[IncGamers News Item] The trinity vs the hybrid

[Alaris]

I can see people running tank & spank, except the gameplay won't be as static as the real trinity stuff. The tank will have to dodge more, support will have to support the team more, and nukes will have to generate more combos and position effects better etc.

[Fluffball]

In one of the dungeon description, they talked about how the group of devs used a tank to defeat a major boss. It's pretty clear some classes are made able to absorb damage (warrior) and some are made for the backline (ele).

But I don't think it will be tank 'n spank as we know it.

[Alaris]

If we were to run tank & spank, here's the major differences I expect.

1) If someone tries to tank classic, he will die. Healing won't be enough to allow this.
2) Tank will be more there to distract the enemy. He'll dodge a lot, but stay frontline, so that his allies aren't targeted.
3) Healers & support will be putting buffs up front where tank & allies can use them, and heals where needed.
4) Nukes will also buff front and debuff foes on top of doing damage.

[raspberry jam]

1) If someone tries to tank classic, he will die. Healing won't be enough to allow this.
2) Tank will be more there to distract the enemy. He'll dodge a lot, but stay frontline, so that his allies aren't targeted.
3) Healers & support will be putting buffs up front where tank & allies can use them, and heals where needed.
4) Nukes will also buff front and debuff foes on top of doing damage.

Tanking isn't just about taking damage. It's also about manipulating the positions of the enemies so that AoE can take out as many of them as possible. I can see guardian walls/bubbles being useful at that.

[Alaris]

Oh yeah, I didn't mean to diminish the role of positioning.

I have yet to try tanking in WoW, but I assume it's the more complex role there.