"How can you be a protection warrior at level one?" I hear you all asking. It's a matter of heart. Of drive. Of the mentality of a protection warrior.
Leveling from 1-70 while protection specced was a pain, but it allowed me to practice my tanking skills on the way to 70. I tanked everything from VC to Gnomer to BRD, on up through all of the Burning Crusade instances as I leveled through them. And now I find myself the warrior tank in my small guild of friends who is the best geared, and is one of the go-to guys when we do our ZA attempts.
Being prot at heart has its advantages.
Leveling from 1-70 while protection specced was a pain, but it allowed me to practice my tanking skills on the way to 70. I tanked everything from VC to Gnomer to BRD, on up through all of the Burning Crusade instances as I leveled through them. And now I find myself the warrior tank in my small guild of friends who is the best geared, and is one of the go-to guys when we do our ZA attempts.
Being prot at heart has its advantages.
I'm Back
Posted 01-12-2009 at 02:45 PM by Thireas
I'm back to my warrior. I'm back to tanking. And after a little gear, a slight change in spec, and an epiphany in terms of tanking trash, I'm good at it again.
The Gear
I got my Titansteel Shield Wall just as I hit 80. It was my only on-level epic for a while, and throughout the time when I was mostly just playing my shaman. Then I got my T7 Gloves from Obsidian Sanctuary (where I was a less-than-awesome off tank). After that, I blew a bunch of gold getting Tempered Titansteel Helm crafted. Still, I wasn't doing very well tanking.
It all seemed to turn around when I got my Armor Plated Combat Shotgun, though. Coincidence? Probably.
On the subject of the gun, I'd like to thank my guild. They were completely awesome, and very very helpful in the acquisition of this item. I had been farming Eternal Water, and had just finished my stack of 15 for the gun. I then got into farming Eternal Air, got about 5 of them, and announced in guild chat "Woo... only 10 more Eternal Air to go". After I answered their questions as to why I needed it, my chat window was filled with green text offering me Crystalline Air, and also a bunch of Eternals (two from one guildie - who goes by Wilyn sometimes, but is better known as Zigystardust - and two from another - Oltanya). Thanks all!
The Spec
I modified my spec just a little, but it's made a huge difference. I had never taken it before, but I now have five points in Cruelty, removing three from Puncture (which reduces the cost of Sunder Armor and Devastate), and two from Safeguard (which reduces the damage taken by the target of your Intervene).
Wow. In my debut with this spec - Heroic Nexus - I broke 1000 DPS for the first time ever (as a tank). I don't know how I ever tanked without Cruelty. It's crazy good.
The Epiphany
I'll just come out and say it. When tanking trash, Thunder Clap must go off every cooldown. Without fail. It is to tanking trash what Shield Block was to tanking bosses pre-WotLK.
It has a six-second cooldown, so that's approximately four abilities you can use between TClaps, depending on latency. So, usually, Shield Slam, Revenge... then depending on Sword & Board procs, and cooldowns of things like Concussion Blow and Shockwave, you can use one of those, or just Devastate. In any case, when you get that little flash of light on Thunder Clap, make sure you hit it. Seriously. It makes a world of difference.
The Plan
So, what now? Well, I might be going into Naxx tonight, depending on slots and rolls and such. That should get me the Emblems I need for the Chained Military Gorget, replacing an under level blue necklace. I was hoping to get to revered with the Argent Crusade before tonight, but I don't think that will happen (all I need is one heroic's worth of rep, so it's possible, but not likely). If I do get to run one, then I'm hoping for Azjol'Nerub, for a shot at the belt, as I'm still wearing Girdle of the Fearless. AN will also give me a shot at Essence of Gossamer, which would be a hot replacement for Commendation of Kael'thas.
So, that's where I am. I lost faith in the warrior tank for a while, mostly due to some bad runs, but I'm back, and I'm ready for action.
And now that I know the best way to tank trash, I can let my guild's pallies do it.
The Gear
I got my Titansteel Shield Wall just as I hit 80. It was my only on-level epic for a while, and throughout the time when I was mostly just playing my shaman. Then I got my T7 Gloves from Obsidian Sanctuary (where I was a less-than-awesome off tank). After that, I blew a bunch of gold getting Tempered Titansteel Helm crafted. Still, I wasn't doing very well tanking.
It all seemed to turn around when I got my Armor Plated Combat Shotgun, though. Coincidence? Probably.
On the subject of the gun, I'd like to thank my guild. They were completely awesome, and very very helpful in the acquisition of this item. I had been farming Eternal Water, and had just finished my stack of 15 for the gun. I then got into farming Eternal Air, got about 5 of them, and announced in guild chat "Woo... only 10 more Eternal Air to go". After I answered their questions as to why I needed it, my chat window was filled with green text offering me Crystalline Air, and also a bunch of Eternals (two from one guildie - who goes by Wilyn sometimes, but is better known as Zigystardust - and two from another - Oltanya). Thanks all!
The Spec
I modified my spec just a little, but it's made a huge difference. I had never taken it before, but I now have five points in Cruelty, removing three from Puncture (which reduces the cost of Sunder Armor and Devastate), and two from Safeguard (which reduces the damage taken by the target of your Intervene).
Wow. In my debut with this spec - Heroic Nexus - I broke 1000 DPS for the first time ever (as a tank). I don't know how I ever tanked without Cruelty. It's crazy good.
The Epiphany
I'll just come out and say it. When tanking trash, Thunder Clap must go off every cooldown. Without fail. It is to tanking trash what Shield Block was to tanking bosses pre-WotLK.
It has a six-second cooldown, so that's approximately four abilities you can use between TClaps, depending on latency. So, usually, Shield Slam, Revenge... then depending on Sword & Board procs, and cooldowns of things like Concussion Blow and Shockwave, you can use one of those, or just Devastate. In any case, when you get that little flash of light on Thunder Clap, make sure you hit it. Seriously. It makes a world of difference.
The Plan
So, what now? Well, I might be going into Naxx tonight, depending on slots and rolls and such. That should get me the Emblems I need for the Chained Military Gorget, replacing an under level blue necklace. I was hoping to get to revered with the Argent Crusade before tonight, but I don't think that will happen (all I need is one heroic's worth of rep, so it's possible, but not likely). If I do get to run one, then I'm hoping for Azjol'Nerub, for a shot at the belt, as I'm still wearing Girdle of the Fearless. AN will also give me a shot at Essence of Gossamer, which would be a hot replacement for Commendation of Kael'thas.
So, that's where I am. I lost faith in the warrior tank for a while, mostly due to some bad runs, but I'm back, and I'm ready for action.
And now that I know the best way to tank trash, I can let my guild's pallies do it.
Total Comments 1
Comments
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Well, let me be the first to say...Welcome back!
I know the feeling about bad runs...my main is a priest, and I rolled a warrior to assist in a guild need for tanks. After a couple of bad runs, my poor warrior was stuck at 73. But, here I am, after some awesome support from TS...I'm back on the warrior and aiming to hit 80 by this coming weekend.
Best of luck with your gearing. Don't forget the Red Sword of Courage from heroic UP. Superawesome tank wep, which I'm sure you know already. :P
All the best, KPosted 01-12-2009 at 07:44 PM by Krazen
