Hello! I need help with tank.

[Galactica153]

Hello I’m from the typhon server. So I haven’t touched the tank role in over two years I’ve just started playing again a few weeks ago but mainly as my DRG and anything I’ve learned when I played tank has been completely forgotten. I just ran a dungeon hoping I could jog my memory but it didn’t work and tankxiety got to me and kept I kept messing up with random monsters going to the healer or dps, it was embarrassing. Luckily my group was understanding and supportive. I was wondering if anyone could help me in game. I’ve watched a bunch of guides on YouTube but idk I still kinda suck. Also I play a level 60 WAR as my tank class. Oh and another issue is that Since I mainly play on the ps4, switching targets can be a pain. Any tips or advice would be much appreciated. My in game name is Vanden Galactica. It’s super nerdy sorry. Lol. Anyways Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[Terkhev]

Safest way to (re)learn a job would be to start with low level dungeons where you have only few skills and then slowly go up.
As for targeting, when I lose aggro on some add and there are too many enemies to pick from enemy list (LB + d-pad) I'll just face their way, click A to target closest enemy and Overpower in their general direction. Steel Cyclone also works.

[whiskeybravo]

Yea targeting on controller can bring about headaches in certain fights (looking at you A2S Gobwalker). Something that may help in general is changing your target filters in the settings. For example, I have mine set up so if my weapon is drawn I can only target enemies. As Terk mentioned you can also just try to get close to them and face them and hope the auto-target picks it up. L1 + dpad also cycles through but in my experience targeting like that can be tricky to execute mid-combo (but it is how I survived aforementioned Gobwalker duties)

Basically just try to get good at setting up your Overpowers. Back in the day War had Flash so it was easier to run through mobs and pick them up. Since we only have Overpower for pick up now you have to pay a bit extra attention to make sure it's aimed properly. You can also use abilities the "face pull" mobs towards you before they go running off. Steel Cyclone when you get them all grouped up to give you a good threat lead.

I'll try to explain the face pull in case you haven't heard of it:

Say you are running up on 3 enemies. You tomahawk one and it draws the red aggro line to you like normal (enemy name also changes color) and the other 2 mobs are alerted and start running toward you too - but they don't have the aggro line/color change yet. If you use an ability like Infuriate it will draw the aggro line/color change as if you attacked them. This doesn't give you much actual threat, you still need to overpower/steel cyclone/whatever to build aggro on them - but it can help round up enemies on the initial pull a bit better. (this also explains why the mobs will run away to others - if they use an ability before you do it will have the same effect except they run off towards that person instead of you)

[Tint]

i mostly switch targets with holding down R2 and then pressing L1. with this you cycle through the enemys. with L2 + R1 you cycle in the other direction. i find this is the easiest way to switch targets (but not always the best when there are A LOT of enemys. then L1 + D-Pad Up and Down is better).

and yeah, best way to relearn tanking is by learning it from scratch by starting in Sastasha and going through ALL the dungeons. i also found that Palace of the Dead is nice for getting used again to tanking. since you don't need a tank in there it doesn't really matter if you mess up, so less tankxiety needed.

but the best way would be the squadron. you can hire NPCs for your Grand Company and you can run dungeons with them. this is the most comfortable way to learn tanking, since no other real people are involved and you can take your time.

[Galactica153]

Thanks for the input guys, I’ll try my best to implement your suggestions in my gameplay, especially the target switching one.

[SleepyNeko]

Not really WAR specific but try to focus on improving one thing at a time. First will be getting aggro since that is what you are having problems with at the moment.

As a WAR I'll usually pull by running through the mobs then doing a 180 Overpower to make sure it hits all of them, however if a 180 spin is too hard on a controller you can face pull then either move left or right to fold the mobs into a cone infront of you. Focus on your enmity output by spamming overpower at least 3 times. Once you are more confident and no longer letting adds run around the place then you can try improve on other stuff like rotation and defensive CD.

[Cursling]

As has been said previously while re learning the ropes over power is your best friend. Use it a couple times during the initial pull then throw one in for good measure every couple combos. Watch the mob for who the dps target aswell. You then get a better idea of where you would want to put more enmity.

Just keep playing the role and you'll slowly learn the finer points to the job. Make use of overhealing yourself aswell. It makes for really strong enmity generation when it starts to dwindle.

[vVAstrAVv]

Best thing you can learn as an early war is this
Overpowers hitbox is a lot bigger than it looks
Its really more of a rectangle and once you get the feel of that pulling is a synch

Also dont be too in a hurry to pull something
Most dps arent selfish idiots so its ok to lets the enemies buch together behind you before overpowering them all instead of wasting gcds tomahawking them
Beyond that be aware that war depends on its cooldowns more than the other tank
So honestly learn to rely on them now or play palidin. Itll sink in eventually either way

Losing hate mightve been your gear btw
But if it really concerns you so much id suggest running dzaemel darkhold or aetherchemical research facility until youre comfortable enough with big pulls to keep your cool when you need to get hate back

Lastly as someone said pointing at the target you want helps get to it faster
Its not gonna kill someone just cus you didnt pull it INSTANTLY so dont worry too much about it