Tank class and donator questions

[Alulien]

More questions from the guy who lives in this section of the forums.

Firstly, how well will a SK tank vs. a WAR when it comes to progressing through raid content. I know that a WAR will always be better, but by how much? I don't have Kael gloves on my SK yet but it's only a matter of time... Now I assume that eventually I'll need a 2nd tank class to help with adds/rampages - safe assumption?

And secondly a couple donor item-specific questions:

webtools/items.php?id=18437 - is the Weapon Mastery focus on this bow really a 1hs modifier, and if so is 2% accurate? Seems like it should be Archery not 1hs being on a bow and all...

webtools/items.php?id=17851 - can you bind in the Guild Hall? I tried a long time back at low level and couldn't so assumed it was perhaps a level restriction. If you can't, then perhaps someone can explain the utility the GH porter provides that I've missed? Just a zone free of other toons/less lag/faster load?

And finally, what would you say is the most important thing to stress when equipping a group and moving through content: maxing your tank as best you can, focusing on dps, or focusing on support (healing, sustainability, etc.)? I've always taken a Tank > Support > DPS mindset but am curious what vets of the server think for fastest and relatively smooth progression.

[Nerva]

Well, actually I wouldn't say a Warrior tank is exactly "better" per se. Each tanks in a different way, and has different skills they bring to the table. For instance, Paladins provide group heals and some support alongside some of the best group aggro in the game, while SKs generate single-target aggro like nobody's business and are self-sufficient, thanks to casted lifetaps and the ability to self-buff (at the enemy's expense, no less.) Warriors have the best physical DPS of any genuine tank class and inherent defensive discs - they're not reliant upon clickies. I've seen any of the three tanks work just fine on their own, outside of raidfights that require the use of multiple tanks.

Now, I haven't played any of the three classes into the higher tiers, nor have I really used their donors, so this is just what I know from observing their tanking styles.

You cannot bind in the guild hall. However, having a GH teleporter allows you quick access to the guildhall from anywhere, and the fact that it has pretty much every non-quest NPC and crafting station you could ever want means that it's far more convenient than, say, clicking your charm or going back to the Hidden Vale (the former has no crafting stations; the latter is more likely to have other people using them.)

The guildhall also has an augmenting station (which isn't present in either of the above options) a dedicated T6 prezone warper (you don't have to run through skyfire or feerrott if you've beaten Phara Dar or Cazic before), and a T8 entrance NPC, plus access to your guild bank.

[Stickybuds]

my guess would be that is an error in the alla clone for the bow, one of the rangers with it could comment more.

one thing to note about the 3 tanks. The war is your best at single target agro, also easy to box b/c you just use auto attack. holds agro well on stuff that silences.

the two knights are all about AE agro. they both get AE spells and AE hate clickies. The main difference is the pally heals and the SK lifetaps. Pally buffs more defensive and SK buffs offense.

[yaeger]

They hit it on the head already =P.

The tanks on this server are pretty balanced and you'll see a good spread of them running around. I'm not going to list all the strengths and weaknesses of them here because they've already been covered but I think no matter what you choose you won't be disappointed.

Finding that right balance between offense, defense, support, etc is all about preference.

[Alulien]

Thanks for the replies folks and that was a good summary of the tanks, Sticky. I've definitely seen all the tank classes running around - just wasn't sure if there was something down the line (higher ranks of spells, "new" spells available in higher tiers, etc.) that I was missing. At what tier or point do encounters begin to require a 2nd tank class?

Ya yaeger, I know what you mean. My thinking was that if I can max out my SK as best as I can it'll allow me a little more room for error while I refine my 6-box technique. Having a CLR and SHM I'm not too worried about healing at this point, even if they're both spamming I can sustain for a while, so I suppose I should work on bringing my dps up to snuff.

Speaking of donor weapons: is there a spell-line for SHM that mirrors WoA but is obviously not as powerful? Only been given the buff once and holy shit! makes everything I've been doing pretty trivial cuz that regen is just nuts. I'm interested in donating to support the server at some point in the near future and want to figure out how I can get the most bang for my buck if you will. And something I just thought of: heroic stats don't show up for me using Titanium when I view item details - if I were to obtain an item with heroic stats would my character gain them even if it doesn't properly display in my inv, or would I be SOL?

[Stickybuds]

you start making use of offtanks at end of T5 and all through T6 and T7.

[vip00]

WoA looks like an extension of the avatar line - the closest shammies get is Champion's Perseverance. 120 hp/tick instead of 1500, and similar bonuses to stats, except missing the AC boost.

[Alulien]

Nice, T5 will be a while so I have pleeeeenty of time to figure out how I'm going to add to my setup.

Slight difference huh? That buff is insane! Though I wonder if that would be more beneficial or the DI on Shield of Immortality... How does DI work on this server? You "die," get a successful roll for DI so buff is consumed are you are left with...? 1hp/full hp? No buffs/all buffs?

[vip00]

Nice, T5 will be a while so I have pleeeeenty of time to figure out how I'm going to add to my setup.

Slight difference huh? That buff is insane! Though I wonder if that would be more beneficial or the DI on Shield of Immortality... How does DI work on this server? You "die," get a successful roll for DI so buff is consumed are you are left with...? 1hp/full hp? No buffs/all buffs?

Personally, I would go with the shield. I find that 1500 hp/tick is nothing compared to a raid mob dmg output and will pretty much do nothing for your tanking ability. Heck, just box a cleric to continually cast chaotic elixir on you for 3k/tick (VP drops a elixir clicky with 1 minute reuse). The DI however, WILL consistently save your life and prolong your tanking stint. That clicky DI is 90% chance of firing and when it goes off, it completely heals you to 100% with all buffs, etc.

[Salvador]

Just my 2 cents on tank donors... The legs are probably the *best* first item to get. high aggro and 15k rune every 10 seconds is hard to beat. Next would be the DI shield, 3rd would be a tie, in my option, between the weapon or the sune arms for buffing. Just really depends on how much you plan on donating.