Basicly this is my out take on this . . . Guardians, While a strong class able to wield all forms of weapons and armor. Offer far less DPS then all the other ranks in the Fighter Pool. However they also offer the best tanking ability. This is thier Job, they are the Guards of the group. They do it well now, and offer tib bits of damage to look like they are doing something other than getting the Heck beat out of them constantly. Paladins, SOE seems to think they are the second best in Tanking, Well, I'd agree also. Thier group buffs used with on the run castable nukes, allow for nearly flawless agro and makes them a very viable tank, with slightly less ability then guardians. They offset that ability with healing and wards, but this lowers thier DPS to the second worst of the fighter pool as well. Berserkers, Hard to believe they ranked 3rd in tanking, seeing they use all the weapons and armor of guardians, including shields. But it looks as though SOE depicts them to using dual wield more, which lowers tanking just enough to set them in at 3rd spot. Well rounded class, able to tank and dps pretty evenly across the board. Shadowknights, I'd say instead of 4th tanking, the would be a tie for 3rd. Pretty equal with Zerkers, in that reguards. But they have a slight advantage in spells and skills that put them a rank up in DPS. Solid balanced class yet again. Monks, one of the best Utility tanks of the fighter pool but with one minor set back. These skilled fighters don't rely on armor instead they rely on speed. Being missed is the game and higher the mob you face the less likely that will happen. Tho due to thier Utility buffs they come in a solid 4th in the tank field. Just don't be on the receiving end of thier fists if they are mad, cause it will hurt. Bruisers, They are the red headed step child of the tanks. They rank last in tanking ability, but don't take them lightly. They come with fists ready and a strong assortment of skills. These are the elite DPS tanks, they live and die by the damage they inflict. But once targeted for removal by a mob, its hard pressed to maintain. Now then, one question I seen so far in this thread was about what Bruisers can do in groups. I'll answer that for you, as I am a bruiser, who knows his role well. Bruiser's while not the best by any means at taking hits, can take agro and hold it almost better then any other tank out there. They can also put mobs out of the fight for short periods of time. Intimidate and Jeer lines of skills are Keen abilities that are often times over looked. Intimidate *which I'll just call Mez here on out* gives you a 15 second window of one mob setting Idle doing nothing. This skill is absolutely the best way to remove a mob from a healer or caster thats under fire. Also, Jeer is a solid fear, lasting between 1 and 30 seconds roughly. This skill will send a mobs scattering in fear but you can also stop those fleeing mobs in thier tracks with a well timed stun just after fearing. What this means in during a group, even if your the highest level tank there your roll is still DPS, and secondly its your job to be watchful and pickup any ADDs the group might get. Don't think a bruiser can't tank though, for 32 seconds a bruiser is the best tank in the game hands down, nothing can touch you with Bob and weave up, and to top it off you can Stifle with throat punch, and about half of your attacks come lvl35 have a stun component. So you see, Bruisers are only as good as the person playing them. While ranked last as tanks, they are one of the best Crowd control tanks around. Any group is lucky to have a good bruiser in the fight with them. Now then, post what ya like, I'm not saying Bruisers are better then anyone else either. Everyclass is only as good as the person playing them. I've seen Mystics timing wards and heals and debuffs become better tanks then some Guardians I've seen. So just play your best, keep your eyes open, and use your class to its fullest ability. Thats all that was given to you, and all you have the ability to do. If nothing else, you might save a poor wizard that over nukes some day and get a thank you from it, and it will make you feel great. And at that point you'll understand, its nothing to do with your class, but everything to do with your attitude and ability to play your best. Divar 33 Bruiser Oasis Server
Message Edited by RoninDF on 04-27-2005 04:51 PM