Even if pugging a raid you’ll chat with the other tank, and I’ve noticed that it’s usually very friendly. Whether to agree on how many stacks of a debuff to taunt on, who’s taking boss, who’s taking adds etc. But it starts with saying hi.

Sometimes you both realise that you haven’t done the encounter before, or have done it as dps/heals and never tanked it. You chat about how to wing it, without the raid needing to know that you’re not quite sure what you’re doing. Tanks need to confident in the face of adversity, so concerns are more likely to be expressed in private. That creates the bond I think. Relying on one another, and optimism and confidence in the face of shared challenges, like the bonds created in real life.

When guild tanking, you get used to the patterns and habits of the other tanks. You may call a taunt on vent the first time or two, and then not bother, if you trust the other tank to be vigilant.

You have your favourite healers too, the ones that you can count on to notice that you’ve charged in to that massive trash pack, that you’re line of sighting, that you need to be topped off on the move, or that you’ve moved slightly out of range to let the melee and pets get out of the fire. Tanks and tank healers rely on each other too, although you may not have time to chat much. It creates a bond between you.

Do take the time to thank your healers for doing well. Healing can be like making sure the trains run on time, people only notice when they don’t. Thank them in /ra for preventing a wipe, or whisper thanks to your assigned healer when they keep you up despite the odds. As a healer in a past life, I know that it makes a ton of difference to your motivation!

Chev"