What do you do on raids?

[GastonPhoebus]

<p>Well, I went on my first Labs run as a Coercer last night and had a blast.... However, I must confess to feeling very n00bish as to what exactly I am supposed to be doing to maximize my effectiveness and contribute the most to the raid. </p><p>I seek any feedback and advice from experienced Coercer raiders willing to impart their wisdom! Here is what I did:</p><p>I am level 68, have 78 APs specced into (Enchanter) Wis/Sta, (Coercer) Tashiana done, working on Coercive Healing. I have some Masters (about 7) covering both mezzes, Auspex, Ease, Perilious Gaze, Torment and Possession (shrug). I had ED on the MT, as well as dps buff. Also put dps buff on the mt group Assassin and cast the de-aggro on the Defiler. I kept the 3 minute mana regen buff up at all times, debuffed fully, kept Gorging and Perilous up at all times for regen and kept reactives on too. If I had time I would cast Torment and, occasionally, would stun, though it was hard to feel any benefit to a 2.5 second stun, though I know there is....</p><p>Besides power management and debuffs, which I feel are my principal duties, is there anything else I must be doing to be the most effective?</p><p>Thanks for your feedback!</p><p>Vekks Varaszlo 68 Coercer LDL</p>

[Chog]

The Defiler should never be getting agro (unless from the pull if pre-warded and a taunt got resisted...). Place the de-aggro on a DPS class instead, can be cast on raid members, not just group. Power management, debuffs, and buffs are the principal items brought to a Raid by a Coercer.

[whytakemine]

<p>Mostly I debuff and then focus on dps.  I'll throw out gorging thoughts and manaflow whoever in the raid has the lowest power when they're up.</p><p>On tough fights, I'll mezz one mob right after the first group taunt lands, if that's doable.  Taking a mob out of the fight for 13s can help loads.  I'll also use my ST stun and group daze on the highest melee dps mob in the group.  Gorging thoughts goes on whatever has the nastiest spell aoe, for the int debuff.</p><p>Certain fights you actually use your enchanter abilities more (mezzing the heroics in an encounter, memwiping, etc), but that's pretty rare. </p><p>Edit: Oh yeah - if there are "dangerous" parts of a fight where the MT is most likely to go down (after getting hit by debilitate, mortal wounds, etc), I save my group daze for that moment to give the healers a chance to catch up.</p>

[Jeepned2]

Wow. Not sure you realize what you are asking for. A book could be written for what you asked. For me every zone and every fight is handled a little differently. It's also handled differently depending on which group I am in. My tactics are different for the MT group as compared to the ST group or DPS group. I swear I am the most moved around toon in the raid, or at least it sure feels that way. As your guild gets used to your abilities and in some cases, lack of, you too will find yourself moved around for specific fights. Although Sony is doing their best to make us useless in the raiding environment, your guild will always appreciate the buffs and mana regen that you bring to the table. It's just that sometimes it's needed more in one group or another. I guess the three things I do all the time are: 1. Cast gorging thoughts every time it comes up. It's easier to keep the group's mana up, then to try to catch up later. 2. Save my group and single target stuns for when the MT is getting beat up a little hard. This is normally (but not always, it might be, say right after a big AoE) at the beginning of a fight. It allows the healers a chance to catch up on their heals and get the MT back to 100%. 3. Constantly scan the healers in the raid to see who might need a quick Mana Flow. If you cast it without them having to ask for it, you'll be way ahead of the game. The rest is pretty much an individual thing. With experience you may find that some tactics works better for you and just as importantly works for the group you are in. Sorry, I know you where hoping for more detailed information, but it's 11:00 PM and I have to get up at 5:00 AM for work.<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[GastonPhoebus]

<p>Well, I think I did know what I was asking for, Jeep (grin). Personally I think a book would be a very good start! lol</p><p>Since I first posted I have had a bit more experience raiding (though not a lot)- Labs several times, Freethinkers, Halls of Seeing.... Finally got Coercive Healing this week. The skills I used seem to be pretty much the same as what my instinct told me to use on my very first raid- power management, debuffs, tactical stuns. I did switch the de-aggro to the DPS that gets killed alot (hehe), and other than that, I just pay attention.</p><p>Jeep, what are you being moved around for? I don't want any secrets, just in general. Once I was moved from the mt group to a group with a Troub to reduce the resist on my Amnesia for Alzid (I was 68 at the time and it was resisted- semi-wipe resulted). I am trying to learn as much as I can in a short time and would love anyone's feedback on what would improve my abilities as a Coercer on a raid.</p><p> Thanks again to all!</p>

[Jeepned2]

Well being moved around. It's a sad tale actually. And unfortunately it is a sad tale shared by a few of us. I am seldom in the MT group anymore. My spot has been taken by the Assassins of the guild. Seems they have a spell (or more) that is/are more useful then mine. Oh..the pain. I'm only in the MT group now for the power sucking mob fights. As for being moved around. It depends on a lot of things. Normally I'm in the ST group, but have also been in the DPS group on numerous occasions. Seems the Rangers like us.<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> So do Fury's who go through mana like Rose O'Donald goes through chocolate. (I'm guessing here, maybe she's just "big [Removed for Content]&quot<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />. I also think a lot of it is also that there are not a huge amount of raiding Coercers out there. Next time you are on, go to the guild recruiting page. Look at all the guilds looking for Coercers. What does that tell you besides the low numbers of Coercers out there? That you will also run into Raid Leaders who are not as familiar with our class as we would like them to be. That is not a criticism of the raid leaders, it's just a by product of so few of us. Many seem to forget that we resist buff for Magic and Mental. Some don't realize that we are a MUCH bigger mana battery then an Illusionist or a Dirge could ever be. The important thing is, it doesn't matter which group I'm in. All groups can benefit from having a Coercer in their group. So don't get hung up on not being in the MT group if you get moved. Your job is still pretty much the same, Mana, stun, debuff, mana, mana, mana, stun, then dps. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  Ok, so I stretched that a little bit, ok, ok.... more then a little bit.  And most importantly, almost every class has been asked to set out for one raid or another (this happens when 30 raiders log on), but who are the classes that always gets to go? Coercer and Mystic/Defiler. BTW, they are in short supply also. (NOTE: We are a fair sized guild, so have "extras" in most classes, and so some have to sit). This is really bad for the plate wearers. Never seen a raid that needed 5 tanks. Another important thing. Don't duel. If you must duel, pick a KoS zone, get real close to the edge, and immediately cast fear and hope the knucklehead walks off the side of the island. For what ever reasons Sony has, a 65 SK has better resists against our spells then a 75 4X Epic. Hey, call me crazy, but that seems a little weird to me.