Raid MT Question

[rshoffstall]

<p>What stance are raid tanks using I am seeing alot in Offensive Stance so I am wondering is that the new thing? Do we pick and choose when to use defensive stance?</p><p>just wondering </p><p> Renton</p>

[Freydinessa]

I think what stance you are in depends upon where you are raiding, the level you are raiding, and what group you have with you. Sometimes the very small reduction in mitigation and avoidance is out weighed by the enhancement of your offensive abilities, that's just one reason why you hear of players in offensive stance in raiding. Usually it is in the higher tier/ current endgame content that you hear this done as well, but of course there are always exceptions. Do we pick and choose when to use defensive stance? Well yes, it is a buff of each we have, and you will find that many guardians and other fighers often switch stances in combat in relation to how it is progressing.

[Rahatmattata]

It took me some time to get a feel for this. It really depends on each situation... your gear, your healers, your groups... You have to ask yourself, can the healers handle it if I'm in offense stance. Do I have good enough gear to tank this encounter in offensive stance and not die or [Removed for Content] off my healers? That's a judgement we have to make. If your healers are struggling, or your hp is spiking a lot, go defensive... throw up some temp buffs. Sometimes when I need a little more defense, I'll just use stoneskin proc and mit buff, or something else rather than switch to defensive stance. It really just took me some getting used to when I need to be in defensive stance. As a general rule, I'm in defensive stance with a tower shield when pulling a named.If my hp gets spikey or things are starting to go bad, I use the tools I have to get as defensive as I need. It's a balancing act between staying alive and not losing aggro. After all, while your switching stances, using Block, casting buffs... that's time spent you aren't doing dps and aren't doing anything to build hate.(BTW I don't raid on my guardian, but it's the same principal)

[Vlahkmaak]

When I MT I tank full defense in DEFENSIVE stance until the mob is under control (all debuffs in, placed right where I want it, etc).  Once the mob is under control I swith to offensive stance so I can get more damage in.  If I see myself taking some big spike hits I will switch back to defensive (its just a click away) - when in offense stance, and I feel the mob is being controlled well, I am not taking to much damage etc I will hit my offhand weapon macro and switch to dual wielding as MT - again, if I start taking to much damage I have several tools at my disposal - Tower of stone macro or just re equip shiled, etc.  Switching stances is all about the support you have in the raid and how well the mob is being controlled - would NEVER dream of pulling in offensive stance or dual wielding unless it was a t7 zone maybe.  As you learn to read the encounter you are taking down you will learn when and when not to change stances and switch weapons in and out.  First few times you are handling a mob stay defensive with as much avoidance as you can muster.

[rshoffstall]

<p>I want to thank you for all the input. I think i see the point on all post. </p><p>Thanks again </p><p>DD</p>