Tank Hard!

Patch 2.4 will likely go live this coming Tuesday and if not, then most assuredly next Tuesday. Are you ready?

I went over some of the upcoming patch 2.4 changes back in February, as well as looked at a couple of the new tanking items.

About the only skill change that is coming with 2.4 that affects tanking warriors, is the change to Cleave. From the patch notes:

Cleave: This ability will no longer strike any secondary target which is under the effect of crowd-control spells that break on taking damage. i.e. Polymorph, Sap, etc.

I guess this is nice, but in my opinion it is just a dumbing down move.  If you are worth your salt, you can move mobs as needed so that your Cleaves aren’t breaking CC’s anyway.

Other than that, I hope you’ve been saving up those badges for the new badge loot!

NOTE:  None of the links and tooltips will work right now, but hopefully as the database sites get this info integrated, we’ll be able to provide direct links.  For now,  http://www.mmo-champion.com/ has stats for all these items posted in screenshots!

Patch 2.4 brings new content in Sunwell Plateau, as well as a plethora of new items and gear. There are also a few warrior specific changes, but nothing that really impacts tanking.

Shattered Sun Offensive Reputation Rewards

There are several reputation reward items for the Sunwell plateau that may well provide upgrades if you have not been raiding much, or are an up and coming level 70. There is a shield, [Dawnforged Defender], and a tanking sword, [Inuuro's Blade] on par with Grom’tor’s charge. These will only cost you a few gold once you have the required reputation with the Shattered Sun Offensive reputation.

New Defensive Metagem - [Eternal Earthstorm Diamond]

There is a new metagem as well. [Eternal Earthstorm Diamond]. It will grant +12 Defense and +10% Shield Block VALUE. I’m not so sure this will outweigh the [Powerful Earthstorm Diamond] unless you are going for a passive crush immunity set.

New Enchant - Enchant Chest - Defense

This new enchant will grant 15 defense rating to your chest. Now this one I see as a possibility depending on your gear and gem selections. Typically tanks would go for Major Health, which is +150 health. But if going with +15 Defense would allow you to socket more [Solid Star of Elune], then going with Defense will be the better option. Add in the Vitality talent bonus for Stamina and you would definitely lean more towards gemming Solid Stars and enchanting +15 Defense.

New Head Glyph - [Glyph of the Gladiator]

At first glance, this is a PVP glyph. But let’s look a little closer. This glyph gives 18 stamina and 20 resilience. This might be a good choice if you are going for more health and less avoidance of the [Glyph of the Defender]. Again, this one will come down to personal preference, raid encounter, and current gear setup.

New Gear

There are various new items as well that will cost tokens or badges of some sort. I am hoping to get on test realm soon to find out exactly what it will take but for now here is a list of some items:

[Breastplate of Agony's Aversion]
[Crown of Dath'Remar]
[Felstrength Legplates]
[Spaulders of the Thalassian Defender]

New Tier 6 added items

[Onslaught Waistguard]
[Onslaught Wristguards]
[Onslaught Boots]

No More Attunement for Black Temple and Mount Hyjal

And of course, last but not least, all attunement requirements for Black Temple and Mount Hyjal are being dropped. So Rochelle, looks like you should start covering some of the early fights in BT and MH for us as we may be venturing in there sooner than expected!

So with 2.3 removing the Weapon Skill rating, Expertise was added back in it’s place.  Originally with this change Orcs and Humans had their racial changed from Weapon Skill increases with an added 1% crit.  This was effectively a nerf for tanks who used those racials.

Fortunately, the latest 2.3 patch has changed the 1% crit to 5 Expertise while wielding the required weapons.  What does this mean?  Well, it reduces the chance to be dodged or parried by 1.25%.  For tanks who can take advantage of the necessary weapon, this will translate into more hits, meaning more threat and more rage.