Basic Tanking (Basic, but it's not THAT simple) Edit:6-18-06

[Guest]

I agree with Url, there's a bit more to it than just "up and down" with the bars.

IE:

1) Finding out and establishing 'limits' for people's HP. For example, A warrior who is the tank probably shouldn't go below 65% without a heal if there's one mob, 75% if two, etc. A mage who is just adding damage shouldn't go below 50%, etc...

2) Mana conservation vs. "emergencies". Using renew and heal, which ones when, how certain ones are better in certain circumstances. I recently saw an interesting graph showing that with a large amount of +heal gear, it's actually more efficient to use heal2 than heal5.
Also, knowing when to use flash heal and shield is essential, as they're going to empty your pool much faster. You really need to know the rate of decline your tank is going through.

3) Aggro management

4) How to spot a wipe and stay out of combat so you can res the group.

These are some major points, but far from an exhaustive list.

[Guest]

Updated! Old school!

I should add that I always solo with prot spec now. Whoever says prot spec sucks for soloing just doesn't fit the mindset.

IT'S FINE =P

[Dentik]

Updated! Old school!

I should add that I always solo with prot spec now. Whoever says prot spec sucks for soloing just doesn't fit the mindset.

IT'S FINE =P

I agree, I've started playing a warrior and specced him full protection starting at 32. I can solo in defensive stance, but I do well in any stance. I've downed mobs 4 levels higher with him too. Not regularly, it isn't as easy as say a shadow priest, more cooldowns and such to take into account. However:
1) my dps with a 1hander is just as high as a two hander;
2) I can avoid most damage with stuns;
3) shield block usually nullifies damage but gives increased rage;
4) shield slam is a very rage efficient DPS ability; and
5) when facing targets that enrage at low health I will switch to battle/beserk stance to just execute.

You can spend most of your time in battle stance and still benefit from 60% of the talent choices there.

Some tips that I've found soloing protection:

-Most of the time you'll want to start out in defensive stance to lay on sunders and a rend, then maybe stun or disarm them, then switch to a more DPS stance and just own them.

-Concussion blow is an awesome ability, the 5 seconds you have your target stunned you are easily making more rage than the 15 you spent on it, and it's nice for casters while your shield bash/pummel is on cooldown. Just try not to use it following an intercept or charge, the diminishing return on stuns will severely decrease it's effectiveness.

-Last stand doesn't state this, but as long as you have at least 1 HP when the HP buff wears off, you will still be left with at least 1 HP. This is great for burning down those tough enemies that you just need a little more time with, but more often I use it when I'm running from a bad pull.

[Severien]

Two technical tanking tips-

Taunt, then sunder/revenge, not the other way around. You NEED to pop something else on the target, a high threat manuver, while the taunt debuff is on them, or they'll just go for their previous target.

Battle shout generates decent rage. Battle shout is the cheapest buff in the game, at 10 rage, and if you hit all 4 of your party members, generates threat equal to a sunder. Essentially, threat = sunder, rage = 2/3 sunder.