[poopertropper]

So this might seem a bit odd, but I have question on tanking hard mode Thorim and exactly when and what to blow CDs on.

I understand the basic mechanic and that with every stack an Unbalancing Strike gets more and more dangerous. So with that my question is this:

Say the MT is at stack 8 currently with NO unbalancing strike on him. We know that in a second the OT is going to have to quickly taunt off the MT after he is hit with Unbalancing Strike. The question is, when does the OT blow a cool down? As soon as he taunts? If so, the cool down doesnt last as long as he tanks the boss until an new Unbalancing Strike hit the OT. So does the OT taunt and then simply wait a bit before blowing an OT? Rather is the MT blowing a CD before the OT taunts in order to protect himself from a gib from Unbalancing Strike?

I guess Im just a little confused as to when a cool down should be used. I understand that when stacks get past 8 things get hairy Im just unsure as to when the tank should receive the cool down. Is it just before he gets Unbalancing Strike or just as he taunts the boss off the other tank who receives Unbalancing Strike.

[Bulk]

I would think the best time to blow a cooldown is when you're tanking him just BEFORE the unbalancing strike in case thorim gets a hit off before the other tank can taunt. That's when you're most vulnerable in that fight by far.

[Mierzei]

Indeed, also healers should be aware that tank switch is incoming so tank that will taunt won't die due to lack of healing.

[Libertarian]

My guild just downed thorim hard. I was one of the tanks on the fight. I saved my bubblewall until 8+ stacks and would use right before he would cast unbalancing strike. Sometimes you can get lucky and totally miss it, which makes healing even easier on the fight.

[poopertropper]

Thanks so much guys. Im going to try this next week

[Regill]

Well it kinda depends if you mean ten man or 25. He hits quite a bit harder on 25.

Generally speaking, you need a cooldown running on any tank who is about to recieve an unbalancing strike after say 4 stacks.

Also, after about 8 stacks in 25, a tank needs cooldowns running constantly so long as he has aggro. Remember, not only does the damage per hit go up, but his attack speed goes up too. Save trinkets for later in the fight, last stand and abilities like it are good too.

Shield wall, icebound, guardian, etc are all well suited to surviving an unbalancing strike.

As someone mentioned make sure the healers know who is getting aggro next. Also extra healers have to swap onto the tanks as the fight progresses.

[Exitium]

Generally I use a trinket or a minor cooldown (shield block, Vamp blood, crossing your fingers for druids and pallys) before i taunt and when the timer comes down on dbm i blow my major cooldown...When he gets to 20% or so I have to start calling out external cooldowns before i taunt because he will just do too much damage for a healer to keep me up