Who should MA?

[Oo]

<p>This may be a noob question, but I would love your thoughts.</p><p>In PvE, who should MA?  The MT or another?</p><p>In PvP, who should MA?  The MT or another?</p><p>I know there are a ton of variables there, but that's what I would like to hear discussed.  How does it change depending on group makeup? How does it change, depending on number and type of mobs?  Why?  How does it affect how you use your CAs, does it improve or make harder your job if you are not MA and are targeting through another DPS class?  </p><p>I have spent a lot of time in lower levels as the MT and MA, but some of my groupies recommend it be a Warlock in our group.  Sounds reasonable to me, but would love the input of some veteran tankers, and would like some of the reasoning behind your choice and how you play the tank role differently if you are not MA.</p><p>Thanks in advance for your comments.</p>

[Kaleyen]

PVE Instance Group = MT is the MAPVE Raid Group = Usually have the hate transfer Swashy as MAPVP Group = Anyone but a fighter or healer

[Vinh]

<cite>Kaleyen wrote:</cite><blockquote>PVE Instance Group = MT is the MAPVE Raid Group = Usually have the hate transfer Swashy as MAPVP Group = Anyone but a fighter or healer</blockquote><p>may be a good guide, but I'd prefer</p><p>PVE Instance Group = MT is the MAPVE Raid Group = a DPS class that knows the zone and which order to kill mobs in group encounters, if a certain sequence is required.</p><p>Doesn't really need to be a swash or someone in the MT group.  I have seen brigands, assassins, off-tanks, and rangers as MAs with success.  I have never seen a mage, probably due to long cast time on spells, generally.  I think the most annoying part is it needs to be someone on their game.  It is a huge waste of time to have an MA that takes 5, 10, 15, or even 30 seconds to change targets and that's when you usually see people not using any assists.</p>

[Anfauglith]

For pve groups, the tank is the best choice to me...but people should use /assist <player> macros to target...targeting through someone is a real mistake whoever the MA is and in any pve situation (I don't know much about pvp). Targeting through a player to dps is like targeting through a mob to heal..it works fine until you get in a pinch and then all hell breaks loose. Of course there's specific situations where targeting through may be the best but usualy it won't.

[HomeChicken]

for pvp i have no idea for PVE in raids i normally have the hate transfer in my group be the MA (assassin or swash) for the few fights that i have 3 healers in my group and no transfer, normally its pretty obvious what to target for grouping situations, they can target whatever they want, ill hold agro eheh

[Oo]

thanks for the input!

[danmuntz]

<cite>Vinh@Unrest wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite></cite>I have never seen a mage, probably due to long cast time on spells, generally.</blockquote>Dumb question, but what does cast times have to do with being an MA and targeting? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[Anfauglith]

<cite>Anap@Crushbone wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Vinh@Unrest wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite></cite>I have never seen a mage, probably due to long cast time on spells, generally.</blockquote>Dumb question, but what does cast times have to do with being an MA and targeting? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote>Usualy you don't want the squishies to be MA 'cause they tend to die faster in case they aggro...not that dead MA will wipe you but always better to have it alive...

[danmuntz]

Understood, but that has nothing to do with cast times <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Daghammerskold]

I don't see why the MA would ever need to pull aggro. The MA doesn't even necessarily need to attack the mob, all they have to do is pick the target and call assist. I've often thought my conj would make a good MA because I am used to picking targets for my pet. It would be like having two dozen pets.

[Anfauglith]

It's more that if they accidentaly pull aggro for any reason...a mage as more chances to die than a scout or another fighter...For example, in a group, in most dongeons, you often have a small chance to have a roamer comming from your back. I which case even a low aggro character will have a chance to get mobs on them.

[MaCloud1032]

<p>For grouping the tank is MARaiding for us the Pickup is the MAPvP if your in qeynos run with a ranger.  They sit out side of AE/taunt range and can easly pull the mages as targetsIn freeport a brig that way the whole group is hitting what he just debuffed and can be immune to AE's</p><p>Those are ideal for pvp but realy anyone who knows what to target and when will make the best MA in pvp</p>

[Oo]

Thanks Darksavanna!  Makes sense.