As you all have probably noticed, we are currently experiencing a lack of tanks, especially at level 70. We would like to address this issue and get some feedback from everyone.

First, are there any toons out there that are interested in tanking? This includes toons that are up-and-coming (please let us know how we can help you level, if that is what you need) and tank-types that may be interested in re-speccing to fill the tank void. If you are interested in becoming a tank but just don't think you are a "good" tank... we can help!! (OK, not me, 'cause I don't play a tank. But my fellow producers are great tanks and could definitely help.)

Second, has anyone pugged with any great tanks lately? Perhaps we should keep our eyes open for any tanks that would fit well with VS and put the bug in their ears that we are looking for more tankage.

Third, how does everyone feel about trying to recruit some tanks if we can't generate some more from within VS?

Note: This is just a thought we are throwing around right now so don't start an angry "we don't want to recruit" thread on my ass.

If we did open recruiting, we would, of course, maintain strict guidelines for applications. The producers would interview any applicants in-game (before posting applications) to weed out the non-VS types. And we would extend the probation period to 4 weeks for any initiate who does not have a VS sponsor. And during this initiation period, we could insist that they attend X number of instances with VSers before a decision is made.

Lastly, if you have some other miracle idea that will assist us all in this time of need... please let us know!

Discuss!

I favor opening recruitment, with the same stringent application process we've always had!

I had intended my tiny paladin to be a healadin, but I can give tanking a shot. I mean, if *Jam* does it, it can't be that hard.

Shadian is at level 64 and i've kinda hit a wall with him. So motivation to get him to 70 could help. He's already the right build for it, so all I'd need is help collecting the gear.

Shadian - where are you questing these days? And what instances are you up for? I will run any instance you want to get you some uber tanking gear!

I'm currently questing in Terokkar Forest. I'd have to do a lot more research on what the best gear is, but that shouldn't be a problem. Lojac promised to give me advice if needed. I just really need to get back motivated to leveling :).

I really really like dropkickme, but I'm just not playing often enough to truly be helpful. I'm working on it though!

This post really is pointless....

Um... *points elsewhere* look, not so pointless.

As far as recruitment, I still favor the no "open" recruitment, just those who know someone in VS, even if it's only through in-game interaction (meaning having grouped with). But that's just me. As far as tankage leakage, just make Rin run every instance that everyone wants to do at any time of the day or night. No exceptions!

I've actually met a couple of really great tanks in the Ongoing Saga of Undercover Priest -- the problem is that most of them are seventeen (or younger), and with summer break coming up, they pretty much tend to be looking for All Heroics And Karazhan All The Time. Of course, I kind of sort of want that too...

I think it's definitely POSSIBLE that there are some like-minded folks out there -- or even reformed raiders who can be forcibly shaped into fitting VS's mold cough cough Eulalia cough cough -- we just need to find them. I favor opening recruitment, and just making sure they have senses of humor. Even teentards can be funny, sometimes. :D

I've actually met a couple of really great tanks in the Ongoing Saga of Undercover Priest -- the problem is that most of them are seventeen (or younger), and with summer break coming up, they pretty much tend to be looking for All Heroics And Karazhan All The Time. Of course, I kind of sort of want that too...

I think it's definitely POSSIBLE that there are some like-minded folks out there -- or even reformed raiders who can be forcibly shaped into fitting VS's mold cough cough Eulalia cough cough -- we just need to find them. I favor opening recruitment, and just making sure they have senses of humor. Even teentards can be funny, sometimes. :D

YOU WANNA FIGHT?

oh, wait.

Howdy,

I presently have a 62 warrior (0/15/38) and a 65 pally (18/38/0); both sword and board, wearing BC greenies and the occasional blue. I have sincerely wanted to help out with the tanking issue; but my issue is time. My work dictates that I need be up around 5am during the week; so weekday runs for me are out by default.

I would like to help out on weekend runs; but I will need a PATIENT group while I relearn how to play with others and, of course, outfit myself with the requisite armour.

Some pointless (unabashedly stolen from Raeb) history...I was the primary puller (monk...one mob, one pull FTW) for a large guild in EQone for a long time and raiding became anathema to me...Long story shortened is that I have been out of any group oriented raiding system for probably four years. In fact, I can count on both hands, the number of groups that I have participated in during the last couple years.

So, with that said; I reckon that I am ready to tank Durnhold.

I haven't been very interested in Gawth since I started Bexy. Gawth is 64 and currently feral-type-tank-bear-thing so in a pinch I could do stuff.

Would rather play Bexy or my upcoming Pali who will be ret until he's high enough to actually tank something and then go prot.

I put a whole lot of work into getting a set of tanking gear together for Lyranne. I think she could reasonably tank some of the mid-60s instances, and potentially others if the rest of the group is on the ball and knowing what they need to do to mitigate their threat and to make sure I can pick a mob up if they pull it off of me.

That said, I'm not respeccing Lyranne, and I also don't want to rack up huge respec bills trying to respec just for specific runs.

Love your sig Lyranne!

I'll go ahead and start another warrior to help out.

I'll go ahead and start another warrior to help out.

And then you will clone yourself? ;)

I'm starting to get a hold of this 'tanking' thing. Even as I stop making as many stupid mistakes and act less like a retn00b, the gear is still holding me back. I have some targets for gear, and I'd like to run these instances whenever I get a chance (both for lewtz and for rep to buy loot):

Botanica
The Mechanar
Shattered Halls
Shadow Labyrinth
The Steamvault
Arcatraz

All the CoT instances for rep.

How the F do you get Sha'tar rep en masse?

Comparing myself to Jam on the Armory, I see my major deficiency is in dodge parry and block rating, so I need gear primarily with those stats. Armor, HP and defense are pretty good, and should improve to where they need to be as I acquire some of my target loots for the other stats. I've found that with a healer that is on the ball, I can tank some of the nastier stuff, but I'm not yet on the all-star level.

Also, I'd like to run some instances with Jam to see how he does what he does. Maybe a few of the easier ones (where having 2 tanks isnt going to be such an issue).

Bren - what are your "ideal" times to run instances during the week?

How the F do you get Sha'tar rep en masse?

Run Tempest Keep. Run it A LOT. A full Mechanar clear is about 1200; Botanica is about 2800 (I think, I have been to Botanica least); Arcatraz is about 4000. These are human numbers, so make it +/- 10%. You get rep for all three instances all the way through exalted, so it doesn't hurt as much as some of the other reps. You also get Sha'tar rep for doing quests for A'dal in Shattrath -- some of the higher-up Stormspire and Scryer/Aldor quests have turn-ins for A'dal, and those are huge.

My usual available hours are 1000-1500 server time on weekdays ( I know that doesn't help much) and I can work with ANY time on the weekends, but remember I am 7 hours ahead of server time, so peak playtimes are usually in the wee hours for me (which is usually fine on the weekends).

I have an official army social event to attend on friday night, which puts me home squarely as the peak play time is starting, so that'd be a good time (which means I'll have to exercise SOME restraint on my drinking there), then all of saturday and sunday are open. Like I said, strange hours are okay for me, so if that means I'll get the people I need to put an instance together, then so be it.

Even teentards can be funny, sometimes. :D

umm...thanks...?

How about a daytime run on Tuesday of next week? I'm sure there are a few VSers who can play during the day.

absolutely. 1100 server time for a start, whichever of the above will generate the most interest. I would hope by the end of the weekend i'll have at least knocked out shadow lab.

Done!

Hmm.... I really should maybe look at paying for my account again... i have a level 40 something Warrior..... She has been kinda stuck in STV though.....

Edit... I might think of fixing my sig too.......

I have been thinking about switching most of my play time to my warrior. If I respec to defense then I will need a little help as that spec seems to be a little slow at leveling. Arathorne is at lvl 61 atm and I should be on with him a good bit this weekend. I will also be in need of some team tank training. I wouldn't say I was horrible but I know there is a good bit I need to learn.