Blue Posts: Ghostcrawler returns saying no to warlock tanking spec

Ghostcrawler has returned to the forums, for at least one post in the beta section, to quell the warlock tanking talk that's been going on ...
Blue posts
Ghostcrawler -- Warlock tanks
Just to make our intent clear, the Glyph of Demon Hunting isn't intended to turn Demonology warlocks into a tanking spec. You won't be able to queue as a tank for Dungeon Finder for instance and won't have the survivability or tools of say a Protection paladin.
Historically, warlocks felt tankier than other casters and could even off-tank some encounters. We have made an effort in Mists to recapture some of that flavor. A warlock with this glyph should feel like they are about as effective tanking as an Arms warrior who pulls out a shield and swaps to Defensive Stance, or a Feral druid who goes into Bear form. You might be able to off-tank adds or pick up an actual boss for a short period of time if the tank goes down.
To make warlocks an actual tank would take more significant changes. For example, we want tanks to have to pick up separate tanking gear than their DPS gear (this is even true of druids) and want tanks to have to give up some of their DPS potential in exchange for their survivability. In short, it needs to be a commitment, and that's the sort of thing that needs larger gameplay changes than just a glyph.
That shouldn't stop the glyph of Demon Hunting from being fun though. As you can probably tell, we are trying to make even the major glyphs more about character customization and fun.
Historically, warlocks felt tankier than other casters and could even off-tank some encounters. We have made an effort in Mists to recapture some of that flavor. A warlock with this glyph should feel like they are about as effective tanking as an Arms warrior who pulls out a shield and swaps to Defensive Stance, or a Feral druid who goes into Bear form. You might be able to off-tank adds or pick up an actual boss for a short period of time if the tank goes down.
To make warlocks an actual tank would take more significant changes. For example, we want tanks to have to pick up separate tanking gear than their DPS gear (this is even true of druids) and want tanks to have to give up some of their DPS potential in exchange for their survivability. In short, it needs to be a commitment, and that's the sort of thing that needs larger gameplay changes than just a glyph.
That shouldn't stop the glyph of Demon Hunting from being fun though. As you can probably tell, we are trying to make even the major glyphs more about character customization and fun.
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Reader Comments (Page 7 of 7)
Shrikesnest Mar 27th 2012 11:43AM
This isn't about "sucking up" to GC. You know, he used to talk to the community a lot until a bunch of angry assholes gave him a permanent stress headache. If you want feedback from the devs, maybe don't shit on them every time they tell you something unpopular.
There was NEVER an official announcement that warlocks could tank. An early version of a glyph was datamined, people jumped to, frankly, shortsighted conclusions, and then the community went buck ass wild. GC stepped in before it got too far out of hand (keep in mind this info has been out LESS THAN A DAY, and GC is presumably pretty busy right around now) and told everybody, "Hey, this isn't our intention" and was then called a bunch of rude names for his trouble. He later clarified that the glyph has ALREADY BEEN CHANGED from what was datamined, because this is a freaking beta test and things are going to change a lot.
So before you accuse me of sycophancy maybe investigate the relative positions of your head and your cavernous ass.
Where's the Excedrin...
Killik Mar 27th 2012 1:18PM
Jeez, ukwest, it's not like Warlocks were all set to get a tank spec and Ghostcrawler just this moment jumped in to publicly reverse the decision. They were *never* intended to get a full-on tank spec - GC was trying to clarify some poor communication so that people didn't get so over-excited.
Imagine how disappointed you'd be if you'd levelled a Warlock to 85 solely to tank - and *then* heard the news. Don't take things so personally, old bean.
Langis Langley Mar 27th 2012 11:03AM
Very disappointing. I wanted to spec and queue as a Warlock tank. Sounded interesting and fun.
nonameauman Mar 27th 2012 1:06PM
Demon form is just a cute little trick, a throw in, unless you can tank with it.
Langis Langley Mar 27th 2012 1:25PM
Hell turn Demo into a tank spec proper. I even wrote the spec flavor text for it:
Demonology: "A battle-hardened sorcerer who assumes demonic form. Engages enemies in melee and protects allies."
dearth Mar 27th 2012 10:22PM
As a player with four mages and a warlock who is an ex-main (he raided 'till Nef/Choggy/Al-aLOL), I sincerely resist the concept of warlock tanking. My whole RPG experience has been honed to specialize in glass cannons, and that's what makes me happy: a massive spell/crit re-arranging a target's molecules a GCD before it sends me to a Spirit Healer.
As it has been said before, if I wanted to tank, I'd have rolled a tank.
That being said, I appreciate the option for warlocks to loltank farmable/old content. I've seen the vids - now THAT's what I'd call a Shadowflame.
OOT: Why 4 mages, 1 lock? Guild wanted the Demo buff for Nef. 'Nuff said.
pearlman.aaron Mar 27th 2012 11:01PM
I hear his words but I don't believe them.
I HEAR him saying they won't be viable tanks, but as I look through the toolkit they are given via the glyph + talents + class abilities + mastery I see otherwise.
Say what you will but the theorycrafters of the world are chomping at the bit to find the right combination to force Blizzard's hand and either nerf the glyph into oblivion or secede to the fact demo should be a tank spec.
Theorycrafters have worked with less and gotten more (see rogue tanking in BC).
gwiemken1 Mar 31st 2012 11:09PM
haven't played for about 2 years, but the warlock was my favorite class to play. I was thinking about renewing my account for 6 months.
read on the warlock den and learned some helpful things
1 warlocks suck now (representation reflects that)
2 new expansion with pandas lol (not quite what i expected)
o well, at least no one forces me to pay for this