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Spread Does Not Mean Leave the Fight

Core rule

Spread means reduce enemy AoE value while staying connected to your job.

It does not mean abandon the fight, stop healing, stop supporting, or stop pressuring.

Bad spread

  • DPS walks two screens away and cannot hit.
  • Healers leave the danger lane and heal only safe players.
  • Supports retreat with the backline while forward players die.
  • Tanks run first and leave the zerg without a front.
  • Everyone "spreads" into a new clump.

Good spread

  • DPS takes side angles and keeps Q/W pressure.
  • Healers cover the likely bomb area and the return path.
  • Supports drop tools on the active movement lane.
  • Tanks stop the counter path and are last out when needed.
  • Players spread in multiple useful directions, including forward when safe.

Spacing depends on intent

"Spread" does not always mean move as far away as possible, and "group" does not always mean stack on one tile. Good spacing depends on what the group is trying to do in that moment.

  • If the group is crossing, players need to create room for the next wave while staying close enough to support it.
  • If the group is pressuring, players need angles that let them deal damage without giving the enemy a free clump.
  • If the group is resetting, players may need to move as a unit so healers, supports, and tanks do not get separated.
  • If the group is committing, players need to enter enemy space without all stacking on the same body.
  • If the group is baiting, players may briefly show pressure without fully giving the enemy a real clump.

The important question is not only "are we spread or stacked?" The important question is:

Does our spacing help our current job, or does it give the enemy free value?

The key mental shift

Red name tags are information. They are not automatic danger.

If the enemy just spent cooldowns, is being chased by another front, or is low and trying to escape, walking toward them can be safer and more valuable than backing into a friendly clump.

Role responsibilities

Role Spread question
DPS Can I still hit something valuable?
Healer Can I still heal the danger area?
Support Can I still cover the active lane?
Tank Am I preserving the front or leaving first?
Caller Did my spread call include enough direction and intent?

Training drill

During VOD review, every time "spread" is called, freeze three seconds later. Mark each player as:

  • useful spread
  • too far / left the fight
  • still clumped
  • wrong side of terrain
  • connected and pressuring