Aggro Mobs and Dmaps+

[Goldfolk]

On Dmaps and above it is essential that MT keeps aggro. As a Paladin as soon as the mobs spawn, I target 1, get close and personal and cast Wave of Light and Word of the Crusader in rapid succession to max AE aggro. However, I get very variable results and sometimes the Off Tank seems to get better aggro and sometimes 1 or more aggro on DPS or Healers. Conversely, as offtank I cast Wave of Light once and found everything aggroing me rather than MT.

a) Is what I described the best tactic or is there a better method

b) If this is a reasonable approach should I delay casting so the first spell takes effect just as the mobs start to move or is casting before OK.

c) Do some tanks keep switching targets to maintain aggro, I personally find this difficult and a bit like playing an arcade game. It isnt made any easier as I have an Nvidia 9 series card and the screen becomes incredibly confused with multiple mobs at times and retargeting can be very difficult.

d) Are there any other Pally methods of maintaiing aggro on multiple targets

Sory if this sounds a noobish question but this is my first char and having (hopefully) mastered the basics it's about improving overall.

Ele

 

[Vartenaal]

some basic tips

particle effects are not your friend - turn em off and targeting stray mobs will be a lot easier

learn to use 3rd person view for targeting

single target blind (buyable from oasis orcs) ftw

divine stun and upgrades to it asap ftw

on maps, try to have everyone bunched around the digger so its easier to grab aggro and you dont have to run around peeling stuff

spamming blind and stun and undead nukes are vital to agro

if youre really desperate try to /s7 but personally i find its not worth the stamina

note that keeping ae agro burns mana fast especially when your gear isnt that good and you dont have a good pool/FT

also try talking to your casters, maybe theyre getting a lil too excited about getting mobs down asap

 

[Goldfolk]

Thanks Vartenaal

That is really helpful, it's really good when Paladins take the time to help each other.

On the specific question of the timing of the first AE spell, does the spell have to land after the mobs start moving or not.

Also if you are tanking 2-3 constructs do you switch targets or just use AE spells.

Ele

 

[Manluas]

Vital thing for maps:

After a wave spawned you have a moment to adjust yourself and reposition - mobs won't do anything and aren't attackble either, meaning that your AE aggro which you triggered immediately after spawning will prob. just poof w/o generating aggro.
Waiting until mobs move seems like the best idea for now, just sit near mobs when they pop and you'll outaggro most if not all. As time goes by you'll know how long mobs stay "invul" and thus be able to trigger your spells accordingly.

Also, some advice about catching interceptors: When in 1st person look down and scroll out - depending on where you are (assuming outside since we're talking maps) you'll have a great overall view and it'll be rather easy to just click on interceptors, trigger spell/AA and then switch back to regular target.


Also, have people stand close enough so you'll see them when you scroll out. If they don't let 'em die, they'll know why they should be close.


/s 7 is an option and does work but it'll rape Stamina that's usually better spent on /s 5 (IIRC) so that's totally up to you.

 

[Vartenaal]

Thanks Vartenaal

That is really helpful, it's really good when Paladins take the time to help each other.

On the specific question of the timing of the first AE spell, does the spell have to land after the mobs start moving or not.

Also if you are tanking 2-3 constructs do you switch targets or just use AE spells.

Ele

ya when mobs pop they stay invul about 5 secs iirc so u gotta get used to the timer there, but being the closest person to them really does help.

about switching targets, i have to say it really depends on how well you can work with your group mates and how devoted a player you are. personally i love playing my paladin and its to the point that i try toggle target and add ST agro on as many mobs as i can, as well as switching in my bane 7 belt for that one second to boost undead nukes. not really sober enough to remember what you mean about ST agro on constructs - whats up, eh?

 

[robopirateninja]

I've never actually sat there and timed it but when the change went in it was announced as a ten second grace period after the mobs spawn, not five. YMMV

 

[vistachiri]

Uh on maps I've generally always used the "EVERYONE STAY THE FUCK AWAY" method, and then just engage it like a typical raid or trash pull.

 

[Budizzle]

None of your spells will actually aggro the mobs before they engage you. Wait until they engage to start spamming ae spells. Being the closest target in aggro range and sitting always helps.

 

[dongsy]

Uh on maps I've generally always used the "EVERYONE STAY THE FUCK AWAY" method, and then just engage it like a typical raid or trash pull.

The best strat. Tell them to back the fuck off and not cast before you.