Notes from the beta

1. I am in love with Shockwave.
2. I like how critical block makes me want to swap to defensive stance to hit shield block to increase my next shield slam. Makes me feel as though defensive stance is for more than just flag running in PVP.
3. I've only tanked Dead Strat, Gruul's Lair (with an 80 warrior I might add), and Halls of Lightning - but the game feels faster without being easier. Which is really cool. I never felt like I had to wait for mana users (only once), but I also never felt like it was ez mode.
4. I am in love with Shockwave.
5. I like the new Shield Block mechanic. Instead of a "spam me or die" button its more of a mini "oh-crap" button that happens to have a really short cooldown. I find myself hitting it when I notice my rage bar is full, and last stand when my life bar is empty. Never realized that I felt that a full rage bar was analagous to high incoming damage outside of theory space, but my fingers seem to know this already.

Did I mention I am in love with Shockwave?

Sure; Cider's point of how they don't always fit the situation is true.

For instance: Dead Strat - zombies are incoming, you have a couple of them on you thanks to thunderclap (which is also rockin) and an elite or two. Hitting Shockwave could take out three zombies with one hit, but they weren't in a position where shockwave could be used.

But as a counterpoint, I found that this just made me kite and move more often. I found myself taunt kiting mobs all the time - I trusted thunderclap to keep the four or so on me, and dragged them to the incoming zombies, and then did a quick turn so that they were all in front of me and then I barbecued those mobs all in one shot I tell you.

THIS! IS! SHOCKwa...

Wait, no, that's getting old. But it does feel that cool I tell you.

So far, so good. Haven't been to Naxx yet in my blue/purp premade PVP gear so who knows if I'll still be so positive - but I have to say bravo bliz. I feel like this is warrioring still - but advanced to the next step.

Edit: one more note, didn't mention before.

I was wondering if Imp. Disarm was going to become a PVE thing due to the increased damage to target. Tried it out, bosses in Halls of Lightning are not disarmable. So, its a PVP talent imo. A cool one mind you, and I would love to put together a prot PVP build with it and Safeguard.

Titan's Grip right now allows you to equip a shield with a 2hander. Whoa!!! I have to play with this idea at some point. Improved slam build with shield slam equipping a 2hander and a shield anyone? 2h Imp. slam, 2h Imp slam, shield slam as a rotation? I say yes, yes, yes. I am dying to try this at some point, though I'm pretty sure I will be disappointed somehow.

I like Vigilance. I spec'ed for it, and sure enough there was a mage that was a bit of a flamethrower. Popped it on him, and he didn't take aggro after that. I also realized that now with Shockwave, new Thunderclap, and Vigilance - if a frost mage could freeze the mobs in front of me I think I have a shot at actually helping keep an AOE mage alive. WTB the thunderclap improving glyph! I mean how many times in KZ did we all watch the mages and warlocks tank the stairway up to Moroes while we uselessly thunderclapped and demo shouted?