Common mistakes new tanks make

[Outtkast]

Understand the overall picture.

This is from the Mob and player perspective. If you understand what the boss does and how this affects your party then you will be a better tank. A few examples.

If the boss drops giant poison puddles, try to overlap them. This will give your DPS (especially melee) a free side to DPS.

Knowing where your DPS need to stand to maximize DPS (ie, flank or rear). This can help you position the mob so that they can freely stand in that area.

If the boss does a huge cone aoe, make sure you 'dance' in a way so you move out of the AOE, then stand in one spot. Then move back to the other spot you were in for the next cone. When doing this try to minimize the movement you require of your healer and caster DPS. (They like to stand in one spot and spam spells).

Cut down your running. Do this by positioning yourself between the adds and the healer. The healer will almost ALWAY pull adds. So you know where the mobs are going, intercept their path to minimize your movement.

Learn a rotation that is easy to remember and maximizes your threat. Repeat this rotation regularly (even while questing). If you know this and can do it easily it allows you to watch the field. You can focus instead on the overall situation and how the boss is affecting your party.

Don't be afraid of your cooldowns. You can't click them while you're dead. If you died and your mitigation cooldowns were not used, you didn't help your healer. It's their job to keep you upright, but you owe them the best chance to accomplish that mission. Use them smartly and effectively. (knowing the fights and boss abilities can direct you to the best time to use them, but when running out of HP is usually the best time. )

[irhinohammer]

Surprised you didn't mention backpedalling or movement in general. Explanation incoming for those who have no idea wtf I'm talking aboot.

Backpeddaling (ie. backing up straight back using 's' or the down arrow) is bad for a couple of reasons. You move slower in game, which means it takes you longer to get to your position (ie. around the corner outside of the room your pulling or out of the AoE death). Your movements are also checked less by the server, so it looks like you're out of the AoE but your not because the server hasn't really registered the movement yet. Movement should always be forward or to the side. If you have to 'back up', you do so by turning slightly and running to the side in (possibly) a series of diagonal movements or in the case of large (more than 3 yalms ish) movements turning completely to the side and bailing with a quickness in order to minimize time spent offering your flank. You gotta know how to go on walkabout or you could cost the party the fight.

[Mon7y]

Also, don't always rely on flash to hold aggro to a group of mobs. Occasional target changing and hitting with a savage blade or shield lob always ensures you are holding maximum threat. It always helps too when DPS focus fires the same target.