In my new role as Asst RO, I'm going to constantly be searching for new prospects.   I think a good way to get a measure of people is to group with them and interact with them running Heroics, and FPS and stuff.   So I'm going to make some more (yes MORE!) alts, to keep at lower levels.  Since so many people run DPS at lower levels, I figure it'd be easier to match you with folks as a tank or heals.  (probably heals).  but I've never tanked except as shadow at endgame, and I'v never healed.

Having effectively no experience I'm looking for advise.  What advise do you have for what I should I do to tank and or heal in the 20-40 range?

Lowbie tanking is easy, just be a Sentinel! And for healing, just heal whoever is low on health!

As for tanking some abilities will generate more threat than others. Depends what tank you want to try out. As for healing they are all fairly simple in lowbie. Keep your stuff on the tank (Sage bubble, Scoundrel Medpacs, Commando Trauma Probe etc.).

With almost all of the under-50 content there's really no need for a tank if there's a healer. I think people would be much more appreciative to see a healer in their midst than a tank. Unless, of course, they're a healer, too. 

My two cents from having all the healer and tank classes for tanking, my personal fav tank is Shadow, followed by Van and then Guardian. I struggle for w/e reason on guard tank. Healing for me is a breeze on my scoundrel followed by my sage. Commando healing is good too. I've just not played it enough to comment.

Healing is tough at higher levels b/c of the multitasking it requires. Probably one of the toughest roles to play. For me, based on mobility, defense/dodge and emergency med packs/slow release med packs, I'd role a scoundrel and focus on them as your primary healer. Also, they have one of the most satisfying pvp moves, when someone is about the die, the b%$^& slap, which happens to give you upperhand for the quick heal and get out of dodge speed boost! Most peeps have already roled a sage. Having a sage/scoundrel healer combo is great.

Tanking on shadow at lower lvls is a bit easier d/t the number of aoe attacks, pulling from range, highest dps among tanks (used to be, not sure if that's still accurate) and none of the other tanks have the bad ass spinning kick that looks awesome when you b$^&! kick a mob.

Hope this helps.

Obi (maker of fine 168/31 cunning barrels since Jan 2014)

I have really been enjoying tanking with my 43 jugg, one of these days I'll put together an assassin/shadow and try out tanking on that class. As for advice I'd say to study the tool tips to figure out which abilities produce the most the threat. I'd also recommend the articles on dulfy.

For healing, I have a 37 sorcerer and I find that the bubble (I forget the name of the ability) is the most useful ability they have. Especially once you pick up innervate/healing trance. Personally, I find with keeping the bubble up you don't exhaust nearly as much force. For scoundrel, I find slow release medpac is so amazingly helpful. If you're finding your energy depleted to quickly remember to use diagnostic scan after a big heal. Just as with tanking I'd highly recommend the dufly articles too.