Brawler/Bruiser's can tank??Follow

I started a brawler earlier this week due to my curiousity of the changes made in the combat update. I have read that they are now much more decent at tanking while also dishing out some serious DPS at the higher levels.

I am level 18 atm, and party with a mage(also level 18). I find it very difficult much of the time to hold aggro, even when applying all possible taunts when my mage friend unleashes the DPS. I have found many times that I cannot get the aggro back regardless of what I do.

Is it possible to be a good tank if you can't keep the aggro?? I didn't think so, but maybe I am doing something wrong... Any ideas?

Losing aggro to a DPS caster may not be all your fault.

Aggro management is everybody's responsibility, and a mage, or for that matter a high DPS scout cannot go full throttle and expect the tank to always hold aggro.

There are a few variables that might help you at this point. First of all, how soon does your partner unleash the hounds of hell? Waiting till you are securely ensconsed at the top of the mob's hate list can go a long way towards keeping it focused on you. (I usually let the tank complete his 1st HO before I start to unload!)

Also, does your friend make use of any hate reduction spells? If he/she has one or more available and isn't casting them between nukes than he/she is simply asking for aggro!

As for your part in all this, are you casting your taunts as often as they refresh? If not, try to keep them up and keep them coming!

And finally, are you using a fast weapon or dual wielding? (Not even sure if you can DW, but if you can you should!) Does/do your weapon(s) have a proc? If not, check the broker and invest in player made weapons that do. The damage proc makes a world of difference.

Try out these things and see if they make a difference for you...

If your Mage friend is a Summoner, let the pet do some tanking, that way no-one takes damage or gets an interupt.