WP Single Target and AOE DPS Enmity Problems

[GeilLega]

Back on topic, I tank with Ifrit blade (p5 just keeps ending in tragedy before my eyes) for relic + 1 speed runs, and I find I *usually* can hold agro with:

shield lob
fast blade -> 1
circle of scorn (repeat on CD)
savage blade -> 1
spirits within (repeat on CD)
flash
rage of halone -> 1
fast blade -> 1
savage blade -> 2
rage of halone -> 3
flash
fast blade -> 1
savage blade -> 3
rage of halone -> 2

Last run I had the exact scenario you describe, lancer in full ilvl 90 + relic +1 refusing to AOE and a slightly less geared bard doing nothing but AOE. I lost agro on 2 mobs in the run.

It's hard and it's frustrating, but try and just take those runs as opportunities to get even better at tanking. They'll make your other runs feel really really easy. :P

[Stalkster]

Well I think the problem is "DF" if your going to DF ask up front AoE or Single target. IF ST pull group by group, if AoE ask your healer "2or3 pulls before 1st boss? And 1or2 Pulls after 2nd boss before last boss?". Take it from there, If AoE you should have more then 3-4targets anyways(Flash/Riot spam). You shouldn't really have a issue if 1 is ST and 1 is aoe on 3mobs, unless both are using there's CD's at the same time. I'm not one to try to over think it say 1FB 3SB 2RoH if in a multi target situation with people focusing on different mobs, I just adjust the rotation/cycle targets to the situation/enmity bar. I pretty much only do WP in pre-made AoE party(Blm+Brd), If you have 2 strong single target DPS AK can still be done in 20min's. If I'm going to DF I'll just do AK and normal run it, cause your not expecting other people to think differently. Id personally still rather just garuda spam for myth(alot less running around, lol)

[Maelwys]

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to deal with 1 single target DPS and 1 AOE DPS such as if my rotation is bad or the DPS need to do something?

#1 - Make sure Shield Oath is up (I know, it's dumb, but I'm guilty of it more than once, it makes a BIG difference to Flash +enmity)
#2 - Use 'Fight or Flight' on cooldown, every time.
#3 - Circle of Scorn and Spirits Within every time they're off cooldown, unless you specifically need to save Spirits for silencing something (e.g. Succubus)

On each 3-4 mob pull, I'll try to do the following:
(i) Mark at least the first two targets
(ii) Flash twice at the start before you do anything else. Use Circle of Scorn in between them since it's off GCD.
(iii) Do a complete Rage of Halone combo on your first target, weave in "Spirits Within" since it's off GCD.

When I'm starting out and have 3-4+ enemies, I'll keep using Flash:
+ Flash
+ Fast Blade -> Savage Blade [Target #1]
+ Rage of Halone [Target #2/#3/#4, tab between them and check hate levels]

If the primary target loses hate after a few rotations, don't panic. It's a trash mob and if it's receiving sufficiently high spike damage to rip it away from you, it should nearly be dead anyway. Your priority is stopping the other targets from going after your mages due to AoE spam. In extreme cases you can interrupt a Rage of Halone combo to use Shield Bash to stun it for 6 seconds, by which time it should DEFINITELY be dead.

When a few mobs die and I only have 2-3 enemies left, I can generally get away with stopping flashing and just cycling the Rage of Halone combo. Certain Monks can rip aggro off you even then, but as mentioned above the enemies will nearly be dead by the time they do so and you can always Cover or Provoke in emergencies. Don't worry about it too much.

If you're doing "Speed runs" (not tanking 3-4 mobs but 7-12+) then you're going to want to do nothing but Flash and Circle of Scorn and use your big damage reduction cooldowns. Use the Riot Blade combo towards the end to recover MP if needed, and sometimes you'll need to provoke and/or cover someone. You can occasionally afford the GCD it'd take to use Shield Bash something if it starts casting a nasty Cone or AoE.

Finally: tell the Bard to use Quelling Strikes if they're going to throw out a lot of sudden spike damage. I currently only have the standard Relic (not +1) but I'm still generally fine with out-tanking any other AoE damage (even Flare or Holy Spammers) but certain BRD's spike damage potential seems to trump everything else (bar Medica 2 spam) in terms of pulling sudden AoE aggro. Over time it's much less of an issue, but those sudden spikes can cause a lot of issues if the BRD decides to let rip at the very start of a fight and they're not using Quelling Strikes.