NTO - New Tank Order ... And our manifesto.

[StrangeBard]

I'm still working on tanking and I am getting really close to level 50 on my first class. In my opinion marking is something that can be done at lower level, but shouldn't be needed in most cases. I've been doing Tam Tara on Low Level Roulette and had groups that insisted that I needed to mark for them so they could understand what to attack first. In an attempt to help smooth the run out I started marking ever fight. Nevertheless they STILL didn't attack in the right order. Though I go above and beyond with that by reminding them to attack the mobs in the priority order, a kindness which is sadly overlooked on many occasions. Sometimes after all that they go out of their way to make sure to attack in the reverse order I marked. So I think the problem isn't tanks not wanting to mark it is that there are tanks out there who refuse to mark because they know it might not change anything. Also before I get a rap as a bad tank some of them had classes at level 50 and should know better.

[GeekMatt]

You're right, Dreipha, but no matter what you do there will always be trolls. I don't always mark, I read the situation and see if it's needed. For example some DPS will hesitate to attack for quite a while because they're unsure what to do and are afraid to get flamed by the party (probably had happened to them before), if I see this, I mark because it eases things on them and speeds up the DPS. If you have a problem with these types of players, then you need to stay out of DF because it's for everyone.

You don't have to mark if you're not comfortable for one reason or another, but I like to encourage tanks to be considerate of the party when it calls for it. A good tank can manage enmity, a great player can manage a party (even an imperfect one) and a tool just whines when things don't go their way.

[StrangeBard]

That is true I do try to help players as needed. If I see someone genuinely struggling I go out of my way to mark and give the occasional pointer if I see something they are doing that they could improve. I always try to keep an eye on what everyone is doing to try to help the group do better as a whole.

[GeekMatt]

That is true I do try to help players as needed. If I see someone genuinely struggling I go out of my way to mark and give the occasional pointer if I see something they are doing that they could improve. I always try to keep an eye on what everyone is doing to try to help the group do better as a whole.

Tanks are in a prime position to help the party, partially because they tend to be taken as a leader of the party, particularly by newer players. It is not your responsibility to cater to everyone's needs but it's great that you're willing to help. Unfortunately there's no perfect way to do things though; one thing I've noticed is that 95% of the time you're basically expected to lead and then 5% of the time someone will complain that you're trying to lead, or how you're doing it.

[Thistledown]

I hit WAR 50 two weeks ago (i110 as of last Friday) and still mark targets in EX DR. It's part force of habit and part precaution.

If they don't need my marking, that's great. If they don't follow my marking, I'll need to adapt faster. Anything to make my run as smooth and safe as possible.

[Ellatrix]

Marking normal trash mobs is only done by new/slow tanks.

[StrangeBard]

snip

Sometimes tanks have to take charge though in the end game content. I just hit 50 on Paladin a few day ago and in that time I got up to item level 91. I decided to try tanking in CT and after a few good runs I get stuck with a horrid group. The other tank in the party kept trying to pull off of me and refuses to communicate with the group. On top of that we wiped twice in the Paths of Vice because the nobody would stay on the pad. After the second I wipe I was tired of dealing with their shit and started basically ordering them around since they were not listening to my polite advice. Once I started giving orders to them about what to do and when to do it the group did better. Sad part of the whole thing is that we didn't have a single new person in the party for that entire run. So while we shouldn't cater to everyone we should make sure other people don't ruin the experience for others.

[Urielparadox]

So 90% of those responding did not actually read the OP. The tank could not keep agro on all mobs. Since the tank can't do this the tank needs to mark/be taught how to hold hate on all mobs. I've had plenty of bad tanks that I would grab agro on an df just from casting thunder on it and the tank refused to get it back saying, only atk the target they are attacking. And then refuse to mark... the op isn't talking about a tank who holds hate and doesn't mark, they are referring to a tank who can't keep hate and doesn't mark and the Blaims the party

[Koenignovi]

So 90% of those responding did not actually read the OP. The tank could not keep agro on all mobs. Since the tank can't do this the tank needs to mark/be taught how to hold hate on all mobs. I've had plenty of bad tanks that I would grab agro on an df just from casting thunder on it and the tank refused to get it back saying, only atk the target they are attacking. And then refuse to mark... the op isn't talking about a tank who holds hate and doesn't mark, they are referring to a tank who can't keep hate and doesn't mark and the Blaims the party

I dont even think marking the prime target would save you or your party if the tank can't keep aggro on a 2+ pull. Honestly, if you can't see what the tank is doing in the fight, then maybe you need to start paying more attention.

I've done both methods, some groups like it and others don't. It really comes down to comfort and how comfortable you are with the tank at the time. Regular dungeons hardly need a marker, unless some really shit storm hits and you need everyone to focus.

[GeekMatt]

Snip

That can be true of any class/role though. But tanks tend to be
taken more seriously.