Dear Tanks That Aren't Me

[bounddreamer]

What I do is look at the other tanks stance. If we both are in identical stances I type 3 simple words; "MT OR OT?" If we are in opposite stances I type 3 Simple words "MT OR OT?"

Meanwhile, while you are typing, the other tank is running in to pull,

OR,

They never reply.

Bonus round: they stand around waiting, someone else pulls, they run in and provoke. And provoke. And provoke.

[Animarelic]

Meanwhile, while you are typing, the other tank is running in to pull,

OR,

They never reply.

Bonus round: they stand around waiting, someone else pulls, they run in and provoke. And provoke. And provoke.

I figured common sense would kick in for the average tank. If another tank takes aggro while I'm typing, I Let them (pretty sure this has been said before). Regardless of what role you think you are supposed to be all Tanks can OT or MT effectively. If you out gear the other tanks and REALLY want to keep aggro not even a Provoke + aggro combo can stop you. If you aren't geared or equal you sit back OT & just make sure the healers and DPS don't rip.

We really shouldn't NEED to explain this at level 50 much less 60...

[bounddreamer]

We really shouldn't NEED to explain this at level 50 much less 60...

"Shouldn't need to" =/= what happens in duty finder with pick up groups, especially for 24-mans.

Not all tanks share the same set of principles or code of conduct.

Personally, I go in expecting to main tank or off tank. When we load in, during or before the first trash pull I check the other tanks' gear. Depending on how geared I am compared to them, I am prepared to main or off tank but I don't assume. If another tank pulls before I do, he's the main tank. If I'm way ahead of the others in gear, I do a ready check then pull. If one of the other tanks picks up the boss but can't hold him, or a dps pulled first, or mechanics are being botched, I pick it up.

But not everyone operates like that. I've seen some hilarious and sad shenanigans on the part of other tanks, including paladins who tried to provoke a boss from me every time it was off cooldown when I'm 40 ilevels ahead of them. I've also seen tanks troll the entire raid with their aggro battles, turn boss cleaves on the raid, refuse to pick up adds because someone else took main tank, the whole nine yards. During one memorable Weeping City, A alliance's tank got locked out of the side arena during the trash after Forgall, spent the next few minutes trying to take the Headstone off me, B tank, and died because their entire alliance was at A cleaning up adds without their help.

Chalk it up to one of the many things that makes playing an MMO so varied and interesting.