04-11-2005, 09:57 PM
After having a highly successful series of runs on Scarlet Monastery last night as main tank for all groups, I agree with you in full. The main tank usually sets the pace for the group... by the healer's mana. With the priest playing healbot and the tank being a hate and not-dying bot, we took down Mograine and Whitemaine with only 4 players, all 38-. Then, we took down Herod with 3 before filling out to 5 and zerging the Library.
I also agree that a defensively oriented spec helps a lot, but you can acquire one of these on a PvP server without being a joke (or at least, a very funny one). Some tricks I've found:
1) Many defensively minded specs include Piercing Howl. Mine certainly does. If yours does, it's not a bad idea to push for this first, as its utility arises in so many situations (runners, group hate, running away, mage AoE kiting) and Cruelty is on the path to getting it, adding to your effectiveness in the damage category. Plus, piercing howl is my #1 favorite trick when running from ganking paladins
2)Another common choice for defensive plans is Tactical Mastery/Anger Management. I picked this up, and while I may respec out of it, I've found it allows me to open with charge in safe situations (not every pull, or even most, should be charged), and it allows me to switch stances at the end of a fight for a quick execute, which is invaluable against instance bosses. Anger management's added rage gain is also a boon, and its slowed loss allows pacing in the fight through the instance.
That said, the Sword and Shield warrior is definitely a rare and valuable breed (and I must keep billing myself as such to keep it that way in the public's mind). Your entire arguement rings true especially if faced with a group that:
1) Doesn't have a rogue sapping. If you have this, let the rogue set the pace
2) Don't have a mage pulling with sheep. ""
3) Don't have a druid pulling with hibernate ""
4) Don't have a warlock pulling with banish ""
Now, all of these things can be done after the pull, but it seems to be best if it's the puller that uses them, if you don't mind, as a warrior, charging and sundering to gain hate on the other monsters in the pull. Personally, I judge this on a case basis. Some groups, it's better to pull with CC, and others, the CC can be done after the pull.
I also agree that a defensively oriented spec helps a lot, but you can acquire one of these on a PvP server without being a joke (or at least, a very funny one). Some tricks I've found:
1) Many defensively minded specs include Piercing Howl. Mine certainly does. If yours does, it's not a bad idea to push for this first, as its utility arises in so many situations (runners, group hate, running away, mage AoE kiting) and Cruelty is on the path to getting it, adding to your effectiveness in the damage category. Plus, piercing howl is my #1 favorite trick when running from ganking paladins
2)Another common choice for defensive plans is Tactical Mastery/Anger Management. I picked this up, and while I may respec out of it, I've found it allows me to open with charge in safe situations (not every pull, or even most, should be charged), and it allows me to switch stances at the end of a fight for a quick execute, which is invaluable against instance bosses. Anger management's added rage gain is also a boon, and its slowed loss allows pacing in the fight through the instance.
That said, the Sword and Shield warrior is definitely a rare and valuable breed (and I must keep billing myself as such to keep it that way in the public's mind). Your entire arguement rings true especially if faced with a group that:
1) Doesn't have a rogue sapping. If you have this, let the rogue set the pace
2) Don't have a mage pulling with sheep. ""
3) Don't have a druid pulling with hibernate ""
4) Don't have a warlock pulling with banish ""
Now, all of these things can be done after the pull, but it seems to be best if it's the puller that uses them, if you don't mind, as a warrior, charging and sundering to gain hate on the other monsters in the pull. Personally, I judge this on a case basis. Some groups, it's better to pull with CC, and others, the CC can be done after the pull.
Men fear death, as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children, is increased with tales, so is the other.
"Of Death" Sir Francis Bacon
"Of Death" Sir Francis Bacon