Tanking in WoW has become frustrating for many players. Tanks often just run in circles and kite the enemies behind them. Does it have to be like this?
Tanking in MMORPGs like World of Warcraft is often a thankless job. Not only do you need to know the dungeon perfectly, but you also bear much of the responsibility within the group, deciding the pace and the exact approach. It is all the more frustrating when tanking itself becomes less enjoyable. This is the exact problem that tanks are currently facing in “Mythic+” dungeons. Because there, actual “tanking” is becoming increasingly rare, and kiting is happening much more often.
What is the problem? Mythic+ dungeon difficulty belongs to the most challenging content that players can currently experience in WoW. With increasing levels, enemies become stronger, and the mechanics become more complex. Around level 12 and up (slightly varying depending on tank class), enemies become so powerful that they can no longer be fought in melee in a conventional way. Even tank classes are taken down in just a few seconds.
This is a topic that is frequently discussed in the WoW subreddit.
How are tanks tanking then? Usually by kiting. They dash into the enemy group briefly to build enough threat. Then the enemies are slowed down, and the tank just runs away from them. Occasionally, a ranged attack or a stun is introduced. However, this has little to do with traditional tanking, where the warrior stands against the enemies in melee with shield and sword.
Damage is no longer avoided through the skillful use of mitigation abilities, but rather by the enemies not being able to reach the tank and the tank leading the enemies in circles.
Tanks say about the topic: In the WoW subreddit, some tanks have voiced their opinions.
The paladin metalicgrenade writes:
It pains me to be a paladin in full plate with poor mobility, only to have to kite. It ruins the fantasy of being an ‘immovable object.’
Another player, goodydoobie, sees kiting as one of many options – or at least hopes so:
As several have noted: Kiting should be a tool for tanks, BUT NOT THE ONLY ONE. Sure, if the difficulty of the keystones increases or you make big pulls, it should be used more prominently. But at levels 14 or 15, movement should revolve more around properly positioning individual mob groups rather than kiting.
What is even worse is the fact that itemization is the obvious culprit here. Because the scaling of DPS classes is not on par with the resilience of tanks. What DPS players can kill easily can still wreck a tank in no time. That’s bad.
Also, the player Ni_Too sees the problem and writes:
I completely agree with you – I don’t tank in this addon, but when I look at tanks in ‘Mythic+’ groups, it mainly consists of them being shot the aggro of a hunter and then running away as fast as they can – I pity them.
This has nothing to do with the ‘tank fantasy.’
It’s okay if there are different tank styles, like one that kites and another that works with sword and shield, and so on. But if even the ‘sword and shield’ tanks have to run away all the time, it just feels wrong.
Even healers are annoyed by the current playstyle of tanks and criticize it, like Stonebear:
As a healer, it’s damn annoying to chase the demon hunter who jumps from pillar to pillar and from corner to wherever just to heal him. The kiting meta is trash and has become too extreme.
This problem is not new: The issue is not entirely new. That this method of tanking is the most effective, has already crystallized in Battle for Azeroth. Although this approach only became truly necessary at level 17 and above, it disturbed many players back then.
The concern now is that this rather atypical playstyle for tanks makes tanking even less attractive. After all, many players likely began tanking to bind enemies in melee and protect the group. The fact that this playstyle is transforming in the endgame to one where they just bounce around like a rubber ball could frighten many tank players – and make this important role even less appealing.
What do you think? Do you enjoy tanking under the current conditions? Or do you understand the criticism from warriors, paladins, and others?
Some tanks are also particularly tough – and tackle dungeons alone after their group has abandoned them.
