Race choice for tankadin in Cata

[superworm]

A friend of mine is planning to play a paladin (mostly as a tank) in Cataclysm. He is asking me for advice on what race to choose as he is a min/max player. As we are playing Alliance, human, dranei and drawf are the possible choices. In 4.03a the block of paladin has become very powerful and I'm thinking that the only thing could really take down a paladin is some stun mechanism, so imo human should be the better choice. Drawves have the stone form but it used to not work on Heroic modes in WotLK. Dranei's 1% hit is good but not something very useful for a tankadin.
Anyway I would like to ask for the ideas of other experienced tankadins here as I haven't played my pal for quite a long time now.

[KysenMurrin]

There's not a lot between them.

Combat bonuses:
Human: 3 Expertise with Swords/Maces
Dwarf: 3 Expertise with Maces
Draenei: 1% hit

Cooldowns:
Human: PvP trinket effect
Dwarf: 10% armor for 8 seconds (ignoring the debuff removal because Blizz can make boss effects immune)
Draenei: HoT that scales with your attack power

All of those boil down to preference rather than any being particularly stronger than others, I think. I'd put Dwarf and Draenei higher on survivability, because Blizzard won't design fear/stun effects in a way that kills non-human tanks, but that's not to deny the power of being able to break those effects.

Aside from the obvious:
Humans have rep gains that give them an advantage on getting their vendor gear and enchants faster at the start, but once you have the rep you lose the value of this.
Humans do not have a spell resisitance racial, while Draenei and Dwarves have Shadow and Frost.


My opinion: I prefer Dwarf, marginally, but I play Dwarf not for the racials but because I like the look and feel of the race better. When it comes down to it it doesn't make much difference - if it did Blizzard would have balance problems with all min/maxer tanks swapping race.

[Braundo]

My opinion: I prefer Dwarf, marginally, but I play Dwarf not for the racials but because I like the look and feel of the race better. When it comes down to it it doesn't make much difference - if it did Blizzard would have balance problems with all min/maxer tanks swapping race.

Pretty much this. Dwarves have a hidden extra racial that says "Dwarf: you're a motherfucking dwarf. You're better than the rest of these schmucks."

If I ever transfer back to Alliance, I am without a doubt going Dwarf.

(I still think that Diplomacy is the most useful racial in the game, but that's because I like doing old-school rep grinds. Still not enough to make me roll a human, though.)

[superworm]

I also like the accent of Muradin. Indeed these racials don't make too much difference. It's sad one cannot roll a wolf paladin.

[KysenMurrin]

I also like the accent of Muradin.

/facepalm
I still groan every time I hear "A lone orc..."

[Gamingdevil]

I also like the accent of Muradin.

/facepalm
I still groan every time I hear "A lone orc..."

...against the might of the Alliance?!

[kazinji]

Damnit wheres my Night Elf Paladin. And the 2% miss.

[bldavis]

i would say human just for the bonus rep

oc i play a human pally
but if i rerolled i might go dwarf.. after that is what my hunter and priest are

then there is always the cbh factor...
female dranei running with her weapon sheathed...

[Spamdrew]

I also like the accent of Muradin.

/facepalm
I still groan every time I hear "A lone orc..."

Sorry you must be getting confused by his accent it is clearly



Also Dwarves for the win.

[Kelaan]

Combat bonuses:
Human: 3 Expertise with Swords/Maces
Dwarf: 3 Expertise with Maces
Draenei: 1% hit

Cooldowns:
Human: PvP trinket effect
Dwarf: 10% armor for 8 seconds (ignoring the debuff removal because Blizz can make boss effects immune)
Draenei: HoT that scales with your attack power

I rather like the Draenei hit aura. I wish I had "Every man for himself", the human PvP trinket, though. The HoT doesn't often seem very effective -- rarely does the HoT make a difference in the way that snare / stun removal seems like it would. That said, usually the Really Bad Stuff isn't removable.

Dwarves ... meh. I'll take my silly dance and gigantic shoulders, not to mention being taller than most elves. Draenei are the Tauren of the Alliance, IMO. I even put up with the silly accent, because I play without sound. If I were to race change, it would be to a human, but frankly I like being a Draenei.

[brujah]

Further to this discussion, how many horde pallies are thinking of switching from Blood Elf today to Tauren pally, if for nothing more then the health buff and to not be a Blood Elf anymore

[superworm]

Muradin is a very important figure in the warcraft lore, especially for one who played through the warcraft 3 campaigns. I'm really moved by his dialogue when I finished the "Muradin's Lament" quest.

Player hand over Arthas' Training Sword to Muradin Bronzebeard.
Muradin Bronzebeard says: Oh, lad...
Muradin Bronzebeard says: How I miss those endless days in Lordaeron...
Muradin Bronzebeard says: ...sharpenin' yer skill with this dull blade...
Muradin Bronzebeard says: ...forgin' ya into a weapon meant to withstand the demands of a great destiny.
Muradin Bronzebeard says: Heh... Yeh sure put them skills ta use, didn't yeh, lad?
Muradin Bronzebeard says: If only I'da been able ta stop yeh that day, how different things mighta been.
Muradin Bronzebeard says: If only I'da never discovered that accursed blade...
Muradin Bronzebeard says: Farewell, Arthas... my brother.

[superworm]

Sorry you must be getting confused by his accent it is clearly



Also Dwarves for the win.

This is FUNNY

[KysenMurrin]

I rather like the Draenei hit aura.

No longer an aura, however. It's just a passive 1% hit on your character and affects no one else.

[Yelena]

It's sad one cannot roll a wolf paladin.