09-02-2007, 09:01 PM
In preparation for WotLK, I'm currently levelling my warrior. My current plan is to stick with him, but I have a notorious difficulty in sticking to just one character, so whether or not that holds up, I can't say.
I'm levelling him as Protection (mostly through instances), mainly because if I weren't, I'd still be asked to tank any instance I join. I love tanking, so that's not a problem, but I'm becoming a bit uncertain on my planned build.
The build I'm shooting for is 8/0/53; basically everything that's worth taking in Protection and the "essential" Arms talents. Many builds I see are 8/5/48 (or some minor variation, such as 10/5/46), however, and I don't see why. Cruelty, while a strong talent, is of marginal use to a tank--under just about any circumstances that I can think of. Critting on a Revenge or a Shield Slam is solid aggro, sure, but it's not something you can rely on--unlike the talents in Protection.
The only talents I see as "skippable" are Anticipation, Improved Sunder Armor, One-Hand Weapon Specialization and Improved Taunt. Anticipation can be made up for in gear, and while 2 seconds less on the CD of Taunt is nice, you shouldn't have to use it often enough for it to be much of an issue. I take Improved Sunder Armor mainly because having a 10-rage Sunder is nice. One-Hand Weapon Specialization, while extra, solid threat, is not a huge bonus. Still, all of these talents are always in effect when you want them to be, making them more reliable than Cruelty.
I was wondering what makes the warrior tanks out there take Cruelty, and what your opinions are on the more questionable Protection talents.
(My planned build: 8/0/53)
I'm levelling him as Protection (mostly through instances), mainly because if I weren't, I'd still be asked to tank any instance I join. I love tanking, so that's not a problem, but I'm becoming a bit uncertain on my planned build.
The build I'm shooting for is 8/0/53; basically everything that's worth taking in Protection and the "essential" Arms talents. Many builds I see are 8/5/48 (or some minor variation, such as 10/5/46), however, and I don't see why. Cruelty, while a strong talent, is of marginal use to a tank--under just about any circumstances that I can think of. Critting on a Revenge or a Shield Slam is solid aggro, sure, but it's not something you can rely on--unlike the talents in Protection.
The only talents I see as "skippable" are Anticipation, Improved Sunder Armor, One-Hand Weapon Specialization and Improved Taunt. Anticipation can be made up for in gear, and while 2 seconds less on the CD of Taunt is nice, you shouldn't have to use it often enough for it to be much of an issue. I take Improved Sunder Armor mainly because having a 10-rage Sunder is nice. One-Hand Weapon Specialization, while extra, solid threat, is not a huge bonus. Still, all of these talents are always in effect when you want them to be, making them more reliable than Cruelty.
I was wondering what makes the warrior tanks out there take Cruelty, and what your opinions are on the more questionable Protection talents.
(My planned build: 8/0/53)
Earthen Ring-EU:
Taelas -- 60 Human Protection Warrior; Shaleen -- 52 Human Retribution Paladin; Raethal -- 51 Worgen Guardian Druid; Szar -- 50 Human Fire Mage; Caethan -- 60 Human Blood Death Knight; Danee -- 41 Human Outlaw Rogue; Ainsleigh -- 52 Dark Iron Dwarf Fury Warrior; Mihena -- 44 Void Elf Affliction Warlock; Chiyan -- 41 Pandaren Brewmaster Monk; Threkk -- 40 Orc Fury Warrior; Alliera -- 41 Night Elf Havoc Demon Hunter;
Darkmoon Faire-EU:
Sieon -- 45 Blood Elf Retribution Paladin; Kuaryo -- 51 Pandaren Brewmaster Monk
Taelas -- 60 Human Protection Warrior; Shaleen -- 52 Human Retribution Paladin; Raethal -- 51 Worgen Guardian Druid; Szar -- 50 Human Fire Mage; Caethan -- 60 Human Blood Death Knight; Danee -- 41 Human Outlaw Rogue; Ainsleigh -- 52 Dark Iron Dwarf Fury Warrior; Mihena -- 44 Void Elf Affliction Warlock; Chiyan -- 41 Pandaren Brewmaster Monk; Threkk -- 40 Orc Fury Warrior; Alliera -- 41 Night Elf Havoc Demon Hunter;
Darkmoon Faire-EU:
Sieon -- 45 Blood Elf Retribution Paladin; Kuaryo -- 51 Pandaren Brewmaster Monk