DK Tanking in Cataclysm - need tips/help please

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MrBuddha

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Hi

I am busy levelling a DK to be used as an offtank in my guild for raiding, and of course to 'farm' HCs.

Problem is, this is the first time I am playing/levelling a tank type character, so I am not very clued up on what stats one must focus on when you hit 85.

The tanking part is not a problem (at this stage), did a few WotLK dungeons and didn't have a problem with maintaining threat/aggro.

I have tried to search for a few guides on DK tanking, but almost all of it is base on the old pre-Cataclysm tanking. The only thing that kept popping up was that as a tank survivability > threat.

So, I was thinking of the following when gearing up at 85:

Hit (until capped) > stamina > dodge/parry > mastery > haste

Of course, I have no idea how much + stamina is adequate, and what % dodge/parry I need as well as mastery when enchanting/socketing etc. :(

Thanks

PS - I also have JC as a profession.
 
I don't know much about DK's, but I can say something about the stats:

Hit (until capped) > dodge/parry

Dodge/parry is far more important than stamina.
 
Method said:
I don't know much about DK's, but I can say something about the stats:

Hit (until capped) > dodge/parry

Dodge/parry is far more important than stamina.
Click to expand...

Thanks Method, but what would you suggest is a feasible % of dodge/parry to try and get? If I remember correctly, somewhere I read that 40% dodge/parry was acceptable.
 
Depends on your mastery. Whit my pall just before cata I Tanked ICC10 on a alt/fun run and the reforging went the higest of the 2 stats dodge/parry gets converted into mastery maybe its the same for DK's /shrug
 
Esea said:
Depends on your mastery. Whit my pall just before cata I Tanked ICC10 on a alt/fun run and the reforging went the higest of the 2 stats dodge/parry gets converted into mastery maybe its the same for DK's /shrug
Click to expand...

Hmm... I see your point. My mastery adds +x% to my Blood Shield value. Might then be something like this:

Hit (until capped) > dodge/parry (certain %) > Mastery (whatevers left)

Ai, life was so much easier playing an Elemental Shammy. :)
 
MrBuddha said:
Hmm... I see your point. My mastery adds +x% to my Blood Shield value. Might then be something like this:

Hit (until capped) > dodge/parry (certain %) > Mastery (whatevers left)

Ai, life was so much easier playing an Elemental Shammy. :)
Click to expand...

I recall Paladins pre-Cata could get up to 102% avoidence (Dodge+Parry+Block) of which 30% was their righteous shield meaning they could not be hit directly for a set period of time. Not sure if that is possible on any class still.
 
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MrBuddha said:
Thanks Method, but what would you suggest is a feasible % of dodge/parry to try and get? If I remember correctly, somewhere I read that 40% dodge/parry was acceptable.
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I have no idea ^^ I just know Stamina isn't as an important stat is avoidance. It's much easier for the healer if you take less damage than to heal up a big chunk of your HP :p

Also most healers have mana problems at the moment.
 
My main sadly is a DK Tank at the moment sadly to for guild\raiding purpose as well. I have been going for Expertise, Dodge and Parry. Most the gear has allot of mastery on already so I was not looking for it in particular. I have not gone for stamina as you know especially now in HCs it means nothing.

Something I need to get use to though is timing the Death and Decay correctly so it does not break the CC'd targets as well as the Blood boils, but i guess thats the fun of it.

I use "Bone shield" and "Magic absorbtion" when ever its available and keep my "Mind freeze" ready, I to a point make sure i have runic power available for mind freeze at any given time.

Just my 2c
 
Go for hit and expertise caps (8% & 26)
You will get stamina by default when you gear up so really don't worry about it.
Next of course is your dodge and parry.

Personally, while gearing towards dodge/parry I am also keeping an eye on Mastery. I've set a goal of getting my blood shield to at least 100% of the Death strike heal while not sacrificing to much in dodge and parry.

You have quite a few cooldown at your disposal. Get into the habit of using them.
Icebound fortitude
Rune Tap (Glyphed)
Vampiric Blood (Glyphed)
Dancing Rune Weapon (Glyphed)
AMS for dragon breaths and the like
Bone Shield (keep it up when off CD)

Also, Runestrike Runestrike Runestrike when your diseases are up and your HS and DS are on CD to refesh runes on CD for more DS/HS lovin.

Of course I try and keep enough runic power for Mind freeze to catch interupts and I play with Dark Simulacrum when Mind Freeze is off CD.
 
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Thanks a bunch soltyrei and DMNkight!

Already using the cooldowns mentioned above, except for Mindfreeze and DarkS - was kinda hoping tanks wouldn't have to bother with interupts (more DPS job). Oh well, another macro button coming up.
 
I have healed DK's in Cata. Imo, stack avoidance above hit. I dont care if you miss :D Some DK's go down faster than clothies.

Just tell the dps that your hit/expertise isnt that high and they need to watch their threat.
 
I have healed DK's in Cata. Imo, stack avoidance above hit. I dont care if you miss Some DK's go down faster than clothies.
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Quiet you! I will not change the preferred stat setup just because some healers can’t do their jobs! :p

Thanks Zippy, will take it into consideration.
 
By the way... seems we have excellent survivability in "ah crap!" situations but are squishy as hell in normal combat. Be sure to talent Blood Fever for the 10% damage reduction and keep that damn bone shield up when you can.

Also use glyphed vamp blood as soon as it's off CD and macro it to announce in party/raid chat to let your healers know they're healing for a lot more now so as not to spam you beyond full.

I tend to keep IBF for really brown eye situations.

And spam Death Strike like your life depends on it ;)

P.S. I recently dropped some hit and expertise in favour of mastery. Alongside trainign myself to spam DS, has made me a lot less squishy in normal fights.
 
Check out my DK Hashj here.

My spec and choice of gearing/gemming/enchanting are pretty much ideal for this Tier of raiding.

Goes a little something like this, Mastery > Dodge > Parry (due to strength gains) > Stamina > Expertise > Hit. (Yes I only have 2% hit after getting a new necklace tonight, threat is not an issue whatsoever when you can mash RS)

The most important tip I could give you is to space your Death Strikes out, never DS twice within a 5 second window or you're diminishing the effect blood shield has on you as a DK.

Lichborne is the best "oh ****" ability in the progression DK Tanking arsenal being able to heal myself for nearly 200k hp with full 130 RP on a 2min cd.
 
bradrap said:
The most important tip I could give you is to space your Death Strikes out, never DS twice within a 5 second window or you're diminishing the effect blood shield has on you as a DK.
Click to expand...

Thanks, makes perfect sense... just didn't think of it that way :)
 
Elitistjerks sucks penis btw, the only information allowed on the forums has to be verified with proof backing up the statements. The whole point in Theorycrafting is to put theories to test, the best resource for DK tanking you can find is at www.pwnwear.com
 
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