WoW forums depress me

[Tal]

In defensive stance (have never used it), do one still use rage? My impression is that you do. So how do you get a demoralizing shout of before you engage an enemy?

What really IS the difference with defensive stance? Do one take less damage? Less often hit? I should perhaps start experimenting with it.

Yes - the way I understand the stance working is that it is a quick way to build up rage. You have fewer offensive abilities but make up for it with higher ability to block and tank. For obvious reasons this is more useful in a group setting.

Are those skills such as hamstring and pummel really of any use?

I find hamstring exceptionally useful when soloing against creeps that like to run off when they're damaged too severely. Once hamstrung you can keep them in range so they cannot summon help.

Pummel in my opinion is only useful against casters. If you successully pummel them you can interrupt their magic casting.