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Will All Tanks Be The Same?

From Christiaan Briggs on FlickrBlizzard has made it no secret that there are some big tanking changes on the horizon in Wrath. On the surface this has all seemed really exciting. There are tons of new spells, abilities, and mechanics all around. They have stated they want all of the tanking classes to be viable raid tanks, meaning that the ability for Paladins and Bears to tank single targets will be greatly improved. On the flip side Warriors and bears are getting some great AOE tanking abilities that were the Paladin’s bread and butter.

As I first heard about these developments, I got really excited. As a Tankadin, I was getting the equivalent to last stand, shield wall, and shield slam. Mana problems will be a thing of the past, and during raids I won’t have to justify having a warrior main tank a boss instead of me (apologies to TRG’s warrior MT,  Jato). All these new abilities were incredibly exciting.

Here’s a quick summary of the exclusive abilities I have noticed that have now crossed over between classes:

Consecration – Both Thunder Clap and Swipe now hit unlimited targets, making them better for AOE
Righteous DefenseTaunt and growl now work at range as well
Holy Shield – Warriors will now also deal damage on blocks with Damage Shield
Last Stand – Lay on Hands cool down has been greatly reduced, making it much more useful.
Shield WallDivine Protection has been reworked to fill this role.
Shield SlamHammer of the Righteous is a new skill with a similar effect.
There are many more, I'm sure.

After the initial excitement died down, it occurred to me: are we all going to be the same? Are we losing class distinctions and individuality? It started to not sit right. I love being able to do things that warriors can’t do. I love being the "go to guy" when you want to beat the Shattered Halls timer by 20 minutes. It’s a great feeling to round up a 12 pull without breaking a sweat. And, I’ll admit, I loved being the underdog when it came to being able to tank the big raid bosses (and loved even more proving my guild wrong when I did). It seems like all this will be gone… I will no longer be a Tankadin, I will just be a tank. Perhaps these changes aren’t so good after all?

Now take this all with a grain of salt. I have not played the beta, so this may be all in my head, but I fear I may be dead on. Does anyone have any experience to prove me wrong? Are you as concerned as I am? Or is my concern unwarranted? I can’t say I’m completely sure myself.

Reader Comments (37)

curio,

Raid bosses wont crush anymore, so that is why certain abilitys appear to be nerfed. All tanks wont be looking to have that 102.4% avoidence/mitigation at all times anymore, however it appears paladins seem to get that post Naxx. Your shield Block also boosts the amount blocked by 100% !!!!

October 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKurtizzle

I just wanna make sure,
will warrior tanks get better in Wrath of the lich king?
Because in TBC they really, hmm... Sux, i think,
they got too low threat.

October 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJonatan

I am a warrior tank, and have tanked pretty far into BT. I have to say, from playing last night after 3.0 was dropped, I am stoked. Damage shield + enrage are my new best friends. Shockwave is awesome too for that initial AOE aggro and stack that with thunder clap and go into normal rotations and you are now an AOE tank.

I also noticed my damage output in tank gear is increased for burst damage since rage is now gained easier. Revenge also has a change to give you a free shield slam. I can't begin to explain how happy I am about all this.

I went out today, and AOE pulled mobs in my tanking gear and killed them almost as fast as in my DPS gear (both sets are epic t5 equiv + BT + Hyjal).

Anyways, with all that being said, there is NO WAY a warrior can have the same TPS as a Pally or a druid. We just have better ways to aoe tank now in the places were we don't have assistance from those two classes. I don't think any other classes of tanks should be scared. If anything, you should be happy!

October 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterBradley

I have to say as terrified as I was, after playing for awhile after Patch3.0 went live, I've seem to become a bit more powerful at my current level 59 Prot Spec'd Paladin, than I was pre patch. I still am not comfortable that I allocated everything optimally, and I ended up with a slightly different allocation in each tree than before, but it seems to be working okay, and I may adjust as time goes on.

I REALLY like that Holy Wrath is instant cast now also.

October 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterGarviel

I've tanked all my way up to level 70, as warrior. Even in the starting instances like blackfathom deeps or razorfen kraul, tanking has been pretty damn good fun. Even though it's a bit stressful at times, it's the most fun thing I've ever done in the time I've played wow.

Before the patch, warrior tanks HAD to change target like all the time, because thunderclap alone was never enough to keep aggro of multi shotting hunters and all that crap. That's what made it stressful mostly, but also most fun if you managed to do it right.

Now, I can pull with ranged, use charge, cast thunderclap and shockwave and keep using those two, and I can easily keep aggro off anything, while still shield slamming main target, of course. I feel a lot like a paladin without healing or blessings, being able to aoe, not having to worry about targets accidently running off to smash a hunter... OK, mashing the main target and dealing more damage is all nice, but I rolled a warrior tank because the "hardly any aoe thing" made it harder then paladins, so now blizzard removed that... what's left huh?

So... I can keep "crying" about that for ages, but after all, it's a game, have fun! I'll keep on tanking, not using shockwave so much because I love the switching target thing :D

(blizz really messed up shield block though)

October 16, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterRedscalp

This is a response to Nextgener. You are right ni the aspect that all tanks will have their strengths over other classes but warriors will NOT be the main end game tanks. I'm sorry but you are dead wrong. Druids in beta were leaps and bound above warriors and all other tanks for total mitigation earlier in beta and the recent nerf has normalized it all somewhat but since all the tank shave near equal total dmg reduction warriors will not be chose over any other class simply because they are a warrior. Just like paladins will not be the chose aoe tank anymore. Blizz has made the tanking game about character skill not about class chosen anymore. I am a little biased, being a bear tank, however, i can agree that a skilled paladin will aoe tank better than other classes of the same skill and a DK will take less magic dmg than someone of the same gear lvl and skill as well. But as for a normal tank and spank fight, it will be a toss up as to see who will tank. It can go to anyone and based mainly on gear level and skill with class being minimally important. Other factors being taken into account is threat generation. If the MT for a guild in BC was a warrior and he held agro fine that was good and dandy., people dealt with it bc they had the advantage over other tanks. Now in Wrath if a warrior cant produce a good amount of threat people can choose a different tank such as a druid. Druids will always be the highest single target producer in the game. This reason is because if they reduce our damage too much feral pvp will not be viable anymore. It's based on other coponents of the game too. Take every factor into account that dosnt even have to do with raiding. Now a warrior will have less threat for more total mitigation while a druid or paladin takes more steady dmg. The point of this rant is that what you say about tanks have their strengths is true, but only true to the point where gear and skill is equal.

Oh and one quick question. What do u mean by dps tank=druid? Because in my eyes that is a complete oxymoron. You do not tank to put out dps. And if you are tanking for the sole purpose of higher threat that means the other tanks arent producing enough threat and blizz has already thought that through by making total mitigation evenly distributed.

Anyhoo. Thanks for listening people. Cant wait for wrath.

October 21, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterdeathkar

God hates pally tanks. Durids ftw!

October 23, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterFeralface

I have loved the changes that have come with the recent patch, but I don't see a total homogenization yet. I may be pretty biased since I've played a prot pally the whole way up, but what I've seen so far is that the good parts of being a pally tank were given away without getting a whole lot back in return with respect to gaining skills of other classes. Everything being instant cast makes much more sense and if blessing of sanctuary were a person I would marry them and raise a whole litter of little blessings of sanctuary.

The new patch has opened up a lot of content that was originally just out of reach for my guild as we started raiding late in the game. Pre patch, we were just scratching the surface of Tier 5 getting down all of TK outside of Kael and downing Hydross and Lurker. Now we've totally cleared all of TK, SSC, and just downed all bosses in Hyjal up to Archimonde. As a pally tank, I am the biggest threat generator in our guild in raids. I peak at 3000+ tps greatly outdoing druids and warriors even when I'm not the one being hit. On the last phase of kaelthas our blessed warrior tank bit the bullet early on which left me to MT him the rest of the fight.

I greatly welcome the changes made and the few more incoming changes to the classes. I still believe there are enough differences between the tanks that they still have utility without being necessary tools. Can't wait for lvl 75 for the next beast in my tanking rotation.

October 24, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterTinneas

deathkar:

Well, it's pretty clear what Class you play. lol

Look, Blizz can change the the aspect of Any class to be Better in any given situation, but that doesn't mean they can just make Everyone a complete copy of something. Let me break down classes by there role from before expansions.

___________________________________________

Druid Tanks: A Multi Functioning Tank that could be acquired for any given situation (healer/dps/tank). Noted to be one of the most unique class in game, there ability to handle any given situations has made them one of the most viable PVE/PVP (mostly pvp in many aspects) Classes to note. With the only lacking function seeming to posses is a fear.

In BC: Continuing there legacy trough BC, Wars have been one of the most enjoyed Multi class type to have in Any given group. There Ability to maintain Aggro was nearly as good as a paladin, along with there DPS being Slightly above in end game situations. However, with the lack of a stat missing (block), being one of the few things causing a tank to become Uncrushable, they were denied most opportunity's to become end game tanks. Most people Defied this factor, and with hard work became noted end game tanks. The most Notable thing of a Druid tank is there High Health (doubling any warrior or paladin tank could ever dream of) made them almost presentable in anyway.

That being said, a Druid tank has always had Several stats required for tanking (dodge/parry/ap/stam) With most of there Ability's complimenting each other in such a way, each druid could customize themselves in multiple gear (as high as leather goes) giving there DPS Second to none to most Pally tanks, and almost around levels of nearly Warlock/Shaman DPS.

WOTLK: the words, OP, are not surprising around this time (you should have seen doomkins on the beta). Still remaining a Top DPs class, and almost all tanks becoming AOE tanks, makes them a near top healing class. Theres alot to note in the changes of mechanics to spells, however all classes have had a difference in this case. To note, Almost all class have AOE tank ability. However, only 2 classes Continue to use Shields. Mitigating all tanking ability's to the end.

To say "Druids can't End Game tank" because of this factor would be bias. However, as it has become more and more difficult to even out each class with it's own abilities/talents, the ability to seem almost the same in any situation is a given. However, once the time comes for the time comes, the difference will be notable as to what is required/needed for said situation.

As druids are Still Multi form situation handlers, Paladins are still Hybrid Crosses between 3 main classes, as tanks are War's are still (and will most likely continue to be) Meat Shields.

___________________________________________

Paladins Tanks: What can be said at this time that hasn't already been said. They can be a close range DPS class, a Healing class, or one of the greatest AOE classes in game and, if your experienced enough, a combo of the 2.

In BC: Mainly the Same. Most wanted (and needed in some cases) as a Healing And Tanking class (dps was lacking in ret though). Strong, versatile, and an improvement to mana control. The only issues noted? The requirement for a level of Spell control, at most times interfered with normal tanking stats, such as Strength/Stam. Therefore, a high level of gear was required for situations that required Tanking on bosses and becoming uncrushable. Yet still, because of there Amazing AOE capability, there requirement in Dungeons/Raids was almost Necessary at time (time trials being the main factor). However, even through tough situations, they prevailed to be the best tanks in this new expansion.

WOTLK: After being considered the Best, the thought of Change may strike Fear and dread in most paladins planning to become tanks in the upcoming expansion. This fear should soon be put to rest, as Although the mechanic may be the different, it's been improved to be, dare I say, Better.

The ability to survive long standing 1 on 1 combat has Drastically increased, allowing them to focus on the things the stats they weren't originally supposed to focus on. In this accord, Paladins can mock up to being Still, either the Best AOE/DPS Tanks in game, or match a War on 1 on 1 Survivability.

___________________________________________

War Tanks: Noted to be the best single target tank for End Game situations. Unlimited tanking aspects (rage) help through long winded fights that with the highest amount of dodge/block/parry rating.

In BC: The tanking mechanic was kept the same, however this didn't always turn out to be a good thing as most situations necessary for game progression called for high ends AOE. There were alot of conflicts with getting AOE tanks as well (pallys becoming top healers). So the mechanic was only truly needed up to a real end game situation, and where threat/ mitigation became strong around the highest level gear in game.

WOTLK: Threat mitigation has been partially sacrificed for more AOE capability's and DPS. In comparison, the modern Wrath tank can be called a Cross between a Rogue/Pally. Versatile and still with unending tank ability. There viability to survive in more PVE/PVP situations has Drastically increased (most people could say they finally fixed them), and there ability to over come any given situation has been evened out. However, though the mechanic may have changed, the Need for Stat Ability (block/dodge/parry) for situations in raiding has not changed. Being one of the best mitigation classes with an unending ability to hold there ground 1on 1 has kept the War tank as one of the most viable end game tanks as of yet. And will most likely continue.

___________________________________________

In short, Each Tank/Class has it's own Unique abilities that differentiate themselves from other class. It's Because of these differences that cause Any class to be Wanted in game. If the case was, "everyone should be the same" Then u could take a Shadow Priest over a Warlock to raid because he brings Buffs.

Each Tank will have it's Differences/Designs that make them Slightly different from other tanks. To the point where you can't say "Ones Better" or "Ones Worst". Just different in the designs that they originally had.

October 26, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterNextgener

I like the changes they made. I think I'll actually be able to enjoy leveling prot in WotLK with all that dmg. output. I think it will also make PvP more attractive, as a prot warriors used to just be annoying little distractions rather than fighting forces. Devestate, shield slam, devestate, enrage procs, sword and board procs, devestate = dead enemy!

I applaud Blizz for their changes to warrior, and I look forward to WotLK content =D

October 31, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterWesley

k0287bp671qrsnvz

November 12, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterTroy Moreno

I liked back before BC and after BC where warriors and paladins were tanks. When i go into a group and someone says we need a tank i look for one of those two classes. That is how i like it, it is just a pet peve of mine i guess you can say. Now with DK's out and every single person i have seen that have a DK and have tanked, now trying to make a prot warrior or paladin or a feral tanking druid is now pointless. Like every group i have been in. are just DPSing instances now.

Now with wrath out and blizz making it to were any class can tank an instant is just dont make this game fun that much anymore. i worked hard on my warrior. he might not be the best geared but i worked hard on tanking with him and figuring out how i am going to tank multiple mobs. Now with all that work i did with him was all for nothing. a warrior or a paladin or a druid might as well sit on the side lines and have one of the other classes tank now. since blizzard is making it that way.

I dont know what else to say on the subject, when i saw the video where a rogue took on mother from BT that is where i went like. hmmm.....well now a rogue can tank mother. just need the right stats. well with thoughs kind of stats he could also tank illidan stormrage and all the bosses in the game of wow.

December 28, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterGhroonar

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