Weekly Newsletter 08_03_08: Aggro Management and You

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Posted August 3rd, 2008 by Dalmarus

Aggro Management and You

August 4th, 2008 - By Dalmarus

The free account reactivation period may be over for Vanguard: Saga of Heroes players, but people may be amazed at the number of players that have decided to stick around. While it comes as no surprise to me, I still feel the development team deserves a round of applause for their efforts. At this point, some may argue with me that since it's their job, they don't deserve any thanks. To those individuals, I say you can <insert inappropriate insult here> and like it. They've been busting their tails improving the game, and kudos to them for their progress!

Rather than bug you about your thoughts on the Isle of Dawn, the upcoming Disciple changes, or anything else of the sort this week, I'd like to see if the community can settle an argument. Call it just a streak of bad luck if you will, but for the last month or so, I've quickly begun to really have issues with any Sorcerer in my group. Maybe it's because I'm playing a tank now, rather than my necromancer, but I think it's more than that.

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There's a concept I (along with innumerable other players) learned back in our early Everquest days called "Aggro Management". The concept behind it is pretty simple, really. If you're playing a high DPS (Damage per Second) class, you need to manage the amount of damage you do throughout the battle in an attempt to assure you do not pull the group's target off the main tank. The general method of doing this has always been to give the tank a few moments to build some aggro before doing much (if any) damage. As the battle progresses, you increase the amount of damage you do, but in reasonable amounts so again, you do not pull the mob off the tank. When the battle is nearing its final quarter (or possibly half) is when you can really unload and damage away to your heart's content.

Seems like a pretty simple concept to me, but recently, I've had a string of Sorcerers that seem to think I'm going to keep the mob from chewing through them like a Trisket when they start unloading for 7-10K+ while it's still at 90% health. I've also had some argue with me that I'm not doing my job correctly since I couldn't either keep aggro from them or get the mob off without using a rescue (which is on a 30 second timer now). Let's face it. I'm a new Dread Knight. This is the longest I've ever played a tank class by a mile in any game I've ever played, and I'm only level 30. I could indeed be playing it incorrectly, but if so, how come I have no problems both attaining, and retaining, aggro with any other group, as long as I don't have a cast-happy Sorcerer in the group?

In an effort to resolve this issue myself (and for a bit of fun-poking), I've started a Sorcerer on the Xeth server this weekend. For now, I'll leave the name a bit of a mystery, but anyone reading this Chronicle should be able to figure it out pretty easily if they happen to come across me in their travels. Aside from using the name to have a bit of fun, I'm convinced I can manage my aggro successfully with a Sorcerer. I've played casters for years now and I can't imagine the Sorcerer in Vanguard being so different in basic skills that I'll be continually pulling a mob off my tanks. We'll see though. In either case, it should be fun.

Speaking of fun, you didn't really think I was going to let you go this week without reminding you about Fan Faire did you? The time for pre-registration may have ended, but the event is almost upon us and I'm giddy (yes, giddy) with anticipation. It'll be great to finally put some faces with names and just have a generally good time geeking out to my heart's content. Even if you haven't pre-registered, you can still sign up and get tickets the days of the event. Don't want to do all 3 days? No problem. You can buy a ticket for a single day if you choose! If you're one of the people coming this year, be sure to say hello and you may be lucky (or unlucky) enough to make it in the Fan Faire follow-up Chronicle after the event!

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Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Ten Ton Hammer network or staff.