Can someone help me understand tanking Venena?

Eh

Issues that went wrong: I'm getting targeted with attacks even though I'm out of range (although maybe I stepped a meter too close to Venena- because immediately prior to that someone died). Oh, and someone aggroed before I did, I don't know if that makes a difference considering the amount of MP aggro I generated in a couple of seconds.

Do I have to literally deal at least one attack on each mob (aka. towers) for them to register my aggro?

Edit, well upon further testing with mercs., I'm not grabbing aggro at all.

Ah, do you have to be in the attack range of the mob(s) to gain aggro from them?

The exact sequence of skills: Throw Dagger to Venena to Ad Lib a few times. Mercs getting aggro from Venena followed by death.

 

For me, I'll go for the towers first and spammed buff combo and stay there. I think if you generated enough aggro, both pillar will keep their lock on you
Also judging from your issue, I think either you got too close to Ven or some asshole approached her first. Try to not touch her on P1 until the pillars are gone since that will trigger her meteor attacks. Don't break her parts too since that will increase her def and flee significantly (unless you are farming mats on hard diff)

Also, the first hit is kinda a big deal for me, hitting the first pillar means you just generated significant aggro from the bosses in the whole room, but i believe spamming buff combo should be enough to retake it

Also, if your aggro combo is buff and can be used far from the enemy, you can take both pillar aggro and stay near the exit while spamming it since pillar only trigger their skill if the aggroed person near their range

 

Thanks. I learned earlier the person aggroed before me and died just as I got into position. Then noticing this, I panic and move a little causing Venena's attack.

Does aggro persist through phase changes?

I wish to vent my frustrations:
.
My tank is unique and well thought. It is KTN/Dagger, and is very discouraging to level, as well as to even be able to practice.

Earlier, as soon at that person died, seconds later a few people leave. Very disturbing.

The first time I join a pt. today, I get immediate kick.

If I'm not kicked, other pt. members leave.

If I am able to enter the battle, should I make one mistake, there is an outrage of humiliating comments from pt. members. It is very much pressure from the start. I do not have the general tank experience to act scoff and confident.

Reminds me of BB farm while I'm using my capped k_Mage with 1 hit Blizzard with buffs, support skills and songs. It is simply superior in all aspects. Urgh...

My tank- I can change weapon to Knuckle or Sword or Bowgun even, with Shield. I have the skills to do so. But I want practice I want experience and fun.

Allow me to explain the build so you can judge your own opinion.

Initially it had aimed for damage, but the dagger is necessary unless I'm well-versed with how much mana is needed to keep aggro. Dagger allows Astute and Spirit Dance at the loss of Two-Handed.

AGI/VIT, with heavy armor- the gear equates to around 6-7k atkspd. I can vaguely estimate I can inflict 6-8 auto attacks proration each second due to guard.

Mana is unlimited. Megu_megudachi can be spammed infinitively, although it is more of a panic skill.

Zantei is more practical, allowing persistent armor break on the target.

Sanctuary reduces all forms of damage by 90% if HP is below 55%. Kariki or Quick Aura. It's not really needed though just a buffer of defense, but good for allies.

Bouncing Blade will parry back your HP you take by a 1/1 ratio.

Paralysis and Javelin can be utilized. Bash scales with AGI, allowing for 100% rate.

Heal from a very large distance can be utilized at will. AGI also increases your Cspd (although you don't really need it with Spell Headphones).

Guard becomes around 60 with Sakura Dagger. You can increase it by 20 more pts with a specific low damage KTN.

But where is the damage? The damage comes from superior proration. &Garyou.

Garyou with conditions met will yield power +1000 with 100% pierce with a multiplier of 30. There's the defense buff afterwards, too. Just spam Bounding Blade; it might be faster than Ad Lib, haven't tested.

Well, it's not much, but the options available are more fun. Perhaps Tenyri can be used with prioer equip such as Oni Garb. I need more experience with this build to say much.

Sigh. Well that's my ramble. i need to level her up before Xmas ends as it's my merc. Spirit Shield of Navida's effect will end soon so I need to register it prompt.

Probably will just swap to sword/shild. Too much of a hinderance for now.

 

Yes, aggro persist in all phases
Sadly, that's what the majority of player base mentality, practicality above all. Most people don't really care about creative build, they just want a practical build that gets the job done asap, even tho sometimes different builds and weps can accomplish the same thing. It's best for you to find guildies or friends to help you level because I know what it feels like to get kicked out that fast when you just got invited. Personally, as long you can keep the aggro and not dying, it's ok to play as other classes that can do the job (Once i saw 2hs tank in Ven ult, and he did well)

Tbh, I have never seen how Kat+Dg performs and I assume you already have 100 crit on your kat.
Kat main power comes from double hand, its really hard to get it deal good damage if you use the dagger on it.
Your build already has 3 damage negating skills and armor break helps your dps but still, beware of multi attacks since all 3 of them can only block 1. Personally, I will never use Kairiki or Quick aura unless I can auto atk and really dry on mp, or when I about to use Garyou.
I'd keep my buff combo starter on ad-lib since unlike bouncing blade, you can use it everywhere and that's important to maintain aggro (depend on boss though)
Since you put your 2nd stat on Agi, I assume you already know which boss atk that inflict ailment and how to avoid it since you have no mtl
You can replace bash with maxed pommel strike, it's faster but it takes 2 skill to stun and cost 400 in total, your choice

I think your weakness is anti melee boss.
Maga and Zantei is expensive on mp, you can't really spam them too much like P.Def and god forbid if the boss loves to spam multihit atk that comes with frac dmg.
You can take power wave, but that will severely hinder you when you need to get close to boss since shukuchi will stop at power wave distance (You can use Triple thrust instead).
You can take decoy if you have enough sp, but if the boss kept running away from you, i think its better to use Kairiki and get close to their face.
Consider taking backstep also, that skill saved my ass from deadly fractional aoe

I only ever played as dps katana, but this is my thought about your skillset

 

Thanks for the advice. It's appreciated.

You mentioned pDEF. This reminds me, is the additional aggro generated from the skill applied to all mobs, or just the mob you parried?

 

Only for mobs that attacked you during pdef duration