Do I need to switch careers to be viable?

[Limey]

Should I be discouraged from playing a swordmaster? I keep hearing about how great the other tanks are and I just started playing. I don't want to play a class that causes people to not want to group with me etc. Should I switch? I thought maybe with everyone else mainly playing the other tanks it might add some diversity? Or am I crazy to not play KotBS/IB?

[Penril]

Should I be discouraged from playing a swordmaster? I keep hearing about how great the other tanks are and I just started playing. I don't want to play a class that causes people to not want to group with me etc. Should I switch? I thought maybe with everyone else mainly playing the other tanks it might add some diversity? Or am I crazy to not play KotBS/IB?

Do you have fun playing SM? Then stick to it.

Do you like soloing? Then keep playing the SM, it is excellent for 1v1.

Do you want to be useful to your group in a top-tier 6v6? Uhmmm, roll an IB or KotBS...

[Ashaj]

If you like it, play it. No point in playing a class you´re not into. I can´t really get the same feel for the other tanks that I got for SM.

As long as you´re not dead set on playing 6vs6 for your group only with an, what´s gernerally considered "optimal" setup.


I played SM, mostly 2hand, since beta and loved it. Once you get accustomed to SM and find a rotation that feels good, you can deal more than decent damage. Bring dat spirit damage!!!

Plus, as SM is generally considered "not sooo good" people pay less attention to you, so you can get some more hits in on that healer till his guard shows up

[Coryphaus]

people dont pay attention to sm cause all he does is run in and spam his knockback there by being mildly annoying and give out free immunities

[Ashaj]

people dont pay attention to sm cause all he does is run in and spam his knockback there by being mildly annoying and give out free immunities

It makes me sad how right you are xD

Still you got more potential than pissing of your own teammates. Apparently most people just go for the "I got one skill that has an effect that everyone sees" playstyle, but that doesn´t have to be you. Take the time to look at the mastery trees and skill descriptions and try things out^^

[Limey]

I definitely want to play something that will contribute to the group and make people want me to be there...so I guess I will try out IB.

[boog]

People wont refuse to group with you because of your career they will refuse to group with you if you don't know how to play your career.

I played SM to RR85 live before rerolling to Ironbreaker. In the end IB (which just happened to be my preferred over KotBS) offered more utility and support for my group while offering the same (if not better) levels of defensive and offensive opportunities.

You should play the class you want to play though. Each tank has their place and strengths you just have to find it and make sure it fits with your play style.

For the LOVE OF GOD though. Don't just spam AoE knockback for the fun of and as a means of AoE damage other wise you are just giving them immunities. Use it appropriately. Here are some great examples:

1. Group of destro at the edge of something and you want to knock them off
2. Healer is being swarmed
3. Guard target is being swarmed and dying
4. Clear out a keep (as in keep them out of doorway for defense AoE spam or knock a herd of them off)

[Coryphaus]

if you plan on playing ib i suggest that you play snb though you can still be useful even as 2h you talk to the guild bitterstone thunderers if you are looking for a nice active guild

[Sulorie]

SM and Magus get all drops for their class as nobody else is rolling on the loot. Pretty easy to gear up.

[grumcajs]

I have seen so many chosens, bgs, 2h knobs running outside of grp in pug scs with 2handers doing absolutely nothing to aid their team. even s/b ones running in grp and guarding healer 100 ft behind while mdps around them were slaughtered.

then I have seen some lvl 19 2h SM who swapped guard, doesnt seems so squishy at all and provided so-so assist dps with the right moment to aoe kb.

kotbs provide massive grp utility, IB provide massive single target buffs, SMs kinda lacks compared these 2. truth is - the bestest tank utility in this game is know how to guard, CC, challenge, morale. pair it with assisting your main dps and voila you are very useful to your team