Say hello to Caligan, my baby tankadin on Azuremist Server.
Granted, he’s not my first paladin. I have another level 85 Paladin, named Caligan on Sentinels Server. The difference is this: I’ve leveled Caligan@Azuremist almost exclusively as a Tank, using only the items he can get via questing and instancing. Caligan@Sentinels was leveled using Heirloom Items and almost exclusively via questing.
I have to say, it is both fun and nerve wracking. As you know, I’m a hunter at heart. I’ve played a ranged class since 2006. I’ve definitely seen a learning curve. Ranged classes don’t have to worry about cleave, and other close in mob AoE. Also, as a hunter (in the days when we didn’t have much AoE to think of), if we broke CC it was because we were being stupid. As a Paladin Melee DPS and a Tank, it becomes incredibly easy to accidentally break CC.
It is especially nerve wracking to tank using the LFD tool. I can’t begin to tell you the number of times I’ve had the “go, go, go(s)” from both dps and healers. I would like to try and practice marking, using CC, and just strategy in general. But, so many people are in a hurry to zerg through the instance, that it becomes disheartening. One thing for sure, and I’ve read it on other tank blogs, going through that will make you a better tank. If you are a baby tankadin, read this for a good overall view.
My weakest part has been doing the research. As the instances get harder, tanks need to be aware of new boss mechanics. If you aren’t aware of something, it can wipe your group. We may need to interrupt a cast, gain threat back after an aggro wipe so the boss doesn’t nomnomnom the face of our healer. These things can either be learned the hard way, by wipe after infuriating wipe; or we can take some time out of game to read up on the instances. My problem is that I would rather play! I don’t want to take the time to go read up on an instance that I’ll only que into maybe 3-4 times, and then I’ll be leveled past it. (On a side note, that is why I’ve not posted much. I’ve been playing. 🙂 ) However, good (and bad) habits start early. If someone isn’t willing to do their research early on, it isn’t likely that they’ll be willing to do it later.
I’ve really enjoyed doing this. Eff the Ineffable(s) has been kind enough to take my alt in. They are a great group of people, a lot of fun, and are ready to include individuals who come their way. I’ve become somewhat burned out by the grind to gear up for raiding, and this has been a good release for me.
Ok, disclaimer (So Nymphy doesn’t pyroblast me into nonexistence) D/E the Tank! is not a “tank blog” perse. It is just that one of the co-authors is a raid tank, and gives good advice.
Ok, is there a point to this?
No, not really. However, if I want to make one up off the cuff: “Go try something different. It might be a little nerve wracking, but it can be well worth it in the end.”
What are you going to do differently?
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