Tankbuster
A Tankbuster is an incredibly powerful attack typically targeting the player with the most enmity. These attacks deals tremendous damage, and most non-tank jobs are unlikely to survive it. Should you be targeted, your defensive abilities can help keep you safe.
Tankbusters are often indicated with a high-pitched sound and a red arrow pointed down with some sort of marker encircling the tank, but are sometimes only indicated by the name of the enemy's spell or a visual tell.
The official name for these indicators are "Lethal attack markers", but this term is rarely used colloquially.
Types
Standard Tankbuster
The most common type, indicated with red rings encircling the tank and a chevron pointing downwards. Tanks should use some form of mitigation and healers should be prepared to respond to the incoming damage.
AoE Tankbuster
Will look similar to the standard tankbuster indicator with the addition of a solid red area on the ground originating from the tank. Players must move away from the targeted tank to avoid being hit.
AoE tankbusters in older duties do not display the red area.
Some AoE tankbusters in newer high-end duties will not display the red area (indicating the exact AoE size) but will have a red ring that expands and contracts, indicating that the AoE size is untelegraphed.
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Circle AoE Tankbuster (most common) -
Conal AoE Tankbuster -
Untelegraphed circle AoE tankbuster. The outer red ring expands and contracts.
Caution Tankbuster
Will look similar to the standard tankbuster indicator with the addition of a yellow-and-black striped ring akin to caution tape. This typically indicates a line AoE or cone AoE aimed at the tank, but can also indicate a circle AoE tankbuster as well. Players should avoid standing near the marked tank entirely, as the AoE size is usually not indicated.
Shared Tankbuster
A circle stack marker with a red coloration and a variable number of orbs above the targeted tank. The requisite number of tanks must position themselves inside the ring to share the damage.
An example of this is Twin Pom Meteor in Thornmarch (Hard).
In high-end duties, a common strategy of dealing with these is to simply have one tank take it solo with an invulnerability cooldown.
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A shared tankbuster requiring 3 tanks. -
A multi-hit shared tankbuster intended for 2 tanks.
Tank Tower
This tower usually combines the visual indicator for a tankbuster with the tower itself. It requires one or two players and deals a very high amount of damage, usually only allowing a tank to survive the attack.
Some older high-end duties do not display the tankbuster indicator on tank towers.