[Delsin]

I'm not really sure how many new tanks use the default keybindings, and I am also unaware of how many top tanks (and others) use customised key-bindings. Regardless, I want to get it out there that you DON'T have to stick with the defaults.

When I first started playing wow, I (like most people) stuck with using the standard keybindings (which from here on will be known as KB, because I'm lazy :P) and using my mouse to click on abilities on the additional action bars. When I first started researching about different KBs, I could see the advantages, but I was also reluctant to discard the old default KBs.


The main advantage of having these customised keybinds is the increased speed of your reactions. The speed increase may not be that great, but that spilt second saved allowed you to hit that "Oh no" ability sooner saving your healer from becoming a stylishly clothed red smear.

Custom KBs may also decrease the chance of hitting the wrong button (well I know my custom KBs have). I know everyone out there has done it at least once, and its understandable in the heat of battle. But hitting the wrong ability (especially at the wrong place and/or time) may cause you to wipe.


But don't go nuts, keybinding abilities to just any old key. Do a little reseach. Find out what other players have done and adapt it to suit YOU. Its no use having KBs that you're not comfortable using.
Keep in mind that you want to move your hand as little as possible, whist still being able to activate the maximum and most used abilities. Remember the Shift, ctrl and even the alt keys as they can double the amount of abilities you can activate with just one hand.

Keep tweaking and refining your custom KBs and solo to try them out. And for the sake of a lower repair bill don't do an instance until you're completely comfortable with the new KBs.
To this day a certain Heroic Bot run haunts me. Outwardly I did a good job, but sitting in-front of the compuer was a neverous wreak trying to work out where, oh gawd WHERE did I bind my CHALENGING SHOUT?!

[byechee]

i wore out the alt key on my last keyboard cuz i used it so much

[Delsin]

Source: byechee i wore out the alt key on my last keyboard cuz i used it so much

Haha yeah. My "E" key gets a real workout everytime I tank as its assigned to Devistate

[Bosk]

The very best tip I could give anyone is to unbind 'R' from chat reply.

It helps for those awkward moments when you wonder why you aren't strafing out of the fire and see your chat window open:

To: (RandomDude)>EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE444444555666EEEE EEE

[xonk]

Source: Bosk The very best tip I could give anyone is to unbind 'R' from chat reply.

sadly I can only agree with that too ahah
I moved my chat reply to shift+r for that very reason.

[brain9h]

Best keybind ever, and one of the keys to my success as a tank: bind shield block to the mouse scroll.

Right hand - Shield block
Left hand - 2344, 2344, 2344
win

[bosephus]

Keybindings are definitely something to review often and tweak accordingly. I've seen other warriors that never use Disarm or forget to Concussion Blow or something else because they just don't have room for it on a binding and never remember to use it.