Death Striking: A Blood Death Knight Tanking Guide
About me
I'm Kelenis and I've been playing blood tank on Warmane (Ragnaros -> Icecrown Realm) since 2015 following the loss of my prot paladin during the "Moltdown"
INDEX:
1. Stats
2. Talents
3. Rotation
4. Gems/Enchants
5. Trinkets
6. BiS List
7. Macros and Addons
8. Tips and Tricks
9. Closing Words
STATS
DEFENSE:
How defense works is it both scales your Dodge and Parry by .04% per point while reducing the chance you will be hit with a critical strike (2x damage).
The cap for being immune to level 82 boss crits (mostly heroic dungeons) is 535
The cap for being immune to level 83 boss crits (raids+) is 540
For every 4.918 Defense Rating you have, you get 1 Defense (skill)
The reasoning is as follows:
Spoiler:Show
RESILIENCE:
“Resilience will fix it”
Blizzard also implemented another stat that reduces your chance to be critted.
Every point of Resilience will give you a 0.01% chance to be critted. This means if someone tried to tank in resilience gear (not recommended) they would need 560 Resilience to become crit immune to a level 83 boss or 540 for level 82.
Yes this works in 3.3.5a, yes this works on warmane. I've tested it multiple times.
Where this stat comes into play however is when gearing, this makes PVP viable to get to cap.
Resilience = ¼ Defense
HOWEVER:
Resilience = 1.25 Defense Rating!
To calculate your crit immune cap, use this:
D = Defense (Skill)
R = Resilience (Not Rating!)
(.04 * [D-400]) + (.01 * R) = (Should be over 5.4 for Dungeon Bosses or over 5.6 for Raid Bosses)
FAQ:
Q: Are you telling me it me if I need to gem to reach my cap, Resilience is more effective?
A: Yes! http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=40126 will provide you with a ~0.1627% crit chance reduction (20 def rating) while http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=40127 will provide .02% crit reduction (20 resil).
Q: Why don’t all Tanks use Resilience/PVP gear in end game?
A: PVP gear provides your crit immunity along with strength and stamina, yet it doesn’t give Dodge, Parry, Expertise, Hit, or many other stats that are very Beneficial to tanks.
Q: If PVP gear is viable, is Medallion of the Horde/Alliance viable for tanks? Starting trinkets are hard to get as a tank.
A: The problem with trinkets like Medallion is they cost a lot to get, while that time could be spent farming ToC 5 or PoS HC for much better Trinkets.
STAMINA:
Stamina increases the amount of health you have.
Stamina is essential for all tanks, the bigger our health buffer the larger hits we can take.
ARMOR:
Armor is important as it reduces the physical damage you take.
Damage reduction from armor is capped at 75%, keeping that in mind you can use the following equation to formulateSpoiler:Show
DODGE/PARRY:
Dodge and Parry aren’t as important to have as Stamina or Armor, but it’s certainly nice to avoid an attack entirely every once in a while.
HIT:
Hit as a tank isn’t a primary stat while gearing, but you should be at cap before attempting any major raids.
8% is our cap for Melee attacks while we need to reach 9% with http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=43538 for our taunts to never miss. 8% is generally ok since with with a shadow priest and/or boomkin you get an extra 3% chance to hit against their target and you can even raid under hit cap with one, as long as your taunts don’t miss.
Reasoning:
Spoiler:Show
EXPERTISE:
Expertise is an opinionated subject, at BiS you should be capped but should you actively pursue it? Probably not.
For every point of Expertise, the chance your attacks are dodged/parried is reduced by 0.25%.
The soft cap for dodge is 26 expertise and the hard cap is 56. Being Expertise capped means your melee attacks won’t miss, but expertise isn’t really on a lot of gear.
Explanation:
Bosses have a 5% chance to dodge you, plus .5% for every level they have on you. That means a level 83 boss will have a 6.5% chance to dodge and since every point of Expertise reduces their chances of dodging them by 0.25%, so 6.5/.25=26 Expertise.
Bosses also have a 14% chance to Parry, which means you’d need 56 Expertise (14/.25). This number is difficult to reach, so most tanks don’t bother even with Parry-Hasting.
Parry-Hasting:
Spoiler:Show
Talents
If you want to keep it simple, use these:
https://wotlk.evowow.com/?talent#j0EMqIhIobobsZhxbxVMGz
This is the ideal single target threat/raid utility spec I'd recommend. Alternately you can trade Improved Icy Talons with DeathChill or Glacial Rot if you know you'll always be raiding with a Frost DK.
Along with these glyphs:
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=43538
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=43554
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=45805
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=43535
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=43544
Rotation
Your rotation will be strictly situational
Opening:
(Always Spam http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=56815) + http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49921 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49924 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49930 (x2)
My DoTs need to be refreshed, but I could use some extra healing and my threat is good:
(Always Spam http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=56815) + http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=50842 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49924 (x2) -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49930
I’m having a hard time holding aggro:
(Always Spam http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=56815) + http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 (x2)[if you have death runes up, use 4 http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 and skip http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49921 ]-> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49921 (x2) -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49930 (x2)
There’s a certain BiS warrior in my group who popped at the start of a boss fight:
(Always Spam http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=56815) + http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 (x2)[4 if you have Death Runes] -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=45529 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=47568 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 (x3)
OUCHIE! MY HEALTH IS LOW!
(If you already have both Diseases on your target):
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48982 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49924 (x2) -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=47568 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49924 (x2)
(If you don’t)
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48982 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49921 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49924 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=47568 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49924 (x2)
AoE:
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49938 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49921 -> http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=50842 -> (Tab + http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 as much as you can) ->Hope and Pray
Defensives:
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48792 – 30% Reduced damage (+ extra for defense rating) for 12 seconds. This is your best CD.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48707 – Shields you from debuffs and absorbs 75% magic damage for 5 seconds (up to a max of 50% of your health).
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=55233 – Increases your health temporarily and increases the healing you recieve.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48982 – heals you for 11% (21% with glyph) of your max health (and 10% for everyone in your party with glyph).
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=45529 (With 4 set T10) – 12% damage reduction for 10 sec.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=61606 – Places a debuff with 20 stacks on your target, every time they deal damage to a target it heals the target for 4% of their max health and consumes a stack. Lasts 20 seconds.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=42650 - Take less damage while channeling, increases with your dodge and parry chance.
Self-Healing:
Now here’s the fun part.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48982 – Heals you for 10% or 20% if you have the talents. (up to an extra 2% with glyph as well).
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49924 – Heals you for 5% per disease, a max of 10% when you have both diseases on your target.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48743 - Sacrifice a Ghoul from either army or raise dead/ally for 40% of your health.
Gems and Enchants
Gems:
Meta: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=41380
Red (x1 for meta): http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=40118**
Everything Else: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=40119
*For lower gear, simply gem for whatever makes sense. Gemming for socket bonus is worthwhile if that bonus is stamina or defense (if you’re under cap)
**If you have http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=50730, you can gem dodge or parry as long as you’re over soft expertise cap.
Enchants:
Weapon: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=62158
Wrists: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=62256
Chest: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=47900
Cloak: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=47672
Shoulders: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=44957
Head: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=44137 (or http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=67839 if you’re an Engineer [Note: it doesn't show the +45 stam but it is there])
Gloves: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=44625 (or http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=63770 if you’re an Engineer)
Pants: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=38373
Boots: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=47901 (or http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=55016 if you’re an Engineer [Don't underestimate the power of Nitro Boosts. These can save your raid])
Trinkets
BiS Trinkets: http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=47451 (http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=47080 for alliance)
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=50361
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=54591: Armor and an effect that increases your dodge rating after falling below 35%. [Decent Trinket because of Armor, but much better on warr/pala]
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=50349: Dodge and an effect that increases your armor after you dip below 35%. [Bad Trinket]
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=50364: Stamina and a Magic Resistance effect.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=50344: Stamina and an Armor effect. [Decent trinket, however the Stamina effect will fall off on many bosses due to their low melee attack speed]
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=50356: Stamina and an absorb effect. [Use until you get Jugs/Fang]
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=47451/http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=47088: Stamina and a health bump you can activate
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=47735: Armor and dodge rating
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=48021: Dodge Rating and an armor stacking effect
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=50235: Dodge Rating and a health bump you can activate.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=47216: Stamina and a pretty good chance Armor effect. Fantastic Starting Trinket.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=37220: Stamina and a decent equip effect. Awesome Starting Trinket.
Starting Trinkets I'd recommend:
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=47216
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=37220 (OR http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=48021 < http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=48021 < http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=50235)
You should always have AT LEAST 1 stamina trinket.
What trinkets you should use depends on your gear. If you're low on armor, it makes more sense to run an armor trinket and a stamina trinket but if you have ~70% armor it's almost pointless to run an armor trinket for most fights.
Also keep in mind the fight. If you have Key, Fang, and Juggs you should be using Juggs and Fang for most of ICC but on a fight like Gunship where there's going to be no magic damage done to you, swap out Fang for Key and get the extra effect. Make it a habit to think about the fight and change your trinket before you pull.
BiS List
So here’s your BiS armor list:
Spoiler:Show
Macros/Addons
Macros:
Hysteria (Places it on your focus):
#showtooltip Hysteria
/cast [target=focus] Hysteria
You can also macro Rune Strike to all your abilities to ensure you're always using it.
#showtooltip <ability>(rank x)
/cast <ability>(rank x)
/cast Rune Strike
Addons:
- DBM
- Gearscore
- Omen
- WhoTaunted
Tips and Tricks
Anti-Magic shell is your best friend. It’s by far the most underrated defensive.
- On Sindragosa you can use it to counter every other Frost Breath (as she’s casting it)[Take first, AMS second -> Flight Phase (drops off) -> AMS first, take second, AMS third]
- You can AMS Rune of Blood on DBS to reduce your tank juggling
- On BPC if you’re tanking Keleseth it can help absorb shadow lance if you drop an orb or two
- Tank a little bit of Cutter in Ruby Sanctum
- and any other spell damaging abilities.
Your mind freeze can be extremely useful when tanking bosses like Lady Death Whisperer or even Jaraxxus in ToC to interrupt their casting (frostbolt and fel firebolt)
Mark of Blood will help on Death Bringer Saurfang when your offtank is taking too much damage, you can also use chains of ice to slow any blood beasts that don’t get caught in a frost trap.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 makes tanking Keleseth easy since an http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49909 is more than enough to hold aggro of the orbs. (As of 3/15/18, Orbs on BPC have unlimited range meaning you can get the debuff from an orb across the room and allowing the DPS to use their AoE abilities.)
On Blood Queen Lana’thel, http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48792 reduces the damage you take as a main tank and will in turn reduce the damage your off tank takes. Same goes for http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=45529 when you have 4 Set Tier 10.
On Valithria Dreamwalker, http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=49576 will interrupt Blazing Skeleton’s http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=69326.
On Sindragosa, http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48707 will negate Sindragosa’s http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=69649. She uses it twice per every cooldown of http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/spell=48707 so it’s best to use on the first breath in the fight, the last breath before every air phase, and as often as possible in P2.