More tanking changes for warriors
by Matthew Rossi 
Feb 16th 2010 at 2:00PM
This is interesting to me for two reasons. First, because it's a fairly rapid statement of intent compared to past issues, where months could pass before anyone would address an issue (Thunder Clap only hitting four targets, for example, which was a huge problem for warriors for most of BC) and secondly because it highlights the domino effect that changing class abilities can have and showcases just how difficult class balance really can be. They knew even when they were making the change to Devastate that this might be necessary, but they understandably wanted to roll out any changes in an incremental way.
My expectation is either a threat buff for Revenge (which, frankly, isn't really all that interesting a change), a DPS increase (which isn't likely) or perhaps a small bit of AoE viability like a cleave effect. That last bit would be a good way of adding some AoE bite without replicating the paladin model which we've already been told is a touch over the top.
Filed under: Warrior, Analysis / Opinion, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Ccab Feb 16th 2010 2:07PM
Do warriors even tank anymore? I never see them.
paragorillabear Feb 16th 2010 2:35PM
It's SO hard that it becomes stressful.
I have an 80 Prot Warrior, and I can barely force myself to do the Heroic daily
(even though I desperately need the gear upgrades -- have you ever tried gearing a tank at 80? -- that's fricking hard too)
especially when I often end up with at least 2 dps who are easily hitting 5K
I'm glad that Blizzard is recognizing that something is a bit off with Warrior Tanks. It's one thing when we're shown up by Pallys, but when Every Spec of DKs can tank better than warriors, something is wrong.
Beldoro Feb 16th 2010 3:23PM
I threw a comment up before on another thread about tanking, but there are stats out there that show Warrior Tanks are the most popular for progression guilds.
Warrior tanking is alive and well and I would say (against the above comment on 'being hard') that now more than ever Warrior tanking is easier to do and infact the result of which is the buff to Revenge. Rotations are now effectivly three buttons - Devestate, Shield Slam and Shockwave - as we dont really need to bother with Revenge or Concussion blow.
clundgren Feb 16th 2010 3:51PM
I'm in a progression guild; our #1 tank is a warrior, and a damned excellent tank. Our second tank is a druid, and usually our offtank is a paladin (sometimes we swap in a DK into one of the roles on magic heavy encounters). We find that the warrior and druid are great at eating the big hits to the face, while the paladin is far better at controlling adds, etc.
To be honest, I kind of like the way tanking is right now, for raiding at least, with viable roles for each class.
Heroics are another matter of course, and I can see how if that is mostly what you do, you would see paladin tanks as hugely OPed. Most heroic runs are mindless AoE-fests as everyone races to top the damage meter, and a paladin tank is ideal.
paragorillabear Feb 16th 2010 4:01PM
Clundgren, thanks for refining my QQ (and frustration) into something more rational. What you said about Heroics is spot-on.
As a single target tank, I have no prob whatsoever. It's the lack of a powerful AoE threat generator like Consecrate or DnD that makes running Heroics with 5Kdps"BurnSquads" unpalatable (and stressful) for me.
Turtell Feb 16th 2010 5:34PM
@paragorillabear
Usually vigilance and a bit of tab targeting fixes my issues with big AoE threat producers. Heavy use of taunt as well.
@Beldoro
TC Demo Shout heroic strike cleave. Concussive blow and revenge deal a lot of threat and are great CC. Shield block (specced and w/ 4pc T9 = 30 Sec CD) also comes in to play frequently. Most fights, even trash have caster mobs with spells to interrupt/ reflect.
If you were implying a 3 button spam-fest then you're wronge, there's much more to it than that, and if you weren't then I apologize for the misunderstanding.
A1CYancy Feb 16th 2010 9:04PM
Actually blue posters responded about high-end guilds having warrior tanks in a post about tanks getting switched out. High-end guilds are using warriors not for superior tanking abilities but because high end guilds tend to be well established and have long term members. The tanks in those guilds started out as warriors because pre BC there really wasn't another option. Now those same warriors are still tanking. While this is not bad news, the bad news is with people like Para. New warriors and casual guild warriors. Only mildly comforting is it that high end guilds still use warrior tanks, the truth is, it's frustrating to tank as a warrior.
Other tanks put in less work to put out more numbers, better AoE threat, and bring more to the raid. This is matters to PuGgers, who comprise an ever growing population in the game.
Irontoof Feb 16th 2010 2:10PM
It's still worth the 50% chance of a stun. I like stuns :D
Boydboyd Feb 16th 2010 2:13PM
^this
I use it often on my (still leveling through tanking BC dungeons) warrior. I find the stun is helpful on those pesky caster mobs.
Maybe a threat increase, maybe a cleave-like ability. I'm sure the developers will come up with something worthwhile and good.
Sqtsquish Feb 16th 2010 2:29PM
Blizz isn't concerned with trash and frankly no self respecting raider main specs for trash or for heroics for that matter.
Ongar Feb 16th 2010 2:32PM
Many Warriors have specced out of Improved Revenge in favor of other DPS increasing talents due to the Devastate hotfix. (Removing the stun chance) Also, improving Revenge's threat is mostly irrelevant because threat hasn't really been the problem, it's been damage done by Warrior tanks vs. other tanks. A bit of a silly concept, but the more damage your tank does can and will make a difference for some fights with enrage timers.
prairiedawg991 Feb 16th 2010 2:10PM
It's a sad truth.
Rod Feb 16th 2010 2:10PM
Revenge AOE damage sounds great. The warrior hits with both his weapon and shield causing a bleeding effect on every target, increasing threat generated and damage by 20 % for the next 10 seconds.
Ramco Feb 16th 2010 2:11PM
Revenge cleave. Yes please. And even better, make it hit unlimited targets.
Irontoof Feb 16th 2010 2:17PM
Like sauron's weapon swing? Every 6 seconds but it hits 50 people. Ohhh yes please.
Shot Feb 16th 2010 2:17PM
Do want
Arturis Feb 16th 2010 2:24PM
I dont think Sauron was Prot specced :P
Sqtsquish Feb 16th 2010 2:27PM
How would this help with boss encounters (which was the reason blizz wanted to make any changes anyway)? I don't know about you but as a warrior I don't have too much problem with trash. The reason that there MIGHT be a change is because blizz doesn't want warriors spamming one or 2 abilities endlessly on boss fights *like the other tanks tend to*
- in fact they have already said they DON"T like revenge spam and intend to get rid of it for Cataclysm. Classes as a whole are headed to a less-spammy direction and I for one am all for it.
Angus Feb 16th 2010 7:21PM
Lower devastate damage a small bit and make revenge like saber lash.
"Does X times weapon DPS, spread evenly out among the number of targets hit, max 3 targets."
1 target eats a lot more damage. 3 targets only eat so much, but it is AoE threat, interactive, and boom, instant coolness.
I still liked the idea of making devastate work to make auto-attacks cleaves. Having revenge do this instead might be worth it though.
ben Feb 16th 2010 2:44PM
i originally read it as More Tanking Changes for Unicorns...
i gotta stop drinking tea so much.