wats going on with the word "tank"?

[stazer]

I have seen way way way to many lfm's asking for "tanks"...and then having only fighters/barbarians in the class lfm. From my experience this game is unlike any other in that a proper wiz can "tank" (i hate that word). Is this a phenomenon due to new players coming from other mmo's and using nomenclature specific to those? I just ran SOS..litterly 15 minutes ago with a group of 5 casters...1 barb...i guess he was our "tank"? We just kited sorjek around and laughed as he burned...we did not really know each other but we all new what to do...and I am far far far from super l33t player!

I asked to join a group with my ranger...and the dude said if i have "fighter levels and can hold a shield" i could join up...that doesnt seem right to me...do people know what tempest is? and that a ranger/monk is going to have a higher ac then most...tanks...?

Im going to say it...I think tank is a stupid nooblishious word.

signed,

thoroughly confused by the word "tank"

[Vanshilar]

I think "tank" is a perfectly good word describing what they're supposed to be doing. Sometimes "meat shield" is too long to type and doesn't work as well as a verb =P

Although yes I do think quite a few players maybe come from other MMO's or something and aren't aware of how many different class combos can fulfill a role, and don't know how a class can fulfill so many roles, so quite often I do see groups self-limit themselves based on those preconceptions.

[Angelus_dead]

I think "tank" is a perfectly good word describing what they're supposed to be doing. Sometimes "meat shield" is too long to type and doesn't work as well as a verb

The point is that only in a slim minority of DDO's quests does a "meat shield" make sense.

[Mithran]

This is something that's only happened recently, here. I know Tower requires a tank at points, but there are very few quests here that do.

"Group seeks a liability from force of habit from other games" would read as well in most cases. I'll never forget asking to join a Crucible run on my Sorc only to be told "Sorry, we need a tank." I didn't bother to respond, but if I had, my response would have been "For what?"

The recent prevalence of the phrase "Need a tank" in the LFM's denotes lack of experience, in most cases.

[sirgog]

The point is that only in a slim minority of DDO's quests does a "meat shield" make sense.

Actually they do help in a lot of quests, but are only really needed in one or two.

A 53 AC intimitank is one strategy that makes Gianthold quests easy on Elite - just as spamming Mass Suggestion is another, so is Firewall, so is 'trip one then gang up on it', so is focused Con damage, etc.

Any of these strategies will get you through GH elite content smoothly at level 10-12 (not that there is any incentive to do that at all now)

[SINIBYTE]

I just tell people, regardless of which character I'm on "yeh, I can tank, no worries".

[cforce]

It's worth noting that the term "tank" has a different meaning stemming from earlier use in tournament D&D, meaning any front-line melee. This is different than the use attributed to MMO roles. Because there is a portion of the player base coming here from a D&D background rather than an MMO background, half the time someone has an LFM for a "tank" (especially at lower levels), they're actually looking for melee DPS, not an aggro-controller.

[Therigar]

it's Worth Noting That The Term "tank" Has A Different Meaning Stemming From Earlier Use In Tournament D&d, Meaning Any Front-line Melee. This Is Different Than The Use Attributed To Mmo Roles. Because There Is A Portion Of The Player Base Coming Here From A D&d Background Rather Than An Mmo Background, Half The Time Someone Has An Lfm For A "tank" (especially At Lower Levels), They're Actually Looking For Melee Dps, Not An Aggro-controller.

Qft

[stazer]

you guys make me feel all warm and tingly.

seriously i have allot of respect for your input on this...

As sirgog put it there are so many many many stratagies that make sense and make quests easy.

And as others stated theres really only a few quests that its commonly accepted as nescesity..

I can think of 2 off hand were a "tank"...particularly a wf make the quest easy and this method is the universally recognized method of completion amongst the player base...(vod and tod)

thanks for the responses

[VinceRN]

"Tank" means different things in different MMOs and often within a single MMO tank will mean different things to different people, or it's meaning will vary depending on context.

It dies often have a general idea of "stand there in the door and soak up damage while the rest of us hide behind you", but you can't ever be sure that's what someone means when they say tank.

And of course if were to to ask someone exactly what they wanted when they asked for a tank they'd call you stupid, because everyone knows that whatever there definition is, is the only possible definition.

Truth is, you don't often have much use for the stand there and soak up damage roll in this game. If someone is asking for a tank I never volunteer regardless of what I'm running.

[captain1z]

I think many these days refer to a tank as someone who can go toe-to-toe with big bad monsters and not get one shotted. A combination of hit points and AC.

[sirgog]

Truth is, you don't often have much use for the stand there and soak up damage roll in this game. If someone is asking for a tank I never volunteer regardless of what I'm running.

The #2 and #3 hardest raids in the game (ToD and VoD) are best completed with a tank, and particularly ToD is extremely difficult to successfully complete without a character with 600+ hp and preferably Boots of Anchoring or, failing that, a Will save of 26 or better.

The hardest raid (Epic DQ2) can be done with a tank too, but a tank is less important there than it is elsewhere.

[Creddi]

I think many these days refer to a tank as someone who can go toe-to-toe with big bad monsters and not get one shotted. A combination of hit points and AC.

This is my definition.. someone to compensate for the relative squishiness of other classes. With sufficient firepower that might not be a needed role but even then something can go wrong... so other than the issue of such a role being difficult to fill in DDO, why is it such a bad concept?

[sirgog]

I think many these days refer to a tank as someone who can go toe-to-toe with big bad monsters and not get one shotted. A combination of hit points and AC.

Who needs HP and AC to avoid getting one-shotted, when you can have Heavy Fortification?

[captain1z]

Who needs HP and AC to avoid getting one-shotted, when you can have Heavy Fortification?

Even with hvy fort a ranger with 100 hp can only take so much. If his AC is not great, despite the damage he may do, I think many groups would have a hard time with him acting as a "tank" by the definition Im assuming.

My newest ranger has like 115 hp's at and his AC is not great.....yet......I play him like a rogue and Im very cautious of aggro. If a group wants me to be the one monsters see first and start pounding on so the group can blind side a few mobs and get those crutial first few hits, I'll be dead in no time.

In truth I need to take advantage of those free hits as well............ but I do have a "tank" tank.
Hes a warforged shield carrier with intimidate and can both hold aggro and take hits without dropping like a $5 doll....eerrr well, just use your imagination...... kids are about Im sure.

[hermespan]

I think many these days refer to a tank as someone who can go toe-to-toe with big bad monsters and not get one shotted. A combination of hit points and AC.

Or evasion/fortification/saves in lieu of 400 HP.

Goes to show you a tank can mean many different things.

To me personally "Tank" means someone who can take a ton of punishment and can get and hold aggro without dying quickly. How they take the punishment and manage the incoming damage isn't important as long as they can.

Melee DPS is something different altogether, though even Melee DPS should be able to take a couple of hits and not be as squishy as a pure wizard.

/shrug