Why do I keep dying when I group (aggro management 101)?
In a group, you generally want the tanks (warriors, thanes, even skalds) to get the attention of the target before you start nuking. This is because, in a group, you are usually fighting orange, red or purple-con creatures that can squash you like a bug if they get into melee range. It therefore is vital that a runemaster not nuke a target too early or too much. For most orange or red con targets, 2 nukes will do, and will save your mana for the next encounter. A purple con target may require a third nuke. Depending on the makeup of the group, debuffs are another great option. These will generate less aggro, and will help the tanks keep aggro by letting them hit the target harder (in the case of a DEX debuff) or have to be healed less (STR debuff). If you are specced in runecarving and are grouped with a darkness-specced RM or a spiritmaster, pulling with a cold debuff is a good option. You can still go for the kill shot with a couple of nukes at the end. Another note about nearsight:
In a group, you generally want the tanks (warriors, thanes, even skalds) to get the attention of the target before you start nuking. This is because, in a group, you are usually fighting orange, red or purple-con creatures that can squash you like a bug if they get into melee range. It therefore is vital that as a Shaman, do not DoT or DD a target too early in the battle. For most orange or red con targets, 1 DoT will do when target is at 3/4 or less life, and will save your mana for the next encounter. A purple con target may require a combination of DoT’s and DD’s but do so as a last resort. Remember, the more damage done and/or damage healed by the Shaman that is greater then the damage delt by the tank will result in aggro. To be safe, always make sure your tanks are using a “Taunt Style” every swing in melee combat!
