TankSpot's Tanking Reference: Awareness & Camera Control

[NouBalance]

This is the tanking bible

[KaisyuVadin]

Why am i paying $14.95 for this i am canceling my WOW account ...

[ceana27]

scrab lord ciderhelm! *salute*

[KitnKiller]

On a funny note: "Sadly he used Soul Shatter." XD That made me laugh.

On a srs note: I hate you and your Black Qiraji Battle Tank. :(

[FindingUndiscovered]

I saw this video when I first started tanking... and I still learn from it and advance my skills.

[TacoWasHereX]

we like to kill our DK alot :\

[SjBfilms]

im here watching these cause wow has been updating since 3 this morning, its nearly 5 pm

[Zanimoto]

u kill your warlock? why people always be hatin on locks

[mankykid1]

On our 1stever LDW 25 man heroic kill I, the main tank, died at 14%. All saw the death and thought a wipe, they didn't however notice the Fury warrior who was 2nd on threat go into defensive stance, shield wall, shield block and begin the warrior tank rotation, filling in devastate with the basic sunder armor. It was an absolutely stunning display of sheer skill and situational awareness, massive cheers went up on vent after she died :D

[ceana27]

@mankykid1 very touching story QQ

[FrostfeverEU]

Ciderhelm made naxxaramas worth while with his awesome aeroplane music

[yverodagny]

i miss ciderhelms vids

[buulsit]

Tanking is serious business

[aerosnowu2]

"preventing wipes and achieving your first kills thru the quick responses encounter awareness can produce, will provide some of the most valuable raiding memories"

Amen to that. Having awareness + fun is the key. I remember my first guild would play a certain techno song over vent after we killed a progression boss. Things like that are remembered forever.

[AnalogNightmare]

ahh i still remember the protect the lock game in Naxx

/memories

[DfFuse]

I am one of the main tanks in my guild and I couldnt tank that well as I do now without grid, it shows in a snap who has aggro and who has not.

As a prot pala I can easily save clothies and healers that cant protect themself in large pulls or bosses with loads of adds. Using my aoe taunt and hand of protection. :>

Just trying to share that Grid is really essential for me as a tank.

[NouBalance]

what happen to ciderhelm he doesnt narrate the movies any more did he quit or something?

[ultraviolent29]

This is v nice for me as I have a prot pally, just got into tanking, very very useful vid, I like it.

[CanadaMMA]

The first time people create a tanking spec they should be forced to watch this movie. There are some people completely decked out in tier 9 gear who don't understand some of these principles.

[K4nu]

As a tank I definitely agree that these awarenesses are a great deal of what makes you a good tank :)

[alphaskye]

Very well done. I enjoyed this immensely, thank you.

[taumanalan]

is that the 100% speed AQ bug?

[jamhayes]

omfg.. this guys voice is *jizz* we want him back!

[cJucumber]

If you have a small screen or there is some other reason you want to maximize your screen, copy paste and use the following maximizing camera view macro:

/console CameraDistanceMaxFactor 5

[sunf82]

what's the background music/track's name?

[YepX]

Can u explain more on the addons and the camera, like what camera settings u have?

[307Polarbear]

@YepX what class is your tank?

[YepX]

@307Polarbear warrior

[YepX]

Damn, i got a lot to learn

[Pixyassassin]

"we like to kill our warlock wherever possible" xD lol

[r4z0r84]

LOL then Taunt resisted.... druid fails haha /wipe hahahaahah epic XD

[dabrayhizzle]

lol this sounds like marriland the pokemon walkthrough guide guy but a bit deeper voice, nice vid

[dabrayhizzle]

and does anyone know where i can go for a good deathknight tank build and rotation for 3.3?

[anybodykilla58]

Lol Cider, i'm glad to see i'm not the only tank who enjoys kill the warlock :-D both this and the positioning video gave me great tips on how to better myself as a tank and for that i thank you. i look forward to more of the help series videos for both general and class specific tanking.

keep up the good work

[charlesming]

rofl dude its a joke kick back i play a warlock too dont need to get pissed over it

[jessipanda]

LOL

[Berserkism]

I have been at XT-002 Hrd Mode(amongst others) where at the last 5% the healers let the Tank die. I know it aint the point of the video. A mediocre tank you can get away with by backing off a bit. Mediocre healers? You're doomed.

[Wowaniac]

as always cider beautifully done, I would like to see more Dk tanking videos

[Kiertiana]

I agree. More DK tanking vids plz?

[Actongue]

Awesome Video

Thank you Ciderhelm will refer upcoming tanks to this.

[scottydog2407]

hhmmm so basically to become a good tank you need to spend hours upon hours playing the game and give up your life? D:

[Kjforceone]

Yes and no. If you're playing this game as a serious hobby, you will need to spend "hours and hours" learning your class and awareness no matter what you choose to play.

[iliketoaty]

not dks

[FlowFuzz]

nope, that would be only one type of awareness :)

[Nirvanaxanax]

Thank you for your video it helped alot!

I was usually DPS Warrior but tanking is alot more fun ^^ and your video makes it easy ty :)

[DeathJustice]

Hahaha why the poor warlock? :D

[spazmoto]

I don't believe that you cleared the original four horsemen...sorry.

[Gazareth2000]

i didnt hear him claim that he did clear the original 4hm

[JapanForSale]

I was in game at original Naxx, but what was so special about the 4 Horsemen back then?

[aramco123]

what the music name please?

[kikiohearts]

Thanks for the video Ciderhelm! This is a good informational video for both new up and comming tanks and to brush up on some skills some older raiders have forgotten after a long hiatus from WoW, like myself. I'm my raids main off-tank and when ever my bf is not in the mood for main tanking we switch, since we are both equally geared. Though in my personal opinion from your stated awareness; tactical is the most important in being a leader for your raid. Also agree on the fun aspect! thnx <3!

[1shoelacehero]

I want to make a tank but not sure to pick pally or warr?...whats the best choice?

[Kuusnelonen]

Warrior is harder in multimob situations.

But sorta better against single target tanking.

While pally, is better with multimob tanking, and is decent(what i know)with single target.

But skilled warriors, are probably the best.

[Skamilwa]

Sorry to counter you in such a way, but I beg to differ.

Actually a warrior can be as effective as either a paladin or a death knight in multi-mob situations. Although a warrior doesn't seem to posses sustainable aoe damage cleave is often forgoten. A decent gathering up of mobs, keeping thunderclap up, good use of shockwave and the use of cleave instead of heroic can offer more overall threath on mobs.

[Kuusnelonen]

With all due respect, i never said that warrior was bad in multimob tanking, i just said, it might be alittle more difficult, because, as you said, warriors dont have all that many aoe based skills.

[dragongt1994]

for me i really dont see the point of cleave, its far better to use heroic strike since it has better aggro and also you can use other aoe like thunder clap and shockwave....constantly switching targets is the key to this technique

[yoyogabado]

i think warrs are better tanks

[turbomonkey138]

\warrior

[baggeghfreak]

warr :) they are fun <3

[Drazon2610]

how u use ur bug not in ahn quiraj?

[hornycow1]

he is scarab lord

[saradomin264]

What addons did you have for most of these videos? Like the scrolling bar around you, and how far you can zoom out.. If some one could reply, im trying to make my tanking a bit 'cleaner' and save screen space? and is that bartender? or something better

[KayosUK]

if i got 1 copper for everytime he said Awarness id be a rich fucker.... in game...

on a serious note esential vid for newly dinged tanks who want to take to serious rading great vid, dont just watch once have playing in the background whilst your playing wow......

[sdwowzers]

I love you Ciderhelm =D I've been playing WoW for about 2 months now, I'm getting to the point where I'll be doing some serious tanking soon, and I just love your website (tankspot), and all of the videos. 5* hands down

[Jwh112719]

Hi i was hoping someone could help me. I LOVE tanking right now but i am only level 70 atm. Im not sure if it will be good for me to tank raids because my attention span is short. Should i keep tanking or switch to fury? Someone please help me!

[ZakanzSkadooshTD]

If you really enjoy tanking, then dont give up on it, no matter how short your attention span is. Just keep practising and you'll get there :]

[Kragdude]

im at 75 an tanking makes me feel like god, why choose though? get duel spec.

[SgtMoobs]

Very very good video. Thank you, i learned quite abit from it.

[nishkathygod]

this was a good watch, if you thinking of picking up tanking this is a must watch.

[vixaroth]

WoW is serious business... damn

[Beigynin]

i use mouse to walk mostly

[MarksmanFilms]

do you recommend using keyboard or mouse to walk?

[MarksmanFilms]

yeah well I have used both and using keyboard is easier to me. But people say mouse is better so stfu

[Flagged4PvP]

What I do when tanking is use my keyboard to move around, and use the mouse to look around by holding down the left button. I hope that helps.

[Frozanics]

lol, i think youre the most idiotic person ive ever seen

[lamx12345]

are u seriusly? why sud u do what outerer think is best when u think to just the keybord is the best ?? ur u bot idiots or what? i juse both all the time.... if u only like to juse the keybord then only juse it.. lol but i gues ur going to juse both becous i am to_? lol get a brain plz

[Flagged4PvP]

Learn to spell and punctuate before you decide to bash other people for their intelligence. This is a tutorial video, which means people watch it to gather useful information. There is nothing wrong with asking a question, that's how people learn.

[Flagged4PvP]

How do you speak english like a nerd? I'm just curious. Do you need thick bottle-cap glasses with a piece of white tape holding both halves together? Just because someone knows proper and simple grammar does not make them a nerd. My point was... You could have given him a positive suggestion rather than calling him a 'retard' just so you can sleep better at night and feel good about yourself. I'm done arguing with you, it's pointless and irrelevant to this video.

[lamx12345]

hmmm okey! gues il have to do something about this... learn how to talk?.... u ask me questions but still u dont want to talk? ur a wird mann! and no i dont realy enjoy this..... or.. maybe i do but any why i agree that we are spamming this gr8 movie from ciderhelm and this wil be my last time to to talk to... "starge" guys so GL jusing ur next 4 week to discus someone elses complains..! lamx out!

[xNiiSpErx]

Mouse 4 moving is an always, using keyboard for walking is like Clicking your skills.

[Orithiour]

xNii, I am a clicker, maybe if I tried it for a while I'd get used to binds but, eh, I'm used to clicks. It works for me, and doesn't mean anything.

[ZakanzSkadooshTD]

Binds are generally alot more effective during encounters, as it enables easy movement while getting off your moves.

[Trundle79]

No love for us locks haha..nice vids they are a great help for fairly new tank duel speced prot and holy on my pally struggled 2 pick up tanking at first but after watching your vids I have come on alot in recent weeks keep them up please!

[DemonDZ]

for the fun of it?

[NecrobatWily]

Love th guide Cider, definitely explains the elements of tanking I somewhat try to explain to the other tanks in my guild. I'll be sure to forward the link for this and the movement to them to help them improve further. =]

Though on a similar note, do you think it would be wise to forward this to our DPS and healers so they're aware of everything which is going on, could go on, or will go on?

[ZOMGBananas]

While it can help your raids somewhat if your healers and DPS are aware of what you might do, I don't think it is a necessity for them to be so intricately knowledgeable on the subject. This is the tanks job.

Most situations where you  might need to move unexpectedly can be dealt with via a short comment via vent. You will also find that as you continue to raid, your group members will become accoustomed to the way you move and react, so them being 100% aware becomes a non-issue.

[LiamLitt]

I tend to disagree, especially in progression settings. Even though you might have developed a deep knowledge and insight in your raiders movement and reactions, it's still quite critical for every class to be aware, all the time. Obviously in order to countereffect measures that cannot be forseen, be it DCs, completely new content settings, heartstrokes (:P) or whatever. Every class must be ready to immediately react most effectively at any time, to ensure optimal and smooth progression ^^

[LiamLitt]

intended as answer for ZOMGBananas :)

[dslicerizzle]

Another great vid Cider!

I rofled hardcore about the Warlock comment.

[DanDaManZ06]

7:40 rarest mount in the game

[Gerendra]

I'm not sure about that. The old white raptor may be the rarest. But yeah, they're both very rare.

[bluestreak123]

the black quiraj resonating crystal mount at 7:40 is only obtained by 1 person on each server, so i think that is possibly the rarest. more than one person per older server has the white raptor which would make it more common even though a lot may have traded them in for the newer mounts.

[karajima]

CIder, these guides are proving more useful than any other information or technique I have learned during my time in WoW since keybinding.

Please, continue making such quality videos.

[grapedrink009]

lol poor warlock

[Meegz0]

I saw azuragose!

[Cryonicxy]

wow kinda helps ty >:P

[Banieldorf]

I like the part " we like to kill our warlock wherever possible"

[TheBlackOrchid]

agreed! I lol'd

[TehHaloZombie]

As a warlock, I'm offended. However, as a tankadin, I ROFL'd.

[ricke3939]

poor warlock =(

[Darkwolf5656]

Hmm i never thought of moving maly around the ring, to help with those sparks spawning at the north(Where I tank him).

[Londron]

As a warrior I mainly tank 5-mens/Kara and ZA in TBC.(fury til BT/25Naxx) and I have to say I enjoyed the video. Most of what you said was basic but not at the same time. I personaly consider almost everything you said very basic but I realy have the feeling a lot of tanks are lacking this. I have seen 10-men Naxx groups wipe after Gluth because a shadowstalker(whatever there name is) arrived and the tanks weren't able to deal with this. Sad I know, only drawback of being fury :(.

[Aghostdance]

Thanks for these videos. What I can't explain in my own terms you kinda break down more simply. I linked both of these in my guild tank forums.

Khyronkana-Bronzebeard (Relic)

[cybersylo]

As a Lock i am offended :( As a player i am amused :)

Onebadchik (Trollbane) Lock

Onebaddude (Trollbane) Prot Warrior

[Canonpixmalogitechko]

"in our guild, we like to kill our warlock where ever possible."

lol

[Slipknotrocksitsic]

Cider should have definitely put that in the video :) I can see a warlock running around the "island" screaming on vent :)

[Kanashto]

Awesome

You're a Scarab Lord? I saw a black Qiraj..

[demoncrash]

Pro video. Thanks Ciderhelm

[TheShizzo]

Thanks for the vid! Very nicely done and informative. I am curious however, what is the UI you are using? It looks very clean and easy to use, especially the scrolling combat text, it looks much better with the numbers going to the side rather than down the middle blocking my char and whatever I may be standing in at the time.

[PBTtime]

may i ask why you LIKE to kill your warlock?

[shinmasaki]

Very good video. Explains the basics and the fundamentals all tanks should know and utilize for successful tanking, be it in a full raid setting or just a simple party instance encounter. These were vital Pre-BC. Post-BC, with the upgraded gear and class abilities, the situational awareness became the big thing as opposed to the others; they are still very important fundamentals though. Now then, let's see if I can teach one of my friends how to be a successful tank... = /

[Zelphas]

verry nice.

i realy like this tank spot guides :)

and i usaly link thees to my guild as tacktics . thanks for a nice guide as usual

[garlandboy123]

what is the music called in this video?

[level80druidwoot]

tbagriot, you logged onto YouTube and searched WoW videos just so you could tell people to get a life... and you think you're living yours to its full potential? Weird.

[CanadaMMA]

Hahaha, that poor warlock.......

[zaist]

I'm from brazil and i would like to say not only this vid but all of them are great movies.

[tmweb95]

why do you kill warlock? lol

[Arminius1980]

"in our guild, we like to kill our warlock wherever possible" LOL i know exactly what you mean :P

[technotim06]

Thanks Cider. I just watched this and didn't know I knew what I knew. I just have always done it. :D Great How-to video. This is a tankspot gem.

[downscreen129103]

you have the bug mount from AQ, that's pretty impressive.

[ArcadiesXX]

Good Druid!!!  Kill the warlock!!

[lewis178]

i feel bad for the warlock

[Jyalykthat]

The warlock apparently has really good awareness. :p

[SyrumvsAntidote]

lol kill the warlock. what my guild does is send sarth into a "disco" were we spin him really quick, his tail hitting everybody.

[Takeal00k]

yea, I'm also an quite good tank according to this, where is my Sath 3D kill? : <

[deathangelfdn]

can anyone tell me, what are good addons for a raid/tank, and were he was at 7:58 in this movie?

[Donutman68]

i like bartender cause it organizes the action frame, and at 7:58 he was at Azshara

[ulfderulfte]

awesome as always. 5*

[xTonedefx]

these videos help so much! Thanks keep them comeing!. awsome music mix

[kallemidbecks]

Ciderhelm is simply the best.

[culchy]

haha kill the warlock... rofl

[AWmaxxbass]

Im no tank but no.2 is for me..I can get out of a voidzone in like 0.2 seconds - anyway....nice video :P

[chickenboy621]

according to this im actually a pretty good tank :O... then why do i never get to end content :(

[twistedsk8]

bad dps/heals or noobs leaving early or unreliable guildies prbly :P

[FuckinJai]

That bit about trying to get your warlocks killed made me lmao xD. Poor guys.

[Dgc2003]

Nice mount man :)

[Twinnblade]

I loved the video, I thought it was great. But I agree with oldschewl when he says that large parts of this could be aimed at raid leaders. I still maintain the philosophy that tanks shouldn't lead. Some sort of caster should.

[TGMofLoS]

brilliantly well done. Now if only I could decide to not suck and do higher quality voiceovers for the fury warrior tutorials I've been making.

keep up the good work!

[oldschewl]

Fancy words for for simple principles.

"Pay attention."

"Know the whole fight, not just your role."

"Avoid tunnel-vision."

"Practice."

Many of the tips in the video could be drawn out of the video and put into a video labeled, "Learning to Raid Lead." Many of these tips reach well outside the scope of "tanking" and should be good habits picked up by everyone serious about raid progression too. So where you present another high quality video, I'd like to seen this addressed to a wider audience.

[KoryWB]

Word. Using knowledge like this, I was able to save the raid a handful of times in Naxx last night. On gluth our MT went down, I (fury) taunted, shield walled, allowing the OT to lose all mortal wound debuffs. I had our blood DK do the same. Our MT went down on KT as well, at 40%. I did the same thing, holding KT while calling for the OT to move in and pick him up.

These principles are universal for players, especially raid leaders and tanks.

[Cathelas151615]

Also what i've done when we lost our MT in KT is do everything we can to have our warlock #1 threat, since hes a great warlock tank, even without any frost res gear.

Great movie btw, unfortunetly it doesnt fix my problem much...wtb better computer =( =( =( lol

[parkjy11]

Ciderhelm stop hogging all the awesome :(

An top-notch video as usual, I loved it!

[ThaRatedRSuperstar]

Tanking is the best!!!, In BC I was a Druid and Pally tank, Wrath I was DK and Pally tank, Warriors looked fun at max level but I never leveled mine past 35 and I've quit playing WoW for now.

[LuckyCheesie]

Show these to the wannabe tanks so they learn :D!

[YawnGod]

Wow.

Just wow.

[Natcam3]

most of this does come naturally, but i guess you need to have a natural competency for playing the game which in some cases, some people clearly don't have

camera movement is a natural thing for any mouse turner, and i guess the awareness adds to the overall intelligence of the tank

[akalenda]

IMO these aren't three types of awareness. Just an internal knowledge repository, and a situational awareness that draws upon it.

The encounter awareness you speak of is simply situational awareness acting on a knowledge repository that has been expanded to include the tasks and capabilities of your teammates.

Regardless, good vid. Situational awareness is the most difficult thing to teach a tank (especially one that isn't new to tanking but has no such awareness) and should be taken seriously

[SongSephen]

2 expansions and the endgame hasn't changed one bit. These are all gameplay mechanics from vanilla wow.

[hoodedraider]

unfortunatly this man speaks the truth

its tank heal n kill xD

avoid the fire for profit :P

[Pimpindablood]

no thank you :D

[n00bspanker]

Fucked up UI is fucked up.

[pr3ludejr]

hum?

[Kh2fanalways]

Very nice video. This will DEFINITLY make me a bit better of a tank. Thanks for posting it

[AliveDog]

Amazingly done... your vids always help me to become a better tank, keep' em coming.

[oxgon]

someone used this video and now my mom is dead

[799711]

Amasing. Just amasing. imma going to force the tank recruits of the guild to watch this video over and over

[biostewie]

failbot pwns! it tells you when a raid member gets wtfpwned at frogger!!! XD

[Nitesilence]

i will try to donate $20 you have helpd so much hope to see your video for Uldar

[Nitesilence]

HOLY CRAP are u tank god?

[riffingt0n]

I rarely comment on Youtube, but that was a truly comprehensive view on what separates the great tanks from those that are merely competent. Extremely well done.

[bjon92]

very nice thank you!

[xbirthxbyxsleepx]

failbot? lmao

[sabadou]

I love failbot!