Noobish bruiser,with a question.

[oder]

        Heya, im wondering if anyone here can answer a question i have. First let me start by saying that i plan on making a bruiser alt, and my main is a 67 shadowknight.My question is, Are bruiser's just as easily invited to group's for offtanking/dps, as they are to be the MT?     I ask this because lately, when i play, i am not able to dedicate the time in each session as I once did, and in my experience's with my SK, the majority of the time i was invited into xp groups was to fill the MT role. Which left me feeling bad when i had to log early, leaving the group tankless. I know bruiser's can tank well in group's, but im interested in the backup role this time around. I have made a few scout's, and a mage,.but they all left me feeling somewhat lacking.  I enjoy the melee aspect of the fighter class. If that make's any sense.     Thanks in advance.<div></div>

[SillyMonk]

<DIV>As another SK who plays a Bruiser alt,  my experience and from what I read on these boards says the answer to your question is, yes. Often we'll get invited as the off tank/dps and not main tank. That's not to say we CAN'T MT. We most certainly can, but I don't get a whole lot of invites for that and from what I read on the boards here, neither do a lot of others.</DIV>

[oder]

    Thank you for the info, much appreciated. And as an SK, from day one of eq2, i know how hard perception's of tank classes are to overcome,  and I in no way meant that bruiser's cant MT, or dont choose too. Just not what I personally am looking for. Many thanks again.<div></div>

[Zh]

I've gotten invites for both on many occassions, which I'm actually glad to see most people recognize the fact that brawlers can tank. I think I have most fun in the dps spot though. It affords many opportunities when things start going wrong, to turn the fight around, go into defensive and save it all. That's what I really like about it. We can do both and make the switch quickly to change the flow of a fight in the group's favor.<div></div>

[Raidi Sovin'faile]

<P>Actually, that's exactly what I feel the Bruiser excels at. If things go bad, we can (in our own way) control the crowd. Whether it's to pick up MT after he dies.. or to take on adds, or to stun/mez lock something.</P> <P>We can do very well at MT position, however we can't "Save the Day" the same way since we are already using all our tools(short of mez maybe).</P> <P> </P> <P>I have the most fun with my class as DPS + ghetto crowd control. I'm often chosen as DPS, however I usually play with my wife (healer, warden), so when we go to a group, I can fill either role. I will usually bow out to another tank being MT if they are there, and fulfill the offtank position, but never shy away from being MT either if we don't have another tank. Or sometimes if we do... I've had a pally tell me "I don't know this zone well, you tank it".</P> <P>When you play in the low population times, you build a reputation with the folks that do pickup groups, and they'll get to know how well YOU tank, regardless of what class you are playing.</P> <P> </P> <P>Hell, I tank pretty well with my brigand, just cuz I know HOW to tank (aggro control, pulling, where to go and how to position, speed of pulling, knowing limits, etc), and have trio'd with my brigand tanking fairly effectively (taking on even and higher heroics).</P> <P>A lot of it has to do with the player, and people DO remember names, heh. Be a good tank, and they'll pick you for tanking. :smileyvery-happy:</P>

[DarkMirrax]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Raidi Sovin'faile wrote:<BR> <P>Actually, that's exactly what I feel the Bruiser excels at. If things go bad, we can (in our own way) control the crowd. Whether it's to pick up MT after he dies.. or to take on adds, or to stun/mez lock something.</P> <P>We can do very well at MT position, however we can't "Save the Day" the same way since we are already using all our tools(short of mez maybe).</P> <P> </P> <P>I have the most fun with my class as DPS + ghetto crowd control. I'm often chosen as DPS, however I usually play with my wife (healer, warden), so when we go to a group, I can fill either role. I will usually bow out to another tank being MT if they are there, and fulfill the offtank position, but never shy away from being MT either if we don't have another tank. Or sometimes if we do... I've had a pally tell me "I don't know this zone well, you tank it".</P> <P>When you play in the low population times, you build a reputation with the folks that do pickup groups, and they'll get to know how well YOU tank, regardless of what class you are playing.</P> <P>Hell, I tank pretty well with my brigand, just cuz I know HOW to tank (aggro control, pulling, where to go and how to position, speed of pulling, knowing limits, etc), and have trio'd with my brigand tanking fairly effectively (taking on even and higher heroics).</P> <P><FONT color=#ffff00>/Totally Agree , My swashie was MT in Clefts the other night just because i kept pulling aggro of the tank even though i had my hate transfered on him and avoid blame up as it turns out he was a noob and only had taunts at ap1 !!! woooot !</FONT></P> <P>A lot of it has to do with the player, and people DO remember names, heh. Be a good tank, and they'll pick you for tanking. :smileyvery-happy:</P><FONT color=#ffff00>/Again definatly</FONT><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>

[Raidi Sovin'faile]

<P>I think the reason I like the DPS role (with crowd control on the side) so much is because it keeps me on my toes. Basically, I'm using all my skills in those situations, and it's not the same old button mash.</P> <P>Same reason I like playing my Coercer (always on my toes with a charmed pet, especially soloing) and Brigand (jumping all over the place, need to get aggro to get full use of my abilities and then shed it again, etc).</P> <P>My other chars all seem to be taking a back seat lately.. and this is probably why.</P>