Some interesting perspectives in the comments. I think the "bribe" offered by Blizzard is a great idea, but already I've been in a couple pugs with tanks who had no idea what they were doing (a druid and a warrior). I suspect those guys were trying to tank because of the bribes from Blizzard. Although they were probably trying their best, the fact is that it takes time to learn to tank successfully, and some of the nuances, especially regarding positioning, take time to master. I don't care how good a DPS or healer you are, it's quite a different thing thinking you know what a tank should do, and actually doing it. Call it "armchair quarterback" syndrome. Which leads to....

Tanks getting too much criticism. Nobody is perfect. Tanks have to learn each individual instance, and all the unique pulls and different mobs within. Many mistakes are made on the way to mastering an instance, and tanks get lambasted while learning the new difficult heroics in "starter" tank gear. I'm an experienced veteran tank, and have always been considered to be quite a decent tank (but not elite!). I've always loved tanking, but the new heroics are so damned hard that I've been loathe to persist, especially when others in the group are so demanding. But recently, as my gear has improved, I've begun stepping into heroics again. I usually get groups through LFG rather than running guildies. The reason? I use PUGs as a training ground. Yes, I take criticism sometimes after spectacular failures, but I'm upfront about my knowledge of the heroics and find that most people will give some leeway to a learner (although much of the time guys will leave immediately when I disclose that, lol...I don't blame them). But the main reason I tank PUGs isn't for the goody bag, but because I feel less guilt about a PUG wiping. When I'm tanking a guild heroic and there is a wipe I feel guilty as hell, although my guildies are generally very forgiving and supportive. The PUGs are my form of training, and it's the best possible way to train. Inadvertant pulls from DPS, CC breaking, weak heals, DPS opening up before I get threat established are things I never experience in guild runs..but in PUGs those things happen frequently. It helps me grow as a tank to adapt to poor play from the other guys and drag them, kicking and screaming if need be, across the threshold to success. If along the way I die a few times because I'm still learning the dungeon, then so be it. :D

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