Tanking Aint Easy

So it has been a while since my last update with lots to share of course.

Over the last 6 weeks or so I have been either raiding Naxx as my DK and more recently my recent to 80 Warrior. Naxx is a challenging instance to a new tank I must say. I've done more quarters as an off tank then I have as a DPS so I have a decent understanding of most of the boss fights and think I really only struggle with AoE on the Warrior.

I do have alot more fun on bosses with the warrior, because the rotation is more reactive and less wait for cool downs. Basically in my own opinion I do believe a warrior is a better tank over all then a DK, simply because of the versatility. With the exception of the AoE group threat I'm struggling with on the Warrior, I just have so many different tricks up my sleeve. We got sunders on the mobs for reducing armor to increase dps of fellow melee dps'ers. We got a few different stuns coming from Shockwave, Concussive Blow etc, making the mobs stop whalen on me while I gain a pile of threat on them, 20 sec cool down on that. Plus we got a few taunts. Taunt obviously, Mocking Blow for an melee range taunt as well as my favorite with Challenging Roar, that I believe taunts everything in either a 10 or 20 yard range. Very handy after I was rooted or stunned to get those mobs back. I think a Warrior is the best with interrupts as well. I forget the names of them already, but one is Shield Bash. I think our Pallys lack this.

We have no other DK or Druid tanks. Just my DK and Warrior at present. But I am alright without competition. I enjoy tanking more then dps'ing. So I am cool right now with not having to worry about losing my job.

I Can say for sure that I need to learn how to handle targeting better, runners heading for the dps and healers are tricky. Tho I can see them running if there is alot of trash mobs around the targeting is a tad bit tricky cause I have to click on there nameplate. I have an add-on called Tidy Plates that does a good job of showing threat by color, with either a DPS or tank setting. So I can clearly see whos running, but amongst the clutter of them becomes difficult. But I guess its all a matter of practice and maybe I have to learn to tab target *sigh*.

I also have plans to bring up a Druid to tank as well. But with no plans to bring up a Paladin just yet, as my guild is chalk full of them. Two of them being our guilds main tanks. So a Druid is the next logical choice, but I think I will wait for Cataclysm and roll a Druid. Worgan of course. He will be my leather worker / skinner just cause they can't use anything above leather. Which could also benefit a Rogue, should I ever make one.

But to try and get back to raiding, which is what I wanted to do with WoW in the first place. Naxx is an interesting animal, 4 quarters and then 2 end bosses. The spider wing is a breeze and blind one armed monkey can do this just his face to mash the keyboard. I don't know the names of the quarters. But the hardest for our guild and myself is the quarter with the Safety dance. God I hate that wing as lag is a major factor in there and I seem to never be in the right quarter. I'm aiming to get through that cause that is my main downfall it seems, just can't just where the line that separates the quarters are. Blah. The Military quarter with the death knights and the guys with the to adds you control with those crystals is pretty fun. I like when then make us use different mechanics during a fight. Except Oculus, f%^& that place. We have yet to down K'T and thou I have my suspicions as to why we have not been able to get past him for the 2nd week in a row, I'm sure we will be able to get past him once we get the ice block situation sorted out.

But in conclusion I like Naxx but would rather gear up and get onto newer content. Course my gear aint ready for anything above Naxx and I think my skills need improvements. Of course I'm sure my guildies will tell me what I'm doing wrong, that i know the loud mouth bastards.

~ Kin