Tanks and Tankery

[Pantalaimon]

In warrior-less groups (which are actually the norm on my server, at least Horde-side), I play dodge-n-parry tank with healer backup.  I also pull if there isn’t a hunter.  No problem keeping aggro of course.  We kill very quickly and I only die if we get too many adds.

In warrior groups, my experiences have been horrible.  I’m used to dealing massive DPS 1-on-1, and can fight up to 4 at once if necessary, using gouge, kidney shot, etc.  I can kill most mobs my level in 6-12 seconds depending on criticals and combo accrual.  But warriors become furious with me when I use these abilities, so I’m reduced to puller.
[right][snapback]63958[/snapback][/right]

First of all, later on in instances as has been alluded to by others, you can't play tank as a rogue. Rogues just can't stand up to the beatings that you'll receive later on, even with talents like deflection and reflexes (imho, drop those and get something else :P). But I don't want to tell you to "go stealth spec" like you said...

All in all, you just have to learn aggro management as a rogue. That's something rogues aren't really used to, but aggro management isn't only a cloth-wearer's thing. But if all you're doing is normal attacks on a mob and the warrior loses aggro, Tal is absolutely right, they're sucking not you.

Then again if you do a 5 point critical evisc you're going to get aggro, and there's not much a tank can do to stop that (or you for that matter). So, just hold off for a little after the evisc and let them grab the aggro back. If you have feint, use it. Otherwise just refrain from ss x5 evisc for like 5 seconds until the mob is glued back to the tank.

The biggest thing is to make sure you're attacking the same target as the tank, though. That way, while it's building hate on you it's still building hate on the tank.

And as a last thing, rogues make excellent healer bodyguards. If a mob peels off to go after a cloth-type, feel free to go up and clobber it. Having a leather wearer get beat on is better than a cloth, and like it or not, like a mage (maybe moreso) the rogue is disposable. Better you die than the priest, cuz you can get a quick rez and re-buff and the party's on its way.