The arrival of the third phase in World of Warcraft Season of Discovery and the content it brought definitely changed the goal from the previous phase. Some classes have seen changes to their abilities, which have improved their ability to absorb more damage or simply increased their survivability. Changing these parameters has shifted the position of some classes in terms of their potential as a tank. That's why we've compiled a list of the best tanks in WoW SoD Phase 3, starting with the class that demonstrates the worst performance in this role to the best S-rank.
Druid
With the release of the third phase of Season of Discovery, druids received several new runes that improved this class as a tank. Survival of the Fittest reduces incoming damage to druids and the chance of getting a critical hit by 6%, which allows you to survive difficult attacks from enemies. At the same time, the Survival Instincts ability is useful, which increases the owner's health by 30% for a certain time, which generally increases the character's survivability. Some abilities, depending on the animal form of the druid, provide useful effects such as stunning from Skull Bash or bleeding from Lacerate. The druid's unique abilities are also worth noting: Rebirth, which allows you to return the spirit to the body of the deceased and restore some of their health, and Innervate, which has a strong mana recovery effect.
The main characteristics for the druid are endurance, which provides survivability against various types of attacks from enemies, as well as agility. Agility will provide the player with the ability to dodge other people's attacks, increase armour level and the chance of critical hits, making the druid not only a tank but also a good DPS. Druids should choose the right professions: leatherworking to create equipment and engineering to create useful items not only for PvE content but also for PvP. However, the partial difficulty of playing as a druid, the limitation of good PvE equipment, and the lack of defensive abilities leave this class only at the B-rank position in the list of good tanks in WoW SoD Phase 3.
Rogue
It may seem strange, but the rogue class in World of Warcraft can also be a tank. This opportunity was provided by new runes that were released in the new Season of Discovery. For example, Just a Flesh Wound reduces incoming damage to the hero by 20% as long as the Blade Dance ability is active. In addition, the rogue has a reduced chance of taking critical damage from enemies. Blade Dance also increases the chance of parrying, which provides an additional opportunity to deflect an enemy attack and avoid damage. Other abilities that have similar effects are Lightning Reflexes and Deflection.
Most importantly, the rogue continues to be a good DPS, meaning he essentially fulfils two roles, hence being very useful both on his own and in a group with a team. The key abilities remain Sinister Strike, which is the main combo point generator, and Riposte, which is activated by parrying. However, the Rogue does not provide the team with any group buffs or effects, unlike other tanks. He is also very dependent on dodging and parrying; if the hero gets stunned, it will be a significant problem for him. As a tank, your main task is to lure the attention of your opponents to you, in particular thanks to the Tease ability. Good DPS and special abilities make him not only a good damager.
Shaman
In the new phase, the shaman will have to change his playstyle, replacing dual wielding with a shield in one hand and a sword in the other. This change will increase the shaman's defensive skills. We cannot say that runes have made him much better, but they offer good abilities. Lightning Shield creates shield charges around the shaman that target the attacker and essentially work in AoE. The Way of Earth rune is very important for tanks of this class, as it significantly increases survivability.
The priority characteristics, like for the druid, will be agility and endurance, as they provide the parameters necessary for tanks. However, intelligence is also valuable, as many of the shaman's abilities require a large amount of mana. Engineering and leatherworking are the recommended professions for a shaman. The latter allows you to create Glowing Gneuro-Linked Cowl and Cacophonous Chain Shoulderguards, which are good for a tank shaman. However, the lack of full-fledged shields and the strong dependence on mana also make themselves felt, which is why the shaman is sent only to B-rank.
Warlock
The situation regarding the role of the tank has improved for warlocks. They have more abilities that increase their effectiveness in this area. Metamorphosis Rune gives Warlocks a demonic form that increases their armour by 500% and significantly increases their ability to pose a threat. Searing Pain is an instant spell that becomes one of the main spells during the fight. Another good ability for a tank warlock is Shadow Cleave, which deals damage to multiple targets at once.
Lake of Fire increases the damage of the hero, which works well in synergy with Rain of Fire, allowing you to increase your overall DPS. The Master Channeler rune changes Drain Life and improves the hero's self-healing, which increases the overall survivability of the blackguard in battle. The uniqueness of this class is that they can tank while being ranged heroes. So, in SoD, warlocks can be a good choice for dungeons, thanks to a good toolkit of abilities that allow you to tank and provide value to your group. However, to make this class a tank, you need to find new runes. Read the article to find out how and where to do this: WoW SoD Phase 3 All Warlock Runes and Locations Guide.
Warrior
In the third phase of SoD, warriors received several improvements that allowed this class to remain one of the best tanks, and again, new runes were not without. Flagellation increases physical damage by 25% for 12 seconds after activating certain abilities, such as Bloodrage and Berserker Rage, allowing you to increase your threat score and lure enemies to you. The quality of your weapon greatly affects your threat. Slow weapons are particularly effective due to their synergy with abilities like Devastate, which benefit from higher weapon damage.
In this phase, warriors also received the Gladiator rune, which increases the damage and blocking chance by 10% when in Gladiator Stance. The Warbringer ability increases the mobility of the warrior, allowing you to use Intercept, Charge, and Intervene in any position, eliminating effects that limit your actions. The Engineering and Blacksmithing professions are recommended because of their usefulness to the warrior, helping not only to create items that will help you in battle, but also equipment that will increase your ability to survive. The Focused Rage and Enraged Regeneration runes reduce rage costs and increase survivability, respectively, offering flexibility in different combat situations.
Paladin
Among all the classes, the paladin is the best for the role of a tank. The introduction of several new abilities that came with runes makes the rotation of newer paladins a bit more dynamic. They can now focus on both targeted and AoE fights, making this class not only survivable but also combat-ready and versatile depending on the situation. Aegis increases blocking by 30% with a 10% chance each time you take damage. The paladin also received improvements in the form of Hammer of the Righteous and Wrath, which increased his attack power.
Paladins should focus on gear that increases their spell power and strength, as these stats are crucial to maximizing the effectiveness of their abilities, particularly in terms of tanking. In addition, items that increase mana regeneration and survivability are also important due to their high mana consumption. This class also has powerful group abilities: Blessing of Protection, which grants full protection from damage, but the player will not be able to attack or use abilities; Hammer of Justice, which grants a three-second stun to the target.
Conclusion
Realizing the potential of each of these classes as a tank depends only on your skill and understanding of the game, as well as proper character levelling, good runes, and equipment. Their place in the list was based on the difficulty of playing this class, the complexity of individual mechanics and rotations. As well as the weaknesses of the class that do not reveal the potential of the tank role to the fullest.
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