There are two Dungeons where part of the pace of the instance is set by talking to an NPC, Bran in Halls of Stone, and Arathas in the Culling of Stratholme.
If the Npc doesn’t get spoken to at particular intervals then the instance cannot be continued. It requires someone to be aware that this needs to be done, and someone to do it.
As much as I may complain at the breakneck speeds some tanks in randoms pull at, I’m still a fan of the Tank determining the pace of the run. So my vote is for the Tank to talk to the NPC most of the time – Once you talk to the NPC there is no turning back – the next part of the run is activated.
The tank is usually there anyway, at the front of the action, just by the natural act of the proximity they are to the mobs.
Who talks to the NPC in your runs? – Do you ever? Usually I find it’s the same person that takes responsibility for such things every time. They are the ones that do the boxes at the start of culling, they talk to chromie to start the RP. They talk to Arthas.
It used to takes me a couple of seconds to realise no one has spoken to them – I had been lulled into this assumption that it happens by magic – well more that someone else does it. Doesn’t complain about doing it, and all is well. It’s not my concern I just do my own thing. However as much as I like to criticize people for not performing in a role, the role of a party member is still to be part of that party. Running with someone who was that person who took responsibility, and initiative – and hear him complain that no one else did, woke me up out of my reverie.
I would much rather a run where people are fighting to talk to Arthas or Chromie – then standing there like a stunned mullet going ” Doh.. Isn’t something supposed to be happening about now?”
So because of that – It doesn’t always have to be the Tank – he can be just as clueless as a coddled dps. If no one has done it, and it follows the natural pace of the run then take the initiative by all means, but be aware of the ‘readiness’ of the party. Have a look at your party frame, and check to see that nothing needs attention – Eg is everyone there, no one is dead, and if in doubt ask.
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The person who has proof that the group is ready to continue: No one important is afk, people have the quest, and relevant trash is out of the way; this was more of a problem in BC or vanilla.
Generally I prefer that it is a DPS after they are sure that people are ready. So no recent afk, no OOM, and no one saying “wait, I need the quest”. They start it while the tank goes on pulling.
Instead it often ends up with them starting it before people have the quest, while the healer is drinking, and the tank is tabbed out reading webcomics because the healer is drinking.
I’ve given up on expecting other people to pitch in. I’m happy when I see others pick up that arcane thingie and reveal boxes, but I no longer assume that someone else will. same with bran. the thing is – CoS even doesn’t actually start until that last conversation so anyone can do it without any sort of notification. Only the last part needs to be done once everyone is ready. more or less same with Bran. if I see tank start pulling the mobs in that circular room right before the event, I talk to bran, not waiting until all the trash is gone. This way, the run goes smoother and there’s no “Doh” moments.
Haven’t done heroics for a while though, so not sure how it works with the changes but I assume you still need to do the boxes and only skip the “Uther, glad you could make it” part?
I prefer to do it myself, as a healer… however, I travel with a pocket tank so I know he’s ready. I also starting Gortok and picking up the harpoons for Skadi in UP. I can take the time to do these extra things without letting anyone die, and I know they’ll get taken care of in a timely manner.
However in a true pug situation I try to let the tank take the opportunity to do it. If he rushes ahead (like most of ’em do)… then I don’t mind making sure it gets done, sooner than later. 🙂
I typically try to click on the person regardless of my role. I don’t think it truly matters who does it, as long as it gets done.
There is one (two) possible exception – during the final third of CoT4, Arthas pauses once or twice to ‘let us get our breath.’ Since most of the party is usually well ahead of the slow-moving prince and on the trash up ahead, the last person through that portcullis needs to click on him and get him going again. In my experience, that’s either the healer or a ranged DPS.
I’m ashamed to admit we were in Ulduar to do the weekly (XT) and our usual guild RL was not with us and none of us had a clue how to start the Razorscale fight. No idea at all. Had to pst the RL on his alt and ask. Embarrassing.
You forgot Hall of Reflection, Trial of the Champion and VH. As a tank if I am going to get blamed for not picking up agro or anything else that will cause a wipe then I prefer to be the one to start the fight.
Hall of Reflection you want to make sure everyone knows what strat you will be using and in place before you start the fight. I prefer the corner tuck position since it is less stressful and easier to pick things up. Making the run more enjoyable. Then you have to talk to her again to start the gauntlet.
Trial of the Champion you want to make sure everyone is mounted at least before starting it off, when ToC was more new I would want to make sure everyone’s shields were up. Then you want to make sure things are marked before actually pulling (more so in pugs – instead of everyone attacking all different things).
VH, I want to make sure buffs up before pulling – especially with the portals opening faster now.
Maybe its about tanking off and on since vanilla, taking pride in my job, etc. or just plain old fashioned but these are things that I like to do to make the game more enjoyable and less stressful for myself as a tank.
I definitely take ownership of these kinds of things a lot, but certain encounters I tend to leave to the tank. Mostly I’m thinking of a fight like HoR–I’ve had eager DPS start it too early while people are still preparing. And in that instance, you don’t get much of a chance to breathe, so it’s not good for someone (particularly the tank) to be starting it off their game. Also, I’ve had overeager people get the door shut on a group member who wasn’t ready.
But on something like the CoS fight, where there are multiple points where someone needs to take responsibility, I’ll do it no matter what role I’m playing. Basically, I think anyone and everyone should take responsibility for talking to NPCs, but if you’re going to do so you have to have confidence that your party is prepared.
Don’t forget the special holiday bosses like the new ones in SFK, or the Headless Horseman!
You also need someone to click on those altar thingies in Gundrak. I usually do it, but I had a Gundrak-free spell and forgot that I was supposed to do it last time, and our group ended up having to backtrack to Sladran.
I always talk to Chromie and it amazes me how often the 4 pugs are already in Strath wondering where Arthas is, yet didn’t think to pop the crates.
Others… I hang back and see if everyone else runs forward to wait, but begin with the assumption the tank will start it
PS: I always do Chromie because 2 doing crates is faster than 1
That can be a double-edged sword, you know. I’m a tank, and while I could care less if other party members talk to the NPC to get things rolling, at least make sure I’M ready, or at least make sure you can handle a mob or two until I catch up.
I don’t know how many times I’ve seen a trigger happy mage or warlock start the gauntlet in CoS while the healer is still drinking and I’m saying HEALER MANA in Pchat – or my most recent favorite is a Halls of Repair Bill wipe when a dps class starts it while I’m still drinking after buffs. Very uncool.
So yeah, talk to the NPC all you like. Just make sure the meat shield is ready.
thats when the healer pipes up and says ” Will let you die if you continue to pull for the tank..” I ❤ tanks that look after their healers mana.