You know, compliments just feel right. Well, not all of the time. For some of us, compliments are unwanted attention. For others, it is the red hot brick of conviction due to our lack of actually deserving the compliment. But, for the normal everyday run of the mill scenario; a compliment is a glorious thing.
My Effin-Caligan is making is way along in the World (of Warcraft) just fine. Here take a look at a more current picture:
I’ve become more willing to tank pugs as of late. I like to think that I’m actually getting “better” at tanking, but a part of me wonders if it isn’t that Prot Paladins aren’t just really over powered.
Hey, I’m not complaining! It is just…I think we cleared at least one boss sans healer!
I’m just saying… >.>
Ok, back to compliments! So, I’ve been running more pugs as a tanks lately. It seems that Wrath instances are zerg fests, so to break the monotony I’ve started to type a bit more in the /p channel (other than just heya). I’ve still run into the “jerks,” the “gogogo(s),” and the “lolL2PlayNoob!” Those guys are always fun. Interesting, not much of it has been centered on me though. Again, either I’m getting better or my spec makes up for my failadin tendencies.
Today a few really nice things happened. I was complimented about three times, over just as many instances. Also, right before I logged this afternoon I saw some white words splash across my screen.
You remember the “white words” don’t you? Those are the things you find in the /s channel; which is then able to be seen by everyone in your close proximity! That’s right, someone was speaking to me in /s and it wasn’t a guildy!
It was a mage of approximate level, and he said “hi” to me, and asked me how I was doing. I was dumbfounded. Who was this guy? How does he know me, or at least think it is a good idea to pretend to know me.
I let out a “heya,” and asked how he was doing. We chatted for a little bit, but then I had to ask him where he knew me from.
Get this…
We had actually instanced together before. We had been thrown together in the LFD tool. He had such a good experience that he “friended” me and made a note about me being a good tank!
Look. This is minor stuff. I get that. But, I’ve had serious confidence issues as a tank thus far. Hearing someone, even a random person, say that they remember you “because you did a good job” is heaven on earth to a person with a confidence deficit.
So, if you have a chance today…say something nice. Let it be to a random person who you really think is doing a good job. I’m not asking you to lie. I’m just asking you to communicate a little bit. Say something positive to a person.
Spread the love, baby!
When was the last time someone said something nice about you?
Zwingli
You’re right, random compliments are one of the best ways to encourage people. When I’m having a rough time tanking, one compliment instantly makes me feel better. That’s why I try to return the favor, like whenever a healer keeps me alive through a botched pull. If I know someone is new to a fight and they pull off the mechanics properly (even after a few failures), I try to praise them there too. Honestly, I think this is one reason why my 5 man runs go so smoothly. Humans love positive attitudes!
Sometimes I’m not in the mood to encourage other people, but I should get in the habit of doing it more often.
I bet it could be fun to group with you for a run.
Thanks for commenting!
Zwingli
Best and most recently compliment I got was a partial pug in Zul’Gurub, first boss.
Some things went south, and people started dropping. One DPS. Then another. Then our healer, leaving two of us. DPS warrior and me tanking on my DK. I managed to dodge spit and spray and whatever and we got him down, a little worse for wear… but dead, none the less.
Then the warrior says when it’s all said and done, “That’s the best boss tanking I’ve ever seen!”
While I know I’m not a supertank or anything, it was still nice to hear.
that said, I still don’t like tanking PuGs.
I had a really nice pug run tonight. The group stayed together through 3 instances. We ended with Halls of Stone, where the mobs tend to be a level or two above me. We had some members of the group that were in the upper 70s; which made me low man on the totem pole. Even though HoS was a little tough on me, it worked well. Everyone was on the ball, and I was able to hold aggro fairly well.
Next, I need to learn how to use Hand of Salvation!
Darth,
You just rock that way!
Zwingli
Compliments from randoms are few and far between, but you make a good comment about us all trying to offer them ourselves more often. I will try to do this myself as well.
I don’t do more PUGs than I absolutely have to and it’s been a while since I had a compliment. I think the last one was when I was healing on my Shaman in Wrath dungeons while levelling.
I’ve not tanked on my Paladin for a while because she doesn’t have a whole lot of health (I never really gem stamina), and healers were complaining. My guildies had no problems keeping me alive of course, but I guess healers are getting spoiled by the fully raid geared tanks they’re getting these days. So I stick to healing
Saga, you’re just Awesomesauce!
I totally am! Thank you! I just wish more people would realise it!