Unconventional use of a warden

Spag · 08-22-2005, 08:31 PM

I just cannot resist sharing my latest experience this last weekend. It was simply one of the best grouping experiences I had ever been in. Everyone in the group was completely amazed at our effectiveness.

When I joined the group we had become a four man group with a guardian, cleric, conjuror and myself, as a warden. We were all about lvl 37 or so. We were in the Enchanted Lands, working on the lvl 37-39 ^^ rats there. All was normal until the Guardian had to log off. We did not wish to break up the group, so we continued on, and the Conjuror's pet and myself took turns tanking. Shortly thereafter a lvl 39 warlock joined the group, and a few friends of mine did as well, both were Wizards, lvl 34 and lvl 35 I believe. At this point we had a cleric, warden, conjuror, 2 wizzies and a warlock in group, which made for some good DPS, but aggro became an issue.

We decided on something I had not tried in many levels. We opted for me to do nothing but main tank and taunt to keep aggro from the casters. This was done by pulling the intended target, and firing off all my group cures as soon as they cycled. The mobs were going down very quickly, with no lost aggro. This worked so wonderfully, I talked the casters into going full burn to see if they could pry aggro away from me. The lvl 39 warlock was the only one that could pull aggro, and only if he started casting while I was running back with the mob. Once I got back to the group and began my cycle of group cures, there was very little chance I would lose aggro. For the next hour or two, we did this, pulling anything in the area, singles, heroics, anything, it did not matter. I lost aggro maybe 4 -5 times during that period, and each time was right off the pull before I had a chance to fire off a full round of cures, and only once was not able to get aggro back within a few seconds.

My power usage in group was the most, as at the end of each fight i was about half power, everyone else was about 75%. Downtime was minimal, as I would use a manastone and a regen, and be back to full health and power withing 20 seconds.

The warlock in group was simply amazed that he could go all out and not pull aggro. In his terms it was very rare that someone could hold aggro from him, let alone when he tried to pull aggro. He even stated that he was already looking at rolling a priest and had not yet made up his mind which, until then. He decided druid/warden on the spot.

It was simply amazing, and I thank everyone in the group for such an awesome experience. I did not want to give out names, as I do not want to assume it would be ok with them. They know who they are, and they had just as much fun as I did. Sadly it was 5:30 am when I had to log off, and I cant say whether or not they continued, and I had felt bad for having to cause such a good thing to come to an end.

Danluy · 08-22-2005, 10:03 PM

We were essentially doing the same thing last night on Test, 22 warden tanking and a Wizard and a Warlock DPSing. It definitely worked and was a lot of fun, but aggro has changed compared to Live (mostly a good thing for non-tanking Wardens) as I'd lose aggro to the Warlock after a short period of time, even when chain casting every aggro spell I own. At this level against the green heroics we were fighting it wasn't a big deal, the warlock could tank fine as well with a regen on. Our new root also adds a new dimension to this as you can often avoid tanking for a short period of time.

We were able to do some blue heroic ^^^ until we ran into a caster that in 3 attempts wasn't doable by our little group.

Dan

3cho · 08-22-2005, 10:09 PM

I've been in some unconventional groups.... and I have to say it's a lot of fun SMILEY

It definetly adds some excitment to the encounters and often forces people to learn a lot of things about their class they didn't know.

Ravenmi · 08-22-2005, 10:38 PM

Do the same thing often with some friends of mine. I pretty much always tank in our little mini groups, its pretty hard to beat group cures for agro gain. SMILEY

Shennr · 08-22-2005, 11:37 PM

That reminds me of my duoing days with my buddy Warlock before he quit EQ2. We were both lvl 50 and had nothing better to do so we would duo the Maiden Gulch instance and the Deathfist Citadel instance. The Warden Warlock Combo is one of the best duoing combo's that I have seen.

LordOlr · 08-23-2005, 04:01 PM

tanked the very difficult version of splipaw group arena (in a trio with an inq and a wiz) np yesterday. aggro (even vs a wiz going for full dps) wasnt a problem and i was only using the group elemental cure to "taunt". dont think the other group cures are that big aggro magnets.

Arielle Nightshade · 08-23-2005, 08:05 PM

This is awesome Spag! what fun! LOL

Did something similar in Everfrost with 2 necros and myself (yeah..heard the "Arie's in EF with 2 Necros...what're they UP to??")...they'd pull the mob then ride around me in a circle kiting it so I could keep them healed. It was absolute fun LOL

08-22-2005, 08:31 PM	#1
Spag Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 788	I just cannot resist sharing my latest experience this last weekend. It was simply one of the best grouping experiences I had ever been in. Everyone in the group was completely amazed at our effectiveness. When I joined the group we had become a four man group with a guardian, cleric, conjuror and myself, as a warden. We were all about lvl 37 or so. We were in the Enchanted Lands, working on the lvl 37-39 ^^ rats there. All was normal until the Guardian had to log off. We did not wish to break up the group, so we continued on, and the Conjuror's pet and myself took turns tanking. Shortly thereafter a lvl 39 warlock joined the group, and a few friends of mine did as well, both were Wizards, lvl 34 and lvl 35 I believe. At this point we had a cleric, warden, conjuror, 2 wizzies and a warlock in group, which made for some good DPS, but aggro became an issue. We decided on something I had not tried in many levels. We opted for me to do nothing but main tank and taunt to keep aggro from the casters. This was done by pulling the intended target, and firing off all my group cures as soon as they cycled. The mobs were going down very quickly, with no lost aggro. This worked so wonderfully, I talked the casters into going full burn to see if they could pry aggro away from me. The lvl 39 warlock was the only one that could pull aggro, and only if he started casting while I was running back with the mob. Once I got back to the group and began my cycle of group cures, there was very little chance I would lose aggro. For the next hour or two, we did this, pulling anything in the area, singles, heroics, anything, it did not matter. I lost aggro maybe 4 -5 times during that period, and each time was right off the pull before I had a chance to fire off a full round of cures, and only once was not able to get aggro back within a few seconds. My power usage in group was the most, as at the end of each fight i was about half power, everyone else was about 75%. Downtime was minimal, as I would use a manastone and a regen, and be back to full health and power withing 20 seconds. The warlock in group was simply amazed that he could go all out and not pull aggro. In his terms it was very rare that someone could hold aggro from him, let alone when he tried to pull aggro. He even stated that he was already looking at rolling a priest and had not yet made up his mind which, until then. He decided druid/warden on the spot. It was simply amazing, and I thank everyone in the group for such an awesome experience. I did not want to give out names, as I do not want to assume it would be ok with them. They know who they are, and they had just as much fun as I did. Sadly it was 5:30 am when I had to log off, and I cant say whether or not they continued, and I had felt bad for having to cause such a good thing to come to an end. __________________

08-22-2005, 10:09 PM	#3
3cho Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 276	I've been in some unconventional groups.... and I have to say it's a lot of fun It definetly adds some excitment to the encounters and often forces people to learn a lot of things about their class they didn't know. __________________ -- Adun

08-23-2005, 04:01 PM	#6
LordOlr Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 194	tanked the very difficult version of splipaw group arena (in a trio with an inq and a wiz) np yesterday. aggro (even vs a wiz going for full dps) wasnt a problem and i was only using the group elemental cure to "taunt". dont think the other group cures are that big aggro magnets. __________________ Logaras 60 Warden on Runnyeye Proud to be Xanadu

08-22-2005, 10:03 PM	#2
Danluy Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 60	We were essentially doing the same thing last night on Test, 22 warden tanking and a Wizard and a Warlock DPSing. It definitely worked and was a lot of fun, but aggro has changed compared to Live (mostly a good thing for non-tanking Wardens) as I'd lose aggro to the Warlock after a short period of time, even when chain casting every aggro spell I own. At this level against the green heroics we were fighting it wasn't a big deal, the warlock could tank fine as well with a regen on. Our new root also adds a new dimension to this as you can often avoid tanking for a short period of time. We were able to do some blue heroic ^^^ until we ran into a caster that in 3 attempts wasn't doable by our little group. Dan

08-22-2005, 10:38 PM	#4
Ravenmi Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 402	Do the same thing often with some friends of mine. I pretty much always tank in our little mini groups, its pretty hard to beat group cures for agro gain.

08-22-2005, 11:37 PM	#5
Shennr Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 346	That reminds me of my duoing days with my buddy Warlock before he quit EQ2. We were both lvl 50 and had nothing better to do so we would duo the Maiden Gulch instance and the Deathfist Citadel instance. The Warden Warlock Combo is one of the best duoing combo's that I have seen.

08-23-2005, 08:05 PM	#7
Arielle Nightshade Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,727	This is awesome Spag! what fun! LOL Did something similar in Everfrost with 2 necros and myself (yeah..heard the "Arie's in EF with 2 Necros...what're they UP to??")...they'd pull the mob then ride around me in a circle kiting it so I could keep them healed. It was absolute fun LOL