No no no, I am not referring to that girl in the Matrix! She had it coming :P...
There is a misconception that GW2 doesn't have the classic trinity of roles they have come to expect in MMO's (Tank, Healer, DPS). This is as much true as it's false, as it's really more about team effort than it is about anyone's individual role label.
I'd like to just emphasise the importance of teamwork.
When it gets sticky in this game, everyone needs to pull their weight in every way they can, to make it easier for the end goal (the death of the baddie). You are as valuable as any other member of the team, and your goal is ultimately to stay alive.
The first trinity I'd like to go into is what I like to call the "What the fuck do I do" Trinity
Moving on, I present a trinity of detailed explanation about "Tanq-uing" (thats my twist on explaining tanking :P), with some pointers/ideas.
There is a misconception that GW2 doesn't have the classic trinity of roles they have come to expect in MMO's (Tank, Healer, DPS). This is as much true as it's false, as it's really more about team effort than it is about anyone's individual role label.
I'd like to just emphasise the importance of teamwork.
When it gets sticky in this game, everyone needs to pull their weight in every way they can, to make it easier for the end goal (the death of the baddie). You are as valuable as any other member of the team, and your goal is ultimately to stay alive.
The first trinity I'd like to go into is what I like to call the "What the fuck do I do" Trinity
- Stay alive by using your skills and paying attention to what the bosses are doing.
- Resurrect your fallen team mates (some times you just can't avoid going down), it's nothing to be embarrassed about..besides everyone likes to rub a warm corpse :P
- Kick ass when you can, but focus on not getting killed. Few bosses require a DPS nuke.
Moving on, I present a trinity of detailed explanation about "Tanq-uing" (thats my twist on explaining tanking :P), with some pointers/ideas.
- Every profession has a style of "tanking" something, paired with abilities to that end (Kiting, Blocking, Retaliation, Absorption, Blinding, Rooting etc ) - you might be called upon to perform this duty by the situation you're in or the proximity to the enemy. In other words, just like in real life, the monster will eat those closest to it, unless you're REALLY and I mean REALLY pissing it off from distance :P.
Knowing what counts a "variety of tanking" is what will help you not die instantly, and when the whole team thinks along the same lines, you might just overcome some otherwise impossible odds.
Running away screaming "HELP HE WANTS MY JUICY ASS!" Also counts a a form of tanking :D if it worked for Logan Thackeray, it can work for you - Every profession can heal it's self very effectively, as well as offer some healing over time buffs to allies. In addition some abilities remove de-buffs from allies too or protect them, or hide them from the enemy. Much like the "tanking" the ways to you can help your team vary, opening a wealth of play styles and variety.
- Everyone can kick ass and chew gum, but ultimately staying alive is most important. To maximise damage, try to keep de-buffs that increase damage on the foes, and generally the more stuff on the mobs head the better. Throw everything plus the kitchen sink at them.