Comprehensive SK tanking guide

Blackdog183 · 02-26-2005, 03:38 PM

Okay I will put this information out there for everyone to read, and do with what you will, this ebtire post if merely suggestion, and has worked good for me.

When tanking as a shadowknight, aggro control is our biggest issue, not AC or hps. Unbuffed my lvl 31 SK actually ends up with about 230 more defense than a guardian of the same level, so thats not a tremendous issue.

Pulling: I pull the same way every time, Hit my pull macro, fetid grasp, and head back to the grp. On my way back I use unholy order.

During the fight: Once I reach my group, Decree of decay, and ward(these are you second highest aggro generators that affect the entire encounter) followed by Disease cloud(upgrade to inflame) and Decrepit Slam. At this point the aggro is mine(in most fights, theres always those that are a little "weird") as long as I simply cast Decree of decay, unholy order and wards whenver they pop. Occasionaly I throw in a few other spells as power permits.

Lost aggro: If mobs decide to jump another member of the group, HT his [Removed for Content], followed by ward, unholy order, decrepit slam, and disease cloud. If theres multiple mobs that turned aggro, usually UO and wards will get them back, along with decree of decay(in most cases this works for me, sometimes it doesent matter what you do, they are firmly planted on that group member)

After the fight: before your next pull, check everyones power, learn to judge if another pull is wise or not. Make shure that all Heal of Time spells get canceled, as they generate huge amounts of aggro towards Druid type healers(this is being looked into by the devs)

Using this method, Ive been able to tank multiple mobs, even multiple encounters(IE adds) in zek/el, and runnyeye as well as many other places with a very good amount of success. I usually walk away from the "typical" fight with 75% power, and it regens by the next pull.

As far as this being how we are "supposed" to tank, im shure that it isnt, at least I dont recall seeing other tanks that I group with spamming buffs midfight to hold aggro*shrug* but its what works for me.

So take it or leave it, this is what has worked for me, im not higher level yet, so I dont know what adjustments to aggro control need to be made at lvl 32+, people that are higher lev, please feel free to add onto this to help our higher level brethren out.

Roukl · 02-26-2005, 09:44 PM

I cant help myself , but I have to point out its "sure" not "shure" . I've resisted saying in all your other posts hehe. No ill will intended .

Message Edited by Rouklav on 02-26-2005 08:45 AM

Eet · 02-26-2005, 11:11 PM

Also note that Shadowknights can complete an HO (using Fetid Grasp) while pulling to generate even more agro.

Axxon · 02-27-2005, 02:08 AM

I was thinking HO too, and I have a question along those lines that maybe some of you can answer.

I have noticed that a solo HO sometimes hits only the mob I am engaged with, and sometimes hits the entire group of mobs. Is there any way to control which you get, or is it random?

Thanks

Kunathar · 02-27-2005, 05:43 AM

I believe it is entirely random. I have been trying to see some sort of pattern or method and I have been unable to see one. I played w/ various grey "chained" encounters and saw nothing that appeared to be anything less then random.

Buadyen · 02-27-2005, 06:34 AM

Yeah, the specific combat wheel you get is randomly chosen out of 2 or 3 for the starter chain that was completed. The only way you can change the HO you get from a solo chain is to group with a scout. They can "flip" the combat wheel to another random wheel. The new wheel is again randomly chosen from the available wheels for the starter chain, so you can get the same one again.

-AtPlay- · 02-27-2005, 07:21 AM

Drakkonius wrote:
I have noticed that a solo HO sometimes hits only the mob I am engaged with, and sometimes hits the entire group of mobs. Is there any way to control which you get, or is it random?

Thanks

Its dependant upon the HO itself. Sky Cleave is a single target DD while Crushing Anvil is a DD that hits all the mobs in a group.

Message Edited by -AtPlay- on 02-26-2005 09:29 PM

02-26-2005, 03:38 PM	#1
Blackdog183 Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 267	Okay I will put this information out there for everyone to read, and do with what you will, this ebtire post if merely suggestion, and has worked good for me. When tanking as a shadowknight, aggro control is our biggest issue, not AC or hps. Unbuffed my lvl 31 SK actually ends up with about 230 more defense than a guardian of the same level, so thats not a tremendous issue. Pulling: I pull the same way every time, Hit my pull macro, fetid grasp, and head back to the grp. On my way back I use unholy order. During the fight: Once I reach my group, Decree of decay, and ward(these are you second highest aggro generators that affect the entire encounter) followed by Disease cloud(upgrade to inflame) and Decrepit Slam. At this point the aggro is mine(in most fights, theres always those that are a little "weird") as long as I simply cast Decree of decay, unholy order and wards whenver they pop. Occasionaly I throw in a few other spells as power permits. Lost aggro: If mobs decide to jump another member of the group, HT his [Removed for Content], followed by ward, unholy order, decrepit slam, and disease cloud. If theres multiple mobs that turned aggro, usually UO and wards will get them back, along with decree of decay(in most cases this works for me, sometimes it doesent matter what you do, they are firmly planted on that group member) After the fight: before your next pull, check everyones power, learn to judge if another pull is wise or not. Make shure that all Heal of Time spells get canceled, as they generate huge amounts of aggro towards Druid type healers(this is being looked into by the devs) Using this method, Ive been able to tank multiple mobs, even multiple encounters(IE adds) in zek/el, and runnyeye as well as many other places with a very good amount of success. I usually walk away from the "typical" fight with 75% power, and it regens by the next pull. As far as this being how we are "supposed" to tank, im shure that it isnt, at least I dont recall seeing other tanks that I group with spamming buffs midfight to hold aggroshrug but its what works for me. So take it or leave it, this is what has worked for me, im not higher level yet, so I dont know what adjustments to aggro control need to be made at lvl 32+, people that are higher lev, please feel free to add onto this to help our higher level brethren out. __________________ Iceband Fatebringer Leader-Shadows of Freeport 51SK/59 alchey

02-26-2005, 11:11 PM	#3
Eet General Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 43	Also note that Shadowknights can complete an HO (using Fetid Grasp) while pulling to generate even more agro. __________________ eetums ~ TLW

02-27-2005, 02:08 AM	#4
Axxon Server: Antonia Bayle Guild: The Discipleship Rank: Sovereign Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 417	I was thinking HO too, and I have a question along those lines that maybe some of you can answer. I have noticed that a solo HO sometimes hits only the mob I am engaged with, and sometimes hits the entire group of mobs. Is there any way to control which you get, or is it random? Thanks __________________

02-27-2005, 05:43 AM	#5
Kunathar Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 81	I believe it is entirely random. I have been trying to see some sort of pattern or method and I have been unable to see one. I played w/ various grey "chained" encounters and saw nothing that appeared to be anything less then random. __________________ ************************************* Inmir - Level 75/91 Shadowknight Innothule - Crushbone My mount goes BEEP BEEP BEEP (when it backs up) *************************************

02-27-2005, 07:21 AM	#7
-AtPlay- Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 105	Drakkonius wrote: I have noticed that a solo HO sometimes hits only the mob I am engaged with, and sometimes hits the entire group of mobs. Is there any way to control which you get, or is it random? Thanks Its dependant upon the HO itself. Sky Cleave is a single target DD while Crushing Anvil is a DD that hits all the mobs in a group. Message Edited by -AtPlay- on 02-26-2005 09:29 PM

02-26-2005, 09:44 PM	#2
Roukl Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 21	I cant help myself , but I have to point out its "sure" not "shure" . I've resisted saying in all your other posts hehe. No ill will intended . Message Edited by Rouklav on 02-26-2005 08:45 AM

02-27-2005, 06:34 AM	#6
Buadyen Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 48	Yeah, the specific combat wheel you get is randomly chosen out of 2 or 3 for the starter chain that was completed. The only way you can change the HO you get from a solo chain is to group with a scout. They can "flip" the combat wheel to another random wheel. The new wheel is again randomly chosen from the available wheels for the starter chain, so you can get the same one again.