WHy do you tank?

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Originally Posted by VanilleFang

We're just letting you know who's in charge. ;)

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The size of your ego is really beginning to show itself.


I don't panic when low HP at all.. if I die, oh well, but I'm not going to lie, it does piss me off, especially when I've did everything ON MY END to prevent my own death. DF healers - don't trust them. Never have, never will.

I tank for many reasons, although admittedly, one of the big ones is going from triple digital hp to 17k with self heals while kicking ass all around me. But mostly, I tank because it's something I'm good at and I have fun with it.

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Originally Posted by VanilleFang

That's only partial true. The healer controls the sway over the party's life and death.

But you keep thinking that, okay? It's cute. ;)

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Wait, why are you in this thread?

A whole bunch of reasons.

1) The pride of leadership.
2) The feeling of succeeding under the increased pressure of leadership and setting the pace.
3) I don't have to roll the dice with someone else tanking.
4) I get to be the one charging into fights and facing the boss head-on.
4b) Great screenshots.
5) A sense of toughness and survivability as bosses pound and slash away.

Other, less important reasons I've discovered over time:
6) Commendations.
7) Fast queue times.

Well, not gonna lie, cause Dark Knight is a tank is probably one of the main reasons.

Though even if I started as main healer, and still like it, I was tanking a lot too later in ARR. I prefer the reactiveness of tank/healers than the action of DPS roles and the more protective role.

Fast queues, less loot mess, being useful to friends are plus too

I tank because it's such a thrill to pull massive groups of mobs, pop cds and be a wall while your group nukes em down. I like to pop cds when the tank uses his tank buster and you just shrug it off. I'm an old mmo tank where being a wall is all Ive known, being a tank means we dps but I'm fine with that. I love to optimize my classes and being a tank really makes you play with it here's hoping 3.2 will bring big changes and that I'll love tanking even more.

I tank because I love the strategy of it. Positioning, mapping out CD usage, dealing as much damage as possible in the midst of that and doing my best to facilitate my group's maximum performance is complete mental masturbation. I relish in the forethought that has to go into each encounter and each pull and using that to the benefit of my teammates. I used to main DRG with MNK as a secondary, and also enjoyed WAR and PLD and kept them geared and progressed in content in 2.x; DRK was a godsend for me. Its playstyle has the pacing of a DPS with all the mechanics of tanking. WAR can do big numbers but its slow enough to bore me considerably in between Fell Cleaves.

I enjoy leading rather than following, even if I'm not a raid leader or barking orders or whatever, I enjoy the centrality of the MT role and the responsibility. Tanking, particularly on DRK, just lends itself to everything I loved about tanking in 2.x combined with what I enjoyed about DPSing. Having the power to make a run go smoothly and lead people through their content with my tools gives me fuzzy feelings.

That and DRK skill animations are the best eye-candy in the game.

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Originally Posted by Kumori_Kumo

I really enjoy the fantasy of being unstoppable.
Earlier on in life I was... well, I was a really bad person, and it sort of surprised me how easy it is to do that with impunity.
When I finally came around, I realized how much more vulnerable you are when you do the right thing. That realization was pretty crushing.

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In my longish life, I have learned that undertaking a role that leaves you vulnerable requires more strength and courage than most possess. Being vulnerable and continuing on regardless is a mark of character IMHO. It takes similar strength and character to turn your course of life around.

Sometimes a vulnerability feels like a weakness, and of course it is, that's why it's a vulnerability. However when you do the right thing despite being vulnerable, you are showing that you are strong enough to handle that weakness and overcome it.

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Originally Posted by Kumori_Kumo

So I like the escapist fantasy of being indomitable but good, and employ it whenever possible when gaming.

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Indeed. Fun isn't it?

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Originally Posted by Twilite

The size of your ego is really beginning to show itself.


I don't panic when low HP at all.. if I die, oh well, but I'm not going to lie, it does piss me off, especially when I've did everything ON MY END to prevent my own death. DF healers - don't trust them. Never have, never will.

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I think it might just be a healer joke. A friend of mine who mains whm says stuff like that too.

Why do i tank? In all honesty, I find it the easiest role to handle. I'm being serious when I say that. I use to main a healing job, but i find tanking easier to handle. Not saying tanking is easy, just easier to handle.

I really enjoy using the pld cool downs at the right time. I've also come to enjoy controlling (to a significant extent) the pace in all the four person roulette you have to do. Every job is key in controlling the pace of course, but if your stuck with a tank that refuses to pull more than 3 guys for whatever reason, you can be the best DD in the world and you'll still only go so fast.

I'd probably enjoy sch also (for the same reason) but something about all the dps you can/should get out of it as a healing job weirds me out. The other DD jobs I've played with seem like they're much more about maintaining fixed rotations, which is cool I guess, but not my thing. I bet I might like WHM and especially AST, but I don't really have the time to keep more than one job well set up, so I stuck with paladin. I might level AST a bit more for fun if I ever get the time - I left it hanging at 50, but enjoyed the trip.

(PS: I realize ast and whm can/should dps like sch, but it just feels much more straightforward on them to me, and I think I'm ok with that. Besides, Holy's really just a defensive spell in disguise with that stun.)

I'm trying to get my dark knight to 60. Did it to 50 because I liked the story, getting it to 60 because I like the eso set. But it also helps to get to know the new jobs so I know what's going on, if I happen to get a DRK tank in my group. :> Plus I can help friends, FC peeps and nubs with instant queues.

I played decent amount of paladin and warrior pre-Heavensward, but haven't touched them since. I haven't really tanked any raids and doing trial roulette is a bit of a stress, since I usually fly through content on healer and keep my eyes glued on the health bars and not on the mechanics and tactics. Dx

• While I was a DPSer (in WoW), I was sick and tired of either tanks who weren't too sure of themselves, despite me encouraging them to just pull and we got this, or tanks that ran dungeons like Mario Kart, trying to beat everyone else to the finish. So I figured "I can tank way better than these guys." and took it up myself.

• Not sure about this game, but in WoW tanks have instant queues. Everyone else has to wait. This gives me a lot of leverage when dealing with douchebags ie If I was a DPSer I'd have to endure everyones' BS since I don't want to have to wait another 15+ mins to get into another dungeon.

• Tanking is as close as I'll ever get to an offensive lineman in American football or a front-rower in rugby, my 2 favorite positions in sports.

The amount of people in this thread who can't take a joke is almost staggering. >_>

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Originally Posted by Twilite

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And there was no ego involved. I was making a joke?

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Originally Posted by Jamillion

Wait, why are you in this thread?

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I already answered the question before. I was just making a joking reply to someone else's post.

I tank because I am the self proclaimed leader of the party and you will do as I say! If you don't like it there's the door or I will have my healer cronie vote kick you for being bad. You take orders from me and no one else got it? Thanks for reading now I order you to re read this once more so you get what the main purpose of a tank truly is.

To tank responsibly. And not be a dick. That's pretty much what it boils down to, for me.

I made an alt and tried not being a tank. I made it to 22 or so before I had to switch back to WAR main because the DF tanks were all so bad.

If it needs to be done right, do it yourself.

Also, just the sheer joy of the pull, gathering and holding hate, and basically everything involved in tanking.

Crit fell cleaves. Effortlessly shrugging off a tankbuster. Grabbing adds off your healer. Pulling big groups and keeping them off your party while they get burned down. It's a beautiful bloodbath kind of job.

It's obvious that the tanker is the most important thing on every MMO. If the tank is good he can tank whatever he wants even with a noob healer and dps. Everyone want's to be a tanker. But this is a MMO, isn't a easy game like skyrim. The tank need to have a lot of time to training. It's not everyone that can be a tanker. The tanker it's the leader and the soul of the party.

I main as tanks mostly because it's fun to be in front, to tackle enemies head-on, protecting my party/raid (and i'll be lucky to ever see a paladin use cover, or a warrior in wow use intervene/safeguard.), love having cool AoEs like overpower and steel cyclone, the level of coordination and decision making required to excel at it even though it seems simple, and as a warrior most of all in this game so that I can support others.
Also sword and shield is my favorite set, too bad I don't like Paladin. So Warrior! :D

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Originally Posted by VanilleFang

The amount of people in this thread who can't take a joke is almost staggering. >_>


And there was no ego involved. I was making a joke?


I already answered the question before. I was just making a joking reply to someone else's post.

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Don't let people get you down, Vanillefang. I thought your jokes were funny. :)

Anywho, why do I tank? There are several reasons. I healed for years and needed to try something different. I found tanking to be a nice break from healing.

It is totally different game than playing the other other roles. Your focus is in placing yourself in the best position while protecting the other three members and letting them they do their thing while being mindful of the encounter mechanics also.

It's nice to be needed. :) The plate armor and shield are great too. My lalafell woman looks good in it.

I tank because my daughter needs one in order to get through content. Plus the gil bonus helps since I don't like crafting or gathering. I really enjoy Dark Knight though as it kinda reminds me of being a Soul Reaper from Bleach and more so since the introduction of Anima weapons.

Tank is the best solo class. When you enter a dungeon, you immediately get a buff that heals you when your HP gets low. The buff also sometimes attacks mobs. It only goes off when exiting the dungeon. You get two pets that will damage any enemies you aggro, no need to command, even if you try it might not work very well. All you need to do is make the mobs believe you are alone. Only drawback is that the buff and pets sometimes make your loot disappear.

I prefer to tank when it allows, but my group has a wealth of people that like to tank... so I generally get relegated to DPS.

However, I tank because its fun. There is a sense of control and aggressiveness that you don't get with DPS even though your doing damage.

I started tanking because turning into a bear, charging my enemies, and ripping their faces off seemed like fun. I continue to tank because I happen to be a control freak.

"To be the Shield for the weak and the sword for the meek"
I actually tank as paladin because I love the Sword and Shield style in all games, I play as was because it's fun and I play as Dark knight because I'm eveling it XD (I don't have much to say about dark knight yet).

I tank because my fro requires tank buster's to keep its bounce! I didn't get this pretty by standing a good 12 lalafells away from the action.

I tank because we have some of the best glamor in game. (except for the healing bell bottoms- I so need an all class equivalent)

I tank because when I DPS, watching a bad tank is tremendously painful.

I tank because it is just like my real life. Being married with children is not all that far from getting a HCP to the face.

I tank for the queues.

I tank with all tanks because true tanks are tanky enough to tank every way imaginable.

I tank because the feeling of pulling big with a random healer from df and surviving the entire thing (even if I have to hit the Oh sh-- button) is one greatest feelings in game.

I tank because it is the fastest way to kill my friends intentionally. --They occasionally need reminding of how hard those frontal cleaves actually hit. :p

I tank for the glory of being blamed for a wipe because of yet another bad healer in the Vault, that cannot seem to do anything but push one healing button. (I know you have more than that, I have a conjurer at 34, and yes you read that right, not a white mage, a conjurer) And yes, I know this as fact because I focus target my healers as often as possible.

I tank because you deserve a smooth run from DF every now and then.

I tank because I find the job and the role it plays in a lot of content is extremely engaging. Between setting the pace of a dungeon, holding hate and stance dancing for optimum output, to finding ways make life easier for healers and DPS to do their job effectively.

I tank you, for reading this post. It’s New Years Eve and I’m a Dad, I DESERVE TO GIVE YOU A DAD JOKE.

I started tanking in WoW because I'd originally leveled as a DPS class. And having had a lot of runs with bad tanks, I got to see a lot of examples of what not to do. And given how much I'd experienced how a bad tank can really ruin a dungeon run, I decided to give it a shot, to see if I could help contribute to a positive experience.

And the best part was that I had fun while doing it.

Enmity/aggro play was still relatively challenging, and I enjoyed being able to develop playstyle mastery, perfecting the use of my cooldowns, mob positioning, and the Lost Art of the Pull to be able to make dungeons smooth and enjoyable for everyone.

And I got good at it. I was able to do things that I wasn't supposed to be able to. I learned the deeper intricacies of the class I played and niche situations where my unique abilities could shine - and played encounters to their advantages. And it all contributed to my ability to survive things that no one else I knew could, which contributed vastly to the success of my group.

I felt important, and I felt like a vital component of my raid team.

And that's why I continue. I love learning the niche roles of my job. I love helping groups go smoothly and quickly. I love surviving things I shouldn't be able to survive. I like holding enmity, and being able to help recover when the shit hits the fan. I enjoy the prominence of the role, and being able to play it well.

Commendations and insta-queues are nice, too.

Roleplayer, Re-enactor, MMO gamer.
I just like swords and axes, and tanks get the big ones.

Originally, it was for faster queue times. Lately, after playing other games like Neverwinter and Elder Scrolls Online, I've taken up the Sword and Shield there, which gave me vigor to do PLD to Lv60.

Now, I simply like how interactive I am with fights. This is from an MT's perspective, though. Never really had much chances to OT unless a new tank wanted practice. I also work Security in real life, so there's that sense of being on the front line.

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Originally Posted by Umbreon_skystorm

"To be the Shield for the weak and the sword for the meek"
I actually tank as paladin because I love the Sword and Shield style in all games, I play as was because it's fun and I play as Dark knight because I'm eveling it XD (I don't have much to say about dark knight yet).

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I originally didn't want another tank after getting PLD and WAR to Lv50 before Heavensward. At 3.0, I only wanted PLD Leveled to 60. I began meddling with DRK in my off time, and so far, it's ok for the most part.

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Originally Posted by Brannigan

Feels the most like I'm actually fighting the monster.

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This guy gets it.

Awe, I remember my first tanking experience...I apologized the entire time about my incompetency. But to be honest, I was incredibly undergeared. In my opinion, tanking's fun 'cause everyone relies on you!

People can go ahead of you if they want but I've had my share of sassy (rightfully so) tanks who've told off DPS for going ahead of them and pulling monsters like a complete idiot.

It's fun being the "leader" of the group; people rely directly on you to keep from feeling the embrace of lady death.

I'd say, if you haven't tried tanking yet and you've been DPSing all game...you need to at least try. Tanking is fun...when you know what you're doing! Generally, people are more willing to accept your shortcomings if you're a tank (mostly 'cause they don't want to wait any longer for a DF).

Saw a paladin or two when I first started the game and thought "this guy looks cool!". So I tried out tanking and it wasn't too bad overall. Then after getting 50 pally I figure I'd try out warrior and then I came to the realisation that "this is who I am".

Tbh I just wanted something new to play at the time my only 50 was my monk and the next highest level classes was marauder lancer and rogue. It was definitely a different experience tanking in this game plus it allowed some flexibility to help some friends and FC members. Now it kind of feels wrong not having my Warrior as geared as my main.

But now with three 60s I wonder is Dark Knight worth leveling just to have the option of a second tank.

Also the Ragnarok and war bear didn't hurt my decision either.

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Originally Posted by ShadowYomi

Tbh I just wanted something new to play at the time my only 50 was my monk and the next highest level classes was marauder lancer and rogue. It was definitely a different experience tanking in this game plus it allowed some flexibility to help some friends and FC members. Now it kind of feels wrong not having my Warrior as geared as my main.

But now with three 60s I wonder is Dark Knight worth leveling just to have the option of a second tank.

Also the Ragnarok and war bear didn't hurt my decision either.

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If you used to main melee DPS, particularly MNK, you will definitely enjoy DRK. Its fast, button mashy, mobile, and does awesome damage.

i agree, dark is for melee lovers, i am main war, but playing the dark is fun, it's not at all a bad choice to have it as second tank job.

Because of queue times. When doing the story, I like to get my dungeons and trials done in a reasonable and timely fashion. DPS queues are horrible, even healer queues take longer to pop than tank. So, Tank was the only logical choice for me :o

Once I get to 60 and all MSQ complete I'll go level what I feel like playing.

I love the Warrior concept of being tankish while still being able to do quite a lot of damage when you need. I love being able to dance around in a mosh pit of mobs. And I love being able to proceed through dungeons at exactly my own pace.

With that said, I haven't actually been playing my Warrior much since getting my Bard to 60. This is almost purely due to the stress involved in doing lots of new-to-me content as a tank, where people will frequently tell you exactly how they think you're doing it wrong. Pulling too many, not pulling enough, going too slow, going too fast, facing the wrong way, not in the right position, moving around too much while dodging AEs, and on and on. I've also had micromanaging types complain about exactly what skills I was or was not using at any given time, which I'll cop to as there are just so many of them it's easy to forget I have some on occasion!

Whereas nobody ever complains about what I'm doing as a Bard.

I tank for the Instant queues
I tank for my friends
I tank because I was in a dungeon with a tank who sucked at their job
I tank because I know all dungeons
I tank because it can be challenging
I tank because I will level all jobs to 60
I tank because I want to show off my fashionable tank glamours
I tank for the experience of tanking
I tank for the achievement that will give me a mount
I tank for fun

I can pretend that I'm fighting a duel and all of you are just cheering me on from the sidelines!

heavy armor, darkness, and the sexy healers give me love all day XD