How to adequately tank while leveling without leveling as a tank?

OrbitStorm · October 2017

Seems like a bit of a conundrum. Most leveling guides and build sheets firmly recommend not leveling as a tank but how exactly is one supposed to tank if they're not bothering to level the skills for tanking?

I understand why it's discouraged to level as a tank: it's slow, tedious, and probably not a lot of fun. I'm fine with leveling as DPS (DW Stamina DK) but what tips can you offer me to be a competent tank in PUG dungeons while leveling? Obviously, I can use a combination of the secondary skill bar once I reach level 15 and the 'dressing room' addon so that much is a given at least.

Thanks!

Hippie4927 · October 2017

Put your tanking skills on your backbar and your dps skills on the frontbar. Use the front bar most of the time but before you talk to an NPC for quest completion, switch to your backbar. This will level the tank skills without actually using them.

OrbitStorm · October 2017

Hippie4927 wrote: »

Put your tanking skills on your backbar and your dps skills on the frontbar. Use the front bar most of the time but before you talk to an NPC for quest completion, switch to your backbar. This will level the tank skills without actually using them.

Wouldn't that hinder my progression as DPS though?

I've considered leveling tank skills while camping Dolmens, similar to what I did with my Bow line for my NB. Doesn't seem to be too terribly effective though.

Hippie4927 · October 2017

OrbitStorm wrote: »

Hippie4927 wrote: »

Put your tanking skills on your backbar and your dps skills on the frontbar. Use the front bar most of the time but before you talk to an NPC for quest completion, switch to your backbar. This will level the tank skills without actually using them.

Wouldn't that hinder my progression as DPS though?

I've considered leveling tank skills while camping Dolmens, similar to what I did with my Bow line for my NB. Doesn't seem to be too terribly effective though.

Your dps skills should be largely leveled by the time you reach level 15. Once you reach 15 and get the second bar, you start leveling the tank skills. If you still need some leveling on the dps skills, switch back and forth between the two when completing quests.

I find that other things don't level the skills as quickly as the xp from quest completion.

OrbitStorm · October 2017

Hippie4927 wrote: »

Your dps skills should be largely leveled by the time you reach level 15. Once you reach 15 and get the second bar, you start leveling the tank skills. If you still need some leveling on the dps skills, switch back and forth between the two when completing quests.

I find that other things don't level the skills as quickly as the xp from quest completion.

Fair enough. I'll give it a try and see how it goes. My primary bar has a bow skill on it to help level that as well, so I think I've got all the bases covered.

Hippie4927 · October 2017

OrbitStorm wrote: »

Hippie4927 wrote: »

Your dps skills should be largely leveled by the time you reach level 15. Once you reach 15 and get the second bar, you start leveling the tank skills. If you still need some leveling on the dps skills, switch back and forth between the two when completing quests.

I find that other things don't level the skills as quickly as the xp from quest completion.

Fair enough. I'll give it a try and see how it goes. My primary bar has a bow skill on it to help level that as well, so I think I've got all the bases covered.

I'm currently doing this with my stamplar. She dual wields and has the bow on her backbar. I hate using the bow and I love dual wielding so I fight with my daggers but I switch to the bow before completing a quest. My bow skills are all almost at level IV without ever using the bow.

AverageJo3Gam3r · October 2017

Just keep a 1HS skill in your front bar

raj72616a · October 2017

AverageJo3Gam3r wrote: »

Just keep a 1HS skill in your front bar

this.

and you just need the first two skills to start tanking normal dungeons anyway.

OrbitStorm · October 2017

AverageJo3Gam3r wrote: »

Just keep a 1HS skill in your front bar

That's actually a better idea. Bow isn't nearly as important to this build, I don't think.. so 1HS on the front bar should work just fine.

FWIW, this is the guide I'm currently using. http://deltiasgaming.com/eso-stamina-dragonknight-dps-build#leveling

Tasear · October 2017

Maybe try bashing? Maybe there a build for bashing tank? I know there a set in tempest I believe so maybe....