threat - threat is what causes a creature to attack a target. the tank needs to generate enough threat to keep the mobs / boss attacking him. dps also need to make sure they do not exceed the tanks threat on the target. example: i am a dps, who is new. i cast lots of high threat spells during a boss fight. the boss turns around and kills me because i had more threat than the tank. since no one else had more threat than the tank the boss re-focuses of him again. and i have to sit down and watch everyone fighting because i am dead.