05-24-2007, 10:29 PM
I believe the recent changes to Ardent Defender are a step in the right direction for partially alleviating the gulf in HP between Warriors and Paladins, though I think the damage reduction range should be further increased. I'd much rather have 20% reduction starting at 49% HP than 30% at 34%.
However, I do think a major problem with Paladin tanking (from my perspective, at least) is a complete lack of "Oh, $@#&" buttons. If you get an unlucky string of crits (which do happen reasonably often tanking pre-70, since there isn't a glut of Defense Rating gear, like at 70) or other such nastiness, the Paladin has only a few, mostly ineffective options: chug a potion (which really won't help too terribly much), blow Lay on Hands (which is on a 60 minute cooldown and drains nearly all of your mana), or pop Divine Shield+Taunt until the next heal lands (which greatly increases the chance the Rogue with you is going to get splattered all over the floor.) Comparatively, Warriors can pop Last Stand (as far as tanking goes, I miss this ability more than all of the other nifty Warrior tricks combined) or Shield Wall, and also pop the aforementioned potion. Granted, we can partially mitigate incoming damage via Judgement of Light (and Seal of Light if we have enough of a threat lead), but it's not nearly enough. I do think that the Paladin needs deep-tree one-shot abilities like Last Stand in order to really be competitive with Warriors.
Additionally, I've heard quite a bit of complaining about Redoubt, and it does seem that it's a little weak for raid-tanking, given its proc-based nature.
However, I do think a major problem with Paladin tanking (from my perspective, at least) is a complete lack of "Oh, $@#&" buttons. If you get an unlucky string of crits (which do happen reasonably often tanking pre-70, since there isn't a glut of Defense Rating gear, like at 70) or other such nastiness, the Paladin has only a few, mostly ineffective options: chug a potion (which really won't help too terribly much), blow Lay on Hands (which is on a 60 minute cooldown and drains nearly all of your mana), or pop Divine Shield+Taunt until the next heal lands (which greatly increases the chance the Rogue with you is going to get splattered all over the floor.) Comparatively, Warriors can pop Last Stand (as far as tanking goes, I miss this ability more than all of the other nifty Warrior tricks combined) or Shield Wall, and also pop the aforementioned potion. Granted, we can partially mitigate incoming damage via Judgement of Light (and Seal of Light if we have enough of a threat lead), but it's not nearly enough. I do think that the Paladin needs deep-tree one-shot abilities like Last Stand in order to really be competitive with Warriors.
Additionally, I've heard quite a bit of complaining about Redoubt, and it does seem that it's a little weak for raid-tanking, given its proc-based nature.
ArrayPaladins were not meant to sit in the back of the raid staring at health bars all day, spamming heals and listening to eight different classes whine about buffs.[/quote]
The original Heavy Metal Cowâ¢. USDA inspected, FDA approved.
The original Heavy Metal Cowâ¢. USDA inspected, FDA approved.