The Raw Power of the Ulduar Offtank

Posted by admin on 05 15th, 2009

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It’s no secret anymore just how great Warriors are at adds on Sartharion + 3 drakes. So far though during my adventures in Ulduar, I’ve Main Tanked everything, but that hasn’t stopped me from observing the impact that a Warrior has played in offtanking this content. Since my last post on this topic, the tanking world has changed thanks to some new glyphs and as a result, I would recommend the following spec for an offtank. 5/11/55 It’s actually nearly identical to the spec the other Warrior tank in my guild uses except I recommend 2/2 Booming Voice over 2/5 Cruelty. Booming Voice is one of those talents that I never liked, but in a non-threat oriented spec, it’s really grown on me. There’s just so many times you’re moving around and having your shouts last that much longer and be that much easier to apply is such a blessing. Why Offtanks rock Ulduar Razorscale In this high mobility fight, Warbringer is a god send allowing us to zip around the battle field with easy. (Remember to use “The Art of Warbringer” macro ) Warriors have 2 interrupts in the form of Shield Bash and Heroic Throw not to mention 5 stuns (Charge, Intercept, Revenge procs, Concussion Blow and Shockwave) one of which is an AOE stun! Improve Spell Reflect can save a lightning bolt from zapping our team on occasion. The standard Shield Block, Demoralizing Shout and Thunder Clap make taking hits from numerous mobs a joke and the icing on the cake, Piercing Howl allows for us to kite the mobs around a bit during the landing phases. Ignis If you’re using 2 add tanks to handle the constructs like we do, make sure to Vigilance the other tank. The damage reduction is nice and occasionally the taunt refresh will save you from an unlucky taunt resist. All of our stuns come into play again here when we’re bathing the adds in fire. Intervene plays allows for quick exits when the mob is stunned in the water as well as helping to reduce the threat of the higher damage dpsers in your raid that may be surpassing the Main Tank’s threat. XT-002 Pummeler duty is far from glorious, but once again Piercing Howl comes in big allowing you to Kite the mobs constantly. Save Shield Block for the boss’ tantrums and you’ll be taking so little damage that it’s laughable. Intervening ranged dps to get to a Pummeler that much faster doesn’t hurt either. Assembly of Iron You’re definitely on the little man. You’ll be Shield Bashing constantly, but remember you can also stun him. In the 10 man especially, I like to save Revenge for when all of my other interrupts and stuns are down during his casts and hope that the 50% will stop him too. (which it often does) Heroic Throw is especially nice for moving him off Power runes and Charge/Intercept are perfect for stopping his casts after Overloads. Kologarn Shield Block takes a lot of the pain out of the hard hitting adds on this one. Vigilance helps reduce some extra damage for the Main Tank as threat is a non-issue. You’ll be able to keep Sunders up on the Right arm the entire time as well as Thunder Clap and Demoralizing Shout on the bosses himself. Don’t forget to Shattering Throw and this one’s a wrap. Auriaya Shockwave is worth it’s weight in gold to stun the little panthers that spawn throughout the fight. Vigilance up a Holy Paladin utilizing Righteous Fury and you’ll be able to keep taunting the Defender constantly. Also, make sure to Intervene that same pally too so that it’s you soaking up as many of the hits as possible. Finally, be on your game with fear escapes and no matter where you are, you should be able to charge the boss and interrupt his Sentinel Blast. …and more. Recognize the Power While it’s true, AOE threat-wise we just don’t keep pace with the other classes, but in every other department, we are unbelievable. As tanks, there’s no class with more taunts, no class with more mobility, no class with more interrupts, no class with more stuns. Anything that’s vulnerable to our near endless list of survival tricks is completely at our mercy. Which Begs the Question… If there’s only 1 Warrior Tank in a guild, should that Warrior offtank?

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