DistillNote

Beta, level cap 30 · data read 11 Oct

Best tank for PvE

Answer two questions. We rank the classes with our own scores and tiers and show why. Race picks follow the faction switch at the top.

What will you do most?

Which role?

Our picks for you

Recommendation

Ranked by our PvE tier for each class's best tank spec, then by our PvE score. PvE desirability (0–5): spec performance, role scarcity, raid utility, and supply — fewer players of a class means more groups want you. PvP (0–5): community PvP tiers plus CC, escapes and self-healing. Equal weight. These are our own scores from those inputs, not a published ranking.

No tank spec: Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock.

  1. Our PvE pick is Fury; as a PvE tank: Protection.

    Our picks: PvE Fury · PvP Arms · Leveling Arms

    Alliance race: DwarfHorde race: Orc

    Tree restructured on 1 Oct (Toughness removed, Iron Will in, several talents moved); Shield Slam requires Concussion Blow, Master of Defense requires Shield Specialization. 11 Oct sim: deep Prot 479, third of the three tanks. On the same run a 'Fury-prot' hybrid did more damage than deep Prot, 517 to 479; the sim doesn't measure threat. Reference tree only.

    Recommendation

  2. Our picks: PvE Protection · PvP Retribution · Leveling Retribution

    Alliance race: DwarfHorde race: Undead

    PvE: Tank/healer + Blessings; Prot first of the three tanks on the 11 Oct sim (551), ahead of Prot Warrior (479).

    The 1 Oct pass was kind: Holy Shield to 30% block, and the 11 Oct sim has Prot Paladin first of the three tanks at 551, ahead of Prot Warrior at 479. Redoubt lost a third of its block but you still need it 5/5 for Shield Specialization. Test the L30 route in Excavation Site: Wetlands and Razorfen Downs.

    Recommendation

  3. Our picks: PvE Feral Combat · PvP Restoration · Leveling Feral Combat

    Alliance race: Night ElfHorde race: Tauren

    PvE: Feral: Bear tank or Cat DPS from one tree; MotW, Innervate, battle res, Leader of the Pack.

    One tree, two roles: the 44/0/7 hybrid below tanks (Natural Reaction, Thick Hide, Heart of the Wild) and cats (Primal Bite, Rend and Tear, Shifting Power, Berserk). Bear fell to last of the tanks on the 3 Oct sim after the Warrior and Paladin buffs; on the 11 Oct run it is second of the three (496, on an older engine snapshot), ahead of Prot Warrior (479). Bear Rage-on-crit got its own buff.

    Recommendation