Few questions from a super newb...

[Mudguppie]

little info first...I've had this game since it came out.  Accounts been on and off, never got a character past 14, always went back to WoW.I heard about the Kurnak expansion, took a look at the features, tried again...The new race got me hooked.  canceled WoW, started a new guardian.  Loving the guy, but the transition is rather... well you can tell I am a boon.First question... I do alot of soloing, probably about 60/40 solo to grouping.  I went down the AA? path with the bucklers, with the assumption that it is a more offensive shield, giving me some type of bonus to damage...  Does the buckler AA powers transpose to the tower shields? Second- OK I have very few problems holding agro on a single target.  I've been having a bit of trouble with multiple, not too bad but with the only AE being bury? I have to target dance alot, and the targetting here is a bit well... Not sure how to put it... sketchy? at best.  Perhaps it's my positioning, not sure, or the lack of an AE taunt.  Is it just my level that makes me a 1 target monster or am I not target dancing enough?  (I also team with mostly mentored people, which again I have no idea how these mechanics work.)Third- Are there potions like WoW? Heal pots/power pots and the like? (assuming they work in the charm slot) The only power I have towards healing currently is bind? (heal with a hot attached, seemed too good to pass up) but would sure like a boost when I do the stupid move of biting off more than I can chew (still feeling out how mobs work, what's a good range for solo and if grinding vs questing is better)Anyway, any advice for the newb would be greatly appreciated!Thanks,Mud

[Wilin]

<p>The buckler AA line is a good choice. The bonuses do not apply to tower shields or any other type of shield.</p><p>Guardians are stronger at single target aggro in general. But, you do have a few things you can do. "Target dancing" being the most useful. Then there are the blue AEs(blue = true AE). Blue melee attacks(Bury+dragoon spin from AGI AA) and blue root. There's also the green(encounter) abilities which do not affect  mobs from other encounters that may add (they include a  taunt and melee attack/taunt). (You may not have all of those yet at 22nd level but you'll get them soon.</p><p>Yes, there are potions crafted by alchemists. They come in standard and mastercrafted varieties and they do various things. Check the broker for the examples. They do not have to be equipped to use however. You can use them straight from your inventory bags.</p>

[DrOctober]

Depending on how far into the Sta AA line you've gone, you might want to consider moving to the Str line (4 4 8)  while leveling, and respec to Sta (4 4 8) once you have enough to get all 60% double attack while using a buckler.Once you get your Sta line to (4 4 8 8 2) think about making a quick dip into the Agi line (4 1) to get another non-encounter aoe attack, it'll help you manage agro on groups.  Once there, move back into the Str line (4 4 8).  Once you're here, think about getting into the Int line (4 1) to help your attack speed.Potions DO exist here, but from my experience, I've found the heals to be too small to make up for the time they take to use.  If I have enough time to drink a potion, I have enough time to finish killing whatever is making me think about drinking the potion.  What you might want to take a look at, however, are the various totems made by woodworkers.  These will give you an OUT of combat health and/or power regeneration which will definitely reduce your solo downtime between combats.  Like Wilin mentioned with potions, totems are also able to be used while in your backpack.edited to remove the darned smilies

[Mudguppie]

Not sure how deep I am (I can pinpoint it pretty quick if there is an online AA talent calc) but I'll definitely look at it when I get back on, I am pretty deep though (given the points I have available)I'll look and repost, to as least see if its worth chasing that line now or just finish what I've started.Totems? Now that I didn't know about.. assuming they are hots? 

[DrOctober]

Totems are kind of a HoT, but the mechanic is different.The regen totems last 30 minutes per charge, a full totem has 5 charges.Each tier (10 level spread, 1-9 is T1, 10-19 is T2, etc) has a more powerful health/regen totem available.Also, make sure you are using player crafted food and drink that is appropriate for your level.  Better food/drink give higher healer/power regen out of combat, and a totem will stack on top of this regen.

[Mudguppie]

I dropped the buckler spec for the time being, went with the str <span class="postbody">4 4 8 8 2 (well heading that way) and all I can say is...wow.  what a difference.  All I saw was crit after crit, and I hardly ever lost a spot of agro.  Whole new game, and just wanted to say thanks <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />still adding in totems to the fray, but so far I've only needed it once, and that was tanking a 6 pull with no healer.  </span>

[Terron]

Totems only provide out of combat healing. Potions can provide a little in-combat healing, but are very rarely worth using. Clarity potions can give you extra power in combat, which can sometimes be useful in a long fight. Your main ability for keeping aggro with multiple targets  is the "Hold the Line" line of reactive taunts - 50% chance to taunt every time you are hit.  So long as the group is on the same target as you that will often keep the rest of the mobs on you (though not if there is a warlock in your group). You get an encounter taunt at level 8, but that only works on linked mobs, and they are very rare in the newest zones. Use the best Allay line ability you have to reduce the hate gain of whoever in your group is most likely to pull a mob off you. At 44 you will get another AE attack with a taunt added - Taunting Assualt.