Types of Tanking

Tasear

I am sure some people will disagree, but would like to discuss the types of taking in eso.

Sap Tank - Tanks that Keep alive with heals over time

Health Tank
- Tanks that use massive health to advantage. Dk Shields, Ward Frost damage, Necro steals life from eniems based on max health
* Sets: Hawbringer, green pact, warrior poet, plague doctor, twin sister


Shield Tank
This is the type that uses shields to keep alive or support allies. I seen this with hardward ward sorc tanks, and dk shield stacking tanks.
Sets: Undaunted Bastion, Lunar Bastion, Havus

Bashing Tank

I have not actually seen this in game, but necromancer might bring it to life. A tank who crashes into enimes and makes them cry.
Sets: Jolting Arms, Torrmentor set, Shield and sword from blackrose


Berseker or Brawler Tank

Tanks that take hits and bleed but not die.These are include types of rollpoly tanks everyone hates, and takes who use evasion or block migration in active way.


Werewolf Tank

Doesn't really exist, but some people have made it work but using werewolf on trash packs in dungeons, or in pvp to draw aggro of enemy players.
sets: idk

Ultimate Geneation Tank

These are the tanks who can spam war horn for days.
Sets: Dragon, Werewolf Hide, Hist Champion, Blood Spawn


Perm Blocking Tanks

Tanks that can almost stand forever with blocks. Since one tank tank 10 axes and the atros while we got our **** together.


How would you guys define the types of playstles in eso for tanking? Is there something I missed or got wrong?

zvavi

Why not berserk shield stacking tank

darkblue5

WW tank needs Tormentor from Banished Cells (which I've heard is bugged) and then has flex spots. At that point maybe you just put Relequen and Selene's on and make a stam dps slot Earthgore for Vigor to proc it. Maybe if Battalion Defender procs are enough healing to run 3 dps you can slot that.

Rolly tanking as the main defense is clearly not optimal but there are some trick to not move the boss too much depending on where you can roll dodge. Rolling through boss level mobs with a painful heavy can work pretty well. Especially if you dodge cancel a chains effect at the same time. 4 dps runs with stam tanking often means roll tanking as well. (Dro-m'Athra Savages and the vCR Gryphons are examples where mechanics force tanks to dodge.)

Bashing tank sounds like a dungeon build tank or a damaging off-tank. Probably has Maelstrom Bow backbar SnB front bar. Really also covers most fake tanks that bother to slot a taunt as well.

Saptank IMO really was a regen all rss tank. Old siphoning strikes where you reduced damage for infinite resources and then you just had options. The damaging enemies while healing aspect could be done by spell power sets or proc sets like Bahraha's Curse etc. Could probably run support sets too.

Buff/debuff tanks- The meta tanks. Maybe worse than 4 dps for most base vet dungeon HMs if all have way to much dps. Can branch out to other styles in some way but really is probably defined by Alkosh/Torug's, Ebon Armory, Powerful Assault etc. The build focus isn't on how do the tanking things but rather it is on buff/debuff uptime etc.

Savos_Saren

I can, hands down, say my favorite form of tanking is "sap tanking". It always revolves around doing damage while healing myself. I like to wear sets (Leeching, Bahraha, Malubeth) that keep me alive and add a little DPS to the group (Because, let's face it: tanking can be a little boring if you're not DPSing, too.)

On my DKs- Sap Tanking feels great because Burning Embers adds damage while healing... so it synergizes well with the aforementioned sets.

I used to enjoy sap tanking on my MagBlade- but the nerfs of Sap Essence/Funnel Health/Refreshing Path has pretty much ruined that.

I think Necromancer might be a good mix of the two... but I also feel like their lack of shields/aborbs for a tank might cripple them a bit, too.

We'll have to see.

Tasear

darkblue5 wrote: »

WW tank needs Tormentor from Banished Cells (which I've heard is bugged) and then has flex spots. At that point maybe you just put Relequen and Selene's on and make a stam dps slot Earthgore for Vigor to proc it. Maybe if Battalion Defender procs are enough healing to run 3 dps you can slot that.

Rolly tanking as the main defense is clearly not optimal but there are some trick to not move the boss too much depending on where you can roll dodge. Rolling through boss level mobs with a painful heavy can work pretty well. Especially if you dodge cancel a chains effect at the same time. 4 dps runs with stam tanking often means roll tanking as well. (Dro-m'Athra Savages and the vCR Gryphons are examples where mechanics force tanks to dodge.)

Bashing tank sounds like a dungeon build tank or a damaging off-tank. Probably has Maelstrom Bow backbar SnB front bar. Really also covers most fake tanks that bother to slot a taunt as well.

Saptank IMO really was a regen all rss tank. Old siphoning strikes where you reduced damage for infinite resources and then you just had options. The damaging enemies while healing aspect could be done by spell power sets or proc sets like Bahraha's Curse etc. Could probably run support sets too.

Buff/debuff tanks- The meta tanks. Maybe worse than 4 dps for most base vet dungeon HMs if all have way to much dps. Can branch out to other styles in some way but really is probably defined by Alkosh/Torug's, Ebon Armory, Powerful Assault etc. The build focus isn't on how do the tanking things but rather it is on buff/debuff uptime etc.

was thinking bashing tanking as some active to do as tank in pvp, but that could be true too.

dazee

Fake Tank: A tank who never taunts, and has 15k HP or less. Always queues DLC and vet dungeons. Always rushes ahead of the healer.

DaveMoeDee

dazee wrote: »

Fake Tank: A tank who never taunts, and has 15k HP or less. Always queues DLC and vet dungeons. Always rushes ahead of the healer.

To be fair, they get into DLC dungeons as a random queue.

Joxer61

DaveMoeDee wrote: »

dazee wrote: »

Fake Tank: A tank who never taunts, and has 15k HP or less. Always queues DLC and vet dungeons. Always rushes ahead of the healer.

To be fair, they get into DLC dungeons as a random queue.

to be fair they need to stop. just a pain and sad really.

Tasear

Joxer61 wrote: »

DaveMoeDee wrote: »

dazee wrote: »

Fake Tank: A tank who never taunts, and has 15k HP or less. Always queues DLC and vet dungeons. Always rushes ahead of the healer.

To be fair, they get into DLC dungeons as a random queue.

to be fair they need to stop. just a pain and sad really.

Instead of thinking of the problem we need to think of a solution. My thoughts is need more engaging tanking which will necromancer will have for people.

mocap

- health regen tanks and 3 dd run. Viable for medium content, maybe some vet dlc. Kinda strong with Deep Thoughts on top. Ton of health regen + ton of passive mitigation includig major and minor protection.

- dd/tank hybrids. Sorc with Necro + Plague seems the best. Templar with jabs is nice too, but only for trash, healing from jabs vs single target is super low, especially comparing to Power/Crit Surge.

- skilled fake tanks. Only for vanila dungeons and normal DLC. Basically 4 dd run. No tanks, no healers. Everyone in the team is on their own. Super fun actually.

witchdoctor

You play a healer.

You forgot:

Face Tanking

When you tank the dungeon for the group off your amazing healing aggro alone.

witchdoctor

Tasear wrote: »

My thoughts is need more engaging tanking ...

No it won't.

The people who tend to do it don't give two craps.

You could make tanking as 'engaging' as you want, they still will queue on their DPS.

Turelus

You forgot Random Normal DD Tank.

Flameheart

Actually when it comes to tanking styles the above list is what you encounter mostly in groups and PUGs. What you do not encounter is the tank, who does it right, the so called support tank.

The support tank uses his skills to stay alive mostly by blocking and some health, has some reasonable ressource buffers, adds the maximum support to group members (healing, warhorn, debuffs, ressources etc., in the optimum case to DDs who are able to make even use of a warhorn...) and is able to mutate to a health tank when it's needed (and only when needed). The support tank is the type of tank you want in 4-man, hardmode and trial content.

This type of tank is a very shy species, sadly rarely seen in natural wildlife. It seems to be a number in the Red Data Book.

I actually find this type of tank playing quite satisfying btw.

dazee

Joxer61 wrote: »

DaveMoeDee wrote: »

dazee wrote: »

Fake Tank: A tank who never taunts, and has 15k HP or less. Always queues DLC and vet dungeons. Always rushes ahead of the healer.

To be fair, they get into DLC dungeons as a random queue.

to be fair they need to stop. just a pain and sad really.

It's both their fault and ZOS fault. DLC dungeons should become accessible at 50.

Joxer61

Tasear wrote: »

Joxer61 wrote: »

DaveMoeDee wrote: »

dazee wrote: »

Fake Tank: A tank who never taunts, and has 15k HP or less. Always queues DLC and vet dungeons. Always rushes ahead of the healer.

To be fair, they get into DLC dungeons as a random queue.

to be fair they need to stop. just a pain and sad really.

Instead of thinking of the problem we need to think of a solution. My thoughts is need more engaging tanking which will necromancer will have for people.

tanking is engaging and fun, I like it. don't like the zerg mentality that comes with running dugeons as not all of us have done them 4000 times but meh, that cant be avoided really...just gotta roll with it. But yea, maybe Necro will add alittle something new and special to the role?

Kombinator

My style is dependent on what the enemy is.

Normal trash. Running around taunting them, and shielding myself. Once they all taunted hit them with heavy attacks to restore magicka, or stamina while keep shielding myself.

Boss: Keep hitting with heavy attack between taunts, and shields. If boss uses heavy attack, then block it, but otherwise the 2 30% shield is enough.

Untauntable boss: Keep using heavy attack with staff, but otherwise help in healing.

Tons of easy trash: so far i kept healing in that case, but i think i'm gona try using AOE cc next time.

MartiniDaniels

add Roll-dodge tank

As for now to add some flavor I started dodging ALL the heavy attacks. It's actually great thing if timed properly. I mean if you dodge too early boss will follow you, leave aoe and will try another HA (though this may be used for kiting and to prevent some mechanics), but if it is perfectly timed dodge, boss will miss his hit, became off-balanced and won't move a step from his position. And of course you will be one-shot if dodge is too late. Unfortunately in vDLC majority of bosses DGAF about all this since they are just scripted sprites protected from any kind of exploits, but it works on elite adds perfectly there.

Silver_Strider

1. Sap Tank - Leeches Health from opponents to keep itself going.
2. Block Tank (I'd count Bash Tank as a subset of Block Tank) - Mitigates damage to the absolute max via block.
3. Shield Tank - Stays alive via liberal use of Shields to mitigate the overwhelming majority of damage it takes.
4. Health Tank - Utilizes abilities that utilize Health as a primary component, either as a resource to burn or as a means of building up its defenses via Health based Shields/Healing abilities.
5. Buff/Debuff Tank - Utilizes skills that reduce incoming damage via buffs to itself or debuffs on enemies.
6. Dodge Tank - Tank that mitigates oncoming damage via Dodges and Blinding Effects.
7. Pet Tank - Tanks that utilize pets to assist in their role, either by using them as mitigation tools, resources or an extension to their Tanking toolkit via additional Tank actions, such as shielding, CC or buff/debuff.

Sap Tank died off as a result of Morrowind nerfing sustain. You're essentially limited to sets doing all the Sapping for you now
Block Tank is only viable on certain classes.
Shield Tank is on life support after Shield nerfs. Still possible to do but a lot less effective overall
Health Tank was never a fully realized thing to begin with. Not enough Health based skills to use and considering how even a 80k Health tank can be 1 shot, it seems almost pointless to try.
Buff/Debuff Tank are essentially the only meta tanks. I HATE ALKOSH
Dodge Tank died with Murkmire. The amount of hoops you need to jump thru to make anything that even closely resembles a Dodge Tank is not worth the trouble.
Pet Tank was never a thing. Wasted potential right there, especially since there's a pet that's clearly designed to be a Tank tool.

If ZOS would actually build up on these playstyles instead of nerfing them into irrelevance, maybe Tanking could actually be fun.

Kombinator

Silver_Strider wrote: »

1. Sap Tank - Leeches Health from opponents to keep itself going.
2. Block Tank (I'd count Bash Tank as a subset of Block Tank) - Mitigates damage to the absolute max via block.
3. Shield Tank - Stays alive via liberal use of Shields to mitigate the overwhelming majority of damage it takes.
4. Health Tank - Utilizes abilities that utilize Health as a primary component, either as a resource to burn or as a means of building up its defenses via Health based Shields/Healing abilities.
5. Buff/Debuff Tank - Utilizes skills that reduce incoming damage via buffs to itself or debuffs on enemies.
6. Dodge Tank - Tank that mitigates oncoming damage via Dodges and Blinding Effects.
7. Pet Tank - Tanks that utilize pets to assist in their role, either by using them as mitigation tools, resources or an extension to their Tanking toolkit via additional Tank actions, such as shielding, CC or buff/debuff.

Sap Tank died off as a result of Morrowind nerfing sustain. You're essentially limited to sets doing all the Sapping for you now
Block Tank is only viable on certain classes.
Shield Tank is on life support after Shield nerfs. Still possible to do but a lot less effective overall
Health Tank was never a fully realized thing to begin with. Not enough Health based skills to use and considering how even a 80k Health tank can be 1 shot, it seems almost pointless to try.
Buff/Debuff Tank are essentially the only meta tanks. I HATE ALKOSH
Dodge Tank died with Murkmire. The amount of hoops you need to jump thru to make anything that even closely resembles a Dodge Tank is not worth the trouble.
Pet Tank was never a thing. Wasted potential right there, especially since there's a pet that's clearly designed to be a Tank tool.

If ZOS would actually build up on these playstyles instead of nerfing them into irrelevance, maybe Tanking could actually be fun.

Is there any stronger difficulty level, than "veteran"? Because on that nothing oneshots me with 50k. effective health. I don't really overwhelm myself with buff/debuffs, but i give a bit damage reduction, fracture, and mayor resolve+ward for myself. Combined with 2 30% shield, and 31k. health most bosses can barely take any health from me, and even, if they do i got a heal spell equipped.

MartiniDaniels

Silver_Strider wrote: »

1. Sap Tank - Leeches Health from opponents to keep itself going.
2. Block Tank (I'd count Bash Tank as a subset of Block Tank) - Mitigates damage to the absolute max via block.
3. Shield Tank - Stays alive via liberal use of Shields to mitigate the overwhelming majority of damage it takes.
4. Health Tank - Utilizes abilities that utilize Health as a primary component, either as a resource to burn or as a means of building up its defenses via Health based Shields/Healing abilities.
5. Buff/Debuff Tank - Utilizes skills that reduce incoming damage via buffs to itself or debuffs on enemies.
6. Dodge Tank - Tank that mitigates oncoming damage via Dodges and Blinding Effects.
7. Pet Tank - Tanks that utilize pets to assist in their role, either by using them as mitigation tools, resources or an extension to their Tanking toolkit via additional Tank actions, such as shielding, CC or buff/debuff.

Sap Tank died off as a result of Morrowind nerfing sustain. You're essentially limited to sets doing all the Sapping for you now
Block Tank is only viable on certain classes.
Shield Tank is on life support after Shield nerfs. Still possible to do but a lot less effective overall
Health Tank was never a fully realized thing to begin with. Not enough Health based skills to use and considering how even a 80k Health tank can be 1 shot, it seems almost pointless to try.
Buff/Debuff Tank are essentially the only meta tanks. I HATE ALKOSH
Dodge Tank died with Murkmire. The amount of hoops you need to jump thru to make anything that even closely resembles a Dodge Tank is not worth the trouble.
Pet Tank was never a thing. Wasted potential right there, especially since there's a pet that's clearly designed to be a Tank tool.

If ZOS would actually build up on these playstyles instead of nerfing them into irrelevance, maybe Tanking could actually be fun.

Buff/debuff+dodge tank actually looks like most effective one imo atm.
I'm simply amazed how this guy dodges and supports 3dd run:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUtdysoT5mU

Vajrak

Resource Tank
Gives out HoTs and Resources while holding aggro on the big bads and letting the HoTs keep up the DPS so that heal can contribute a bit more dps --- This is my preferred Templar Tank style -- lots of Purifying Lights out, Rune on me, Ritual of Retribution, (current) Honor the Dead or (formerly) Hasty Ritual (still somewhat viable if a Breton, but only somewhat) --- also utilizes shards/orbs firing from tank position out (heal morph preferred). Works well with proc-heal sets (Battalion Defender) as well as trash restore sets (Withered Hand).

Secondary bonus to old clappy hands ---those emergency heals granted ult...I miss you , clappy hands.

oli.j.reillyb16_ESO

I find it amusing how many want to fit a box around what a tank is and refuse to let anything else into their little compartments.

A good tank is all the relevant things listed and more - because a good tank here is the guy or gal willing to do the things that make everyone else’s job easier.

If you want to pick and choose - well that’s on you and your roleplay I guess.

pelle412

There are really only two types of tanks.

1. Tank that holds aggro, CCs, debuffs enemies, buffs the group, stays alive, interrupts, self heals and does it all using group support sets.
2. Tanks that doesn't.

kylewwefan

Kind of like your Brawler Tank maybe is the Kite Tank like a Sorc using streak to kite big ads or boss around, or in VHRC HM where the off tank takes all the gargoyles and runs around.

In PvP there is also a griever tank commonly known as a Troll Tank can’t kill anything, but CC for days, just generally annoying.

Some affectionately call them portable ultimate charging stations.

dazee

Theres also the Military Tank which doesn't hold threat but has a giant cannon on it at least.

Iskiab

witchdoctor wrote: »

You forgot:

Face Tanking

When you tank the dungeon for the group off your amazing healing aggro alone.

Tasear wrote: »

Sap Tank - Tanks that Keep alive with heals over time

Sorry is this is a derail on the intent of the thread, but I have a question about this playstyle.

I NB heal and have done all the vet dungeons, blah blah blah. Anyways, I noticed while healing dungeons on trash I like to sap essence spam, but the agro I get is ridiculous. It’s so bad I typically wear iceheart as my monster set and face tank all the trash mobs.

I’ve done some non-DLC vets with 3 dps too and ended up tanking the entire run without using taunt. It got me thinking, why not just use sword and board and ‘officially’ become a tank with wicked aggro with sap essence? No need for a taunt.

I’m relatively new to the game, and I’ve only been playing for 9 months but people mentioned sap essence was nerfed making this unplayable?

However, anyone tried a magblade build with 64 points in magicka, S&B plus... ice staff maybe, plague doctor and maybe light fortified brass and stay 5x light NB sap tank? 3x block reduction cost transmutations on jewellery? I don’t know if it’d be as effective with the required health buffing for tanking.

I’m also pretty noob about tanking in general so I’m not sure what difficulties I’d come across if I tried.

Tasear

oli.j.reillyb16_ESO wrote: »

I find it amusing how many want to fit a box around what a tank is and refuse to let anything else into their little compartments.

A good tank is all the relevant things listed and more - because a good tank here is the guy or gal willing to do the things that make everyone else’s job easier.

If you want to pick and choose - well that’s on you and your roleplay I guess.

Last night was doing some planning for my tanks and trying to keep them different made a list of styles and focus of tanks. I honestly didn't think anyone would agree but list seems to grow bigger.

Qbiken

Turelus wrote: »

You forgot Random Normal DD Tank.

+ If they port to Fungal Grotto 1

ccfeeling

Tasear you play as Sorc tank right ?

Tasear

ccfeeling wrote: »

Tasear you play as Sorc tank right ?

I have played warden, and Nightblade tanks now just dk and Sorc.