Funsuckers--I'm only going to say this once: cut the shit.
Beyond the usual miserable atmosphere of pugging, I've unfortunately have had to pug more often on my alts because on non-raid nights it's near impossible to find anyone on at the same time that I am online. Although I don't really "need" the valor points or the gear on these alts, I still enjoy playing them as well as making sure they're capable of subbing into the main raids if needed.
But let me get to the point of this post: ever since patch 4.1 has hit, I've noticed an abundance of assholes in the pug world. For once I am not talking about the obnoxious dps that just does stupid shit and shoots off their mouth, or a temperamental healer that chides the entire group endlessly for various reasons, I'm talking about asshole tanks. And by asshole, I mean ASSHOLE.
First off, I'd like to point out that as a tank I understand the frustration of many tanks out there. Pugging really is like playing Russian Roulette and you can get anywhere between a very good group and a completely terrible one. From my experience, it is easy to get really jaded and just assume that the general player base is terrible, however there have been times where I have been proven wrong. And oh, do I love those times. In other words, at the very least give your groups a chance to prove themselves before jumping to any conclusions.
As a tank, you lead the group as well as the pace of the instance and you must adapt to the needs of your group. If you have a healer with mana issues, use your defensive cooldowns often and slow down for the healer's mana regen. If you have inexperienced players, explain the fights, mark the dps order, and cc. If you have someone who is clearly struggling with something regarding their class, make a friendly suggestion and do NOT do it to a point where you're telling them how to play their class. Yes, that has happened. And yes, it is very rude.
Most of all, if you are having frustrations with your group at the very least try to sort out what the problem could be. If it's something minor like a lack of understanding about a fight mechanic, explain it. But whatever the reason may be that is contributing to the groups lack of success, whatever you do please DO NOT BE AN ASSHOLE. In other words, treat people the way you want to be treated.
As a tank, I hate to break it to you, but you are no one special. The dps is just as important as you, as is the healer. In order to be successful in an encounter, you HAVE to work as a TEAM. So hang your prima donna attitude at the door because if you want that nice shiny block of valor points or CtA shinies, you're going to have to work with your group. And if you happen to really hate your group that much? Just leave. Plain and simple. Keep your mouth shut and leave the group.
Unfortunately, I had a tank that was the WORST tonight. Abusive from the get go. This guy ran the muck from hurling insults, to telling people how to play their class (and he was wrong about most of the info he was spouting), to being just plain rude to a group that actually wasn't terrible in the least (good dps, stayed out of fire, attacked the right targets, etc...). Seriously, don't be "that guy". "That guy" makes every single run more painful than it needs be. Yes, you might be breezing through the instance, but is the discomfort and abuse really worth it?
And tanks, I know that it's hard dealing with some of the players that que for randoms, but please give everyone a chance. Otherwise, maybe you should stop pugging. Or better yet, log off and reevaluate why you're tanking in the first place.
Beyond the usual miserable atmosphere of pugging, I've unfortunately have had to pug more often on my alts because on non-raid nights it's near impossible to find anyone on at the same time that I am online. Although I don't really "need" the valor points or the gear on these alts, I still enjoy playing them as well as making sure they're capable of subbing into the main raids if needed.
But let me get to the point of this post: ever since patch 4.1 has hit, I've noticed an abundance of assholes in the pug world. For once I am not talking about the obnoxious dps that just does stupid shit and shoots off their mouth, or a temperamental healer that chides the entire group endlessly for various reasons, I'm talking about asshole tanks. And by asshole, I mean ASSHOLE.
First off, I'd like to point out that as a tank I understand the frustration of many tanks out there. Pugging really is like playing Russian Roulette and you can get anywhere between a very good group and a completely terrible one. From my experience, it is easy to get really jaded and just assume that the general player base is terrible, however there have been times where I have been proven wrong. And oh, do I love those times. In other words, at the very least give your groups a chance to prove themselves before jumping to any conclusions.
As a tank, you lead the group as well as the pace of the instance and you must adapt to the needs of your group. If you have a healer with mana issues, use your defensive cooldowns often and slow down for the healer's mana regen. If you have inexperienced players, explain the fights, mark the dps order, and cc. If you have someone who is clearly struggling with something regarding their class, make a friendly suggestion and do NOT do it to a point where you're telling them how to play their class. Yes, that has happened. And yes, it is very rude.
Most of all, if you are having frustrations with your group at the very least try to sort out what the problem could be. If it's something minor like a lack of understanding about a fight mechanic, explain it. But whatever the reason may be that is contributing to the groups lack of success, whatever you do please DO NOT BE AN ASSHOLE. In other words, treat people the way you want to be treated.
As a tank, I hate to break it to you, but you are no one special. The dps is just as important as you, as is the healer. In order to be successful in an encounter, you HAVE to work as a TEAM. So hang your prima donna attitude at the door because if you want that nice shiny block of valor points or CtA shinies, you're going to have to work with your group. And if you happen to really hate your group that much? Just leave. Plain and simple. Keep your mouth shut and leave the group.
Unfortunately, I had a tank that was the WORST tonight. Abusive from the get go. This guy ran the muck from hurling insults, to telling people how to play their class (and he was wrong about most of the info he was spouting), to being just plain rude to a group that actually wasn't terrible in the least (good dps, stayed out of fire, attacked the right targets, etc...). Seriously, don't be "that guy". "That guy" makes every single run more painful than it needs be. Yes, you might be breezing through the instance, but is the discomfort and abuse really worth it?
And tanks, I know that it's hard dealing with some of the players that que for randoms, but please give everyone a chance. Otherwise, maybe you should stop pugging. Or better yet, log off and reevaluate why you're tanking in the first place.
