How to be a good SK tank?

[Jimjam]

What other classes are you grouping with? It could be other toons are trying to level up their taunt skill. Or are using their stuns/snares too early (both these effects are high aggro).

If you are grouping with mages be aware the earth pets cast root. When a mob is rooted it will attack whichever player is closest (assuming one is in melee range).

[big mouth chew]

i dont think ive ever lost aggro ever
thanks disease cloud

[Danth]

Originally Posted by Tecmos Deception [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I like pulling with siphon strength on my SK and then firing a DC so that the cap on initial aggro doesn't limit my DC and cause the rogue's first backstab/the shaman's slow/whatever to pull off of me. Not a big deal though, since DC is only on a short cooldown anyway and SV isn't too expensive to cast between DCs if you need extra threat.

Good for mentioning the hate cap on initial aggro. Lot of folks don't even know about it. Good reason to pull with Siphon Strength when you're level 9 and Disease Cloud is the only real aggro spell you have: If you pull with DC, you're building virtually no aggro and it's on cooldown for a crucial ~6 seconds while other folks get aggro and you can't do much of anything about it. Use a throwaway spell (or an arrow) first then follow up with Disease Cloud. That'll build you far more hate. Or you can tell the local Shaman to pull with slow.

Originally Posted by Shaakglith12194 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

This. That's basically it. Disease cloud is crazy aggro. Shadow Vortex is great aggro once you get it, and you should cast it on every mezzed mob that you're about to attack. Hit em with some shadow vortex, taunt, hit em with that disease cloud.

I think it's better to use Taunt first. Taunt does nothing if you already have aggro. Using it first gives you a better threat lead when it works and is no difference if it fails.

Danth

[Tecmos Deception]

Originally Posted by Danth [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Or you can tell the local Shaman to pull with slow.

This! When I play Tecmos in groups I often pull things with tash on purpose because it's the easiest way to get tash on a mob without getting aggro or having to wait until everyone else already has cast their MR spells!

[Kender]

bow shot between the eyes then DC. siphon just uses up mana you need for DC in a chain pulling grp (unless you got bard or enchanter in which case go crazy)

[thieros]

pull with disease cloud, spam again when mob lands or as soon as recast is available, while tanking cycle mezzed merbs and drop a shadow vortex on em once. finish your mob, select a new target. Taunt, disease cloud, engage. rinse repeat for hourssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ssssssssssssssss then youll be 60 doing the same steps above in a much more intense and awesome manner

[Holey]

Originally Posted by big mouth chew [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

i dont think ive ever lost aggro ever
thanks disease cloud

given them mobs hivs :P:

[Raavak]

Disease Cloud ftw. SK's have it pretty easy that way.

[captnamazing]

Originally Posted by Danth [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Nonsense, if you're a hybrid tank, then aggro management is YOUR job. That's the fun in playing one. If you aren't teaching your damage-dealers horrible habits that'll get them killed the next time they group with a Warrior, you're not trying hard enough!

lmfao.. so true.

[Nlaar]

Many people have mentioned this but it could easily be overlooked... before engaging a MEZZED mob, one should TAUNT it once or twice. Taunt will not break mezz and when successful will put you higher on the aggro list than the enchanter, ie prevent the mob from bee lining straight to your squishy friend when mez is broken.

Thus chain of events:
Finish current mob.
Stand in front of mezzed mob.
Hit Taunt (once or twice).
Engage mob (usually DC or Shadow Vortex).
Make the assist call.