Comments on: Tanks need Mages because

By: Mages need other classes why? « Evian Tree Bear

Mages need other classes why? « Evian Tree Bear — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:29:44 +0000

[...] need other classes why? November 5, 2009 wingot Leave a comment Go to comments To honour Gnomeaggedons current series on why various roles need mages, I thought I would go with Devils advocate and state [...]

By: Why tanks need mages. « Evian Tree Bear

Why tanks need mages. « Evian Tree Bear — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:59:58 +0000

[...] Why tanks need mages. October 27, 2009 wingot Leave a comment Go to comments Gnomeaggedon has a good post on why tanks need mages over on his blog: http://gnomeaggedon.net/2009/10/23/tanks-need-mages-because/ [...]

By: wingot

wingot — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:23:33 +0000

Hey Gnomey,

Love the article. I’d already had similar thoughts like this about how we make the tanks job interesting. In the ZF run I did mages kept pulling threat off my bear. When my bear gets to 80 I look forward to trying to hold threat off mages.

Linked from my blog.

By: thistlefizz

thistlefizz — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:57:28 +0000

I always like having a mage in a group. I mean, come on, free food and portals? But seriously, I like running with them because out of all the classes (excluding other tanks), they know how to challenge my tps more than anyone out there. I take it as a mark of pride if, as a tank, I can keep the mage alive.

By: Save the Best « For the Horde

Save the Best « For the Horde — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:53:05 +0000

[...] There definately not gnomes though. I mean, I have green skin, not green hair. [...]

By: repgrind

repgrind — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:54:29 +0000

Bah. Tanks need mages for one reason only … we buff their intellect. *

*To any and all tanks that I have run with, will run with, or even just know in passing … it’s just a joke! Please don’t let that nasty mob eat my pretty face.

By: Sprink

Sprink — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:25:37 +0000

Everyone needs mages, because how else would your ass get to Stonard? Walk? Pah. ~_^

I also agree with theerivs. Being a mage, I approve this post. ^_^

By: theerivs

theerivs — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:34:36 +0000

Being a mage, I approve this post.

I LOVE ME SOME ME!

By: smart001

smart001 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:43:16 +0000

I like Strudel.

But seriously, there is not a Mage in my regular raiding group, but last night one came along. That dude threw out moer DPS than I think I have ever seen. It was insane, I was in awe. I used that mage as a mark to try to keep with while doing damage.

As a DPS and a guy who just likes to raid, I think the best part of having a mage around is, if they are worth their salt, the amount of damage/dps they can put out. I like to see bosses die, and I don’t really care if I am on top of the charts (though it is nice).

So I like mages because of strudel and damage.

By: Antikris

Antikris — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:52:06 +0000

Other advantages of having a mage at one’s side: crowd control, kiting and disspelling.

And as long as the mage knows what he is doing and does so while being a gnome with cackling laughter, I don’t mind him testing my abilities as a tank. It keeps up the pace and my adrenaline levels and that is a good thing for all, given the responsibilities of a tank.

Many people think that more hp makes a better tank. Although that is partly true for a druid (due to lacking mitigation, making up with avoidance and hp), I tend to think that the further you climb the tanking career ladder, the more it becomes about enabling the dps to do the best they can.

Example: I was asked to tank an OS10 3D zerg rush. The group (8 heavy duty dps, 1 healer) was tasked to down Sartharion before the second drake lands (that is at the 00:45 mark, if I am correct) and my job was to hold solid agro on him (and the first drake) and stay alive long enough through his enrage as well. It took a few wipes to understand the necessary timing of it all, but holding agro was not too tricky for me (and I like to brag about this ).

Keeping agro on 20 mobs is a bit harder (for a warrior), but I am sure every mage worth his salt understand that going full out on dps within the first 3 seconds of an engagement is never the best idea. Positioning is key here: the tank has to know where to expect additional pats and make sure he can easily intercept them while they lunge for the dps. Vigilance and a spare Shockwave are my first aid kid.