Returning Guardian tank coming back from several breaks since Shadowlands launch. Running through some beginning M+ pug keys at about 250 ilvl. What is the expected amount of mobs to pull during runs that I’m used to getting some gear? I ran a +7 last night and we had no issues, but at the end someone was saying I was trolling for not pulling enough. I’m trying to use these keys to build some gear and have some fun. My goal is to get to +15 so I’m trying to see if I should be pulling more at this current level.
Tell them to cry about it and roll a tank
I’m not joking, if your skill level is at a certain pull amount, then pull that amount. This will vary from tank to tank, group to group, healer to healer. You pull (x) amount on one week, then (x) amount on the other.
If someone is basing your skill on your pull size then they are likely boosted or horribly elitist without any skill floor to stand on.
It sounds like you’re doing great, just make sure you’re up-to-date on the +10 affix this season and you’ll be set 
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Appreciate it! I feel that right now I’m at an appropriate difficulty for my skill level, but definitely am trying to see if I can go a little higher. I was reading a post in this forum about an opinion on how M+ and dungeons have become about speed. I know I’m cut from the old cloth of BC/Wrath etc before it was a speed run but understand that the game has focused on that now.
I’m curious though if maybe I’m able to pull 2-3 sets of mobs and still be fine, and maybe I’m just playing it safe? I know that my current strat probably won’t make it for that +15 level. Any further tips or info is appreciated! Thanks!
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Which dungeon were you in? Because how much to pull really depends on the dungeon, the affixes, and obviously the key level, your comfort level, and the group. There’s nothing wrong with pulling fairly conservatively if you are only aiming for +15 and you are in a PuG, but there are plenty of places where you can safely combine pulls most of the time, and it’s usually done even in PuGs (not to mention DPS tend not to like it when they have all their CDs up and it’s only a two mob pull). Do what you’re comfortable with, though.
And if it helps, think about pulling around your CDs. Got your “good luck killing me now” button ready? Grab another pack. Obviously there are some places where combining can be really dangerous in PUGs due to the need for interrupt/stun coordination, but between your bashes and roar, you can lock down multiple dangerous abilities on your own. And sometimes, even if you aren’t pulling multiple packs at once, starting the next pull once the most dangerous mob from the previous pull can be a good way to keep things moving while not straying too far out of your comfort zone. If you notice that the group has been good about stuns/interrupts, it’s a good indication that they can handle bigger pulls.
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I don’t find it necessary to think of it as a “speed run.” Just think about keeping things moving, as long as the healer has mana.
The run I just had was Sanguine Depths, so I know there are a few tough mobs in there. Also, I’ve tanked since the start of M+ and know that bolstering can be a pug killer very easily. On bolstering weeks I’ve usually kept to the less mobs the better mentality. Again, I’m no longer a big key pusher (never really was even in legion/BFA). Just trying to get a feel for what I can do more.
Now that I have tier set as guardian, I’m pretty much untouchable with barkskin and berserk up so I’ve been trying to focus on those CDs in order to see how much to pull as well.
So one big thing that I will suggest, once you start to bump into higher keys, is to really pull around your incarn.
Example, if you’re doing… Let’s say Necrotic Wake. You pull the first pack on the left, the middle, the second middle, and the initial right side adds together. If you’re in incarn on that, you will not die because the shield will be enough to keep you rolling - you can probably supplement this with barkskin if you’re worried about it.
After that, you’d grab the pack of mobs next to the spear. There’s really nothing you can pull this into, so that’s a good singular pack to grab.
In most group keys, you’ll get Goliath, then pull the middle pack in front of the boss, the patrol, and the adds on the ledge to the right → all of these go into the boss, you incarn here, and make sure you’re interrupting the casters. Move the boss along the wall back towards the goliath to keep the pools in place.
That’s an aggressive pull, a safer pull would be to pull the boss, then pull the second add pack on the ledge with maybe the patrol if you’re feeling spicy.
These are completely up to you, choice wise. Second goliath I’d pull the caster adds on the left into the necromancer, along with the small adds just past that. In most cases the healer will be able to keep up with this, and it’s a normal sized pull.
Rule of thumb in almost every scenario, if you’re not comfortable with it, you don’t have to pull it. I’m all for pushing the limits of what you can do and really testing yourself, honestly that’s the most fun imo (ex-healer main) when you’re really pumping and there’s a lot going on - not everyone is into that, some people prefer a more casual run through.
EOD you set the pace. If you’re curious about routes and pathing there’s a website you can use (https://keystone.guru/) that is REALLY good about route planning. I typically just watch good tanks and see what they do, then copy that, but planning out routes on your own is always a good pass-time if you’re interested in it.
Summarize wall of text - I think you’re doing fine keep slamming.
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Definitely appreciate the info and support! I’ll check out some more strats as I keep moving forward. Like you said before, it also depends on that group vibe too and it’s awesome to hear as a tank from the healer “I got you, pull more”.
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Pull what you’re comfortable with is the way to go. As you get experience you’ll be comfortable pulling more.
That said, one of your greatest strengths as a guardian druid is your ability to do huge pulls once every three minutes because of legendary + Incarn. You basically get 30 seconds of immortality (and if you go venthyr, you also get a huge bump in damage). Not kidding about the immortality thing either, you legit don’t need any heals.
Pull an amount that you’re comfortable with and doesn’t overwhelm you or your healer. If DPS cry tell them to suck it.
Beating the timer is the only thing that actually matters. You’ll know when you get to a point where you need to start pulling more and by the time you get there you’ll have the experience you need to handle it.