Tank

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A term generally used to refer to a pure Warrior-type character (though other classes can fill the tank role). A tank is a meatshield, so to speak, and intercepts incoming mobs with their persons. Using both the DPS from their massive weapons and/or the subtlety of their innate skills and abilities, the tank assumes the aggro of the mob and tries to keep them off other groupmates. With everyone targeting and assisting the tank to kill one mob at a time, the mobs go down faster and there is less damage done to the group, depending upon the add situation at any given moment.

Some Warriors prefer a main hand weapon and shield instead of a two-handed weapon -- to each their own. Because of the constant abuse upon their armor and weapons, it is incumbent upon a Warrior class to keep their gear in tip-top repair and have as many stat bonuses on said gear as possible. While this is expensive for the Warrior, mobs drop many serviceable items and there is the Auction House where one can purchase decent equipment appropriate for one's level.

The tank is also sometimes refered to as MA (Main Assist) or MT (Main Tank). Also used to contrast from a Nuker or a Healer.

Sub Tanks / Assisting Tanks

Voidwalker

The voidwalker of a warlock is designed to hold ONE mob while that mob gets killed by damage over time spells and / or damage dealers. That voidwalker has special spells and own mana to generate aggro. Dont forget to heal that valuable sub tank and dont forget to buff it!

-- SE HellFire

If you have the voidwalker switch targets it may hold aggro for multiple mobs at one time, but only for a short time unless the damage against them is about equal and not too much higher than the voidwalker itself. Not guaranteed and requires alot more attention, but sometimes better than nothing.

-- Fandyllic

Just to point out that the Voidwalker has TWO taunt abilities. Torment generates aggro against ONE target while Suffering is an Area of Effect taunt so it can be used to tank multiple enemies. But be warned that Suffering has a relatively long cooldown and can be resisted.

--Spork

Hunter Pets

Hunters can have an assortment of beasts as pets, and they can serve as secondary tanks. Some pet abilities, like growl, can help a pet draw the aggro of mobs. Endangered pets can also use the [Cower] ability to shed aggro if needed. A hunter can have a pet growl to draw aggro when the main tank is in trouble, then cower let the MT return to duty after recovering. When not on duty as backup tanks, pets can attack the primary target of the group to hasten its demise.

--TedC

Tanking Ability Comparison By Class

Shaman

A Shaman can tank decently using the [Earth Shock] spell and the [Rockbiter Weapon] buff. Rockbiter Weapon allows the Shaman's attacks to generate more aggro than normal for the weapon's damage. Likewise, Earth Shock generates more aggro for its damage than most spells. [Lightning Shield] can also increase the Shaman's DPS to draw more aggro.

If acting as a secondary healer, a Shaman is in a good position to pull aggro from cloth wearers who have drawn aggro from nuking or healing.

Hunter

As noted, Hunters can use their pets to draw aggro from less durable classes if needed. Hunters can also use the [Distracting Shot] ability to pull a mob off another player; [Aimed Shot] can also draw aggro because of its high damage.

In their early careers, at least, Hunters are leather wearers, so they aren't as durable as a Paladin or Warrior in the tank role and should allow a better tanker to take over once the danger has passed to the group's cloth wearers. Hunters can learn to wear mail at around level 40, which will give them more staying power in the off-tank role.