World of Warcraft

By Redestium
in PC Gaming

 Share

Recommended Posts

Grand Master

the evn show

Posted
Posted

I had to prepare my DK for tanking this weekend so here are my notes from the patch. There hasn't been a lot of theory crafting or testing of mechanics because level 80/4.0 raiding is all basically pointless. If you skim over the typical resources (ej, pwnwear, etc) this is the summary of the situation.

For spec you can basically just copy mine. She's setup to tank 5-mans/trash right now. I only really play her for a couple of hours a week on our Saturday afternoon alt run - still, her gear, stats, spec, and glyphs are pretty much cookie-cutter for any DK tank in 4.0.

For spec there aren't many optional points:

  • You can take blood caked blade or will of the necropolis, IMO the extra threat from BCB is better than WotN
  • You can take points out of blood parasites or scent of blood for abomination's might. Because the buff is so common I didn't bother with it: the extra threat/healing from the other two talents are more useful.
  • Some combination of the above (ie: don't take blood parasites or blood caked blade and get abomination's might and will of the necropolis). I think that's a bad idea for the same reasons.

If you want to tank then you have really limited weapon choices:

  • Heroic Pit of Sauron for Tyrannical Beheader (5-man, fairly high drop rate)

The only upgrades worth going for after (in order of "ease of acquisition"):

  • ICC-10 man for Oxheart or Ramaladni's Blade of Culling (The later is easily available to pugs, the former is less of a sure thing)
  • Shadows edge (crafted but requires 2 pieces from ICC25, most pugs can kill the bosses that drop them so it's basically a sure thing).
  • ICC-25 for Bloodfall or Cryptmaker (most pugs can't kill blood prince council so these aren't good goals unless you have friends willing to bring you along)

All of your other slots can and should be filled either by the justice point vendor (for item level 245 or higher in any given slot) or the honor vendor. The only thing not on a vendor worth farming is "The Black Heart" an ilevel 200 trinket with 128 stam from normal mode 5-man Trial of the Champion. It's very good, but not really game breaking so the 245 +armor trinket is a good alternative. If you wanted to buy the 245 crafted bracers from the AH they should be fairly cheap. 264 crafted boots and pants would be better than the honor boots + tier 10 pants, but they're also fairly costly (2-3k i'd guess) and probably not worth the gold this close to cataclysm. There is a 264 BOE ring (and maybe a neck) that would also be good but probably not worth the gold this late in the expansion. You'll be looking for boots/bracers/ring/neck from the honor vendor and everything else form the justice points vendor.

For stats: Get hit capped (8% or 246 hit rating total) then expertise soft-capped (26 expertise total), then gem for stamina. Expertise remains valuable all the way to the hard cap of 52 but most tanks stop actively stacking it once they're dodge capped (the only fight where hitting the hard cap is a good idea is heroic Halion)

Avoiding parry isn't advantageous any more - it has the same value as crit for Dk tanks. Prefer gear that has haste to crit as it makes your runes regenerate more quickly which helps build threat. If you're over hit/expertise caps reforge for mastery.

For glyphs:

  • Prime: Heart Strike, Death Strike, and Death and Decay are the obvious choices for 5-man dungeons (swap DnD for single-target tanking of bosses in raids)
  • Major: Bloodboil, Pestilence, and Dancing Rune Weapon are the best 5-man choices. IMO it makes sense to swap bloodboil for single-target tanking.
  • Minor: Resilient grip is mandatory (bosses are immune to the 'come over here' part, but the 'taunt' will still apply. This glyph basically gives you a no cooldown single-target taunt for boss mobs). Blood tap is worth having because it's used on cooldown. The other doesn't really matter but I'm using Horn of Winter because there's some really annoying behavior with +strength buffs (if another dk has glyphed HOW and you don't then your will fail to cast, the same happens with battle shout) for now just use the glyph to save your sanity. When it's fixed then raise ally will probably be the better choice.

Rotation is pretty obvious - the only tip I'd offer is that you don't want to deathstrike whenever you the runes for it.

Deathstrike heals you for 30% of the damage you've taken in the last 5 seconds so you'll want to keep it available for when bosses use "big hits".

Obviously you'll still use it as part of your rotation but if you know a 'deep breath' or similar ability is coming then you'll want to hold back for a couple of seconds.

Spamming icy touch is no longer a viable way to hold threat: they removed the giant +threat component from it.

You'll want to keep rune strike macro'd into your main abilities (heart strike, death strike, icy touch, plague strike) for now. Its supposed to work how frost strike but it's bugged at the moment and still has the old "overpower for DKs" behaviour.

DK tanks are pretty good right now. it's not as easy as it was in 3.3.5 but they've faired pretty well this patch and they'll be very strong at 85.

Grand Master

Elliott

Posted
Posted

Heads to those that want some more heirloom items before Cata drops. Champion's Purse now gives 1 champion seal and 10g everytime now. So that's an additional 4 seals per day. May or may not be faster to farm seals for heirlooms than JP.

That makes using Champion's Seals a lot quicker (or at least a lot less work). The JP prices on heirlooms are ridiculously high.

Thanks for the heads up!

Proficient

iKenndac

Posted
Posted

Finally!!!

After nearly a week of trick or treating on a nearly hourly basis every single damn day, I finally got my Hallow's End meta. I got 70 tooth picks, three Hallowed Helms and finally, just now, my Sinister Squashling. Oh, and a crapload of other stuff:

post-330164-12878264345177.png

Mentor

Tharp Daddy

Posted
Posted

Well i started playing my rogue today and i'm now level 17. I must say i'm quite enjoying the play style of the rogue, it's a nice change of pace after the "in your face" type of other classes. Plus - can't go wrong with 700 damage crits at level 15, one shotting elites has never been so fun.

Grand Master

Slane

Posted
Posted

Anyone care to give a few thoughts: http://forums.worldo...397543609&sid=1 ?

Please, bump it if you can too.

No. The whole idea is no, and by reading the thread nothing is going to change your mind, so it's not worth discussing any further. Simply no.

Grand Master

Eric Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

I'd be there, but I'm still having to sign on to WoW on an hourly basis to try and get this stupid Sinister Squashling. :crazy:

Oh, and I'm in Sweden. Hooray Virtual Ticket! :D

I got a Squashling and a Hallowed Helm out of the same bag... It was a treat bag from an innkeeper!

Grand Master

the evn show

Posted
Posted

It's been kind of slow since patch 4.0. I had some time tonight to run with the "common follk" and took a trip to ToC10.

My UI is back to 100% awesome, save for updating my target/focus SBF filters to show only "stuff I can purge" on hostiles,

"Stuff i can cleanse" on friends" and "encounter specific mechanics (like mortal wound)" on both.

The only change I'd like to make is to make my top right buffs filter a little more carefully. Row 1 should be things like

flasks, auras, raid buffs (MoTW, Fortitude,etc) and row 2 should be "short" buffs like rejuvenate, BoSanc, etc.

Now that the foreground FPS sliders are easy to set I capped mine at 35 so that my graphic card/cpu fans never have to

spin up.

Grand Master

Slane

Posted
Posted

Love WoW, but at this point I'm more interested in hearing about the MMO. Maybe my mind will change when Cata is released, but I dunno.

@evn: What addon does the text based mail and etc. next to minimap and what's the addon showing Anub health underneath Bloodlust buff?

Grand Master

Elliott

Posted
Posted

@evn: What addon does the text based mail and etc. next to minimap and what's the addon showing Anub health underneath Bloodlust buff?

Not sure about the Anub health thing, but I'm pretty sure the indicators to the left of the minimap are from StatBlockCore displaying various LibDataBroker addons.

Grand Master

the evn show

Posted
Posted

@evn: What addon does the text based mail and etc. next to minimap and what's the addon showing Anub health underneath Bloodlust buff?

Health bar is provided by DXE a replacement for deadly boss mods, bigwigs, etc.

Mail etc is Stat blocks. Think of it like a replacement for Fubar

but you're allowed to position your little modules anywhere on the screen. The are plugins for things like dungeon finder, mail, calendar, DPS, etc. that

you can add.

Both are available from curse.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Posts

    • We now know when and how the Universe may truly end

      By sphbecker · Posted

      I've always preferred this possibility. There is something that feels good about the idea that all matter in the universe will eventually come back together and maybe even result in another big bang. The idea that the universe would fizzle out over the eons and forever drift apart is a little depressing. I realize it is not logical to let a basic human desire for life to have a grand everlasting meaning change the way I feel about a scientific theory, but I am human, so that is how I feel :-).
    • Microsoft: Windows 11 could finally solve a major issue across AMD, Nvidia, and Intel GPUs

      By Jdoe25 · Posted

      Windoze 11 could finally go to hell, instead of making me savor yet another error I've never had. "Bad Pool Caller" or whatever TF cryptic crap0la message it is. Adding salt to injury, it says something along these lines (on the blank black screen after it hard stops): "Your windoze needs to restart. You can restart." NO WAY SHERLOCK. The PEECEE, look, it's *blocked*, I can do jack sh1t with it as it is and you say that it needs to restart? Further, that I can restart? What am I supposed to do, take a herbal bath? Sudo a sandwich? Timewaster pile of useless slop and errors, coded by monkeys and force-fed on us by a pedo-founded corporation, that's all there is to it. Now, let's have a fun weekend trying to handle the error, which after a quick internet check can basically be due to EVERYTHING, from memory faults to drivers to motherboard issues. Thanks M$.
    • Zen Browser 1.21.3b

      By Copernic · Posted

      Zen Browser 1.21.3b by Razvan Serea Zen Browser is a privacy-focused, open-source web browser built on Mozilla Firefox, offering users a secure and customizable browsing experience. It emphasizes privacy by blocking trackers, ads, and ensuring your data isn't collected. With Zen Mods, users can enhance their browser experience with various customization options, including features like split views and vertical tabs. The browser is designed for efficiency, providing fast browsing speeds and a lightweight interface. Zen Browser prioritizes user control over the browsing experience, offering a minimal yet powerful alternative to traditional web browsers while keeping your online activity private. Zen Browser’s DRM limitation Zen Browser currently lacks support for DRM-protected content, meaning streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max are inaccessible. This is due to the absence of a Widevine license, which requires significant costs and is financially unfeasible for the developer. Additionally, applying for this license would require Zen to be part of a larger company, similar to Mozilla or Brave. Therefore, DRM-protected media won't be supported in Zen Browser for the foreseeable future. Zen Browser offers features that improve user experience, privacy, and customization: Privacy-Focused: Blocks trackers and minimizes data collection. Automatic Updates: Keeps the browser updated with security patches. Zen Mods: Customizable themes and layouts. Workspaces: Organize tabs into different workspaces. Compact Mode: Maximizes screen space by minimizing UI elements. Zen Glance: Quick website previews. Split Views: View multiple tabs in the same window. Sidebar: Access bookmarks and tools quickly. Vertical Tabs: Manage tabs vertically. Container Tabs: Separate browsing sessions. Fast Profile Switcher: Switch between profiles easily. Tab Folders: Organize tabs into folders. Customizable UI: Personalize browser interface. Security Features: Inherits Firefox’s robust security. Fast Performance: Lightweight and optimized for speed. Zen Mods Customization: Deep customization with mods. Quick Access: Easy access to favorite websites. Open Source: Built on Mozilla Firefox with community collaboration. Community-Driven: Active development and feedback from users. GitHub Repository: Contribute and review the source code. Zen Browser 1.21.3b changelog: New Features Updated to Firefox 152.0.1 Fixes Fixed transparency not working after updating to 1.21.2b (#14259) Fixed frequent crashes affecting users with Intel Raptor Lake processors Fixed an issue on macOS where choosing a PDF option, such as "Save as PDF", from the system print dialog would send the job to your printer instead of saving a file. Other minor bug fixes and improvements. Download: Zen Browser | 90.2 MB (Open Source) Download: Zen Browser ARM64 | Other Operating Systems View: Zen Browser Home Page | Screenshots 1 | 2 | Reddit Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Get 1-year and $60 of Sam's Club value for just $15 with Auto-renew

      By News Staff · Posted

      Get 1-year and $60 of Sam's Club value for just $15 with Auto-renew by Steven Parker Become a Sam's Club Member Now! Shop Premium-Quality Products and Enjoy Incredible Perks, and Savings. Today's highlighted deal comes via our Gift Cards section of the Neowin Deals store, where for only a limited time, you can save 75% off a Sam's Club 1 Year Membership with Auto-Renew. Sam’s Club is a membership warehouse club, a limited-item business model that offers members quality products at an exceptional value unmatched by traditional retail. From groceries and kitchen supplies to electronics and furniture, Sam's Club has great deals on the items you want! By redeeming and signing up as a member, you'll be paying just $20 for a 1 year Sam's Club membership (normally $50.) You'll receive a complimentary household card for more savings from already low-priced items. Sign up now and save money on all your food and decor. Find great deals on groceries, kitchen supplies, electronic, furniture & more Get discounts on hotels, rental car, live events, attractions, movies, & more Save up to 60% on hotel accommodations around the world Get a complimentary household card for more savings from already low-priced items Although it was published quite some time ago, Sam's Club members can enjoy discounts like this. Important Details For a physical membership card after online membership registration, present your phone number or email along with a valid ID at Sam’s Club Membership Services in any US Sam's Club location to have your membership card printed. This membership offer is only available to new Sam's Club members in the USA. It is not valid for membership renewals, for those with a current membership, or those who were Sam’s Club members less than 6 months prior to the current date. To check your renewal date, please check your billing statement or your online account, or chat with an associate. Promotion code is non-transferable Offer valid for new Sam’s Club members only; not valid for membership renewals, for those with a current membership, or those who were Sam’s Club members less than 6 months prior to the current date. Auto Renew: By accepting this offer, you authorize annual recurring charges to any card on file for your Sam's Club membership fee(s) plus any applicable taxes at then-current rate every year until you cancel. Current rates, which may change, are $50 for Club level and $110 for Plus level. Visit SamsClub.com or a club or call 1-888-746-7726 for full terms or to cancel auto-renewal. Valid at over 597 U.S. Sam’s Club locations. Find a location near you. Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Access options: desktop & mobile Membership MUST be activated within 30 days Membership expires 1 YEAR from the date the Sam's Club membership is activated Limit 1 per person, may buy 1 additional as gift This Sam's Club 1 Year Membership normally costs $60, but can now be yours for just $15, for a limited time, that's a saving of $45 (70%) off! For specifications, and terms, please click the link below. Get 1-year of Sam's Club with Auto-renew for just $15 (was $60) This deal is only available to U.S. residents. Support queries If you have queries or need support for any of the Neowin Deals, please use the contact form here. Neowin Deals are managed and sold by StackCommerce who represent Neowin on an affiliate basis. Why we post these deals We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. So for those that keep moaning and complaining, be thankful we're still online for you to even do that. Other ways to support Neowin Whitelist Neowin by not blocking our ads Create a free member account to see fewer ads Make a donation to support our day to day running costs Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: Neowin benefits from revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site powered by StackCommerce.
    • Microsoft will soon allow some users to block Copilot from analyzing their Office files

      By excalpius · Posted

      Microsoft, why can't I just turn off Copilot on my MS account (in order to stop OneDrive from wanting to summarize everything, ahem) in a way that doesn't break OneNote instead?

  • Recent Achievements

    • Collaborator
      ryansurfer98 went up a rank
      Collaborator
    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      580
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      190
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      78
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      77
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      72
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!