Tanking and ridiculous lag...is it worth it? (pve)

Joxer61 · September 2018

Ok, I will try and explain what I am asking so forgive me if it goes astray...(but when I woke up this morning could have sworn it was judgement day)...sorry, Prince moment.
Anyways.....I am really keen to give tanking a go as its what I know from past MMO's and I enjoy it...but. Here in Australia my latency is on average 360-380...pretty junky but the game is playable for the most part, as a dps. Just to test the waters I tried to tank a dungeon and straight away I started to see issues. Taunts wouldn't stick as fast as they should so I was having to spam them and the worst came when we had a room change, i.e load screen. Once I was back in the game, which didn't seem to long, the group was way ahead and already fighting. I got kicked for being "too slow" as a tank and not grabbing mobs before the group. Ok, some of this could be from the zerg mentality many have when it comes to running things but the "too slow" part was completely out of my hands.
So, has anyone else had this sort of issues and if so how have you worked around them? I am starting to think that with my lag tanking is something I just wont be able to do, unless its with friends/guildies who know they might have to wait for me due to bad lag? Should mention I play on pc/na....not sure if that is a factor as well but yea, there ya go. Are my dreams of tanking squashed due to crap net? Sadly Australia just lacks over all when it comes to internet so until a miracle of sorts happens maybe its back to good ol dps? Cheers!

Protossyder · September 2018

Actually I am surprised that the lags didn't prevent you from playing DD ^^'. Pulling high numbers with constant lag sounds like a nightmare to me. Tanking would definitely be a relief.
But I think that the SnB taunt is not only lag-related issue. In my experience I had some difficulties taunting mobs, when running by or standing too close to them. Maybe you should look into that.
And didn't you have any loading screens before? Never got kicked as DD? A bad internet connection isn't really a problem anyone can help you with, maybe move to 'Murica?

PS: pls don't tab target as a tank, just in case you did it as DD

Joxer61 · September 2018

Protossyder wrote: »

Actually I am surprised that the lags didn't prevent you from playing DD ^^'. Pulling high numbers with constant lag sounds like a nightmare to me. Tanking would definitely be a relief.
But I think that the SnB taunt is not only lag-related issue. In my experience I had some difficulties taunting mobs, when running by or standing too close to them. Maybe you should look into that.
And didn't you have any loading screens before? Never got kicked as DD? A bad internet connection isn't really a problem anyone can help you with, maybe move to 'Murica?

PS: pls don't tab target as a tank, just in case you did it as DD

I don't aim for "high" numbers when playing DD, not a meta fan boy so no worries there. have always had load screen issues but haven't done any dungeons as DD either. And I moved from "Murica"....no hurry to go back, in spite of the net issues.
Also should add that another issue is bar swapping. For some reason when I swap it swaps back instantly....not sure if this is lag as well but haven't heard any others mention it....

witchdoctor · September 2018

I'm in Oz, myself (also a Yank expat, so, small world).

My latency is a tad better, 235ms.

I really just wanted to comment on the bar sticking. That ... is weird. I haven't heard of that one. Are you using a controller? A programmable mouse? Might there be any chance that additional keypresses are getting counted?

Joxer61 · September 2018

witchdoctor wrote: »

I'm in Oz, myself (also a Yank expat, so, small world).

My latency is a tad better, 235ms.

I really just wanted to comment on the bar sticking. That ... is weird. I haven't heard of that one. Are you using a controller? A programmable mouse? Might there be any chance that additional keypresses are getting counted?

pc so its keyboard and it could be a spamming issue...old habits and all. I have tried to watch that and will see if it continues!! Aussie Aussie Aussie....lol!!! other than crap net love it here!!

idk · September 2018

I have known and played with players that live half way across the world from the server they play on and managed to tank just fine. Sometimes the lag did cause issues but mostly they performed well.

Mister_DMC · September 2018

I've known many good Aussie tanks, might be a bit harder but if you have NBN the game is probably ok. Go for it

Joxer61 · September 2018

Mister_DMC wrote: »

I've known many good Aussie tanks, might be a bit harder but if you have NBN the game is probably ok. Go for it

Lol, if I had NBN I wouldn't have made the post.

CyberSkooma · September 2018

I would think that tanking would be easier with high latency than DPS, for sure.
Whatever you do, don't spam your taunt though, because then you're going to over-taunt.

If you don't already, I'd recommend taking your computer off Wi-Fi and hardwiring it with an ethernet cable instead. My GM is actually an Aussie and while she has connection issues once in a while, she's actually safe for the most part, so you should be able to get yourself to a point where the game is more playable. (Hopefully, obviously everywhere in AU isn't the same)

GlorphNoldorin · September 2018

I typically run 330-360 ping from Oz and can tank dlc dungeons fine. I have hm clears in all except mos (havent done alot on hm yet).

I experience the same types of issues as you.....having to recast ranged taunts that dont reliably taunt and use alot of magica for no gain. I had particular trouble with the shalks in vFL hm with my talons not working at all but using magica. Eventually I settled on a mag regen build and a little more health (and now have no problem with FL hm lol)

I shy away from trial tanking simply because I do get spikes and I dont think it's fair to have so many others relying on you in that case.

All I would suggest is to keep at it, learn the mechanics and try to adapt your build to help.

edit I could not dps to any great level with this ping, if you can dps at that ping.....I would stick to dps.
edit2 dont hold your breath for nbn to be a fix. I swapped to nbn and was a noticeable performance drop, including having more congestion peak hours

Joxer61 · September 2018

GlorphNoldorin wrote: »

I typically run 330-360 ping from Oz and can tank dlc dungeons fine. I have hm clears in all except mos (havent done alot on hm yet).

I experience the same types of issues as you.....having to recast ranged taunts that dont reliably taunt and use alot of magica for no gain. I had particular trouble with the shalks in vFL hm with my talons not working at all but using magica. Eventually I settled on a mag regen build and a little more health (and now have no problem with FL hm lol)

I shy away from trial tanking simply because I do get spikes and I dont think it's fair to have so many others relying on you in that case.

All I would suggest is to keep at it, learn the mechanics and try to adapt your build to help.

edit I could not dps to any great level with this ping, if you can dps at that ping.....I would stick to dps.
edit2 dont hold your breath for nbn to be a fix. I swapped to nbn and was a noticeable performance drop, including having more congestion peak hours

THANK YOU!! Just the sort of reply I was looking for...someone else with same issues. Thanks for the tips, I will keep them in mind. I might give healing a go and see what happens.....Cheers!!