A Healer Talks About Tanks

[Janda]

t might be nicer to talk to them privately to ensure they understand what they need to do. If they still retaliate, or are in denial, well there is only so much you can do... no one likes being put on the spot, but they may respond better to private communication/constructive criticism, and so on.

I agree that such criticism should be handled carefully in a private manner so that they dont feel offended or shamed. Only problem i foresee with this is that if you're DFing a dungeon and not with ls/fc mates then you are prevented sending tells to another? Unless it allows you to send tells to party members as i havnt tried this perhaps someone can enlighten me.

[JeniLinsky]

So does he deserve respect?

I'm not saying that people who wear their hats on their butts should be respected for their misplaced heads. I'm saying that, when the tank is doing her best, respect her, and for the twelve's sake, help her out! It's a group effort!

[Mistoltin]

Ummm you can't stay on tanks target as a dps as they are constantly changing in order to keep hate.

I may have gotten carried away in expressing my point, sorry..

[Pixiestyx]

I may have gotten carried away in expressing my point, sorry..

I was replying to how OP said to always attack the tanks target. I'm not an idiot I know what the signs are for. I don't attack one mob with a fire spell then hit next mob with fire then back to first. I said we don't do that. So you're the one who needs to learn to read

[Avalon_Albrook]

Ummm you can't stay on tanks target as a dps as they are constantly changing in order to keep hate.

If the tank marks the targets in an order, you sure can stay on the tank's target. He/she may have to rotate to hold aggro (unless mobs are asleep), but the kill order for everyone else doesn't change. (edit: I see the response you gave to someone else who commented on this, and I don't think the problem lies in that person or I being unable to read.)


Also: OP, your post was beautiful and I love you for it. Signed, a tank that loves the healers and DDs I'm matched with.

[Zfz]

If the tank marks the targets in an order, you sure can stay on the tank's target.

Try not to rely on those assist macros that target what the tank is targeting, especially when there's a clearly marked kill order.

I don't just rotate, I also "snap" to targets and sneak in a RoH or Savage Blade when I see the BLM or WHM is reapplying Sleep. Now I do it because I have practiced and I know exactly the window of opportunity that will allow me to sneak in a hit without waking the target up. But if the DDer happens to follow my target and use an attack just half a sec too late, the target will be woken up.

Numbers are marked for a reason.

In the end, this is what it comes down to. If the tank obviously knows what he's doing, don't follow his target, but follow the number markings. If the tank obviously have no idea how to tank, then sure, just follow his target closely.

Also there are a lot, and I mean a lot of damage dealers who will only assist at the start of each target. Then they will blindly focus on that one target until the target is dead. They will ignore everything else. Combine that with tank rotating targets and a brainless assist macro, you get those lancers and archers who always seem to choose the wrong target.

So no. Damage dealers, when numbers are marked, it is a clear and obvious attempt at communication, so please co-operate. It is not a demand nor a command. It is a super efficient form of communication. If you cannot stand following numbers because you think it lowers your status, then please voice your concern, and I'm sure some of the tanks will entertain your sense of pride by typing out polite requests on kill order before each pack of trash.

[Gunblazer42]

I have nothing to contribute to the topic except an anecdote. Back in WoW, I was a Druid focused on being a cat DPS. Unfortunately for maybe one or two random PUGs I did, the tank dropped halfway through and we had no choice but to soldier on without him because we were in too deep to just give up. After some debate, everyone decides I should just bear it up and I change to a bear tank.

Of course, being specced for DPS meant that I was woefully underprepared for tanking. But oh man did I get a crash course on how to tank. We all just barely survived that dungeon run. I've had nothing but respect for tanks who knew what they were doing after that. Having to focus on the aggro numbers so much, and switching targets for the singe aggro-skills constantly...I mean, I know I was unprepared for tanking, but I imagine that even good tanks have to do a lot of watching to make sure everything doesn't go down so fast.

[Avalon_Albrook]

Try not to rely on those assist macros that target what the tank is targeting, especially when there's a clearly marked kill order.

I don't just rotate, I also "snap" to targets and sneak in a RoH or Savage Blade when I see the BLM or WHM is reapplying Sleep. Now I do it because I have practiced and I know exactly the window of opportunity that will allow me to sneak in a hit without waking the target up. But if the DDer happens to follow my target and use an attack just half a sec too late, the target will be woken up.

Numbers are marked for a reason.

In the end, this is what it comes down to. If the tank obviously knows what he's doing, don't follow his target, but follow the number markings. If the tank obviously have no idea how to tank, then sure, just follow his target closely.

Also there are a lot, and I mean a lot of damage dealers who will only assist at the start of each target. Then they will blindly focus on that one target until the target is dead. They will ignore everything else. Combine that with tank rotating targets and a brainless assist macro, you get those lancers and archers who always seem to choose the wrong target.

So no. Damage dealers, when numbers are marked, it is a clear and obvious attempt at communication, so please co-operate. It is not a demand nor a command. It is a super efficient form of communication. If you cannot stand following numbers because you think it lowers your status, then please voice your concern, and I'm sure some of the tanks will entertain your sense of pride by typing out polite requests on kill order before each pack of trash.

...okay, I'm confused about what you're trying to correct about what I said when (1) we're both tanks (2) talking about doing the same thing.

Edit: Also, @Avalon_Albrook, YOUR SIGNATURE IS FREAKING AWESOME!

<3 you.

[Zfz]

...okay, I'm confused about what you're trying to correct about what I said when (1) we're both tanks (2) talking about doing the same thing.
<3 you.

Oh I thought you meant the DDs could just attack whatever the tank is attacking if there's a marked order.

Well, in the end, the markings are like traffic signs. DDs should follow the signs because it is a clear and unambiguous communication from whoever's trying to make everyone work together.

[Steeled]

snip

I think this person started off on a bad foot but people, and Pixie too, are missing a key point.

Tanks will switch target, but honestly, they should be able to generate enough aoe hate that they can establish single target hate on their curent target before they switch. As a Paladin, at least, it's not important to switch and stay switched.

I'll basically Shield Lob, Flash, FB, RB, RoH, Flash, FB, SB, Flash, RoH, FB, SB, (switch subtarget)RoH. By this point I usually have enough hate on the main target I can switch entirely to a third target while tossing some enmity at the secondary target. It works with 4 targets, it works with 5. Honestly I can crank hate for a long long time. The most important thing is that I'll always mark something to attack and that's what you should be attacking. It's my job to keep my marked target off of you, and all targets off the healer (of course, it's also my job to out-hate aoe damage from dot classes too.

It is not my job to let anyone attack whatever they want.