So you wanna tank?

Welcome to the first post in a series on Flashpoint basics. I'm provoked to make this post after years of running with...less than competent players, not that I'm infallible or perfect, but seriously, if my companion could do a better job, something is wrong here.

Ok, so you've got a quest to do a Flashpoint (FP), you queue up on Group Finder (GF) and you select your role. In all honesty, if it's not a Hard Mode (HM), being in a specific dps build doesn't friggen matter in the greater scheme of things. Neither being in specific tank gear matters at this stage of normal FP's from levels 10-60, barring one piece. The shield generator.

First thing as a tank is to GET INTO TANKING STANCE. If you are a tank but your role is dps, don't be in a tanking stance. Let me say that again, Don't be in a tanking stance. No, no. NO. For these kind of FP's we don't need off tanks. (And off tanks should stance switch anyway.)

Sorsu form. Dark charge, Ion charge. If you're the tank, you're in that stance. If you're not the tank, you're not. PERIOD. No ifs, no buts. This is a pug. Do it right, smooth, controlled = quick, easy, fun. If you're an experienced group and like pushing the envelope, well, that's a whole other guide/post. But not here.

Second. Shield Generator. You know that thing that gives you 20% shield chance. Put it the hell on. You take less damage =  your healer doesn't have to heal so much, possibly drawing aggro, and can instead contribute more to dpsing. Gear, well, at this level and difficulty of flashpoints tanking gear/dpsing gear doesn't matter so much. It matters more in HM FP's and really matters in Operations (OPs).

Third: Guard. Guard the healer. Many say guard the DPS. Yeah...when their dps is high enough to actually rip aggro off the tank. In normal FP's 10-60 and when people aren't geared to the nines, time for an epeen adjustment. Your dps isn't all that and the healer will pull more aggro than you. Deal with it.

Fourth. Target Priorities. When facing multiple mobs who do I nail first? Being a tank is not for the faint of heart. You get to leap in first and they all pound on you. But hey you can take it right? (If you didn't just yell, 'hell yeah', then maybe you need to rethink being a tank). First target is always the biggest baddest dude(tte) around. The Champion, Elite, Strong mobs. You attack the biggest, fire off your taunts or w/e it is you do then switch to the next strongest.

Example. You are faced with 1 Elite, 2 Strongs and 4 Normal Mobs. The tank attacks the Elite first, gaining aggro. Then switch to one of the strongs and stay on it. Ignore the normals. When the strong is dead, switch to the next strong until it's dead. Then switch to the Elite.

IF aggro is lost on the Elite, taunt it back to you and continue with the above formula. Just follow this, trust me. I know there are lots of but what if this and that. This guide is for you tanks. There are other people in the group too, and they have their roles. This is your role. Make sure you can do this before worrying about anything else. Focus now. If your other group members are doing their job, this is all you'll ever have to do.

What skills to use? Not saying, up to you to figure out and there are plenty of guides around discussing that.

Have fun tanking and remember:

Avoid the things and don't stand in the stuff.