I've been looking through the logs from some of the instances/fights where we had DK tanks, and one ability that is noticeable by its glaring omission is Rune Strike (http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=56815). This ability is phenomenal for DK tanks (and of effect against Rogues in PVP). In the next patch, the damage is being reduced and threat is being boosted.
Man, I wish my warrior's Overpower (http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=7384) was that good. :)
Quote from: wildcard on Sat, 2009-01-03 : 15:14
Man, I wish my warrior's Overpower (http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=7384) was that good. :)
yours costs alot less.
I'd pay 20 rage for the DK equiv.
Quote from: wildcard on Sat, 2009-01-03 : 18:43
I'd pay 20 rage for the DK equiv.
as would 99% of every other warrior :P
Well, yeah, that's my point! Who doesn't want abilities that are better than what they have? :)
prolly pat
Rune Strike
Rune Strike is largely to make up for the fact that DK tanks are really penalized for failing to land attacks. For example if you open with a Plague Strike and get a miss or dodge, your rotation is thrown off and your threat will be lower.
It is dependent on a proc so that you have an incentive to hit other buttons and to make it less useful when doing dps. It is on next swing so that it doesn't tie up a GCD. It can't be avoided so that DKs who miss a Plague Strike and a Rune Strike aren't doubly screwed.
(Source) (http://blue.mmo-champion.com/26/14133724782-dk-is-rune-strike-dependance-intended.html)
With the changes in 3.0.8 (http://hordedefenseleague.org/index.php/topic,557.msg3235.html#msg3235), Corpse Explosion and Night of the Dead sound a lot better.
Removal of the cooldown from Howling Blast is going to make Frost spec tanks better able to hold multi-mob threat.
Unholy is wicked since it's AoE tanking, which is very much like Paladin tanking, so I am used to it.
Frost tanks have some nice DPS and mitigation tricks, but they seem... Stock? More of the same? I don't know - maybe it would be more fun at 80.
Blood tanking is very intriguing now, mostly since it's said it can not be done.
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=jbEGohhIobRtuVohxZcg
at level 79... After seeing a few Blood Tanks roar through 25 man content, it is even more intriguing.
Why take Butchery? Since as a tank doing instances, you are not as likely to get the killing shot. Wouldn't it be better to take Improved Rune Tap instead?
-Mark
I took it for the 2 Runic Power per second while in combat. DRB is a total RP dump so anything that generates RP is a Good Thing™, IMO.
That seems like a solid answer. You still have 1 point left when you hit 80. Seems like you could put it into improved rune tap though :)
Quote from: Acree on Tue, 2009-01-20 : 18:33
That seems like a solid answer. You still have 1 point left when you hit 80. Seems like you could put it into improved rune tap though :)
Keep in mind a tank should rely on his healer. If the tank is relying on Rune Tap to stay alive....
Certainly not. Though, spot healz can help both you and the healer. Plus, there is a glyph that allows your runetap to also affect members of your party as well. Its not a bad idea to have a type of oh shit button for emergencies.
A video that might shed some light on blood "tanking".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us2lBEb9z0k (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us2lBEb9z0k)
HardGay has been around a while, but very few know he is really a Death Knight of no small ability. In this he tanks for "RamenShop". An unorthodox rotation, to be sure.
Two builds:
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=jcEMqI0IsbotuIo0xZMg
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=jcEMVh0IsbRtuAZ0xZcg
The former has Improved Rune Tap. The "Oh, shit!" factor along with the synergy with Blade Barrier is nice.
The latter - a recommendation from another - sacrifices Improved Rune Tap and Dancing Rune Weapon for full Blood Aura and Blood Gorged.
I have read that Blood Tanks have no problems with Runic Power. I swapped out the points in Butchery and Scent of Blood for the TPS-generation of more damage. Two points are in Morbidity to give me the raid-buff of Hysteria and to move Death and Decay off of the cooldown cycle of the other abilities.
I need to check DRW and see if it adds to the tank's threat or has its own threat table.