Tanking RoK

[Uggli]

Ok my fellow dark Knights.  I need some assistance before I throw in the towel.....I'm level 79, mostly player made gear with a few other bits and pieces...<a rel="nofollow" href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/characters/character_profile.vm?characterId=123744106" target="_blank">Character infoz</a>Just under 9K HP self buffed, 50% or so mitigation in defense stance.   Avoidance is in the low 40's.All spells are AD3 or M2 with few exceptions. My AA line up is STR to end,  INT 4/4/8,  and I'm 2 points from DA on the STA line. Reaver and the Hate tap SK AA line also attained.Just picked up a AA profile mirror so I'm also open to switching around my points with some better tanking suggestions.Usually group with a 78 Mystic,  73 Warden, 73 Ranger, 73 wizard, and some other misc class we pick up if we feel like it.  We are not a bunch of raiders, but like to consume the group content.We are getting rocked in RoK.  Every encounter that is more than one mob it's a struggle to keep me up.   I have no problems locking mobs on me.  I just cannot seem to tank things any more, and it's frustrating as hell.    How are casual group players supposed to advance in RoK when we can't even take the content we are supposed to be killing to advance?What can I do to make my self a viable tank for our small casual guild?Will hitting lvl 80 actually cause me to magically be able to tank things better? (doubt it)Any casually attainable gear suggestions?Help please!  Love the SK class, just frustrated to no end.

[Colcos]

80 Does make a big difference in zones like Chelsith or Maiden's but you won't want to be in those zones with the group you describes. At 79 with RoK legendary with a couple pieces of Eof and KoS fabled i was able able to tank all of the new instances with ease, and its not that hard. Your really going to want to look at the loot tables for the new intances and quest jewelry to enhance your character. I assume only being lvl 79 at this point as a main you are not a raider and don't have the luxury of raid-fabled gear, but there are several pieces of instance attainable gear that you will want to go after. Such as: Ganak's Torque, Praetor's Guard/ Arm Guard of the Farseer, and the Mantle of the Jarsath tribe. You may also want to invest in Chokidai Collars (blue shiny collection) for a belt called Baldric of the Di'zok warlord.

[AziBam]

I'd suggest looking for items that will improve your avoidance.  I found it made a big difference this tier.  Wrist adornments for 2% parry per wrist slot with T7 or 3% parry with T8 (depending on how deep your pockets are.)  Note, that is % not just +2 or +3 parry like a typical item will have.  2 or 3 % riposte/parry item on your weap (again depending on how much cash you want to spend for the tier as they are fabled adorns).  Getting those three adornments alone will be a solid boost to your avoidance.  Keep an eye out for items with the +parry or +def.  (Deflection only helps brawlers.)  Other general gear:General V'deers (sp?) in JW drops the dreadscale greaves.  Or, keep an eye on the broker for them.  Very nice items with a built in stoneskin proc.  Mine proc all the time.  Reet armor collection has a very solid plate helm reward with good mit and +5 def.  No STR or INT on them though  :/  It also has a ward proc when you take damage (It's not a cheap collection though as it's one of the blue shiny type)Boots from the dwarf quests in JW for Clan Stormshield.  (Think there was another good plate reward too but I needed boots more.)  Can't recall the name of the item (I don't have them yet) but Drusella in Maidens drops some sick shoulders too. .Ravaged Onslaught or Sanctification armor is pretty decent for some of your gear slots as well.  Broker usually has a number of both types. .80 will make a difference.  .I wouldn't hang it up yet unless you just aren't having fun.  I did find that the mobs seem to hit pretty darn hard though so I definitely have been paying attention to gear upgrades. ..edit...guess I should update my sig more often  <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  80 sk not 70...been a while since I've posted

[Beldin_]

<cite>Uggliey wrote:</cite><blockquote>Will hitting lvl 80 actually cause me to magically be able to tank things better? (doubt it)</blockquote><p>Its also important that your friends hit 80 .. at their low levels they have problems to hit the mobs, and so it takes long to take a mob down, and meanwhile you take much more damage as if you can burn down the mobs faster.</p><p>You should really go questing with your friends to level them up, also there are maybe some nice rewards around for the quest in Kunzar and Jarsath that help you all <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p>

[Hamervelder]

Your HP is abysmally low for being lvl 79.  And that's <i>with</i> the STA line?  There's something wrong there.  You should have a full 1k more HP than you do.  Heck, I'm still sitting at 75, and have over 9.5k self-buffed.  By the time I'm 80, I'll be pushing 11k.  And so should you.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Uggli]

Thanks for the input all. (except Uros whose post was useless)Will try some of the suggestions.  Have about 30 plat to play with for a few items.Any input on why my HP is so low?   Looking at Shalla's stats I'm only off by 11 STA and she is about +300 HP from items (not counting augments which don't show).   Which doesn't translate into a full 1K higher in HP.Been pushing my group to level up, but they are the kind of people that have a million alts they toy around with also.   So it will be some time before they are 80.   Maybe I need to try a PUG with higher level peeps to see if it is in fact me being a paper tank, or them just slacking on the healing. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<p>Some great posts and suggestions there....and actually Uggliey, Uros' post was valid and worth heeding, even if it did not have a suggested fix (I doubt it was meant as an insult...he was trying to point out an obvious issue). You really should be able to hit higher health numbers with quested/instance gear.</p><p>Azibam's gear suggestions were good, the set pieces will help and have solid stats. Colcos named a few very good pieces too. Shalla's point is one of the biggest imo...if you're groupmates are still in the lowish range...fights last longer, are more difficult, and <u>less debuffs land as well</u> (and aside from the mystic....the rest of your groupmates are not known for their debuffs, or SK beneficial group buffs really).</p><p>Also, in the general trait upgrade choices you have...taking the %health over power etc will net you 400-600 additional HP. Not sure if you did that already.</p><p>Looking at your profile, I see some quick gains in replacing your helm, weapon, symbol, both earrings and both charm slots right off. Lots of instance legendary choices for those.</p><p>Doesn't seem like your problem is class related honestly. Happy hunting <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[TheSpin]

<p>Some good info here, thanks all.  I'm leveling up an SK alt so I'll be tanking RoK in a couple of weeks or so.</p><p>I would have to agree that 9k hp is pretty low for a tank.  My brigand main has 8,600 hp self buffed and I don't even look for stamina or hp as any kinda priority on my gear, plus I have no achievements to improve the health pool at all.  From my moderate experience playin an SK it seems like HP is a pretty major factor when it comes to your tankability....even more than most tank classes.</p>

[Uggli]

<hr /><u><i>and actually Uggliey, Uros' post was valid and worth heeding, even if it did not have a suggested fix (I doubt it was meant as an insult...he was trying to point out an obvious issue). </i></u><hr />His post was the equivalent of saying "water is wet!"  Something I think everyone knows.<hr /><i><span class="postbody">A<u>lso, in the general trait upgrade choices you have...taking the %health over power etc will net you 400-600 additional HP. Not sure if you did that already.</u></span></i><hr />I think I took +power regen before I jumped heavy into RoK.   Is there a way to reset those traits?I'll snag up some upgrades and such as suggested.  Thanks.Will try hitting a few zones after I hit 80 with some other high level players to see how things play out.  Still have my doubts though as my group listed was struggling with KC / Chardok mobs.  And they are level 72^^^ type mobs.  If level 72ish players aren't supposed to be able to kill them then [I cannot control my vocabulary] are they even listed as lvl 72^^^?  If you need an "ideal group" to tank, and from the look of it thats what people are suggesting, my efforts to fix my tanking ability may be in vain.  The struggle continues..... for now.

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<cite>Uggliey wrote:</cite><blockquote><hr /><u><i>and actually Uggliey, Uros' post was valid and worth heeding, even if it did not have a suggested fix (I doubt it was meant as an insult...he was trying to point out an obvious issue). </i></u><hr />His post was the equivalent of saying "water is wet!"  Something I think everyone knows.<hr /><i><span class="postbody">A<u>lso, in the general trait upgrade choices you have...taking the %health over power etc will net you 400-600 additional HP. Not sure if you did that already.</u></span></i><hr />I think I took +power regen before I jumped heavy into RoK.   Is there a way to reset those traits?</blockquote><p>I didn't see it as a "water is wet" kind of thing actually. You state your having problems...then list a few things to tell people where you stand (including health).</p><p>Uros then zero'd in on your health and said "hey now...that's a problem"....in a way that was a bit rough perhaps, but still, he had a point (even if a solution wasn't offered).</p><p>Anyway, that's just the way I saw things....both your post and his may have been intended differently than my take <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>There is a way to respec the traits (aside from the respec /claim I believe)...but I can't recall how (since I never did it). Perhaps someone else has done it and knows.</p><p>Also, as mentioned before...items with +parry,+block,+defense (for non epics mostly), helps considerably (even the 10 min short term food/drinks that give +2.2% parry help for tough fights and are cheap).</p><p>...and lvl 80 will help a ton for a grouping SK. The 80 spell, Bloodletter, essentially doubles your available HPs and lets you take an extra massive spike.</p>

[Hamervelder]

<cite>Uggliey wrote:</cite><blockquote><hr /><u><i>and actually Uggliey, Uros' post was valid and worth heeding, even if it did not have a suggested fix (I doubt it was meant as an insult...he was trying to point out an obvious issue). </i></u><hr />His post was the equivalent of saying "water is wet!"  Something I think everyone knows.<hr /><i><span class="postbody">A<u>lso, in the general trait upgrade choices you have...taking the %health over power etc will net you 400-600 additional HP. Not sure if you did that already.</u></span></i><hr />I think I took +power regen before I jumped heavy into RoK.   Is there a way to reset those traits?I'll snag up some upgrades and such as suggested.  Thanks.Will try hitting a few zones after I hit 80 with some other high level players to see how things play out.  Still have my doubts though as my group listed was struggling with KC / Chardok mobs.  And they are level 72^^^ type mobs.  If level 72ish players aren't supposed to be able to kill them then [I cannot control my vocabulary] are they even listed as lvl 72^^^?  If you need an "ideal group" to tank, and from the look of it thats what people are suggesting, my efforts to fix my tanking ability may be in vain.  The struggle continues..... for now.</blockquote>I'd suggest perhaps getting off of your high horse.  You came asking for help.  I pointed out a major deficiency in your setup.  I would <i>hope</i> that by now (being in the high 70s), you'd have an idea of how to improve your character some.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that your problems go beyond your gear.  You're obviously lacking something, because you're pulling T7 HP at lvl 80 -- we've established that.  Your gear is decent, and yet your HP is poor.  And you're having trouble in KC and Chardok.  <i>Clearly</i> there is a problem.  Your gear is part of that problem, but if your attitude toward your class is anything like your response to me, then I think that perhaps the way that you approach your character's class is also part of the problem.   You aren't even aware of how to reset your character traits.  I'm not belittling you in any way, but .... how can you not know that, at your level?  How did you make it that far, without an understanding of some of the basics of the game?  There could be any number of fundamental things that you've missed.  Anyway, you want suggestions, here are some. Are you using adornments? -- get  the power/health adornments for your head/shoulder slots.  They offer 100 of each.  That, combined with taking the + to health as has already been said will net you several hundred more HP.  I'd also recommend picking up STA and INT adornments.  Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about +parry and +defense adornments.  They don't make that much difference, and the added HP and spell damage are more valuable, IMO.  Some of the other posters will disagree, and I'll chalk that up to our different experiences, and the variety of ways that you can successfully play the class.  You'll have to pick through all of the advice you receive, and find out what works for you.  Don't forget that you can put your avoidance buff on a group member for additional avoidance.  Your mit and avoidance are decent, I think.  Mit is a little low IMO, but then again, RoK items are low mit across the board.  What's your mit in offensive stance?  You should be running somewhere close to 50% in offensive, and pushing 60 in defensive stance.  Just a couple of pieces off the top of my head that I'd toss if I were you:Your breastplate.  Perhaps replace w/ a Polished Deklium Breastplate.Any and all mastercrafted gear that you're using.  That's most of your gear problem.  Mastercrafted gear just won't cut it for SK's.  The stat bonuses are decent, but the mitigation (which is another thing you're lacking) on mastercrafted gear is poor.  Heck, even some of the KoS fabled stuff is better than T8 mastercrafted, and relatively easy to attain.  Perhaps that could be an option, even if you have to switch stuff out for mit/stats now and again.  To be honest, I haven't seen much RoK gear that strikes me as being huge upgrades to RoK and EoF stuff.  In fact, as far as mitigation and resists go, I'd say that the RoK stuff is a step backward in many cases.  There's some really nice stuff in the RoK instances, but if you're having trouble in Chardok and Karnor's Castle, you aren't going to be able to obtain it.  Perhaps T7 fabled could be an option for you.  I'm sure you can one-group some of the T7 raid instances now.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />" />I'd get rid of the shield you're using, for sure.  If you want easy upgrades to it, perhaps consider Bulwark of the Veteran from Unrest, or B'Raios (I'm sure I didn't spell that right) Defender from Castle Mistmoore.  I haven't really seen any shields in RoK that strike me as being really big improvements over either of those shields, but both are certainly better than what you're using.  Your jewelry looks really good for the most part, as far as I can tell.  I don't see you getting alot of upgrades out of that, short of raiding.  You've got a couple of pieces that I've had my eye on for awhile.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />" />So, overall:Get adornments.  health/power/sta/int.Get a new shield.Seek better gear.  Do some research and see if perhaps some T7 fabled gear would offer improvements.  Spend some time learning little tricks here and there.  If you weren't aware of how to respec your character traits, I have to wonder what else you haven't picked up on.  Probably little things that will have you going "Man, why didn't I think of that?!"  but which will make a huge difference in your enjoyment of the game.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />Sorry, one last thing:Have you considered that your group may be part of the issue?  I noticed that most of the group is lower level than you.  That's going to make it tougher for the group as a whole to get things done, and it's going to leave you feeling inadequate.  Granted, there probably isn't much you can do about that outside of changing groupmembers, which you may not want to do.  However, I think you'd find that defilers work better for us than mystics, and if you can absorb the spike damage, an inquisitor rather than the warden will make for a different dynamic as well.  Heck, you've got the basis for some decent ranged dps in your ranger and wizard.  Why not pick up an inquisitor if you can?  A third healer certainly won't hurt.  Beyond that, inquisitors have some yummy buffs.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /> 

[Colcos]

<cite>Uros@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote>Your HP is abysmally low for being lvl 79.  And that's <i>with</i> the STA line?  There's something wrong there.  You should have a full 1k more HP than you do.  Heck, I'm still sitting at 75, and have over 9.5k self-buffed.  By the time I'm 80, I'll be pushing 11k.  And so should you.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></blockquote>Yeah no kidding. In my FULL dps raid gear I'm 10k in just self buffs. I get close to 11K in tank gear. I'm sure I could get more than that if I wanted with just the gear in my bags, Although it would be at the sacrifice of avoidance which IMHO is too precious to give up.

[Uggli]

<cite>Uros@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Uggliey wrote:</cite><blockquote><hr /><u><i>and actually Uggliey, Uros' post was valid and worth heeding, even if it did not have a suggested fix (I doubt it was meant as an insult...he was trying to point out an obvious issue). </i></u><hr />His post was the equivalent of saying "water is wet!"  Something I think everyone knows.<hr /><i><span class="postbody">A<u>lso, in the general trait upgrade choices you have...taking the %health over power etc will net you 400-600 additional HP. Not sure if you did that already.</u></span></i><hr />I think I took +power regen before I jumped heavy into RoK.   Is there a way to reset those traits?I'll snag up some upgrades and such as suggested.  Thanks.Will try hitting a few zones after I hit 80 with some other high level players to see how things play out.  Still have my doubts though as my group listed was struggling with KC / Chardok mobs.  And they are level 72^^^ type mobs.  If level 72ish players aren't supposed to be able to kill them then [I cannot control my vocabulary] are they even listed as lvl 72^^^?  If you need an "ideal group" to tank, and from the look of it thats what people are suggesting, my efforts to fix my tanking ability may be in vain.  The struggle continues..... for now.</blockquote>I'd suggest perhaps getting off of your high horse.  You came asking for help.  I pointed out a major deficiency in your setup.  I would <i>hope</i> that by now (being in the high 70s), you'd have an idea of how to improve your character some.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that your problems go beyond your gear.  You're obviously lacking something, because you're pulling T7 HP at lvl 80 -- we've established that.  Your gear is decent, and yet your HP is poor.  And you're having trouble in KC and Chardok.  <i>Clearly</i> there is a problem.  Your gear is part of that problem, but if your attitude toward your class is anything like your response to me, then I think that perhaps the way that you approach your character's class is also part of the problem.   You aren't even aware of how to reset your character traits.  I'm not belittling you in any way, but .... how can you not know that, at your level?  How did you make it that far, without an understanding of some of the basics of the game?  There could be any number of fundamental things that you've missed.  Anyway, you want suggestions, here are some. Are you using adornments? -- get  the power/health adornments for your head/shoulder slots.  They offer 100 of each.  That, combined with taking the + to health as has already been said will net you several hundred more HP.  I'd also recommend picking up STA and INT adornments.  Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about +parry and +defense adornments.  They don't make that much difference, and the added HP and spell damage are more valuable, IMO.  Some of the other posters will disagree, and I'll chalk that up to our different experiences, and the variety of ways that you can successfully play the class.  You'll have to pick through all of the advice you receive, and find out what works for you.  Don't forget that you can put your avoidance buff on a group member for additional avoidance.  Your mit and avoidance are decent, I think.  Mit is a little low IMO, but then again, RoK items are low mit across the board.  What's your mit in offensive stance?  You should be running somewhere close to 50% in offensive, and pushing 60 in defensive stance.  Just a couple of pieces off the top of my head that I'd toss if I were you:Your breastplate.  Perhaps replace w/ a Polished Deklium Breastplate.Any and all mastercrafted gear that you're using.  That's most of your gear problem.  Mastercrafted gear just won't cut it for SK's.  The stat bonuses are decent, but the mitigation (which is another thing you're lacking) on mastercrafted gear is poor.  Heck, even some of the KoS fabled stuff is better than T8 mastercrafted, and relatively easy to attain.  Perhaps that could be an option, even if you have to switch stuff out for mit/stats now and again.  To be honest, I haven't seen much RoK gear that strikes me as being huge upgrades to RoK and EoF stuff.  In fact, as far as mitigation and resists go, I'd say that the RoK stuff is a step backward in many cases.  There's some really nice stuff in the RoK instances, but if you're having trouble in Chardok and Karnor's Castle, you aren't going to be able to obtain it.  Perhaps T7 fabled could be an option for you.  I'm sure you can one-group some of the T7 raid instances now.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />" />I'd get rid of the shield you're using, for sure.  If you want easy upgrades to it, perhaps consider Bulwark of the Veteran from Unrest, or B'Raios (I'm sure I didn't spell that right) Defender from Castle Mistmoore.  I haven't really seen any shields in RoK that strike me as being really big improvements over either of those shields, but both are certainly better than what you're using.  Your jewelry looks really good for the most part, as far as I can tell.  I don't see you getting alot of upgrades out of that, short of raiding.  You've got a couple of pieces that I've had my eye on for awhile.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />" />So, overall:Get adornments.  health/power/sta/int.Get a new shield.Seek better gear.  Do some research and see if perhaps some T7 fabled gear would offer improvements.  Spend some time learning little tricks here and there.  If you weren't aware of how to respec your character traits, I have to wonder what else you haven't picked up on.  Probably little things that will have you going "Man, why didn't I think of that?!"  but which will make a huge difference in your enjoyment of the game.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />Sorry, one last thing:Have you considered that your group may be part of the issue?  I noticed that most of the group is lower level than you.  That's going to make it tougher for the group as a whole to get things done, and it's going to leave you feeling inadequate.  Granted, there probably isn't much you can do about that outside of changing groupmembers, which you may not want to do.  However, I think you'd find that defilers work better for us than mystics, and if you can absorb the spike damage, an inquisitor rather than the warden will make for a different dynamic as well.  Heck, you've got the basis for some decent ranged dps in your ranger and wizard.  Why not pick up an inquisitor if you can?  A third healer certainly won't hurt.  Beyond that, inquisitors have some yummy buffs.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />" />  </blockquote>Thanks Uros.  I apologize if I came across as an [Removed for Content], but I that's what I tend to be. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/499fd50bc713bfcdf2ab5a23c00c2d62.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />.    Usually see posts as your first one as condescending as it pointed out the obvious and you offered zero input with it, but now I see that was not your intent.  Again my apologies.I was aware of ways to reset my AA lines, and I've done that a few times.  I did not know if you could reset your traits.  Last time those were reset was just before RoK when they forced everyone to reset.I've picked up a few adornments for a few of my better pieces of gear, but I don't have tons of plat to toss around.  And saw no point to pick them up for gear that is clearly going to be replaced as soon as a viable item is found.And yes I've considered part of the problem may be the people I'm grouping with, and their low level.  Not much I can do about that really unless I bail on my guild mates, which I don't see happening.    Kinda stuck with the listed group with an up and comming Assassin for slot #6.  Only other option is PUGs which I'll hit a bit more once I get 80 and upgrade a bit.Again thanks for the advice.

[Hamervelder]

It's all good, man.  Thanks for taking the time to read what I had to say.  I totally understand what you're saying about not having lots of plat, not wanting to adorn stuff you're going to replace.  Trust me though, when you find the gear you want, it's worth it to get the adornments.  They make <i>that</i> much difference!  Good luck in your endeavours, and I'm sorry that I turned you off initially.

[AziBam]

Not sure if this was answered above already.  (If I missed it then...um...just disregard.)  The achievement npc lets you choose to respec your crusader AAs, SK AAs, and also your character traits.  If you haven't done it you probably have a free one still. 

[Dragon]

<cite>AziBam wrote:</cite><blockquote>Not sure if this was answered above already.  (If I missed it then...um...just disregard.)  The achievement npc lets you choose to respec your crusader AAs, SK AAs, and also your character traits.  If you haven't done it you probably have a free one still.  </blockquote>Was just about to say the same thing... I think initially it is something like 10s or something LOL.  North Freeport in the Arcane Science Basement, if anyone didn't know where to respec (I had to search and search until I stumbled upon it).PS, DA and the % HP in the STA line make a huge difference in tanking... I always end up using DA whether I'm grouped or soloing (it does wonders for mobs you shouldn't be able to solo.... hehe).  Plus 10 seconds is enough to pretty much heal from 5% - 100% HP.

[Uggli]

Yeah,  found they changed the trait / AA resetting stuff.  Even give you two cards to change your AA points via a right click 5 charge.After re-assigning my traits I'm up to 9.4K HPStill only 50% mit in defense stance,  40% avoidance.  Market on Kithicor is pretty bare right now for worthwhile upgrades.Gained about 23% through lvl 79 and dinged 2 AA points last night and picked up DA.  It does seem nice so far.

[Ysandre]

Thought I'd add in my 2cp. My gear is all RoK quested stuff. I have actually got several bits of our and the guardians level 77 (Shoulders, Legs, Ravaged forearms) but find what I'm wearing is better (imo).You should feel pretty comfortable with adorning your legs and those 2 rings. Probably wont be upgrading those for a while. Power and health +100 are good there. A fair few SK's seem to favour the Sel'nok helm (I'm wearing it too) so if you can get that its probably worth adorning. I'd suggest adorning for raw  +hp/power rather than +int/sta you will get more for your money.Also popular are the wristwrap, guantlets and forearms Ysandre has. Basically I went through alot of EQ2Players for SKs and looked at what others were wearing!(Dark Knight wristwrap - not too expensive on the broker, Radiant ore gaunts, Chitin Bracers for better hate both quest items I think)Droag talon plugs and Sarnak earring of station are common among our class also.I'm personally at the point where I desperately need a better weapon. Working on the epic of course and if you can get a good high level group the Anaphylaxis quest in Maidens is where you need to be but its not easy in there.For quested things its also worth nosing at the various factions. My shield (although its not great) is from Rilis which you will get max faction with just by questing. There is a nice waist item I'm considering from the Scorpikis in Jarsath also.Best of luck.

[Hamervelder]

<cite>Uggliey wrote:</cite><blockquote>Yeah,  found they changed the trait / AA resetting stuff.  Even give you two cards to change your AA points via a right click 5 charge.After re-assigning my traits I'm up to 9.4K HPStill only 50% mit in defense stance,  40% avoidance.  Market on Kithicor is pretty bare right now for worthwhile upgrades.Gained about 23% through lvl 79 and dinged 2 AA points last night and picked up DA.  It does seem nice so far.</blockquote>Glad to hear that you got those extra HP, and picked up DA.  It's not a spell that you'll be using frequently (I hope), but DA can and will save your butt when you need it.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Mathafern]

I've had no problem tanking RoK, in fact SK is perfect for an instance like Vaults where you're pulling group of three often- with Death March you can hold aggro, burn things down (SK + warlock rocks), and do massive DPS.  If you haven't figured it out yet, Death March is the ultimate aggro magnet, I use it as a backup rescue or for pulling groups. Jade Reaver is great weapon for SK btw, drops in City of Mist. Reet faction has a belt which is nice, and be sure to get the quest ring from Ugly Bounty and the Hunter earring from the Jarsath dwarf line. If you can, don't miss out on "Pools of Blood".  My healer loves me for it.

[Uggli]

Well I hit 80 last night and picked up a few loams to get some AD3's, just gota find a [Removed for Content] Alchemist.   Will try to get into a few pick up groups and see if I tank any better than with my usual group. 9.7K HP now.  Still a bit low on the mit and avoidance, but meh..... will see how it goes. Is there an observed etiquette for using BloodLetter? Or just keep it up always and let them feel the love?Still working the JW quest lines, and Pools of Blood is the only focus I have left on AA's now.

[Mathafern]

I let the group I tank for know what Bloodletter is and how it works.  They're universally happy to have a tank with double hit points.Get the best possible version of it for reduced negative effect.  Work with a healer who keeps up at least one group heal.I don't use it in raid unless I know I'm going to be off tanking.The biggest ettiquette point I'd say is KEEP AGGRO when using bloodletter.  If the squishies get hurt before it triggers it can wipe the group.

[Beldin_]

If the tank wipes mostly the group will also wipe, as long as there is not another tank or swash/brig in group, or the mob is nearly dead. So i see no reason to not have bloodletter on all the time, and if people don't know it, its mostly a good surprise after the short "oh [Removed for Content]" moment. Even if i play my Ranger and another SK tanks, i always have these moment when it triggers .. ohhhh [Removed for Content] .... ahhhh thank god <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Uggli]

Just a small update.  Over the weekend I completed the last solo quest RoK had to offer and then jumped into the group content a small bit.Tanked KC, Xalgoz with no problems.  Even kept agro when I had a client crash at 40% on his HP bar and the clickies were used to stop his healing.   Very easy to tank.   Healers (80 mystic / fury) had full mana almost all the time and never had a close call.Tanked Vaults with no problem.   Only problem was teaching the illusionist on mezzing the [Removed for Content] healing adds on the last guy.Thanks for all the help all.  Ugg isn't gonna be shelved any time soon!

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<p>Sounds good Ugg <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>Sks are such a blast to play when things start clicking. Super active playstyle <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></p>