in offense stance...

[Baynne]

i would have looked through the current post about tanking in offensive stance but most of it was a flame contest that made my eyes bleed... my only question is if i am going to tank in offensive stance, would it be better to use sword and board or should i find a good 2-hander?  i just started a new SK, my last one only made it to 33 or 34 before i deleted.  i had a blast playing but reading throught the forums again i am learning new tricks... like the reaver line that wasn't there last time i played an SK lol.  i am thinking i want to go through the reaver line then int, maybe throw in a little of the taunt line.  anyway, thanks for any replies, take care <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> -Baynne

[Wytie]

<p>ahh man your asking for it heh <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> opinions opinion </p><p>try everything, you need to see what works best for your situation on hand, it will change per your group/gear/zone.</p><p>Otherwise its just opinionated, and your screw'n yourself to just get set in one way only " I only said that so i dont get freakn flamed".....  </p><p>IMO start off safe then ease into the super DPS, or your could go ballz out revive and go safer then hehe</p><p>FYI you loose a skill "shield bash/ect.." which is a knock down & a taunt, without a shield to me that made my choice real easy <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p>

[Coica]

what he said, and get both ready to equip, sword/board and a nice 2h weap. you'll find you switch out depending on the situation. I  regularly start out sword/board and switch to my 1h mid-fight a lot.

[Beldin_]

<cite>Wytie wrote:</cite><blockquote>FYI you loose a skill "shield bash/ect.." which is a knock down & a taunt, without a shield to me that made my choice real easy <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </blockquote>Yepp .. i always use shield when tanking because of that, and also the better avoidance because since most of our damage comes from spells i don't think it is really worth it to tank with 2-hander.

[Baynne]

thanks for replies, it does clarify things a bit.  on my serker i do most of my tanking in off stanse with a 2hander, wasnt sure if it would be worse or better or same for SK.

[Belaythien]

I say the choice between shield or 2handed for tanking is an extremely easy one. Shields offer a lot avoidance. 2handers only offer a little damage. Also stats are usually better if you add up a 1handed weapon and a shield versus a 2handed weapon. On top of that you loose your shield taunt without a shield. Also adornments for 1handed weapons are better. As far as tanking is concerned that's a no brainer <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> The higher you get the more important it is for you to do a good job when you are tanking. By tanking with a 2handed weapon you'll just endanger you group and risk landing on many peoples ignore list. As soon as I see someone tanking with a two handed weapon in Unrest/Nek3 or similar instance I'm gone faster than you can blink <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Angelow]

Personally for tanking I find the shield to be far superior to the slight increase in DPS, whether you are in offensive or defensive, the benefits of the shield for both avoidance and that extra taunt out weigh the slight dps increase.  As stated above thats personal opinion and I know some SK's swear by tanking with a 2hander..... just have not found that to be a good option for me unless im doing an instance i might as well be soloing.    Best piece of advice actually came from humiliation, you really need to TRY it out for yourself, play styles vary greatly, and your play style may well determine what is best for you.  I also strongly advise all SK's who are trying out different stances/gear combos to use ACT as it will give you hard numbers to work with, not just vague feelings.

[MadTexan3]

<p>My primary SK is 45th level (he's level locked and only used for tanking DFC runs) and with the Sta line and using a 1H mace & shield combo he has 3 knockdowns. IME over many DFC runs having so many knockdowns makes trioing and even duoing named there a lot easier. Not sure how well the situation would scale up to higher tiers, but it might be worth considering.</p><p>EDIT: Forgot Hammer Ground's affects are increasingly resisted by mobs higher than 41st level.</p>