Tanking Utgarde Keep
Yesterday I ran my second instance as a tank. The (guild) team we got together did not really have a preference, so my suggestion to go to Utgarde Keep was readily accepted.
After the quite intense experience in The Nexus at level 70, Utgarde Keep seemed a lot more relaxed with some better gear and at level 74.
Starting out cautiously, we picked up speed and ripped through the trash mobs leading to Prince Keleseth. The dragon pens was quite fun to go through, I’d charge the dragon and then turn him around so the breath attack would only hit me, constantly checking if my threat was higher than the two higher level DPS we had brought.
Skarvald and Dalronn were up next. We decided to burn down the caster first and follow up with Skarvald. Again not much trouble here.
I was a bit worried about Ingvar, whilst leveling my hunter I’ve seen how hard he can hit. I was prepared though and every Smash I ran through him, phase 1 of the fight was over before I truly realized it.
Of course, phase 2 is the pinch hitter here. Ingvar hits a lot harder, his Smash is now called Dark Smash (or MAC truck, whichever you prefer). Again I managed to think about running through him and Ingvar dropped to the floor. He was nice enough to hand me his Monolithic Cleaver.
The missions I had in this instance also supplied me with some nice gear, the Tiled-Stone Pendant, Executioner’s Band and Vambraces of the Vengeance Bringer.
Besides raiding with my hunter, I’ll continue working on the warrior, I am having too much fun not to. I want a second go at Keristrasza, first because she killed me on our earlier meeting and second because I finally picked up all the dungeon missions for The Nexus.
I’ll keep you posted.
March 15, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Gratz! UK is a pretty good instance for tank learning. Some solid basic stuff can be picked up here. And you didn’t die on your first try with Ingvar!
(I ate it from the smash, with a pally healing no less, at least three times.) The way I’ve been getting him w/ odd group comps, like three mages, or two rogues and lock, or something weird like that, is tank him with mah back against a pillar, then run sideways and back during the smash. That way there’s no risk of him spinning around and shouting down the healer. Which really, really, really sucks. Not that I’ve ever let that happen… ahem.. I’m just sayin…
-Fri
March 16, 2009 at 6:39 am
Nice piece of work mate, keep going and you will be tanking Naxx before you know it.
March 16, 2009 at 10:40 am
Thanks to the both of you for your comments.
I’ll try the pillar thing next time I am in UK. Good tip!
We all have our slight mishaps, for example, I’ve NEVER managed to disengage of a cliff or hit distracting shot instead of misdirection. Not that I’d admit to it anyway
April 16, 2009 at 11:59 am
A little late this comment. But yeah, the dark smash is a frontal cone attack. A couple of steps to the side when he starts to cast is all it takes to avoid it.