Tanking Stats

[Broxigan]

Where do I need to be for Normal 70 instances? I am bouncing around 10k health and around 415 defense. I am aiming to knock out some quests/lower instances in hopes of getting more stam/defense before jumping straight into SV/SL/TK.

Unless I am ready for it. XD

Where do you guys think I should be bouncing at?

[Riffs]

I've heard 13k health and 490 def (pretty much uncrushable) are numbers to shoot for to start tanking Kara/Heroics. Riffs has a bunch of pretty easily obtained pre-Kara tanking gear and is pretty much at those numbers. Do a quick armory search and it'll give you some gear to look for. I'd post a link but the ol' work mods won't let me on the WoW website. I think I'm still missing a decent tanking chestpiece, though...haven't played Riffs in a while.

You should be fine for TK/Coilfang/etc., though.

[Akuje]

At 415 defense you will be hard to heal. Get into Durnholde for the ring, and grind out some COT rep, the Timwarderns pants are awesome. A must have. Do the quest for the Area 52 bracers, 3rd grade technicians bracers or something of that nature. Also, there is a camp to get a awesome trinket. At this point, hit rating isn't that important. First stat you must get is 490 defense, which now means you shouldn't run above Sethik halls.


http://www.tankspot.com/forums/gear-lists-rankings/31940-polar-s-easy-pre-karazhan-tank-gear-list.html

Thats a awesome list of what to get.

Search that site, I /love it.

[Kaldore]

I don't see why you'd have any trouble at all.

A great Tank community that I've seen produce some pretty well researched guides/gear rankings is Tankspot.

www.tankspot.com

[Broxigan]

lol anyone up for some Durnholds tonight? XD

[Karkarov]

If you have uncritable defence, your shield block goes high enough to stop crushes, and 13k hp unbuffed you are more than able to start 70 instances and some heroics. Back in the day you needed more but then back in the day heroics hadnt gotten repeated nerfs yet.

[Sabachthan]

You need a hunter you know where to turn. You need a priest, I might be willing to oblige in return for the loss of your tongue.

[Gorvena]

For a tank, expertise is more important than hit. But that will come later.

[Boulderdash]

http://elitistjerks.com/f31/t18771-protection_warrior_guide/

Learn it. Live it. Love it.

To answer the question, though, 490 defense, 12k hp *UNBUFFED* is what I consider the "Bare minimum" for starting Kara. For clearing Kara you should be up around 14k unbuffed.

As for mitigation, you definitely want to be sporting at least 30% combined mitigation between Dodge/Parry (again, unbuffed) without having to sacrifice much block rating or value.

[Sabachthan]

I like how you ask what's needed to run SV / TK, and everyone is so quick to tell you the requirements for Kara.

I guess the implication is that you shouldn't worry too much about needing anything special to tank non-heroic instances.

[Broxigan]

I like how you ask what's needed to run SV / TK, and everyone is so quick to tell you the requirements for Kara.

I guess the implication is that you shouldn't worry too much about needing anything special to tank non-heroic instances.

XD Yeah, I knew 460 and 13k was min for Kara. I was just curious how much of a suicide it would be to do the lower stuff, not heroics. XD At least someone understands me.

[Tillna]

Except MGT.

MGT you need a good tank, in Kara and Heroic epics

[Boulderdash]

Except MGT.

MGT you need a good tank, in Kara and Heroic epics

Or a prot paladin that isn't worthless.

[Gorvena]

Or a prot paladin that isn't worthless.
No such thing... ^.^

[Karkarov]

Like I said if all you want is regular instances get uncritable and as much hp as you can, thats it. Since all your upgrades pre kara come from mostly non heroic (or used to) you obviously wont need that gear to run those instances. If you are taking kara and heroics you want at least 13k hp unbuffed to start.

In the end getting as many badges as possible as fast as possible is your best bet since badges are just free t5 level loot these days.

[Moknim]

http://elitistjerks.com/f31/t18771-protection_warrior_guide/

Learn it. Live it. Love it.

To answer the question, though, 490 defense, 12k hp *UNBUFFED* is what I consider the "Bare minimum" for starting Kara. For clearing Kara you should be up around 14k unbuffed.

As for mitigation, you definitely want to be sporting at least 30% combined mitigation between Dodge/Parry (again, unbuffed) without having to sacrifice much block rating or value.


Don't listen to Boulder, he's an idiot. *ducks the 2300 DPS blades of fury* (I really am kinda proud to say I was there to see those numbers on recap)

In all seriousness Brox, I bet you would do fine - if I am on tonight, we can pull together some folks to try shattered halls or something (if it is too much, we can always stop the run).

[Akuje]

XD Yeah, I knew 460 and 13k was min for Kara. I was just curious how much of a suicide it would be to do the lower stuff, not heroics. XD At least someone understands me.

Again, get a really good healer, and do everything you can to
A. get to 490 defense(not 460)
b. Stack stam, don't worry about socket bonus, Solid stars in everything.

I'd lay off SL for a bit, SV may be doable, TK will eat you up right now. I posted that guide to show you how to gear OUTSIDE of intances, follow that, then you can get into the instances.

[Abric]

I like how you ask what's needed to run SV / TK, and everyone is so quick to tell you the requirements for Kara.

Time for some links! Let's forget Karazhan, and just focus on Crafting/Quest/Normal/Faction rewards. I won't list heroics, but there are a few good pieces in there.

Prior to the place which we have forgotten, I put my warrior Bevial through instance after instance, trying to get the best items. It is better you learn how to five-man tank before other things, because 5-man instances will teach you how to handle a large assortment of "oh shit" moments ... as well as tanking multiple targets and the added joy of letting DPS die, because they won't focus fire. But I ramble.

Quick Summary (For those that don't want to read)
Get the Faith in Felsteel (http://www.wowhead.com/?itemset=569) set and the Bold Armor (http://www.wowhead.com/?itemset=653) set. Those are going to be your 'core' pieces, where most of your defense and other assortment of asskickery will come from. Replace any Bold items with Felsteel items, though - as Felsteel is dripping in defense (93) while Bold just has a lot of varied stats.

Head
Crafted: Felsteel Helm (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23519) or Tankatronic Goggles (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32473) (Engineer)
Quest Rewards: Myrmidon's Headdress (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28180)
Instances: Greathelm of the Unbreakable (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27520) or Warhelm of the Bold (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28350)

Neck
Crafted: None, you slacker
Quest Rewards: Thalodien's Charm (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30378) (Aldor only) or Natasha's Battle Chain (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31696)
Instances: Steam-Hinge Chain of Valor (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27792) or Enchanted Thorium Torque (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28321)
or Shattered Sun Pendant of Resolve (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=34680) (Shattered Sun)

Shoulders
Crafted: Zero. Zilch. Nada.
Quest Rewards: Nexus-Guard's Pauldrons (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30291)
Instances: Shoulderguards of the Bold (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27803) or

Cloak
Crafted: Cloak of Eternity (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24253)
Quest Rewards: Cloak of the Valiant Defender (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29777)
Instances: Burnoose of Shifting Ages (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27988) or Devilshark Cape (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27804)

Chest (Don't Ask Vilmah about this, she doesn't know a thing about it)
Crafted: Breastplate of Kings (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28483) (Armorsmith; and arguable for tanks) or Heavy Earthforged Breastplate (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30074) (Blacksmith)
Quest Rewards: Breastplate of the Warbringer (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25819)
Instances: Jade-Skull Breastplate (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28262) or Breastplate of the Bold (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28205)
Faction: Vindicator's Hauberk (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29127) (Aldor)

Bracers
Crafted: Bracers of the Green Fortress (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23538)
Quest Rewards: Junior Technician 3rd Grade Bracers (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30225) or Sha'tari Wrought Armguards (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28167)
Instances: Jack Squat

Gloves
Crafted: Felsteel Gloves (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23517) or Gauntlets of the Iron Tower (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23532)
Quest Rewards: Area 52 Engineering Gloves (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30264) or Dauntless Handguards (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25788) (Alliance only)
Instances: Thatia's Self-Correcting Gauntlets (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28390) or Gauntlets of the Bold (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27475)
Faction: Gauntlets of the Chosen (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29134)(Scryer's)

Belt
Crafted: Zero
Quest Rewards: Girdle of the Lost Vindicator (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30380) (Aldor only) or Sh'atari Vindicator's Waistguard (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31460)
Instances: Zero

Pants
Crafted: Felsteel Leggings (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23518)
Quest Rewards: Legguards of the Resolute Defender (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29783) or Mag'hari Warlord's Legplates (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28175)
Instances: Legplates of the Bold (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27977) or Greaves of the Shatterer (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27527)
Faction: Timewarden's Leggings (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29184)

Boots
Crafted: Red Havoc Boots (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30031) (BoE Pattern, but found in SSC)
Quest Rewards: Flesh Beast's Metal Greaves (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29325) or Ascendant's Boots (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32866) (Netherwing-driven Quests)
Instances: Obsidian Clodstompers (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28318)

Rings
Crafted: None, you slacker
Quest Rewards: Wind Trader's Band (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30006) or Andormu's Tear (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29323) or Protector's Mark of the Redemption (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31078) or
Instances: Elementium Band of the Sentry (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28407) or Dath'Remar's Ring of Defense (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28265) or Band of Determination (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=34706)

Trinkets (yes, Trinkets!)
Crafted: Goblin Rocket Launcher (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23836) (Engineer) or Guardian's Alchemist Stone (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=35748) (Alchemist) or Figurine - Dawnstone Crab (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24125) (Jewelcrafter) or Figurine - Empyrean Tortoise (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=35693) (Jewelcrafter)
Quest Rewards: Regal Protectorate (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28042) or Dabiri's Enigma (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30300)
Instances: Adamantine Figurine (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27891) or Figurine of the Colossus (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27529) or Darkmoon Card: Vengeance (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31858)

Weapons
Crafted: Fireguard (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28425) (Swordsmith)
Quest Rewards: Pilfered Ethereal Blade (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30278) or Crystalline Kopesh (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25772) or Grom'tor's Charge (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31071) (Outstanding for orcs)
Instances: Shaarde the Lesser (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25964) or Terokk's Nightmace (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27980)
Faction: Warbringer (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29165) (Outstanding for orcs) or Inuuro's Blade (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=34672) (Shattered Sun)

Shields
Crafted: None for you!
Quest Rewards: Netherwing Protector's Shield (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31490)
Instances: Platinum Shield of the Valorous (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27887) or Aegis of the Sunbird (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28316)
Faction: Ogri'la Aegis (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32652) or Dawnforged Defender (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=34676) or Crest of the Sha'tar (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29176)

Ranged Weapon
Gyro-Balanced Khorium Destroyer (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32756). There is no other option - get it ... don't question the Gods of Meat Shielddom.

....


Ok, I think that's it. I think I missed World drops, but you already took two hours of my day from me. Two hours I think I could of probably linked something already made. Oh well, nothing like a refresher.

DOOM!

[Gorvena]

Red Havoc Boots are BoP.

[Abric]

Yep, but the pattern is BoE. So he can acquire the pattern if he (or anyone else) is a blacksmith.

[Broxigan]

Holy crap. XD Yeah, I mean 490, not 460 in my earlier post. My mind saw 9 when I typed 6. >.<

[Broxigan]

All right, just getting the Felsteel and some stam gems and such, I am now around 10,700 Health unbuffed and 455 Defense. Should be good enough to start, no?

[Akuje]

All right, just getting the Felsteel and some stam gems and such, I am now around 10,700 Health unbuffed and 455 Defense. Should be good enough to start, no?

You can start, just be sure you have got a good healer.

Did you see the pre kara guide? All of that gear is easy to obtain.

I just looked at your armory, that'll get you started, just bring a good healer and DPS that can throttle.

Also, go get the area 52 bracers... or buy some "of the champion" bracers.

[Korrin]

For most things non heroic or raiding it doesn't really matter, just get a group that isn't dumb and hooray collect your blues.

[Moknim]

Brox - you are now sitting better than the warrior who wanted to tank heroic ramps and then blamed me for not keeping up with him on a 3-pull.

[Broxigan]

You can start, just be sure you have got a good healer.

Did you see the pre kara guide? All of that gear is easy to obtain.

I just looked at your armory, that'll get you started, just bring a good healer and DPS that can throttle.

Also, go get the area 52 bracers... or buy some "of the champion" bracers.

Yeah. After dailies tonight to make up for the money I spent at lunch, I am heading out to do some of the pre-kara out of instance stuff if I cannot find a group. XD

[Boulderdash]

I guess the main reason most of us were responding with "here's what you need for kara" is because a good amount of the stuff you'd get for kara is from quests & crafted items, plus yes, some of those regular level 70 instances. It doesn't really take much in terms of stats or gear to tank non-heroic level 70s... so that's automatically where the minds went.

In all fairness the only real reason you need 490 defense is to be uncrittable. That's important in raids, when you're dealing with a boss that could potentially crit you for more than half your health. If we're talking normal level 70 instance bosses... you'll be hard pressed to find one that can crit any tank class for more than 1k damage, so as long as your group isn't completely dumb (healer wearing +damage gear & pvp spec, etc) you should be just fine with less than 490.

Abric's gear list is pretty decent. The 3 biggest and most easily obtained items are the Felsteel set. That's a great starter for tanks. Combine that with a Grom'Tor's charge and a level-appropriate shield (no running around with level 60 green shields. = P) and you'll do just fine.

You could also just go grind battleground honor & marks to buy some season 2 and tank in that as prot spec. It's more than sufficient for non-heroics as long as you're prot.

Honestly... the hardest part will be finding a group to begin with I think. Even as a tank, I can't imagine there's a lot of people wanting to do normal instances, and those that do are probably hoping to fall in with people who outgear the instance and just want to run it because they're bored.

Feel free to look me up if you're ever in need of a healer. I have a resto shaman I have been messing around with. He needs to get most of the group quests done... like the cipher of damnation, etc... so I'd be up to help you out on those if you wanted. Shaman's name is Lorr

[Ninorra]

Chest (Don't Ask Vilmah about this, she doesn't know a thing about it)

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff154/wfl_graphics/Funny/middle_finger_flame.jpg

[Boulderdash]

BTW a regularly overlooked alternative to Gyro-Balanced Khorium Destroyer is the arena ranged weapon.

Khorium Destroyer = 27 Stam, yellow socket

S2 ranged weap: 21 stam, 16 crit, 28 AP, 12 resil

It's significantly cheaper than the overpriced destroyers, has a good amount of stamina, and has some extra threat stats.

[Akuje]

BTW a regularly overlooked alternative to Gyro-Balanced Khorium Destroyer is the arena ranged weapon.

Khorium Destroyer = 27 Stam, yellow socket

S2 ranged weap: 21 stam, 16 crit, 28 AP, 12 resil

It's significantly cheaper than the overpriced destroyers, has a good amount of stamina, and has some extra threat stats.

But the Khorium can be socked with any solid gem, so thats +12 or +15 additional stamina vs. a very small threat increase.

My instance rules.
A. If the tank dies, it is the healers fault, save a CC not being reapplied by the DPS
B. If the Healer dies, it is the tanks fault, save a CC not being reapplied by the DPS, and the Healer is one shotted, the tank should not let a healer get hit twice.
C. If a DPS dies, it's their own damn fault, watch your threat meter, and Throttle back if you have to.

[Gorvena]

Ah, gotcha.

[Agnarr]

C. If a DPS dies, it's their own damn fault, watch your threat meter, and Throttle back if you have to.
This kind of bugs me. Not the "throttle back", but the threat meter. There is no reason that anyone needs a threat meter outside of a raid environment. It's a crutch for people that don't know how to play their character.
But in raids, yeah, everything needs to be perfect, so let the addons play for you.

[Broxigan]

All right. I bounced up quite a bit tonight.

488 Defense and 11.3k Health.

/dance

[Moknim]

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff154/wfl_graphics/Funny/middle_finger_flame.jpg

That made my day Vil.

On tanking, it will probably be easier for Brox to get the engineering gun (since he is an engineer).

And, sometimes the healer dying is the DPS's fault. If I have to chuck 3 big heals in a row on stupid DPS who grabbed aggro by not focus-firing and pull aggro myself, it isn't the tanks fault when i have 3-4 mobs beating on me, its the DPS's. Same when you are against a boss that summons adds - if the DPS doesn't burn them down and I get aggro, not the tanks fault.

[Akuje]

All right. I bounced up quite a bit tonight.

488 Defense and 11.3k Health.

/dance

Hurray! Almost ready for Kara! And if my run tonight didn't have three warriors I would make you come. Now, go hit SL and SV, and get the automaticsupmatic tanking pistol and throw a solid star of elune to give you the HP you need. :applaud:



And Moknim, I agree with your statement, but hopefully the tank is aware enough of what is going on, and can save that pull. And I also feel that DPS doesn't need heals. If they do, short of specific fights where a DPS may tank for some reason, they are doing it wrong.

[Broxigan]

And Moknim, I agree with your statement, but hopefully the tank is aware enough of what is going on, and can save that pull. And I also feel that DPS doesn't need heals. If they do, short of specific fights where a DPS may tank for some reason, they are doing it wrong.

Like last night in Shattered Halls. That ended up being a good run, but the warlock was Seed of Corruptioning everything and throwing dots up and pulling mobs before I had a chance to either devastate or Thunder Clap. x_x

[Akuje]

Like last night in Shattered Halls. That ended up being a good run, but the warlock was Seed of Corruptioning everything and throwing dots up and pulling mobs before I had a chance to either devastate or Thunder Clap. x_x

Lol, I have done Shattered halls once, on Akuje, on heroic, only to the first boss for the nightbane quest. I hate that instance..

But yes,that warlock needs to die a few times, then learn what he needs to do.

[Broxigan]

Lol, I have done Shattered halls once, on Akuje, on heroic, only to the first boss for the nightbane quest. I hate that instance..

But yes,that warlock needs to die a few times, then learn what he needs to do.

For the most part, I managed to keep things off the lock and Mok was about to keep me up...

...Even after the lock threw a dot upon one of the mobs in the first room and pulled about...4 groups. XD

[Moknim]

Lol, I have done Shattered halls once, on Akuje, on heroic, only to the first boss for the nightbane quest. I hate that instance..

But yes,that warlock needs to die a few times, then learn what he needs to do.

'Lock was doing it for rep (she was full epic'd) and was doing 50% of the DPS for the group. She died on her SoC-spam in the first room. From there on out I kept her up (as stupid as she was being, I wanted a fast run and sacrificing 50% of DPS would slow it down too much).

Brox did a great job, only aggro I got before the last boss was from a rogue (not Brox's fault). I think the S.Priest and 'Lock were trying to steal aggro the whole time, they were both playing it stupid.

And I was thinking of that run specifically when I posted about the healers death sometimes being DPS's fault.

[Abric]

Brokigan. If you know what is good for you - you need to come find me in game.

If you don't see Abric online - then contact one of the officers in the Grim and ask them for my alts. Just tell them "Only the Shadow knows."

That way, you are legit.