wow dk tank

FluffySheep · 8 Apr 2010 at 21:14

I have been looking about for a talent and glyph spec for my dk. I want to be moving through the normal dungeons moving onto heroics. I have already got 540 def and about 22k hp without buffs from anyone else (using blood dps spec).

Google brings out loads of different answers so I'm asking here who has a dk tank and gets on well with it as I am confused.

Ta in advance

FluffySheep

Dark_Angel · 8 Apr 2010 at 21:19

...........

Google has tons of advice. So does elitist jerks.

The spec's pretty obvious TBH, like VB, and so on.

I will warn that blood tanking's a bit harder because grabbing threat and so on. Use the right rune enchant too.

But, as a warning, DK tanking is changing HUGE over the next few months (in cata's release) so... meh.

Personally, I've got 2 DK tanks, and I really can't be bothered to play them anymore. They frankly are either the worst, or second worst tanks, especially in 5 mans unless you're really really good. Mostly because their lack of block, paladin tanks though are just stupid. They barely take damage in 5 mans.

In raids it's different, but frankly, I'm not liking the IT agro changes, the lack of AOE taunt (which is retarded) and other problems. Hopefully some of the changes changes in the expansion will fix it, but right now, I wish I'd rolled paladin. (Though currently I've quit).

Vampire · 8 Apr 2010 at 21:49

Dark_Angel said:
They frankly are either the worst, or second worst tanks, especially in 5 mans unless you're really really good. Mostly because their lack of block, paladin tanks though are just stupid. They barely take damage in 5 mans.

I had a DK tank, and I got tired of playing him as I got so much abuse from people while trying to tank heroics.

I rolled a druid healer, and used the dungeon tool to lvl from 55 to 80. During that time, I healed many many tanks, and DK's were by far the hardest. As you say, Paladins hardly seem to need any healing. Often when I had a Paladin tank to heal, I'd switch out of tree during the trash and help DPS, very occasionally throwing the tank a HoT.

Druid and warrior tanks were also really easy to heal, but DKs were a nightmare. They just seem to have a much harder job holding aggro on multiple mobs (so you have to heal everyone else in the group constantly), and also seemed to use my entire mana pool every trash pack pull.

FluffySheep · 8 Apr 2010 at 21:58

I have looked onto google for advice, but there isn't a single *do it this way* route and I am getting confused. Looks like I will be staying dps then. I'm ready for 10 mans, now just need to find a suitable guild/party to do it with.

Fluffy

Dark_Angel · 8 Apr 2010 at 21:58

Vampire said:
I had a DK tank, and I got tired of playing him as I got so much abuse from people while trying to tank heroics.

I rolled a druid healer, and used the dungeon tool to lvl from 55 to 80. During that time, I healed many many tanks, and DK's were by far the hardest. As you say, Paladins hardly seem to need any healing. Often when I had a Paladin tank to heal, I'd switch out of tree during the trash and help DPS, very occasionally throwing the tank a HoT.

Druid and warrior tanks were also really easy to heal, but DKs were a nightmare. They just seem to have a much harder job holding aggro on multiple mobs (so you have to heal everyone else in the group constantly), and also seemed to use my entire mana pool every trash pack pull.

I could hold agro, but if you got a retard DPS you're going to have a "fun" time as blood.

Pretty much DnD, IT, PS, Pest, BT, BB usually works, but if your BT is on cooldown.... hmm. Other option is DnD, BB, then IT, PS.

It's not fun though, at level 20 something with a prot paladin I was leveling, it was stupid easy. I can even solo like 10 mobs + on my own, because I can heal myself and the shield blocks so much damage.

Even DK DPS is sucking right now compared to what it's used to. I rerolled to warlock mid way through ulduar, and then that got nerfed and changed to. I then leveled on a different server as a DK Blood tank, and found it too frustrating a class now. It's fun and unique abilities are gone, with the reputation destroyed by to many terrible people. I can understand about not being the best, but I've had arguments with other DK's who are telling me blood can't tank, as they're DPSing in FROST presence. Each time a DK joins a group, it's like the hunters of wow now. People actually think you suck before you've done a single damn thing.

shahpor · 8 Apr 2010 at 23:16

Pally tanks For The Win

I know I am biased, but I honestly believe Pallys are the best tanks in the game.

That being said, I did try the new IT in Frost presence and was amazed by how much threat it generated?

I was pretty much doing DG, IT and the DnD and had no trouble holding agro with my dps gear.

Although I will admit that was single target and did have some trouble come multi mob time.

In the end, I resorted to selecting each mob in turn and casting IT one at a time

As for DK tanks, Dark Angel is right. So many changes coming soon that is difficult to say what is going to be good.

If you want to know what to do now, Elitist Jerks has all the info you could need.

Owenb · 8 Apr 2010 at 23:43

FluffySheep said:
I have looked onto google for advice, but there isn't a single *do it this way* route and I am getting confused. Looks like I will be staying dps then. I'm ready for 10 mans, now just need to find a suitable guild/party to do it with.

Fluffy

That's because there isn't just one way to do it.
I quit WoW 7-8 months ago but if I was going back tomorrow here is what I would do: I would find some of the best DK tanks on the server(probably in the best guilds so just check the top guild roster) and check their builds. Make sure it isn't a DPS spec- should be easy to spot. Copy it, try it and see if you like it. If you don't can you make changes to improve it? Until you start to play a spec you really won't be able to understand what you read on forums about it.
BTW I think you only need 535 def for heroics 5 mans.

Teknobry · 8 Apr 2010 at 23:49

Wow, i haven't a clue what is going on in this entire thread, but it was just entertaining reading what to me is complete gibberish, lol

ck88 · 8 Apr 2010 at 23:52

Teknobry said:
Wow, i haven't a clue what is going on in this entire thread, but it was just entertaining reading what to me is complete gibberish, lol

hahahahaha likewise, i was like wtf!?!?

Dark_Angel · 8 Apr 2010 at 23:53

Teknobry said:
Wow, i haven't a clue what is going on in this entire thread, but it was just entertaining reading what to me is complete gibberish, lol

Basically IT, PS and DnD (and so on) are abilities / spells.

Defence rating is needed to reduce the damage enemies can do (stop them from critting you).

Threat is simply how angry the enemies are at you. Tanking means you take the damage from the mobs rather than the others (you protect the group).

FluffySheep · 9 Apr 2010 at 00:06

lol - I can speak gibberish (and I understand it too!)

I like my dps spec, chucking out plenty of damage (clearing 2k dps with most items about level 200 to 219. Here is a link to my char:

Bonus mark if you can translate this gibberish char name

Yeah, I know I need to do enchants, but with not dying in 5 man heroics I can hardly see the point as I change probably 1 piece of kit each day.

Fluffy

Dark_Angel · 9 Apr 2010 at 00:34

Well, for a start I've noticed you're using DW in blood, which is about as much use as chocolate fireguards.

It works on weapon damage, and 1h's aren't going to cut it for blood. DW is for frost only.

Second, you've got some tank gear. Next, you're using AP, only use that if needed. You really want strength. Haste is also pretty damn useless for DK's too.

2K of DPS isn't high, as a tank I'm usually higher than that (single target with average gear, or well above that with decent gear).

A note though, rather than gearing up now, I'd ask yourself this - is it worth it? In a few months, any gear and any progression will be worth about the sum total of 0. If I were you, I'd level another class up to 80 ready for cata.

That way you can choose whichever of the 2 is in best shape for the expansion, PLUS you can start saving up cash. It was what I was planning to do before I quit after I'd rerolled to a different server (thus creating my second DK tank).

If you want to tank, consider leveling a paladin. If you want a DPS, consider either a mage or a rogue. I say this because, quite frankly, pures do more damage, and paladins are currently easier to tank with.

The main problem I've got with DK's is - people have bad experiences in grouping with them, and write them off. Second, Blizzard changes them EVERY patch, usually for the worse too. Seriously, reading forums of most classes and you get "I want xxxx for my talent" with DK's they're instead asking "well, we want to actually play roughly the same for 2 patches in a row!".

FluffySheep · 9 Apr 2010 at 00:44

Dark_Angel said:
Well, for a start I've noticed you're using DW in blood, which is about as much use as chocolate fireguards.

Noted. I have a 2 handed axe in my bags. Ill get it out and skill it up.

Dark_Angel said:
A note though, rather than gearing up now, I'd ask yourself this - is it worth it? In a few months, any gear and any progression will be worth about the sum total of 0. If I were you, I'd level another class up to 80 ready for cata.

That way you can choose whichever of the 2 is in best shape for the expansion, PLUS you can start saving up cash. It was what I was planning to do before I quit after I'd rerolled to a different server (thus creating my second DK tank).

I also have a lvl 80 lock, boomkin and BM hunter as well as a 38 rogue, so I'm generally waiting for cata to appear and grinding on my rogue's rested exp. As for cash, I have 23k gold and climbing. Mmm, nice

shahpor · 9 Apr 2010 at 00:51

Oh, is it show and tell? Can I show mine off?

http://eu.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Thunderhorn&cn=Velco

Currently doing about 7-8k dps in raids.

And listen to what Dark Angel is saying cause he speaks the truth. DW = Frost only.

Having said that, I think you might be a little pessimistic when it comes to gearing for Cata. After all, they have already stated that the basic stats won't change, so as long as you go with Strength items with a little crit and hit, I think you will be ok for Cata as well.

As for DK that keep changing, like I said in the other thread, I think they are pretty well normalised now and it is just annoying that Blizzard keeps feeling the need to keep changing them.

Dark_Angel · 9 Apr 2010 at 01:08

shahpor said:
Oh, is it show and tell? Can I show mine off?

http://eu.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Thunderhorn&cn=Velco

Currently doing about 7-8k dps in raids.

And listen to what Dark Angel is saying cause he speaks the truth. DW = Frost only.

Having said that, I think you might be a little pessimistic when it comes to gearing for Cata. After all, they have already stated that the basic stats won't change, so as long as you go with Strength items with a little crit and hit, I think you will be ok for Cata as well.

As for DK that keep changing, like I said in the other thread, I think they are pretty well normalised now and it is just annoying that Blizzard keeps feeling the need to keep changing them.

I more mean as in the gear will be outdated quick enough at cata's launch.

Though, with stupid combos like Tauren paladins and night elf mages popping up, It'll be interesting. IMHO, We'll see a stupid amount of worgens come cata's release. But then I kind of can't blame people, as the whole 1 - 60 or so experience will completely change, with a lot of the zones and quests altering.

shahpor · 9 Apr 2010 at 02:27

True, I am not look forward to my gear becoming obsolete. Especially after the amount of hard work I have put into obtaining it!

I am sure there will be Worgen everywhere when it starts

I have a screenshot of Honor Hold when LK came out and there is nothing but DK's as far as the eye can see.

I am deliberately keeping my Shaman at level 17 so I can level him when Cata comes out to see all the changes.

BaDBoY_uK · 9 Apr 2010 at 02:36

Honestly, what does any of this mean? Where are the helicoptors? Tanks? Gustavs!

Haha. Hope you get it sorted Op but couldn't resist posting!

Viper² · 9 Apr 2010 at 03:22

FluffySheep said:
lol - I can speak gibberish (and I understand it too!)

I like my dps spec, chucking out plenty of damage (clearing 2k dps with most items about level 200 to 219. Here is a link to my char:

Bonus mark if you can translate this gibberish char name

Yeah, I know I need to do enchants, but with not dying in 5 man heroics I can hardly see the point as I change probably 1 piece of kit each day.

Fluffy

You've got 83 emblems from heroics.. have you actually spent any on gear? It doesn't look like you have.

shaggyd · 9 Apr 2010 at 08:20

The main rules for DK gear are Strength, Armour Penetration then Attack Power is best for DPS, Stamina, Defence then Dodge for Tanks. Get gear with as much of these as you can.

Slow, 2-handed weapons are great for dps as they can dish high crit damage, especially with spells like rune strike. Slow, Dual Weapons are good for Frost tanks, as it gets the aggro up quickly and may have a chance of interrupting casts. But if they perform a critical strike, the damage may be low due to lower damage rating.

DK's generally get a bad reputation for performing badly in raids, hence the lack of want in parties. Stick with either dps or tank as a main role and concentrate your toon for it. I joined a guild which helped me sort out some issues with my Blood DK, (mostly rotations and incorrect selection of gear) to get the maximum damage as frequent as possible. One tip I learnt - Blood DK's dps is great for single target damage - Bosses. Also the amount of dps ramps up over time, which is why it can be compared as poor with other races during 5-man dungeons and multi-mob fights.