUOTE]


    If I had tt90 armor, Why would I go kill the GBA boss For?
  • Admante - Dreamweaver
    Admante - Dreamweaver Posts: 323 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Money.
  • Rawrgh - Raging Tide
    Rawrgh - Raging Tide Posts: 6,790 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    The BH boss is easy.

    Steelation and illusion lord are the hard ones.
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  • KrittyCat - Dreamweaver
    KrittyCat - Dreamweaver Posts: 1,273 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    1-5) YES!!! (If I could emphasize this any more, I would.)

    I personally hate random aggro bosses, such as the last boss in FC, but I have been pretty successful at keeping aggro on that guy. It's definitely infinitely easier to do this with Flesh Ream/Alpha Male genie skill, but I tanked the guy my first time with just Flesh Ream at 81 and did a relatively good job keeping aggro from the DDs in the squad (granted, they knew how to properly nerf their damage). I think the barb should be prepared for any situation.
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  • Asterelle - Sanctuary_1381265973
    Asterelle - Sanctuary_1381265973 Posts: 7,881 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    The only thing dangerous about that boss is purge. You can AD that to resist it or AD after to give time to rebuff fast.

    I carry on me the anni blessing, pdef charms, apothecary pots, hp pots, elixers, and antidotes. If the squad is good I dont use any of them. I spam them as necessary when things go from bad to worse.
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  • Avryll - Sanctuary
    Avryll - Sanctuary Posts: 60 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    as a tank, if i find myself going into an elite instance, i carry invincibility pots for rebuff, a small supply of emergency hp/mp food, and an emergency stash of chi stones for my genie incase i run out. genie has chi moves, aggro moves, hp recovery, and emergency damage reduction. but that's just me.
  • Borsuc - Raging Tide
    Borsuc - Raging Tide Posts: 1,526 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    as a tank, if i find myself going into an elite instance, i carry invincibility pots for rebuff, a small supply of emergency hp/mp food, and an emergency stash of chi stones for my genie incase i run out. genie has chi moves, aggro moves, hp recovery, and emergency damage reduction. but that's just me.
    Here's an idea: feed your genie all those chi stones, empties an inventory bag, and you wouldn't have to feed it for a long time.
  • Thrashbarg - Dreamweaver
    Thrashbarg - Dreamweaver Posts: 31 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Prepare to tank? naw, I just run in and flesh ream once with my awesome level 1 (holds aggro better than lvl 11) ream and I tank all that stuff....

    um, yeah....

    As far as these higher level instances go I'd like to ask everyone, not just the "tanks":
    How prepared are you to tank?

    With all the random aggro, and insane array of de-buffs and aoes that get thrown around, YOU WILL BE TANKING. By "tanking", I mean you will be taking high damage and have boss aggro. Can you handle it? Will you blame someone else (cleric or main-tank most likely) if you can't?

    More important than gear or even skill is an attitude of adventure, a style of play where the goal of fun comes before efficiency. I'm not saying this is a replacement for gear or skill (you'll need both) but without any fun you'll rage quit the game someday because there is really no point in getting to the "end" of something if you don't enjoy the journey.

    So get your potions and pills and powders and food and chi and genie and FRIENDS and go have FUN learning how to overcome these new challenges.
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  • Valirah - Sanctuary
    Valirah - Sanctuary Posts: 522 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Here's an idea: feed your genie all those chi stones, empties an inventory bag, and you wouldn't have to feed it for a long time.

    And when that long time finally ends, you're stuck with no genie you need it. It's called a reserve and is hardly a poor idea. Very easy to forget to fill up when you only do it on rare occasions, and having spare stones on hand covers emergency genie food for the entire squad.
  • Borsuc - Raging Tide
    Borsuc - Raging Tide Posts: 1,526 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Uhm refuel it when it's below a threshold you set...
  • Neodaystar - Sanctuary
    Neodaystar - Sanctuary Posts: 1,020 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    It's not a bad idea to do both. I have a high stamina threshold for my most used genies, but I also keep some in reserve for myself and if someone in the squad needs it.

    Carrying several different genies each with different skills combination and build for certain instances; sometimes you don't know for sure when a certain genie of yours needs to be refueled. I think for my nirvana genie, I spend on average 35k stamina points each run spamming the combo tangling mire and extreme poison together (1k stamina points combo) when ever I see a hf or bv is in affect. If unknowingly your good squad decides to spam 10 continuous runs, would you want to waste time hunting for a good chi bargain for yourself or your friend?
  • Neodaystar - Sanctuary
    Neodaystar - Sanctuary Posts: 1,020 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Prepare to tank? naw, I just run in and flesh ream once with my awesome level 1 (holds aggro better than lvl 11) ream and I tank all that stuff....

    um, yeah....

    As far as these higher level instances go I'd like to ask everyone, not just the "tanks":
    How prepared are you to tank?


    With all the random aggro, and insane array of de-buffs and aoes that get thrown around, YOU WILL BE TANKING. By "tanking", I mean you will be taking high damage and have boss aggro. Can you handle it? Will you blame someone else (cleric or main-tank most likely) if you can't?

    More important than gear or even skill is an attitude of adventure, a style of play where the goal of fun comes before efficiency. I'm not saying this is a replacement for gear or skill (you'll need both) but without any fun you'll rage quit the game someday because there is really no point in getting to the "end" of something if you don't enjoy the journey.

    So get your potions and pills and powders and food and chi and genie and FRIENDS and go have FUN learning how to overcome these new challenges.

    That's a very good point. Especially for clerics who often becomes the receiving end of random aggro in Nirvanas. Yet, you don't see them use a Dew of God Protection. A simple and cheap pot that can save you from being 1 hit KO. the description says it lasts 30 secs, but it actually out last the cool down of the pot it self (think it's about 3 min effect).
  • Renza - Raging Tide
    Renza - Raging Tide Posts: 1,939 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Uhm refuel it when it's below a threshold you set...

    ^this, i usualy go to refuel mine as soon as it goes below 200k
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  • Valirah - Sanctuary
    Valirah - Sanctuary Posts: 522 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Uhm refuel it when it's below a threshold you set...

    I guess you're not quite grasping the point here. There's no flashing warning light to alert you when you genie's fuel is low. Having stones on hand is insurance against you or your friends forgetting to fill up before heading out to TW or TT. Who's to say that stones will be readily available when your genie runs low? Having a private stock that you can refill at your leisure is rather convienient. Besides,it's not like that inv slot is wasted, it's hardly uncommon to pick up stones from FFC, Nirvana, OHT decomps, etc..., just where will you be storing these?
  • Avryll - Sanctuary
    Avryll - Sanctuary Posts: 60 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Here's an idea: feed your genie all those chi stones, empties an inventory bag, and you wouldn't have to feed it for a long time.
    heres an idea! some times people forget to refill their own! so its better to keep the raw item. because there really is a big empty fuel light like on a car to tell you when its low.
  • Azura - Lost City
    Azura - Lost City Posts: 2,281 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    I think even if a barb could take back agro as fast as posible, the boss will still do one attack on its target because that's just the way bosses are, they don't cancel an attack.
  • Yukkuri - Heavens Tear
    Yukkuri - Heavens Tear Posts: 624 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Tank here. These... tank preparations you speak of? I'm just a poor barb trying to get his 99 armor. Legendary chest +1, legs with no shards, unrefined boots... you get the idea. There is, however one thing I only need is just my music.

    I know, totally unrelated, right? It's rare that I do this 3-3 bh thingy, but I think it's worth sharing my last experience. We get to the boss, I bite, everyone DD like crazy from the start, insane purging with random agro, deaths, cleric dies, I try to keep the boss from resetting, I die when cleric finally returns. Amazing.

    I fixed up my playlist and made one simple request, to not go all out from the start. Needless to say, it all went smooth, and a gold mat to boot!

    But what does this have to do with the topic? I'm seeing posts centering about some sort of item usage (does not go well with sleepiness). All you really need is to put your mind to it. It's that simple.

    And now... to hit the bed.
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  • Borsuc - Raging Tide
    Borsuc - Raging Tide Posts: 1,526 Arc User
    edited October 2010
    Besides,it's not like that inv slot is wasted, it's hardly uncommon to pick up stones from FFC, Nirvana, OHT decomps, etc..., just where will you be storing these?
    It's called a bank. b:cute

    And I check a lot of things when I log in or log off or usually go to a town -- just like I always repair when going near the NPCs. Take note, I was not that way at first, but that's the point. You get used to it -- I hardly notice I'm doing it anymore. :P