Not getting 1 shotted?

[Iceyx]

<p>I've been enjoying tanking a lot.  Everything up to KoS was awesome. Pulling 10+ mobs and having an all out aoe fest with a group of warlocks and wizzys.</p><p>Then I hit karnors castle at 76... What a rude awakening.  These mobs hit insanely hard.  I could still tank them, but they would take out 1/5 my hp a hit.  We had a fury healer, who was in herself a really good player, but I know furys are not the best healers in general, so if i wasn't spamming every lifetap i had, including tap veins on single targets, i'd die.  If a pull was more than 1, or if a group member accidently  pulled, there was no way I could tank 2 at a time.</p><p>Regardless, we chugged along and finished it up. </p><p>So today I got an invite to a scion of ice group, im 78 now.  I knew it would be hard, but holy crap i didn't expect this.</p><p>I pull the first 2 mobs at the entrance.  They both hit me at once with their frost storm thing, and I am instantly killed. </p><p>We pull again, the enchanter starts off with a mez this time.  I tank for a few seconds, then fall over once again, to a single mob.</p><p>so we mentor down to 77 and re enter.  It goes pretty smoothly.  When they both icestorm it can get pretty close to killing me, but we survived.</p><p>Then we get to the first minotaur... and once again, I am completely destroyed. </p><p>My current gear is pretty much all di'zok mastercraft 77 gear, with a mix of random legendary rings/earings/bracelets.</p><p>Specwise, I am down to reaver, hateful respite, avenging invigoration, reflect, and have 5 points in the 2.5% health increase TSO, as well as 5 points into the improved defensive stance TSO thing. I had 9000 frost resist in the group today, but it didnt seem to help at all from the ice storms.</p><p>So what am I doing wrong here?</p>

[RafaelSmith]

<p>Did Scion of Ice the other night....Fury was the only healer.  We have done Scion many times but either we were just really unlucky or they upped the magnitude of those ice attacks.</p><p>I was also getting slammed......95% health...yada yada...then bam 2% or dead.</p><p>Same with the Minos.....everything else in the zone including the named were fine and as easy as they have always been.</p>

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<p>Double post <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<p>Level is a factor. I didn't check out your gear or stats so I'm not sure there, but I do know that several of the most decent instance pieces are level 79 and 80 to wear. Stating the obvious I know, but you're durability will go up simply by swapping in some upgrades at 79 and 80 (maybe you already have some in your bags waiting?...void gear as well).</p><p>Your group is also a major factor, I have no idea what kind of additional buffs and such you did or didn't have, as well as what they were doing. Also, what were your groupmates doing? If I'm on my healer and the tank seems to be having issues...I make sure my reactives are up before the pulls...I make sure my anti-death is on or ready to be used in a flash and I use th couple knockdowns/stuns I have right off if needed. On my dirge...I lead with my attack slows, run defensive buffs, use my aoe knockdown right off, oration, stun, etc... if I'm a second fighter not tanking in a group...I make sure my avoidance is on whoever is tanking, intercept...stun (kick, hammer, shield stun) etc...anything to help stabilize things quick. Who knows what your groupmates were doing?</p><p>9000 resists is ok, but it would be functioning as if its less vs and 80 % wise. They would be hitting you harder than an 80, with the same attacks.</p><p>I did Scion this week with a single fury healer, there were some fairly strong spikes of dammage a couple of times on those same mobs. They can hit fairly hard (some in my group took large spikes on the AOEs). There was no way to be 1 shotted on them with Bloodletter up though. Assuming you were two or 3 shotted though. Some ways to soften up mobs a bit would be to lead with your miti syphon (with dammage shield up)...throw a group taunt or DM...then Hammer ground, and shield bash/signle taunt..kick and taps to give your healer a chance to get going. Basically leading with a good amount of your knockdown/stuns to give a few secs for all group debuffs to land and for the healer to start healing (if he was a late starter or slowpoke).</p><p>I do use Divine Aura to save wipes occasionally (sounds like you do not have that 1...to each his own, but I like it). I also use the final hate AA to block a big hit early (absorbs 1 big hit). I use DM early to speed up the healer(s)/groupmates and to let me get off some of my knockdowns/stuns and taps without having to worry about aggro.Later AAs (shield effectiveness..and ulitmately furor etc) will also make things easier for you (and me..since I don't have enough AAs for furor yet).</p><p>Gaining the levels or using 2 healers in there wouldn't be a bad idea before you start wondering what you're doing wrong though. Zones like Obelisk shouldn't give you any trouble in the meantime also, and personally, I find Anethema easier as well.</p><p>Just some ideas <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[therodge]

<p>TSO zones arnt ment for people under 80 unless the level is lowered through average group level, i suggest sticking to coa, maidens,vaults, for 2 weeks or so, get yourself,  to atleast 55/55 mit/avoidance (at 80)before you even try tso zones it can be done less but why would you want to hurt the group. i run at 60/65 and i still get biznitchsmacked now and then without a good healer.</p>

[Norrsken]

<p><cite>Iceyx wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I've been enjoying tanking a lot.  Everything up to KoS was awesome. Pulling 10+ mobs and having an all out aoe fest with a group of warlocks and wizzys.</p><p>Then I hit karnors castle at 76... What a rude awakening.  These mobs hit insanely hard.  I could still tank them, but they would take out 1/5 my hp a hit.  We had a fury healer, who was in herself a really good player, but I know furys are not the best healers in general, so if i wasn't spamming every lifetap i had, including tap veins on single targets, i'd die.  If a pull was more than 1, or if a group member accidently  pulled, there was no way I could tank 2 at a time.</p><p>Regardless, we chugged along and finished it up. </p><p>So today I got an invite to a scion of ice group, im 78 now.  I knew it would be hard, but holy crap i didn't expect this.</p><p>I pull the first 2 mobs at the entrance.  They both hit me at once with their frost storm thing, and I am instantly killed. </p><p>We pull again, the enchanter starts off with a mez this time.  I tank for a few seconds, then fall over once again, to a single mob.</p><p>so we mentor down to 77 and re enter.  It goes pretty smoothly.  When they both icestorm it can get pretty close to killing me, but we survived.</p><p>Then we get to the first minotaur... and once again, I am completely destroyed. </p><p>My current gear is pretty much all di'zok mastercraft 77 gear, with a mix of random legendary rings/earings/bracelets.</p><p>Specwise, I am down to reaver, hateful respite, avenging invigoration, reflect, and have 5 points in the 2.5% health increase TSO, as well as 5 points into the improved defensive stance TSO thing. I had 9000 frost resist in the group today, but it didnt seem to help at all from the ice storms.</p><p>So what am I doing wrong here?</p></blockquote><p>I'd recommend going in with double healers if you are in MC.</p>

[RafaelSmith]

<p><cite>therodge wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>TSO zones arnt ment for people under 80 unless the level is lowered through average group level, i suggest sticking to coa, maidens,vaults, for 2 weeks or so, get yourself, to atleast 55/55 mit/avoidance (at 80)before you even try tso zones it can be done less but why would you want to hurt the group. i run at 60/65 and i still get biznitchsmacked now and then without a good healer.</p></blockquote><p>Agreed....Level means everything.</p><p>Even at 80 with a solid healer and running around 65/68ish (mit/avoid) some of the mobs in Scion can get lucky on the RNG and smack me hard.</p>

[DMIstar]

<p>Gear is whats getting you killed. Its going to be rough, but lvl up to 80 before hand, Bring in two healers or so for void shard quests with deep forge and scoin .. or tag along with guildies as dps.. get zealots set then you will start seeing progress.</p><p>I'm running most of these zones with one healer with little to no problems. It just took time into getting to that point.</p>

[Phelon_Skellhound]

<p>I completely agree everything gets better at 80..</p><p>Check out the broker for better defensive gear... Di Zok is ok but there are far better legendary tank gear for us on the broker...  </p><p>Look into avoidance food, adornments for agi, health, and parry...</p><p>Dont get stuck on only 1 set of gear.... you should have gear for dps and gear for tanking...</p>

[Iceyx]

<p>Thanks for the great advice all!</p><p>One of the big questions i have on gear then--</p><p>What stats should i look for for tanking, and what stats should i have for pure dps?  I have always just stacked stam/str/int gear, since it seemed to be the best bet for leveling/low level tanking.  Right now for leveling i have a bunch of +in combat mana regen and int gear.  seems to help a lot since i mainly AE, and dont really stop casting spells with reaver on.</p>

[Phelon_Skellhound]

<p><cite>Iceyx wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Thanks for the great advice all!</p><p>One of the big questions i have on gear then--</p><p>What stats should i look for for tanking, and what stats should i have for pure dps?  I have always just stacked stam/str/int gear, since it seemed to be the best bet for leveling/low level tanking.  Right now for leveling i have a bunch of +in combat mana regen and int gear.  seems to help a lot since i mainly AE, and dont really stop casting spells with reaver on.</p></blockquote><p>DPS = INT, STR, STA/AGI</p><p>Learn to time attacks, dont focus on just int need to try and balance int and str as best u can, Master your offensive spells</p><p>Tank = STA, AGI, STR/INT some would argue WIS</p><p>Look for gear and jewelry that have defense, parry and lost of health, Master your taunts, Rescue/Death March and big hitter spells</p>

[Molleye]

<p>I would put agi over sta so far as a defensive tank goes since sta occur on almost every piece you will get anyway.</p><p>Avoiding an attack even by another 1% is key... just like having a dirge or templars stonekin.</p><p>So far as gear to look for I ran in regular devout MC (str sta int) and went with AGI jewelry.. pay special attention to the quest rewards you get from rok.. like the steel threaded ring(?) which add parry and defense.</p><p>It only takes a cpl days of running void shard instances to get enough to get the 5 piece set bonus... which is a really nice bump to your survivability. I would reco running with two healers as a rule until you get those 5 pieces. Make sure that one of those 5 pieces is the shoulders since it has a +mit increase on it as well.</p><p>Until then look you might want to look for the two legendary armor pieces from rok that have the effect templar's dispersion.. there are pants (Dreadscale Greaves.. highly recommended) and a chest piece(Breastplate of Deflection.. no agi or defense so will need to test it)  to my knowledge with this.. they provide a stoneskin like effect.  These are both tradable items so they can be found on the broker <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.</p><p>Does anyone know of the two best defense /pary legendary items to come out of the tso instances? I know I hae a feather that gives 4 to defense and parry and there is one other that does the same.. but I cannot find them in lootdb and alas the servers are down for the update.</p>

[Nimbrithil]

<p>Juts upgrade your gear....this may continue until you hit 80 but work real hard at getting enough shards for your first set or Zealot armor. After that you will be astounded over how easy it is to tank these zones. I regularly tank shard zones,,,Scions, Cavern fo the afflicted and Forge atleast,,,,with just a fury healer with his wifes illusonist with time conpression on him. I seldom drop below 70% and i I do i just slap a life tap and im fine. Now that ive upgraded to the Void Knight stuff Im on of the prefered tanks in my guild and have a choice of what I want to tank.</p><p>PS. Remeber in t8 its as important to have good resists as it is to have mitigation and avvoidance.</p>

[Iceyx]

<p>I got pretty much a full set of t1 shard armor now.  It's helping a lot in kunark tanking.  And druids were probably the big reason I was dropping so fast before. plate/chain healers seem so much better.  I did some of those 85 ^^^ mobs today for the SK epic, and didnt even take damage with a defiler/templar.  Then in maidens/Voes I can't help but pull aggro with deathmarch, and even with offense stance and a 2hander I didn't take much damage at all.  It's much better with this shard gear.</p><p>I haven't tried any TSO stuff yet, kunark is too much fun ;3</p>

[Terron]

<p><cite>Iceyx wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I got pretty much a full set of t1 shard armor now.  It's helping a lot in kunark tanking.  And druids were probably the big reason I was dropping so fast before. plate/chain healers seem so much better.  I did some of those 85 ^^^ mobs today for the SK epic, and didnt even take damage with a defiler/templar.  Then in maidens/Voes I can't help but pull aggro with deathmarch, and even with offense stance and a 2hander I didn't take much damage at all.  It's much better with this shard gear.</p><p>I haven't tried any TSO stuff yet, kunark is too much fun ;3</p></blockquote><p>I have an 80 guard, a 74 druid (fury) and a 66 SK.</p><p>The primary stat for plate tank armour is mitigation. Then defensive skills. Then hit points. Then STA and AGI.</p><p>Whilst the RoK stuff is fun (except for those who rush to level 80 and did it over and over again for a almost a year. But I advise you to try Deep Forge. I keep seeing loot drop there that would be excellent for an SK, but nothing for my guard. It is also a fun quick zone.</p><p>If you weren't taking damage then it was the defiler doing all the work with wards. Each type of healer has a particular strength. Druids aren't so good at stopping your health dropping, but are the best at getting it back up. A good healer of any type should be able to cope with solo healing you for the RoK or easier ToS instances. But with a druid your health bar will move more.</p>

[prusso1970]

<p>A general practice I use in tough zones (and where the quality of heals is either unknown, or poor) is to pull with the heal proc running and space out your knock downs to keep the mob off its feet. In between those knockdowns hit your heal proc every time it comes up. Augment with heal potions in between if necessary or the heal necklace from Danak to buy your healers time to cast.</p><p>Sometimes I'll keep some of the attacks with an attached heal in reserve in case things get unexpectedly rough.</p>

[Mathafern]

<p>Scion is funny in that the first mobs you run into can spike really high damage.  They also like to play ping-pong with the SK, which is actually very funny. </p><p>Cast order will help you some- use Life Pact on the pull, and have everyone debuff.</p><p>Going with a plate or chain healer is also better for SK- we can heal ourselves over time, we need help preventing the damage in the first place.  I group with an inquisitor myself, and she can solo heal me through most of TSO.</p><p>Minimize the number of mobs you pull.  Watch for the patrols and have your healer soothe if there's an issue with the geometry of the pull.</p><p>Keep divine aura in reserve for when healing gets tight.  If its a multi-mob fight use it earlier in the fight, it is very useful for surviving peak number of mobs before you've killed a few.  This is especially nice in Befallen or Nuroga.</p>

[WyatteSK]

<p>Hi, guys</p><p>My two cents to add to this discussion.  TSO has a new feature for NPC opponents that allows them to do critical damage.  If you aren't wearing TSO shard armor that provides critical mitigation, you will get hit much harder than someone who is. AGI is now a factor in how a fighter mitigates critical hits as well. Your level makes a big difference. Think about respeccing your AAs for the STA line to Divine Aura. It's on a 5 minute recast timer now and is a lifesaver.</p><p>For tanking gear, look for mitigation (you will hit the soft cap for mitigation around 45-55%), defensive stats (blocking, parry, defense, shield effectiveness), Hit points (raw number and sta), then whatever you think is best (me, I love Double Attack).</p>

[RanmaBoyType]

<p>wow, maybe im biased, or my wife is just a really good fury, but shes solo healed me through 70% of the TSO instances.  Id reckon you need to find some better druids if they are not able to keep you up in there.</p><p>I do have 2 sets of armor, but for most of the TSO content right now im offensive armor and offensive stance.  I guess your whole team makeup really makes the difference as well.  Are your scouts stunning when they can?  if not why not? things of that nature are what id be asking your groupmates.</p><p>If however you need defensive armor id shoot for Agi, Sta for stats, but huge priorities on +defence and +parry.  If you need help in avoidance as well, get yourself some of the +dodge and +parry food and drink.  it makes a significant difference if your avoidance is low.  I think they are called bruteflesh something, and cranberry flavord blood infusion (something like that, sorry the names escape me)</p><p>And as others have posted 80 makes a huge diff, as well as your own gear.  I came into TSO with no vp set gear at all, and did instances until i had a full set of the 2nd rank legendary armor and i tell you it makes a huge diff (though now ive gotten some TSO fabled, and its a whole new ballgame)</p>