Newb question for elven tank, or tank in general

[FreedomJesus]

I am relatively new to the game, but I made an elven tank and just feel very underwhelmed. I feel like I have no mitigation or self-heal, just squishy swinging a noodle around. Granted I am only lvl 16, but still. I feel like I cannot apply enough pressure to really help my team. Guard feels like it doesn't help that much, other than that I need 3 GCDs to apply any debuff/buff. I just do not feel nearly as strong as I did on the dwarf tank, even the human tank gave auras making me feel somewhat useful. My positioning is usually not terrible, I do not overextend. I try to apply pressure to healers or squishy ranged dps. If it's melee train or a defensive fight I try and peel my ranged dps. I punt off terrain, or punt vip targets back into my ball. so i try and use punt effectively. I dunno what else I can do tho. I just melt and provide no pressure, but also no real CC that needs 2 gcds to pull off.

[DirkDaring]

Browse through this section, it is in the section right above the General section you posted in, it`s the Beginner Survival kit section. There you will find guides on gearing up, how to get most out of the bolster in RvR, lvl 1 to 40, and for after level 40. basic class guides as well.

https://www.returnofreckoning.com/forum ... .php?f=113

You can also go to the race threads at the bottom of the main forum page, for High elves, for more detailed info on various builds, gear, specs and other advice . Here`s the link to it, as well .

https://www.returnofreckoning.com/forum ... m.php?f=76

[Fallenkezef]

I am relatively new to the game, but I made an elven tank and just feel very underwhelmed. I feel like I have no mitigation or self-heal, just squishy swinging a noodle around. Granted I am only lvl 16, but still. I feel like I cannot apply enough pressure to really help my team. Guard feels like it doesn't help that much, other than that I need 3 GCDs to apply any debuff/buff. I just do not feel nearly as strong as I did on the dwarf tank, even the human tank gave auras making me feel somewhat useful. My positioning is usually not terrible, I do not overextend. I try to apply pressure to healers or squishy ranged dps. If it's melee train or a defensive fight I try and peel my ranged dps. I punt off terrain, or punt vip targets back into my ball. so i try and use punt effectively. I dunno what else I can do tho. I just melt and provide no pressure, but also no real CC that needs 2 gcds to pull off.

I felt the same way with my IB, you just have to grind through to be honest. I'm level 30 now, been leveling in SCs so I'm current in my gear for my level and now I'm tanking really well. I feel like i'm absorbing hits and when properly healed I hold points against most of the dessie team.

[Earthcake]

I wrote this a while ago, not specific to SM but I think it can help :

https://cakesplan.wordpress.com/2021/05 ... -struggle/

[Ashoris]

eagles flight for your own defensive buff, blurring shock for additional dmg on the Target and natures blade for random debuffs is what you can use !

dont try to do something for yourself, make sure you are together with a dps ... he benefits from your natures blade debuffs and your blurring Shock.

[Cyrylius]

For starters, all tanks start with rather lackluster survival due to the way percentage based avoidance work. After you can afford FS and reflexes and get to about 40% parry with the buff you should be able to guard anything with very little damage getting to you. About the class itself: you do suffer a bit, as SM trades some utility for extra dps you won't feel at rank 16 at all. Focus on right mastery tree, you'll get a neat absorb bubble and then KD which is a decent CC that can let you assist your dps better. As it was already said, blurring shock and Eagle flight are important, but you also have spirit debuff for archmages, cast time debuff for any caster you find (I recommend magi, if you can't get close to a dok at least) and ofc AoE punt which has its uses (admittedly very situational). SM main utility is WW, which you won't get till roughly 30 and it won't be needed till you find a group or at least a semi decent am/slayer.
On the other hand, tanks are really strong in mid tier in general, and SM is no different. You can do solid damage in 2h and guard the dps, while getting healing close to dedicated healers between all the tactics and enchants. You should get challenge in a few ranks, and distracting bellow at about 30. Just give it time, you'll get all the necessary tools eventually.

[DirkDaring]

Check out the Forum section Titled Beginner Survival Kit , located in the section above The General section, one of the issues is rank as you have limited access to skills, and fighting players much higher lvl.

Another is gear or lack of gearing correctly to get most out of the bolster buff, for being below 40 in RvR. This link is about how to get most out of the Bolster, Sulorie, and Nsa gave very good tips.


https://www.returnofreckoning.com/forum ... hp?t=37442

This link is from same section on gearing up lvl 1 to pre 40. with a complete walkthrough from level 1 to 40, with links to follow along to make it easier.

https://www.returnofreckoning.com/forum ... hp?t=49459

[Yazeran]

At lvl 16 do the city dungeons for Keepers set armor.
Its a huge diffence together with bolster.
On Order side its called Sewers on destro side its Sacellum.
Slot some good talismans in armor use armor pots and you will see the difference