It is kind of disheartening to see so many people bashing dps classes by stating they are easy mode. I for one make it a point to play a dps class and gear them for defense stats as best I can.
I have played my share of MMOs *EQ2, CoH, WoW, Lotro, GW and Aion* and I have often received compliments on my attentiveness during combat. When the tank pulls incorrectly I am that so called "dps noob" that holds the excess mob(s) while things settle down. When the tank disconnects randomly or falls asleep during a late night raid, I make damn sure I am 2nd on the aggro meter so I pick up the slack. When the CC classes do their thing I am the guy who taunts right after so when the CC breaks the mob doesn't beat you into oblivion. Most tanks, even the good ones, do not do that from what I have seen.
Whether it is my rogue holding aggro through sheer damage alone on multiple targets or my Captain *lotro* going toe to toe with a endgame boss cause the tank went down, I come prepared to do more than just stand back watching the group go down when things go wrong. Considering most of the tanks I have played with from WoW can't tank to save their lives in other less forgiving games, I cannot understand how it seems to be a foregone conclusion saying DPS players have it simple. I can assure you, no one playing to win in a difficult situation has it easy, no matter what class you are playing. Especially if you are in melee range.
