Role of tank in RvR

[Alandrian]

It's been 9 years since I played WAR, I rolled a BG as that's what one of the careers I most enjoyed all those years ago. I'm rank 14, RR 22 at the moment.

I wanted to get some overall tips on what I should be doing in RvR as a tank (or specifically a BG). I'm using a SnB and have been stacking toughness. I rarely die but my damage is also really low as I have almost no gear with + strength. Should I continue solely stacking toughness, wounds, armour tallies etc or should I also include some strength/WS in my gear?

I remember in retail that I would tend to protect the healers, engaging/debuffing any melee dps who came near them. So at the moment that's what I've mainly been doing so far. What else should I be doing to help my WB?

Lastly, I'm soon going to hit rank 16 and be put straight into T4 which coming from retail I find really bizzare. What new gear should I be looking to aim at getting at first? And can I even properly compete in T4 at such a low rank?

Thanks!

[Cylwen]

At 16 you are bolstered and you'll find the transition easy. Stack your strength. After 30 the bolster goes and you need more survival then.

[roadkillrobin]

The main role of tanks in all types of combat is spike damage mitigration.
At lvl 10 you gained a skill called Guard, this is your main bread and butter skill that you should practice how to utilize. In short, float it to however is about to or is taking heavy dmg. Guard generally goes on a dps on the frontline that you should be following around and stay within the guard range. But if you need to swap it to a healer temporary, then you should.

This is just tanking 101, and it starts to get quit complex to describe after that. But if you really get into tankin you're gonna pick it up.

Tanks are the moast complex archetypes to play good in this game. It's basicly like playing a healer and mdps at the same time that consistantly need to keep extensive track of both defensive and offensive targets aswell as monitoring enviromental threats.

[Fractus]

There's 2 types of tanking too.

Warband tanking and 6 man tanking and you might enjoy the latter once you've got the hang of warband tanking:

- Warband tanking - exactly as Roadkillrobin said above + start to learn positioning stay close to your guarded target and try to be between them and the damage, then you take the damage in big fights, not the guarded target. Also use challenge and hold the line as a team of tanks in organised warbands to reduce incoming damage, then M2's from tanks are a powerful tool for an organised warband.

- 6 man tanking - much more complex as Roadkillrobin said you'll pick it up as you go if you enjoy it. Basically you control the enemy team and have to get good observational skills to learn to spot potential threats. Then snare them, punt their guard's from your group target when your group focuses one of them. Ensure you swap your guard to who is being focused on your team and stay in range. Knockdown the enemy dps when they are pressuring your allies, buff your allies when they are trying to do more damage, buff your allies when they are the result of focused damage. Then add burst damage to help when you've got the hang of the first lot.

Tanks a great fun versatile class to play and in small teams one of the most challenging but rewarding.

[Alandrian]

@ roadkillrobin & Fractus - Thanks, exactly the sort of info I am looking for.

@ Cylwen - Why do you think I should stack strength? Isn't toughness better?

[Ugle]

@ roadkillrobin & Fractus - Thanks, exactly the sort of info I am looking for.

@ Cylwen - Why do you think I should stack strength? Isn't toughness better?

IMO you should stack full defensive until r40rr40+
This way you utilize the bolster mechanic to the fullest. Remember bolster dosent increase parry/block/disrupt the way it does regular stats so you will take a lot more dmg than r40 tanks nevertheless. Bolster at lower ranks is insane though

Edit; regarding bolster; imoprtant to keep gear to the max of your current lvl to "max out" the bolster effect.

Also you ofc loose the good bolster (battle rank 48) at r32, even more important to stay defensive until r40/! high rr. Strenght stacking 2h r32 tanks no one wants to take into groups or wbs

[kindred4080]

Run besides your guard (damage dealer), switch your guard between those who are taking dmg (damage dealer/healer;under focus), punt enemies if needed, use HTL. Simple as that. And practice your hate/ap management,.

[Eathisword]

No need to stack strength ever, until you decide to play smallscale (6 players group and less).

And as a tank, you are the fight. You can decide who lives (guard, challenge) and who dies (CC chain to enemy tank). 1 good tank can single handedly turn the tide in a 12 man scenario. Its the greatest archetype mate. Embrace the hatred and learn to love it !

[GodlessCrom]

What volgo said. Though, you may want just a little bit of strength (at least 400 unbuffed imo) to help you land CC. Especially if NA player or otherwise one with poor ping, as positioning is much less reliable.