Discussion on tanking

[Gemina]

"Own your aggro".

Those were the words given to me by my tanking senpai a little ways back. He was not very sympathetic when I told him about getting trolled in 50/60 roulette when the DPS purposely pulled ahead of me knowing I was a budding tank. He literally told me I can choose to cry about it, or get better, faster, and stronger and "Make the DPS know who's the HBIC". I chose the latter.

Granted, a DPS who pulls ahead of the tank better know what they're doing, but I feel it is never a tanks job to let an AWOL DPS player eat dirt. This serves to lengthen the run even more so than it does teach that player a lesson. If someone is taking damage, you need to protect them. That is YOUR role. "Own your aggro"

[Siegrand]

"Own your aggro".

Those were the words given to me by my tanking senpai a little ways back. He was not very sympathetic when I told him about getting trolled in 50/60 roulette when the DPS purposely pulled ahead of me knowing I was a budding tank. He literally told me I can choose to cry about it, or get better, faster, and stronger and "Make the DPS know who's the HBIC". I chose the latter.

Granted, a DPS who pulls ahead of the tank better know what they're doing, but I feel it is never a tanks job to let an AWOL DPS player eat dirt. This serves to lengthen the run even more so than it does teach that player a lesson. If someone is taking damage, you need to protect them. That is YOUR role. "Own your aggro"

While I still think that people who pull instead of waiting for the tank to are assholes, I like that methodology.

[Gemina]

While I still think that people who pull instead of waiting for the tank to are assholes, I like that methodology.

Oh believe me, I am far from excusing these players from poor etiquette. However, intent of the DPS is important. I will even say there are rare cases where it might be best to let them die if they pull early. An example would be where if they pull when the party's resources are depleted, which will lead to a sure wipe if everyone attacks. One death is far better than four. Again though, this is an extremely rare situation, and would suggest the DPS player has no idea what they're doing, or they are trolling. Either way: dead, and possibly booted.

A DPS pulling before the tank will likely not intend to tank the mobs they pull. They will expect the tank to take the aggro off of them. If the tank is experienced, which the DPS players should be able to gauge before pulling ahead of them, it won't be a problem, and the run will go faster. Some tanks are even thankful for this. However, if the tank is inexperienced, it can really bring the run down, and also make the tank feel inadequate.

Experienced players who are very adaptable are quite rare in DF. Because of this, it is generally just good practice to let the tank pull at their leisure save the case where they stand around for minutes on end with their heads in the clouds. I find it best to go into DF with an expectation no higher than the bare minimum. Especially as a DPS. It would be really awesome if we all operated under the mindset, "How can I be the best help to this group?" rather than, "I hope these effers don't slow me down."