When is a Tankadin Ready for Heroics?

[ctyotyler]

Ok I've read through the majority of these posts and an underlying question still remains in my mind: Am I ready for heroics?

I've been looking at some of those sweet new rewards for the badge of justices and haven't touched a heroic yet as I've only hit 70 a few weeks ago. With the daily quest bonus of 2 BoJ I want to get my feet wet.

When is a tank really ready for heroics? I'll assume 490 def is required but what about avoidance? Is it necessary to have 102.4%? Any knowledge/experiences will be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[ulushnar]

A Tankadin is ready for Heroics when he has to start downgrading his gear to avoid going oom in regular 5-mans.

And no, you only have to worry about 102.4% avoidance/block when you're up against a mob with a skull beside it, which should only be happening in raids. For Heroics, stock up on 485 Defense (maximum mob level is 72) and then get as much block value and spelldamage as you can get. Aim for roughly 35% combined dodge and parry as a baseline to avoid some of the massive damage heroic mobs output.

The easier heroics to get your feet wet in are Slave Pens, Underbog and Mechanar. Avoid Sethekk or Crypts until you're insanely geared, or just plain insane.

[ctyotyler]

Wow that first line stated just blew me away. I have been going oom in regular 5-mans. It seems recently all my money is going to drink (I need to become friends with a mage )

I'll build up my dodge/parry rating and start these instances. Thanks for the help!

[Lakirby]

The first heroic I ever tanked was Sethekk Halls. Made me a sad panda.

[Suikano]

My first one was Saturday night, steamvaults. Rough run but we did it.

[Andox]

My first was heroic Blood Furnance, I was shocked that last boss hitted like a girl

[Korath]

Only done 1 Mech so far and 1 wipe but otherwise good run, my main group of instance runners have been away for a few weeks (and/or I've been doing alot of kara) but going to get back into it soon.

SH is still top of my list of what I want to try

[Vanifae]

I find Sethek to be not too bad Crypts is kind of retarded, but Mana Tombs is king of this sucks.

Arcatraz isn't bad but has its moments.

[Exodius]

Well, every heroic I have tried so far has been pretty good if the group knows what it's doing. That's not always gaurenteed though with PUGs.

Most of the mobs though do hit like bricks though. That can be a step learning curve for you, or at least for your healer.

I have only done Crypts once and it was not too bad. It was a learning curve but I was with a SP friend of mine who had ran it a million times before to try and get the enchant. I just let her mark and explain it all.

The trick with that place is to just cleanse the hunters that spawn and viper sting.

Also watch out on the bridge for that thing that chucks you off. Died twice from that stupid thing.

Other than that I did not see anything special. They said something about changing it on the patch notes but I don't know what it was like before.

And yes, the SP got her enchant. I got my Felsteel recipe too.

[Gray]

Avoid Sethekk or Crypts until you're insanely geared, or just plain insane.

Hope it's ok if i disagree. Sethekk or Crypts needs no CC whatsoever. The mobs hit like wet paper and the bosses can be one shotted without effort (yes, even IKiss).

Having done all the Heroics as a tankadin, i find BM and Shattered the most challenging.

I agree that Mech or SP are the easiest to get started with. A usual SP run for me is around 35min

[Dorvan]

Shattered Halls is the most challenging heroic as a Tankadin? You're doing something wrong

[DamnLag]

I'm confused. I am not level 70 yet, but I've always read that SH is a tankadins dream..?

[utena]

I'm confused. I am not level 70 yet, but I've always read that SH is a tankadins dream..?

There's a huge difference between SH and Heroic SH...

Those packs HURT.

It's not so much a question of "can you tank it?," but rather, "can they heal it?"

I've found tanking KZ and ZA actually easier than tanking heroics -- primarily because pugging heroics in 2.3 sucks, where anyone and their grandma in sub-70 greens can join...

[Dorvan]

I'm confused. I am not level 70 yet, but I've always read that SH is a tankadins dream..?

There's a huge difference between SH and Heroic SH...

Those packs HURT.

It's not so much a question of "can you tank it?," but rather, "can they heal it?"

I've found tanking KZ and ZA actually easier than tanking heroics -- primarily because pugging heroics in 2.3 sucks, where anyone and their grandma in sub-70 greens can join...

Block value does wonders against the big packs. As with all heroics you need a good healer, but heroic SH is a free 5 badges plus some shards, primals, and pots in under an hour. Oh, and don't pull the Gladiator packs until you're overgeared for everything else

[Zahir]

It's not so much a question of "can you tank it?," but rather, "can they heal it?"

the more and more i tank heroics, the more and more i realize this. Healing is completely different in Heroics, and if you don't have a good healer it's usually GG.

I've had people complain to me that i take too much damage, and there are some who compliment me for doing such a great job. It's usually the "bad" healers that say i take too much dmg cause they aren't used to healing a heroic and the good healers the ones saying the latter due to my ability to keep threat on the mobs and do my job.

Kinda makes me want to find a permanent healer for heroics...but i'm lazy