Tanking heroics sucks - I refuse to do it for free

WoW Classic Mists of Pandaria Classic Discussion
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I dungeon-grinded the whole way to 70 with minimal problems. Pugs were fine, and the content was easy enough that there weren’t any problems.

Then I started doing heroics in week 2.

Wearing a mix of naxx gear and pre-bis, and defense capped. My first heroic was basically the first time for everyone in my pug as well. No one had any idea how to organize CC, because we never needed CC in normal dungeons. I try my best, the hunter decides to ignore my CC markers, and I get chonked by 2-3 mobs hitting me at the same time. The hunter tells everyone that I’m bad, and the group disbands.

With practice, things got a lot better. I am now able to reliably complete all the daily heroics in ~1.5 hours, after a few wipes. But it still sucks. Pretty much every pug goes like this:

Me: Does anyone want to lead or mark CC targets?

<crickets>

Me: Does anyone want to lead or mark CC targets? If not, I can try, but I’m still learning and will make mistakes

<crickets>

<20 minutes later, we wipe on some pack>

Random DPS: JFC dude, don’t you know that you’re not supposed to {CC spell} on {mob}? If you’re going to play a tank, you should know this stuff

This is my first time playing TBC in 12 years. I don’t remember dungeon skip routes. I don’t remember when to use which CC and for which mobs. If someone else wants to mark mobs and call the shots, they are more than welcome. But for some reason, no one wants to do that. They would prefer that I try to do it myself, and then make snide comments if I fail.

I’ve pugged and tanked almost a hundred dungeons while leveling up. But tanking heroics is clearly a whole other level of annoyance. More so from other players, as opposed to the mobs themselves. If that’s the way it’s going to be, I might as well get paid for it. My free tanking services stop today.

/rant

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Exhibit A of people abusing the tanks.
I also think you should join a guild tbh.

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From my experience, the tank not taking up the role of leader leads to these kinds of things. Making poor decisions and standing by them is better than making no decisions. Even something as simple as “Sorry, I didnt know that guy feared, let’s sheep him next pull. We got this!” goes a long way. Admit your mistakes, but guide the group to overcoming them. Lead them to victory.

Also, don’t be afraid to lay down the law as a tank. People love a tank in charge…if you have to chew out that hunter multishotting your cc, do it

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Why would people pay tank that doesn’t know strats though. Especially if you’re a druid, they’re so bad in 5ppl heroics.

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If you got a dps that won’t pay attention to CC marks then take charge either boot them, or refuse to continue until they start helping. You’re the tank, you have the power.

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Good point.

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I’ve already found people who’re willing to pay for tanks who are sufficiently geared. They know that their options are to either pay up or continue waiting for another 30-60 minutes.

1 week ago, I would have felt bad asking for extra privileges as a tank. Not anymore though

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tanks do the marking.
who cc’s what.
dps order.

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I know you’re trying to troll but these PUGs are desperate lol. I’m sure an enhancement shaman could get a bunch of gold out of them if he sold it right.

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That’s good advice, and that’s what I’ve generally been doing. Works somewhat well - we generally clear the heroic in ~1.5 hours after a couple wipes. 80% of people handle it well. But you regularly run into one guy in every run or every other run who will make snide passive-aggressive comments whenever you make a mistake. That’s the guy who sucks out all the fun in tanking heroics

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Fortunately I haven’t run into anyone like that yet. Somewhat related, I’ve definitely had the opportunity to BE that guy. But I choose not to. Something something more with honey than vinegar.

Case in point, this paladin won a roll on a pole arm, then proceeded to equip it with no pole arm skill. After noticing he was doing zero damage on trash, I said something along the lines of “maybe you should train that skill outside the Dungeon and go back to your sword for now” instead of what I was actually thinking…which was “omg are you ACTUALLY that dumb???”

Not having a negative attitude towards teammates goes a long way to group success imo. (not really directing that towards you specifically…but to people in general)

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That’s what I see. I’ve healed pugs since Vanilla and I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen dps make mistakes and blame me or the tank for them. I’ve seen dickish tanks too. I just did Slave Pens with an azzhat tank. I’ll remember his name and avoid healing for him. But by far the majority of pugs go fine. Rarely does some dps insult the tank, me or other dps.

Either you’ve been very unlucky or I’ve been lucky because I don’t often see that.

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I will never pay for tank services, I’d rather wait an hour to get a tank (it’s never that long anyway) than pay someone to play the game.

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Why are you wasting people’s time? Your job as a tank is usually to lead and mark targets. You set the pace and should know the dungeons.

There are quest rewards that are better than your Naxx gear. People holding on to their Naxx set bonuses is a big problem in this expansion.

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That’s a lvl 19 retail character trolling the forums, so even if he’s correct I wouldn’t use it as evidence of anything except that the people around here are gullible.

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Sorry to hear about your bad experience with pugs. Personally I haven’t had as awful luck as you and other have had with mean players, although we did have a mage in our group once that was abusing our tank. (Note: I am a DPS who generally leads groups).

I kicked him within 5 minutes of him starting his BS and found a better dps who was a super nice guy and is now on my friend’s list.

I highly recommend you do the same good sir. I can tell you from experience that the other 3 people will appreciate the decision and enjoy the dungeon more as well.

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Tanks aren’t rare enough that I would consider paying one who doesn’t know what he’s doing.

It sounds like you need to join a guild and get a little friendly on the job training.

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I have been tempted to reserve the nether at the end of the run as the tank, but not until I know each place well enough to demand it. If you don’t know the run, then don’t charge for it.

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Honestly the best thing you can do is friend list a dope healer or two, a mage a shammy. Rotate out the last spot for w/e content you’re going through. Lock for banishes, fellow druid for sleeps. I know tanks and healers have the power too dictate the way a group functions. Personally I let dps stay dead all the time if they don’t play well. Rather use the mana on someone doing their job.

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This is why I refuse to tank it would drive me insane

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