New Paladin (Wanna-Be-Tank)

[Novacaine]

Howdy, I have just recently hit 80 on my Pally and have tried my hand at Tanking. I seem to do ok with the regular 80 dungeons but when it comes to heroics...I really suck at holding agro and I seem to be "Squishy". Here's my Armory Profile: http://www.wowarmory.com/character-s...st&cn=Ravanous

Any advice on holding better threat would be greatly appreciated. I already know about the 969 rotation and what i use is AV, Con, HoR, HS, Judge, SHoR. I can hold threat against bosses with no problem, it's the multiple trash mobs I have trouble with.

[Harmacy]

Your spec is off, that's likely part of the problem. Touched by the Light is a crucial threat talent, because your Seals, Judgements, and Consecrate damage all scale with SP in addition to AP. You're also using some sub-optimal glyphs.

Try this setup: http://www.wowhead.com/talent#sZV0tAbuMusIufdxfMzbcGN

(You can take the points from Divine Sac/Guardian and go 3/5 Reckoning if you want, although it's a very small threat boost)

You should also go through your gems and get rid of the ones that aren't at least part stamina. I wouldn't bother gemming strength really, changing your spec and just getting more experience with tanking will be enough to give you good AoE control.

Getting the Triumph dodge libram would help a lot with staying alive in 5-mans (dodge is not so great against raid bosses, but is very nice for add tanking). So just keep at it, get more practice and keep collecting those emblems.

[Novacaine]

Thank you very much for the reply. I'll give that build a shot I know practice makes perfect but it's really annoying when group members are not willing to be patient

[theodisius]

Are you using seal of command on trash? That's the biggest AOE threat boost available. The sacred shield libram goes best with it (the 245 threat libram does nothing without SoV).

Run in, casting hand of reckoning, judge one - with seal of command it will jump to 2 more - then as they are grouped up use your AOE abilities: hammer, consecration & perhaps avenger shield. Normally you don't need to worry about 969 on trash in heroics - just prioritise getting aggro on everything.

Holy Wrath is a great AOE move against undead - which is virtually everyone in the ICC 5 mans. Where there is a caster stubbornly out of AOE (ICC 5 mans again), reserve your avenger shield for silencing them to pull them in.

Judging light might help if survival is an issue; ditto casting sacred shield on yourself if the healer is not as a pally (ie nearly always in a heroic). Always keep holy shield up and the mobs in front of you.

If the group is not patient, ask for 2 seconds before opening up on each pull. But get used to using righteous defence on them and hand of reckoning on loose mobs (the 2pc T9 bonus helps with that). With awkward PUGs, get used to marking a skull for each pull (keybind skull so you don't make them more impatient). Ask for focus fire rather than AOE for trickier pulls (the HOR gauntlet is one example - dps should focus fire on casters to quickly down them one by one while you hold aboms and taunt casters). If they are really annoying, just let them tank what they pull for a bit so they learn how to play. Often they are geared enough to survive, or the healer can keep them up, or the group can survive even if the errant dpser gets a repair bill.

[Novacaine]

Are you using seal of command on trash?

Yes, i use it on trash and when a boss is attacked I switch to SoV. I use JoW alot because of mana issues so the JoL is gonna be a bit of a pain to use. My self buffs are Sanc, RF, SoC/Sov but I still have mana probs for some reason.

[Chasey]

Yes, i use it on trash and when a boss is attacked I switch to SoV. I use JoW alot because of mana issues so the JoL is gonna be a bit of a pain to use. My self buffs are Sanc, RF, SoC/Sov but I still have mana probs for some reason.

One huge problem you could be having with threat is not having touched by the light in your talents. That extra aggro should help you.
Here is a GEM guide for you, take a second to look it over, and a talent guide.

One of the hardest skills to master at tanking in heroics is managing your mana, its a fine line of pulling to much to get to much damage and not getting enough mobs on you to get damage and mana back. You will get it and then you won't look back. I was always told....if you are out of mana you aren't getting hit enough or moving fast enough.
Best of luck.

[Novacaine]

Anyone have some advice for abilities to use? What do I pull with? How do I keep the agro once I get it?

[Lumines]

Read this and this.

If you're interested in why the rotation is optimal, I recommend the stickies in the Advanced Training section of maintankadin.