Tankaracteristics
Posted 09-22-2008 at 12:19 PM by Dranchor
In a search to find a subject that will still be on topic after Wrath hits, I thought about personalities. When you read tanking sites and get to know tanks, there's some things that are quite common. I'll try to give some characteristics many of us share, but this is by no means a list of things you need to be a tank, or a quest to find the ideal tank. It's merely a summary of things I noticed.
Dedication
Most of us tanks are very dedicated to what they do. We put a lot of effort into what we do. We read tanking blogs and forums. We make sure that we're completely prepared when encountering a new boss in progression. Just look at this site and be amazed how many time we (and especially Ciderhelm) put into building this site, this community - the same goes for maintankadin.com and other sites.
Leadership
Tanks are often forced into the leading role as soon as they enter an instance. It starts with marking, it ends with giving everyone detailed instruction about fights and even their own jobs. This is mutual: tanks are forced deeper and deeper into leading roles, but leader types are also attracted by tanking and the responsability that comes with it. This also one of the reasons tanks often end up as officers or other high ranked spots in guilds (dedication plays a big part in this, too).
Knowledge
Tanks possess a vast database of sheer knowledge. About their class, about instances, about certain mobs. As a tank it is necessary to know an instance to be able to lead it well. For example, if you're leading a raid into Karazhan and you don't know Undead can't be sheeped by mages but should be shackled by priests, you're not really one awesome tank. This knowledge also requires a trained memory, obviously.
Vocal
The tank's job is tightly tied to the healers and the dps. It is very important as a tank to be a good communicator, from the start. Just marking and pulling without ever explaining won't get you very far with a PuG. When raiding, it's important to call out things like Last Stand and Shield Wall. This communication is also a thing that's being favored by tanks in the leading position in 5-man instancing.
Ambitious
Maybe this is not exactly the right word to describe what I mean, but I hope you guys will get the point. Tanks excell at controlling complex situations. We're glad that we don't have to Fireball spam, but have an interesting rotation with many abilities both on and off the GCD. We're happy when we've survived a two-group pull by solid tanking. We want to see endgame, and beat it.
This post ended up being a little shorter than I imagined, but I hope that will make the point clearer.
Dranchor the Enduring.
Dedication
Most of us tanks are very dedicated to what they do. We put a lot of effort into what we do. We read tanking blogs and forums. We make sure that we're completely prepared when encountering a new boss in progression. Just look at this site and be amazed how many time we (and especially Ciderhelm) put into building this site, this community - the same goes for maintankadin.com and other sites.
Leadership
Tanks are often forced into the leading role as soon as they enter an instance. It starts with marking, it ends with giving everyone detailed instruction about fights and even their own jobs. This is mutual: tanks are forced deeper and deeper into leading roles, but leader types are also attracted by tanking and the responsability that comes with it. This also one of the reasons tanks often end up as officers or other high ranked spots in guilds (dedication plays a big part in this, too).
Knowledge
Tanks possess a vast database of sheer knowledge. About their class, about instances, about certain mobs. As a tank it is necessary to know an instance to be able to lead it well. For example, if you're leading a raid into Karazhan and you don't know Undead can't be sheeped by mages but should be shackled by priests, you're not really one awesome tank. This knowledge also requires a trained memory, obviously.
Vocal
The tank's job is tightly tied to the healers and the dps. It is very important as a tank to be a good communicator, from the start. Just marking and pulling without ever explaining won't get you very far with a PuG. When raiding, it's important to call out things like Last Stand and Shield Wall. This communication is also a thing that's being favored by tanks in the leading position in 5-man instancing.
Ambitious
Maybe this is not exactly the right word to describe what I mean, but I hope you guys will get the point. Tanks excell at controlling complex situations. We're glad that we don't have to Fireball spam, but have an interesting rotation with many abilities both on and off the GCD. We're happy when we've survived a two-group pull by solid tanking. We want to see endgame, and beat it.
This post ended up being a little shorter than I imagined, but I hope that will make the point clearer.
Dranchor the Enduring.
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