Post by Kalezi on Apr 1, 2009 18:03:15 GMT -5
The more well-known duty of a Barbarian is to tank, as they are the most resilient of all the classes, and are equipped best to absorb damage and sustain life while others do damage. They have a surplus of HP even early on in the game, and throughout the levels gain skills that improve HP regeneration, physical defense, and other traits that all tanks should focus on. Remember that their extreme focus on taking hits harshly affects their ability to deal damage.
Although they are best suited to tank, Barbs have also been known to go along the DD [damage-dealer] route, though this, as the tanker build affects damage, affects the Barb's ability to take hits.
Please note that this is a general overview of a Veno's various jobs in a squad, and all should feel free to post any advice, ideas, or additional information they might want to share.
- - - -
Tanking:
It is advised that only Barbs that have followed a good tanker build attempt to tank in a squad.
With that said, there's one rule that a tank should always follow. Always. That rule is very simple, so to all Barbs, please don't forget it.
Do not, ever, run from the mob you are tanking.
In doing so, you can cost the entire squad their lives by losing aggro. Remember, that there is a cleric there, or should be, to keep you alive, and they can revive you if you die. If they die, there is no one there to revive them. So, no running and killing the squad. That's a "never do this or we'll smite you" sort of thing.
Now, on to the tanking tips. Assuming that you have your build in order, and have upgraded your True Form [Tiger form] skills, as that is your best and only tanking form, you'll want to focus your attention on your aggro and interrupt skills, for the most part. Your main aggro skill is Flesh Ream [The one that makes mobs bleed.], and your main interrupt skill is Alacrity of the Beast [Interrupts an opponent's channeling.] To efficiently tank, you should use Flesh Ream at regular intervals [This varies depending on who your damage-dealer is, and how hard they hit.] to hold aggro, and Alacrity of the Beast to interrupt any channeling the mob may do. Focus only on holding aggro. There are others watching your health and stats, or should be, so your job is to make sure that everything is attacking you and only you, unless the plan calls for something else.
Damage-Dealing:
A DD build for barbs isn't something I recommend, personally. It goes against the natural strengths of the class, as it neglects all tanking skills and abilities, and focuses on the "Human" form and skills. In the end, you still won't do nearly as much damage as an Archer, Wizard, or most of the other classes, but you will be hitting much harder than any of the tanks [although you'll probably die five times as fast.].
To implement a DD barb, simply spam any mob that your tank is taking hits from with all of your strongest skills, and attempt to avoid skills like Penetrate Armor, as those are aggro-stealing skills.
I don't know very much about DD barbs, as I won't use one anytime soon, but don't take that as a reason to exclude them from your tastes. Feel free to give it a shot, although I recommend trying to balance your tanker and DD side, if nothing else.
Although they are best suited to tank, Barbs have also been known to go along the DD [damage-dealer] route, though this, as the tanker build affects damage, affects the Barb's ability to take hits.
Please note that this is a general overview of a Veno's various jobs in a squad, and all should feel free to post any advice, ideas, or additional information they might want to share.
- - - -
Tanking:
It is advised that only Barbs that have followed a good tanker build attempt to tank in a squad.
With that said, there's one rule that a tank should always follow. Always. That rule is very simple, so to all Barbs, please don't forget it.
Do not, ever, run from the mob you are tanking.
In doing so, you can cost the entire squad their lives by losing aggro. Remember, that there is a cleric there, or should be, to keep you alive, and they can revive you if you die. If they die, there is no one there to revive them. So, no running and killing the squad. That's a "never do this or we'll smite you" sort of thing.
Now, on to the tanking tips. Assuming that you have your build in order, and have upgraded your True Form [Tiger form] skills, as that is your best and only tanking form, you'll want to focus your attention on your aggro and interrupt skills, for the most part. Your main aggro skill is Flesh Ream [The one that makes mobs bleed.], and your main interrupt skill is Alacrity of the Beast [Interrupts an opponent's channeling.] To efficiently tank, you should use Flesh Ream at regular intervals [This varies depending on who your damage-dealer is, and how hard they hit.] to hold aggro, and Alacrity of the Beast to interrupt any channeling the mob may do. Focus only on holding aggro. There are others watching your health and stats, or should be, so your job is to make sure that everything is attacking you and only you, unless the plan calls for something else.
Damage-Dealing:
A DD build for barbs isn't something I recommend, personally. It goes against the natural strengths of the class, as it neglects all tanking skills and abilities, and focuses on the "Human" form and skills. In the end, you still won't do nearly as much damage as an Archer, Wizard, or most of the other classes, but you will be hitting much harder than any of the tanks [although you'll probably die five times as fast.].
To implement a DD barb, simply spam any mob that your tank is taking hits from with all of your strongest skills, and attempt to avoid skills like Penetrate Armor, as those are aggro-stealing skills.
I don't know very much about DD barbs, as I won't use one anytime soon, but don't take that as a reason to exclude them from your tastes. Feel free to give it a shot, although I recommend trying to balance your tanker and DD side, if nothing else.
