Tanking, need some advice?

[JeniLinsky]

And that's exactly what I want. Committed myself to it wholeheartedly.

That's step one.

So, let's talk about Damage Dealers (DDs) for a moment. The melee types, who are the most likely to pull agro from you in that first rush to the monster, are not as heavily armored as you are, but they're armored better than the casters. They can take a little bit of damage while you re-establish enmity with your first full combo.

Also, there are self-heals that monk, for instance, has. And many players have at least a few levels of CNJ so they can get protect and cure as cross-class at low levels. (Only a couple of jobs can cross-class these, but all the classes can). So it's not as big a tragedy if your melee DDs get some agro splashed on 'em.

But by all means, keep the monsters off the casters if you can.


One thing that may help... when you zone into the dungeon, don't be afraid to say, "Hey, gang, I'm a new tank. Give me a moment on each pull before you pile on, so I can establish aggro." Then, if they still rush ahead, it's on them, not you.

I love being a tank. There's something very powerful, psychologically, about saying, "I will stand between you and danger, because I AM THE PAPASMURFING TANK!" I hope that you come to enjoy it as well. It does take practice, and thought, and you have to be on your toes. But when it comes off right, it's very rewarding.

Or at least, that's my girl-gamer perspective on it.