Yes and no. It is a very strong ability, especially when you build around it. It is definitely a focal point of the spec, much like Vampiric Blood is for Blood spec. I mean, there's a reason that after 8 years of the spell having been created, it still exists on retail as a primary mitigation mechanic. (Just saying. :p )
Well, a more avoidance-built tank is going to spike more because they don't have the same mitigation as a pure EH built tank. That's part of why avoidance and Bone Shield mesh so well together. But as for other CDs, I'm sure you're well aware of what other CDs a DK has. Icebound, Army, Blood Tap (via set bonus), AMS, and then there's AMZ for Unholy. Death Strike for Unholy is also more potent than it is for Frost (3 diseases for it to scale with).
And for off-tanking Lich King. But yes, that's about it. Which is why I pointed out that the build is for those two fights. If it doesn't apply, then just move those points elsewhere. If you read through the talents and understand them, you should be able to pick and choose which talents are appropriate for the situation, or which aren't.
I'm not entirely sure in which cases it would do more harm than good, though. For example, a Shambling Horror is moving slowly because of Desecration while you're moving out for transition, and you need to move it quickly? That's what Death Grip is for. You also have a Ghoul stun to utilize as well, if you really need to clutch-interrupt a shockwave.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...9/IMG_2201.PNG
- WatcherDev
Imp. Icy Talons build: http://wotlk.openwow.com/talent#j0bZ...cgGh00dxcuzbuc
Sub-optimal sturdiness in the build which can be clearly seen, but it's a trade-off for raid comp. Can be fine for 10-mans where you're the only DK and you over-gear the content.
The main difference between the spec I just linked and the first spec you linked is that you invested in more threat via Killing Machine, while I went for the utility of Lichborne and Icy Reach. I prefer Chill of the Grave & Runic Power Mastery over Glacier Rot in terms of threat increase and just having the extra Runic Power is nice sometimes. I'm of the opinion that all DK's should have at least one Runic Power generation talent, but Dirge is just awful for tanking. Chill of the Grave grants the same Runic Power boost at half the rune cost, on top of it coming from your primary source of threat for single target (Icy Touch).
- Killing Machine is a good threat generator talent for single target, that's for sure. But I wouldn't go more than 3/5.
- Lichborne is good for Blood Queen fight, and it allows you to dump your Runic Power to heal yourself.
- Icy Reach is a preference of mine because it requires me to run less in order to pick things up off people via Icy Touch.
- I would only consider Black Ice particularly useful with Wandering Plague and Plague Strike.
- Unholy Command is great if you're regularly using Death Grip on an encounter that has grippable mobs. LK, Halion, Deathbringer, etc.
- Epidemic allows you to spend more time Death Striking if you have a threat lead and spend more death runes on Death Strike.
- Master of Ghouls is something I consider to be a "must have" if you are going to grab Night of the Dead. It lowers your ghoul's CD down far enough to where you don't really have to worry about it dying and not have it available for Death Pact. It also gives your a ghoul the ability to be controlled, and it has a stun ability. Both of which can be very useful.
- Desolation I don't consider it to be really worth the points invested in it, as it requires a lot of invested points to make it good. I would only put points there if you feel you have nowhere else to put them.
- One point in Improved Unholy Presence replaces Tuskarr's, which allows you to use the pure stamina enchant on your boots. A second point is just as good as the first.
- I would comment on Wandering Plague, Scourge Strike and Rage of Rivendare, but seems you prefer a hybrid spec. You won't be able to have any of these talents in a hybrid spec.
- Spell Deflection is one of the big things I dislike about Blood. It's RNG and both other specs have talents that provide straight non-RNG spell damage mitigation via Acclimation (Frost) and Magic Suppression/Anti-Magic Zone/Bone Shield (Unholy).
Hey, if that's what you prefer. More power to you. 10% attack power raid buff is moot the moment any Marksman Hunter or Enhance Shaman join the raid. And I think we both know that Marksman Hunters are common to the point where most raid leaders want at least one in the raid, regardless of 10 or 25 man raid size. It's probably the least important buff a DK could bring to a raid group for that very reason. Whereas, Crypt Fever/Ebon Plaguebringer is always wanted and can't be replaced by anything but another Unholy DK for two reasons: It boosts disease damage (other DKs and Shadow Priests are happy) and it boosts magic damage on the target (whole raid is happy) and allows any Warlock to use their damage-dealing curse instead (Warlock is extra happy).
So... Blood MT, Unholy OT? Perfect!

