Controlling the Crowd: A Broadened Look at Crowd Control

Sparked by the discussion on the weekly poll regarding tanking as a form of “crowd control” as well as by a nudge from Merric and Goldenstar, I’ve decided to cover, in painstaking detail, all the forms of what I will now call “Controlling the crowd” (“CtC”) rather than “Crowd Control” to more readily allow tanking as an acceptable methodology.  In covering all the various options for controlling the crowd I will also let you know the type of situations that you would likely use that methodology, what restrictions it has as well as the benefits and drawbacks to using it.

Methods of Controlling the Crowd:

The Four “Classic” Methods:

Mesmerize/Daze (“Mez”)- This method of CtC renders the target completely useless. They do not move, they do not attack, in fact they generally can’t even hold their own head up. Sometimes appropriately referred to as “Putting the mob asleep”. This state is broken by ANY damage (even damage to power, Loremasters don’t draw power from a mezzed mob if you want it to stay that way)

Stun- Stuns, like mezzes, render the target completely harmless, however a stun is NEVER broken by damage. Stuns are generally shorter than mezzes and upon expiring the monster that was stunned receives a 10 second immunity to further stuns (this immunity does NOT prevent mezzes)

Root- Roots immobilize foes, locking them in place. Targets under the effects of a root cannot move but can use attacks if eligible targets are within range. Roots are very effective against targets that operate primarily in melee. Roots can be broken by damage but the break chance is not 100%

Fear- Fears function very similar to mezzes in that the target of a fear cannot use any skills, however the target will be running slowly away from the original point of origin of the fear. Fears are always broken by damage except where a fear is cast after the application of damage-over-time. Pre-existing damage-over-time effects only have a small chance of breaking a fear.

Some other “Creative” methods

Slow and Kite- This method entails placing a movement speed slow on the target(s) and running them about in circles, squares or any shape you see fit. The key is that while slowed, the monsters will be unable to catch you and do harm. This method also includes cases with the player is able to increase their own speed in lieu of decreasing enemy speed.

Self-heal and Kite- The movement of this method is similar to above. The chief difference here is that the person running the mobs around (“doing the kiting”) is able to heal themselves on the move to make up for the occasional hit they will take. With enemies on the move, they will get less hits in than they would standing still and thus the basis for this method and why it can work.

Tank-Kite- Again, similar in terms of movement to other “Kite” methods, the difference here is that the person doing the kiting is responsible to maintaining enough “threat”/”aggro” on the kited targets to allow a healer to keep the tank alive without turning the ire of the monsters onto the healer or, in some cases, the tank keeps enough threat to allow his targets to be damage by other players without changing target.

Off-tanking- Off-tanking is executed by using a spare “tank” to separate a specific monster or group of monsters in order to make dealing with the other portion of the monsters a bit easier. Depending on class and situation, off-tank may or may not require healing beyond their own self preservation skills.

Debuffing- Through use of debuffs, it’s possible to significantly reduce the effectiveness of  a monster’s attacks, controlling it’s damage and the danger to you and your allies.

“Blow it up”- This method is based on the “Dead men tell no tales” philosophy. If there is a very dangerous monster giving you trouble, there’s little that’s more finally effective than throwing everything in the arsenal at it and making it dead fast.The “Blow it up” method is a concerted effort by everyone in the group to provide as much damage as possible in as short a time as possible, as such, I won’t highlite any specific skills by class for this methodology as everyone already knows what skills do the most damage. This method is endorsed by the Shing-Shing club

Class by Class CtC Aptitude

Burglar:

“Classic” Method Skills and Abilities:

*intelligent refers to the following species: Orc-kind, Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit, Dragon-kind, Ancient Evil, Unseen, and Dead.

1. Riddle -  A Mez usable on dead, men, orcs, goblins, ancient evil and drakes. This is the bread and butter of a burglar’s “classic” control abilities. This can be improved, by the trait Perplexing Riddle, to include a 5 second stun at the start of the mez. Can also be lengthened by slotting at least 3 traits in The Mischief-maker traitline.
2. Startling Twist- a long stun, useable every 45 secs, requires there to be a trick on the target.
3. Small Snag/Quite a Snag- A single target root skill at the end of the burglar’s “crit chain”. Being at the end of the crit chain makes this root a bit trickier to access than other options.
4. Gamble Mezzes from Mischievous Glee and Provoke- Mezzes of varying length depending upon luck, chance for a mez to happen is also not guaranteed at all times, depending on traits and other situational factors, odds and results vary. Mez from mischievous glee requires burglar to be slotted at least 4 traits deep into “the gambler” trait line. Provoke mez require the trait Leaf-walker and a stealth condition (either sneak or a stealth effect from Feint attack.) It is worth noting that these mezzes have no species restrictions the only immunity to these mezzes is absolute immunity.  Beasts, insects and creatures of nature are very restricted in terms of mezzability so these two mez options are handy for those species, when available.
5. Stun Dust- A burglar-specific consumable on a 10 min cooldown that stuns the target for 5 seconds.
6. Exploit Opening- This is the burglar’s main fellowship maneuver (aka “conjuction”) starting skill, not to be overlooked is the fact that it’s also a 5 second stun. Even if the target has fellowship manuever immunity, it can still receive the stun.
7. Trip/Tanglefoot (improved Trip)- This is the burglar’s second go-to skill for starting a fellowship maneuver. Useable only from stealth or after using Improved Feint Attack. Just like exploit opening, this also carries a 5 second stun.
8. Exposed Throat- This skill, at the end of the burglar’s crit chain has a 20% chance of opening a 6 second fellowship manuever and stun.
9. Marbles- Another burglar class-consumable. Marbles cause a 6 second fellowship manuever and stun. Marbles have a 10 minute cooldown.
10. Diversion- Diversion allows the burglar, while in stealth, to make a monster turn his back to the burglar for 10 seconds. This will also cause pathing monsters to stop moving (and this is why I listed it here). By stopping a pathing monster at an opportune location, it may be possible to separate it from other nearby monsters.
11. Confound- confound will, after 10 secs daze 2 nearby targets for 30 seconds each. When improved by the trait, Confound the Fools it will daze for first stun for 5 secs then daze for 30 secs, it will also hit an additional 2 targets.

“Creative” Method skills and abilities:

1. Dust in the eyes- this debuff applies 20% miss chance but more importantly, it also applies a 25% run speed slow for 30 secs. Dust only has a 5 second cooldown. Dust can be improved by the trait, Trickster, to hit up to 3 targets. Slowed monsters = kite-ability.
2. Caltrops- A burglar class consumable that hits up to 5 targets, applying a 25% run speed slow and a bit of damage over time. This is another case of slowed monsters = kite-ability. Caltrops have a 10 minute cooldown.
3. Touch and Go- This skill gives the burglar +50% to evade for 30 seconds. This level of evasion allows the burglar to do some relatively hefty tanking for a short time.  Burglar can also reset the cooldown on this skill by using Escape Clause or Ready and Able.
4. Find Footing- After being stunned, dazed or knocked down, this skill restores some of the burglar’s morale and gives them an evade buff equal to that of Touch and go. This skill is also reset by Ready and Able and provides the potential for extended tankability on a burglar.
5. Enrage- this debuff causes the monster to attack at random. This is an effective way to distribute damage incoming to the group that is getting too focused on one target. When improved by the trait, Blind Fury, enrage becomes even more powerful, rendering most ranged attacks unusable for the target.
6. Disable- This debuff decreases the enemy’s attack speed as well as their melee damage, rendering them far less dangerous. Improved by Disabling Attack, disable will cause an even larger reduction in attack speed and melee damage.

Captain

“Classic” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Routing Cry-  When improved by the trait, Turn of the Tide, this captain defeat response becomes a 4 target stun.
2. Kick- When slotted at least 3 traits deep into the Leader of Men traitline, this interrupt skill has a 10% chance to cause a Fellowship manuever and stun.
3. Coordinated Attack- This pet skill (used on all 3 banner-bearing “Herald” pets, not used on the archer) has a chance to stun.

“Creative” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Muster Courage- When improved by the trait, Strength from Within, this skill serves as a self-heal for the captain. This self heal can be used on run and therefore can help facilitate a “Kite and self-heal” method.
2. Make Haste- this temporary, fellowship-wide run speed increase can help facilitate or at least make temporarily easier all of the various kiting methods.
3. Last Stand- This skill allows the captain to become unkillable for a short time. It can help facilitate tanking and kiting methods.
4. Pets- Just a general term for captain’s heralds and archers. In a pinch, a captain pet can make a good temporary tank. They won’t likely last much past 30-40 seconds, but sometimes that’s all you need.

Champion

“Classic” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Sound the Attack/Horn of Gondor- Sound the attack is a 5 target, AoE stun. With the trait, Mighty Blast, it becomes, Horn of Gondor which hits an additional 3 targets and cannot be blocked, parried or evaded.
2. Crafted Horns- Champions can get crafted, reusable horns made by a woodworker that give the champion the ability to stun up to 6 targets for a base length of 5 seconds (improveable to up to 10 seconds via legacy on rune). Crafted horns are on a 15 minute cooldown.

“Creative” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Hamstring- A run speed slow. Excellent for facilitating kiting.
2. Sprint- A temporary run speed boost, helpful to get some distance between self and a kited target.
3. Dire Need- A potent self heal that consumes half the champion’s power, doubling that power into a morale heal. This skill can help in a pinch and give the champion more breathing room in an offtanking situation.
4. Bracing Attack- A small self heal on a short cooldown. Very helpful for offtanking situations.
5. Sudden Defence-  Greatly increases the champions ability to avoid attacks for a short time. Excellent for offtanking.
6. Adamant- Reduces the amount of melee and ranged damage the champion takes for a short time. Great for offtanking.

Guardian

“Classic” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Bash-  This “block chain” skill will stun the enemy for 3 seconds.
2. Shield-smash- This “block chain” skill follows a “Bash” and, like bash, stuns the enemy for 3 seconds.
3. To the King- This “parry chain” skill will cause a fellowship manuever and stun on critical hits.
4. Turn the Tables- Upon being stunned, knocked down or dazed the guardian can shake off the status and in turn apply a 5 second stun and fellowship manuever to the offending enemy.
5. Overwhelm- This Overpower skill has a chance of applying a 3 second stun.

“Creative” Method Skills and abilites

***I’ve intentionally left off survival/tanking abilities for guardian as that is their normal class roll and they will be the one doing the main tanking with healing focused on them and therefore that skill set needn’t be highlighted here***

1. Engage- Normally used for it’s aggro-grabbing property. This skill also applies a 25% slow to the target (and a 15% slow to the guardian, a 10% net speed advantage). Though the speed debuff is only 15 seconds and not sustainable, it will allow the guardian to get a  lead in a single-target kiting, scenario.
2. Charge/Brutal Charge- a 50% speed boost for 7 seconds. Good enough to get a lead over anything being kited.
3. Stagger- This overpower skill will allow the guardian to put a 25% slow on the target if the skill is used from behind -OR- lands a critical hit. This runspeed slow is potentially sustainable. This is excellent for aiding others in kiting and still an option when the guardian itself is kiting.

Hunter

“Classic” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Set Trap - A hunter can use this skill to lay a trap on the ground that will root the first enemy to walk through it.
2. Rain of Thorns- This skill allows the hunter to root multiple targets in place for 30 seconds.
3. Crafted Traps- There are several different types of traps, crafted by weaponsmiths, that hunters can use in and out of combat to root the foe(s) in place. A good hunter shouldn’t leave home without some.
4. Bard’s Arrow- This shot will send the enemy running in fear for 15 seconds. Only works on things that are aligned with evil (example, Wargs are evil [they serve saruman/sauron], wolves aren’t evil, they’re just hungry). Common non-evil targets will be found in the beast, nature and insect categories. Can be improved by the trait Strong Intimidation to fear for an additional 5 seconds.
5. Cry of the Predator- This shout will send an enemy BEAST running in fear for 10 seconds. Like Bard’s Arrow, may be improved by Strong Intimidation to fear for an additional 5 seconds.
6. Distracting Shot- This shot will daze the enemy for a short time. Daze duration can be increased to 30 seconds using the legendary trait, Explosive Arrow.
7. Penetrating Shot- When slotted at least 4 traits deep into the “Trapper of Foes” traitline, this normally high-damage skill becomes a root.
8. Dazing Blow-  This Melee skill allows the hunter to apply a 5 second daze to the enemy.

“Creative” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Quick Shot- When in strength stance, quick shot will apply a large, although short, run speed slow to the target, helping to facilitate kiting methodologies.
2. Set Snare- A hunter can, while out of combat, set a snare that will slow the runspeed of the first enemy to pass through it, like every other slow, this helps facilitate kiting.
3. Low Cut- This hunter melee skill will apply a 50% run speed slow to the target for 10 seconds, this is sustainable via a 5 second cooldown on the skill. This is an excellent option for slow and kite scenarios.
4. Barbed Arrow- This hunter bleed skill has a 10% movement speed slow that can be easily maintained. A great option in assisted kiting scenarios especially when the person kiting can build threat on the move.

Loremaster

“Classic”Method Skills and Abilities

1. Blinding Flash- This is the bread and butter mez not only for Loremasters but in LOTRO as a whole. It lasts for 30 seconds on only a 15 second cooldown. Easy to maintain. Does not work on Creatures of Nature and Dead.
2. Light of the Rising Dawn- This damaging skill also applies a 3 second stun to the target.
3. Test of Will- A 5 second stun on a 1 minute cooldown. Longer than most standard stuns, useful for making useless an enemy that is being damaged.
4. Bane Flare-  A 15 second daze that works on Dead only. First 5 seconds of daze are unbreakable, after 5 seconds, breaks on any damage like a standard daze. 5 Targets.
5. Storm Lore- Stuns up to 3 targets for 3 seconds. (can be improved to 8 targets with the trait, Deep Lore)
6. Ents go to War-  This legendary skill deals massive damage and stuns up to 5 targets for a very cool 6 secs. One of the best overall stuns in the game. 5 minute cooldown. Cooldown may be reduced to 2 minutes by slotting at least 3 deep in the Master of Nature’s Fury traitline.
7. Herb-lore-  Roots up to 3 targets (8 with Deep Lore) for 30 seconds.
8. Cracked Earth- This skill places a debuff on up to 5 targets that will root them for 30 seconds when the debuff expires (expiration occurs after 5 or 10 seconds depending on traits).
9. Fan the Flames- This eagle skill will put  15 second fear on a target under the effects of “Burning Embers“
10. Bursting Root- This bog-guardian skill has a 20% chance to apply a 6 second fellowship manuever and stun to the target.
11. Bear Hug- This bear skill will cause a 3 second stun.
12. Throat Slash- This Sabre-tooth skill has a chance to put a 6 second fellowship manuever stun on any target that is “Flanked!”
13. Staff-strike- When improved by the Master of the Staff trait, any criticals from this skill will result in a 5 second stun on the target.

“Creative Method” Skills and Abilities

1. Burning Embers-  this damage skill also applies a 30% run speed debuff which is excellent for facilitating all kiting methods. Slow is maintainable.
2. Sticky Tar-  This allows the loremaster to leave a tar spot on the ground. When enemies try to move through the tar they are slowed by 50%. This tar can be kept down approximately two-thirds of the time. This is one of the best slows in the game and as such, is immensely helpful for kiting.
3. Fire-lore / Wind-lore / Frost-lore- These “lore” skills debuff the target(s)’ Melee, ranged and tactical damage outputs respectively. Damage debuffs can be key in making off-tanking possible or at the very least, easier.
4. Distraction-  This raven skill functions very similar to “Wind-lore” in that it significantly reduces the target’s ranged damage capabilities. When used in conjuction with “wind-lore” it will actually reduce the target’s ranged damage so low that it will become more likely to engage in melee combat.
5. Pets- Just like the captain’s Herald’s and archers, Loremaster Pets are good temporary off-tanks (when traited properly the Loremaster’s pets can actually take a pretty good beating before running into trouble).
6. Gust of Wind- this damage skill also increases the target(s)’ miss chance. More misses=easier tanking/off-tanking.
7. Sign of Power: Command / Sign of Power:See All Ends-  These “signs of power” reduce the targets attack speed and critical chance respectively. These debuffs are a great survival aide for anyone tanking or off-tanking.

Minstrel

“Classic” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Cry of the Valar- This cry will fear the enemy for 15 seconds. Does not work on anything that is not aligned with evil (example, Wargs are evil [they serve saruman/sauron], wolves aren’t evil, they’re just hungry). Common non-evil targets will be found in the beast, nature and insect categories.
2. Song of the Dead- This song will daze one of the “Dead” for 30 seconds. Good for DEAD ONLY. Can be sustainable with a legacy to reduce its cooldown.
3. Song of Distraction- This song will make a monster harder to pull into initial combat. You can get much close to them and even pull other monsters who would nearly cause the affected monster to come also and the monster will remain there, unaffected. While this isn’t 100% a pure CC skill, it functions like a permanent daze if the proper cautions are exercised (don’t hug it and don’t hit it).
4. Piercing Cry- When improved by the trait, Unrelenting, this high-damage shout will stun the enemy for 5 seconds upon a critical hit.

“Creative” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Anthem of the Wizards- This anthem will slow the the run and attack speeds of up to 3 targets. Great for helping with either kiting or with off-tanking. Not at all sustainable though.

For more info on minstrel crowd control read: Goldenstar’s Minstrel Crowd Control post.

Rune-Keeper

“Classic” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Shocking Touch- This skill allows the Rune-Keeper to mez the target for between 5-10 seconds. When improved by the trait, Confounding Principles, this daze will last 5 seconds longer, increasing it’s duration range to 10-15 seconds. Skill has a 20 second cooldown time.
2. Vivid Imagery-  Similar to shokcing touch, except that it mezzes up to 3 targets at a cost of being on a longer Cooldown of 5 minutes. When improved by the legendary trait, Perfect Imagery, it increases the mezz duration by 5 seconds and drops the skill cooldown to 3 minutes.
3. Armour of Storm- While this is active, anytime the Rune-keeper takings melee damage there is a 30% chance that the offending target will receive a 5 second daze.
4. Shocking Words- This damage skill has a chance to apply a 5 second stun. The chance of application is 7% times the current damage attunement number.
5. Winter-storm- This CLASS TRAIT gives all “fury of storm” skills a 5% chance to apply a 5 second stun to any enemy under the effects of writ of cold.

“Creative” Method Skills and Abilities

1. Chilling Rhetoric- This skill will slow the enemy by 70% for 10 seconds. Slow is removed upon damage. Slowing, as always is great for enhancing kiting scenarios.
2. Distracting Winds-  This will slow the enemy by 50% for 10 seconds. Unlike Chilling Rhetoric, this slow doesn’t end upon damage, however the skill has a 3 minute cooldown.
3. Armour of Winter- Melee attackers have a chance to be slowed for 5 secs after attacking you when this skill is active.
4. Word/Essay of Exaltation- These skills can reduce incoming damage by 40% for a short time. This can aide in tanking/offtanking in a  pinch. Short durations limit effective long-term use.
5. Healing Skills- The Rune-keeper’s arsenal of Heal over Time skills that are useable on the move are a great tool for surviving while kiting.

Warden

“Classic” Method Skills and Abilities

1. The Boot- this fun interrupt gambit also has a 25% chance to apply a 5 second mez.
2. Ambush- this fight starting javelin skill will stun the target for 5 seconds. Must be used outside of combat.
3. Boar’s Rush- This 4-length gambit will daze for 5 seconds on critical hits.
4. Desolation- This 5-length fist gambit has a 25% chance of fearing any monster under its’ influence (max 3 targets) for 2 seconds, chance reapplies every 4 seconds for a duration of 16 seconds. When improved by the legendary capstone, Way of the Fist, the chance is increased to 50% and the targets are increased to 6.

“Creative” Method Skills and Abilities

***I have included Warden Survival/tanking abilities since their specialty is self-sustained OFF-TANKING which is a slightly different flavor than main tanking, warden’s can still main tank but their skills are more conducive to off-tanking***

1. Hampering Javelin- This Javelin Toss will put a 30% run speed slow on the target. Can be sustained with the combined effects of a hampering javelin duration legacy and the trait, Expert Hurler.
2. Avoidance Gambits- Defensive gambits such as, Defensive Strike, Dance of War, Wall of Steel and Shield Mastery make the warden difficult to harm, giving them an edge in any sort of kiting/offtanking situation.
3. Self-Healing Gambits- Warden’s have an amazing ability to heal themselves  over time with gambits like: Persevere, Safeguard,  Celebration of Skill and Restoration. Wardens may also steal morale from nearby foes with gambits such as: Fierce Resolve, Resolution, and Exultation of Battle. All these things combined make a warden a perfect, self sustaining off-tank (if self sustaining is at all possible with the target.). No other class can maintain self heals anywhere near as effectively as the warden (barring RK, but the RK doesn’t have the defensive advantages that the warden does either).
4. Conviction- One of the most recognized gambits in all of Wardendom… this gambit steals threat from every member of the fellowship and places a considerably potent heal over time on them. This is a great tool for the warden to pick up loose monsters and to maintain aggro on them. A skilled warden will have learned how to use conviction on the move via use of the “masteries” (Master of the Fist, Master of the Shield, Master of the Spear). This is how wardens can kite many targets at once and still maintain their attention through damage and healing.
5. Morale Leeches- Wardens have 3 Gambits that can steal morale from up to 10 targets each. The use of these gambits can help facilitate survival both in tanking/offtanking roles and in kiting (when built using masteries). These gambits are: Fierce Resolve, Resolution, and Exultation of Battle.

Wow! I Never Realized That There Are THAT Many Ways to “Control the Crowd”

Yeah. There is no lack of CC or ways to CtC in any group. The key is learning when and how to use each key skill in order to accomplish the end goal of rendering the enemy far less effective than they would be if left unchecked. Everyone can lend a hand in helping with the role that is classically known as “Crowd Control”… Now that being said, the above lists and charts are clear evidence of why Lore-masters, Burglars and properly traited Hunters are the ones usually called about to perform the bulk of this role, they simply have more tools.

How Can I Make Good Use of My  Crowd Control Skills?

One thing about stuns, dazes and fears that people often overlook or forget about is that even if the target of said effects is being hit (and therefore the effects, except stuns, will be broken very quickly) the effect(s) still serve to disrupt the combat sequence and cause the target to spend far more time recovering from effects than actually causing harm. Knowing this, I challenge you to use your stuns, fears and dazes more often, especially on targets that are being hit (assuming there isn’t a target being kept away that you’re supposed to help manage) so as to disrupt their skill cycle and give yourself a greater edge.

Dude!? Who’s Breaking My Mezzes!?

Ever wondered who keeps breaking your mezzes, fears and roots?  There is actually an option in “Combat options” that will tell you in your chat box who broke what type of combat status. Once you’ve figured out who’s breaking it you can help them understand that you don’t want them hitting that target right now. The option is called: “Display Combat State Break Notices in Chat Window”.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re a CC Purist or a CtC Visionary, there is one undeniable truth… There are a lot of ways to deal with numerous enemies and success can come down to creative use of little known and little used skills, tricks, abilities and tactics. Next time you think your group “doesn’t have any crowd control”, think again. If this post/guide/article (who knows what to call it at over 4500 words /shrug) was helpful or interesting to you, it might be worthwhile to check out a post I did last year called: Alternative Methods: Crowd Control.