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I am proud to say that my Voidwalker, Konkath (or KK for short) has main tanked the following Burning Crusade Instances:
-Hellfire Blood Furnace (level 73)
-Old Hillsbrad (level 69)
-Underbog (level 70)
In Blood Furnace, KK main tanked along side another warlock's Voidwalker. Old Hillsbrad is an excellent instance for a Voidwalker tank because Thrall is there to tank most of it. For Underbog, I was just a higher level than everyone else. My guildies had PuG'ed in a ret Pally to tank, but that wasn't working at all, so I came in and told the group that KK would be tanking, and told the Pally to concentrate on DPS. Then I asked the healer if things were going better, and she said it was.
Voidwalker tanking in instances is a little different than soloing.
Voidwalker Tanking While Soloing:
For melee attackers, just send in the Voidwalker, let him taunt the mob, then start dotting it up.
If there are several mobs in a big group, you can either 1) take them all out at once, dotting them all up and then using AoE and/or fear, or 2) pull one with a shadowbolt, sent Voidwalker to attack who will then taunt the mob, but you'll also need him to cast suffering. I like to take suffering off auto-cast in these circumstances.
For casters, again if they are alone you can just send in your Voidwalker and let him at it. Otherwise, you'll need to do what is called a "line of sight" (LoS) pull where you shadowbolt the mob (have your Voidwalker on "passive"), and then run around a corner if you can, or if not just run back really far out of the caster's line of sight or range. Then send the Voidwalker in, and you may need to use Suffering.
Voidwalker Tanking in Instances:
Since the Voidwalker can't take as many hits as regular warrior, pally, and druid bear tanks, you'll want to make sure you can get CC on most of the other mobs or use an off-tank (a ret pally, fury warrior, and hunter's bear pet can work in this role). Get the party leader to make you leader or convince them to mark all the mobs as to who will tank or CC what and let everyone know what order it should go in. Whatever your Voidwalker is tanking should be killed first. If there is an off-tank, that should be killed second, but try and get your Voidwalker to grab aggro from the offtank using suffering. You also may need to use suffering if someone else grabs aggro from the Voidwalker. If you grab the aggro, you should save the suffering cooldown and use soulshatter on yourself. If there is a pally in your group, get them to cast blessing of salvation on everyone but your Voidwalker and the offtank--this will help immensely. Finally, if your Voidwalker is about to die and your healer is out of mana, sacrifice him! Then drain tank and hope the healer can gain enough mana to keep you alive.
Final note: Using your Voidwalker as a main tank is really hard and should only be done if there are no better tanks available. You should also try to stick to instances that are a bit lower level than you are so the bosses wont seem to hit so hard. It's best used for helping a bunch of low-to-mid 60 friends be able to go through instances when otherwise no tank is available.
Frijona Goes to Karazhan
My first Karazan run was fun and successful! We downed Attumen, Moroes, Maiden, and Opera (Oz). We only had one wipe on Maiden, and other than that we did fabulously, getting the four of them done, plus the gold carrying patrons in less than three hours. He's a screenshot of me standing over Moroes's corpse:
(This also gives you a chance to see what all my gear from the previous post looks like!)
The only problem I had was my inability to keep Roar feared without him killing me, which he did after the third fear ended. Next time I'll probably have someone get aggro off him before starting the fear so he goes to attack someone else while I cast fear. Other than that, I asked everyone for advice--but they all just said I did a really great job and asked me to come back to finish it on Saturday! I'm really looking forward to it, and I trust that if I needed to change tactics they'd tell me.
As for loots, most drops were, of course, plate, but I did get the Wicket Witch's Hat which looks pretty awesome, and my Violet Signet from reputation.
Coming Soon: My next post is going to be on the hideousness of shoulder armor. If you have any screenshots of characters in really ugly shoulder armor that doesn't match, please send them my way! Comment or email frijona @ live . com (no spaces).
(This also gives you a chance to see what all my gear from the previous post looks like!)
The only problem I had was my inability to keep Roar feared without him killing me, which he did after the third fear ended. Next time I'll probably have someone get aggro off him before starting the fear so he goes to attack someone else while I cast fear. Other than that, I asked everyone for advice--but they all just said I did a really great job and asked me to come back to finish it on Saturday! I'm really looking forward to it, and I trust that if I needed to change tactics they'd tell me.
As for loots, most drops were, of course, plate, but I did get the Wicket Witch's Hat which looks pretty awesome, and my Violet Signet from reputation.
Coming Soon: My next post is going to be on the hideousness of shoulder armor. If you have any screenshots of characters in really ugly shoulder armor that doesn't match, please send them my way! Comment or email frijona @ live . com (no spaces).
Easy-Peasy Gearing for the Newly 70 Warlock
I thought getting myself geared to start raiding in Kara was going to take me a very long time. Thanks to some very helpful guild members (one in particular who basically researched everything for me) I’m already set to go, and it hasn’t been long at all since I hit 70! Here is what I have and how I got it, in case any other affliction warlocks are ready to step up their gear and don’t want to do all the research that Belfonisis did for me!
1. What are the required stats?
For Affiction warlocks, here are the required stats suggested by fellow Affliction-specced warlock and Veritas GM, Aimi:
Self-Buffed
Spell Hit: 80 (Less with the suppression talent.)
Spell Damage: 600
HP: 6500 - 7500
Mana: 7500
Crit: 10%
And in case you’re a Destruction lock, here are Aimi’s suggested stats:
Spell Hit: 80
Spell Damage: 550
HP: 6500 - 7500
Mana: 8500
Crit: 20%
(Note that Aimi suggests speccing Affliction for Kara. We belong to a ‘we wont tell you how to spec’ guild, though. I tried the dark pact/ruin build for about a week, but didn’t get nearly the DPS I get with Unstable Affliction. Also, she didn’t provide any info on what a Demonology warlock ought to have, and since I’d personally never spec Demonology myself, I haven’t bothered to look that up. If anyone knows this, please comment and I’ll add!)
2. What does my gear give me?
Spell Hit: 78 (+ Supression)
Spell Damage: 657
HP: 7760 (with Imp buff)
Mana: 8335
Crit: 12%
Visit Frijona’s amory profile for more info. (Note that this will change as I continue to upgrade my gear.)
3. The gear, and where to find it
Head
Hydromancer’s Headwrap – This is a quest reward for slaying Warlord Kalithresh in Steamvault (non-heroic). The quest is called The Warlord’s Hideout and starts with the Night Elf who sits inside Colifang Reservoir. He’s not the easiest boss to kill, but other than that it’s a generally fun instance which isn’t too hard to find people to go with. I ran it at level 68. Go ahead and ignore the socket bonus, as it is pretty pointless.
Neck
Torc of the Sethekk Prophet - This necklace gives a big spell crit boost. It’s also a quest reward for the quest Brother Against Brother, which takes place in Sethekk Halls. This instance also gives Lower City rep, which you’ll need for your shoulders!
Luminous Pearls of Insight is another option, which drops from the final boss in Underbog. I’ve seen it drop at least twice, but then again Underbog is my favorite instance and so I run it whenever I can.
Shoulders
Dreadweave Mantle - I chose this piece for three reasons: 1) the hit rating, 2) it’s fairly easy to get, and 4) it’s less hideous than the other option, which is blue and white and does not look warlock-ish at all:
The other, uglier option I mentioned was Spaulders of the Torn Heart, a reward for one of the longest quest chains in the game.
Back
Ogre Slayer’s Cover - Not my best piece, but pretty easy to get just from helping out that Broken in Nagrand who keeps getting captured by Ogres. Even though it’s not that spectacular, I couldn’t find an upgrade that was worth any effort.
Chest
Imbued Netherweave Robe. This is part one of the crafted set. The materials required are:
6 bolts of imbued netherweave
2 netherweb spider silk
1 rune thread
It’s also not that expensive on the AH. I can’t really see a reason why anyone wouldn’t want this set. I suppose if you’re Aldor, you can get Anchorite Robes, but I would advise against going Aldor so you can get the trinket from Scyers. Plus, if you have this robe you can’t complete the set.
Wrist
Shattrath Wraps - Another quest reward from the quest The Soul Devices. The red socket is great, since better gems come in red varieties than in blue (which most of my socketed items have).
Hands
Tempest’s Touch - This is a quest reward for Return to Andormu which you complete after running Old Hillsbrad, which is an amazing instance, that’s full of great lore. My voidwalker tanked this instance (along with Thrall). (Sometime I’ll have to write something about voidwalker tanking in instances.)
Waist
Sash of Serpentra - This is my only boss drop item. It’s amazing for the +17 hit rating. If it doesn’t drop for you, I’d suggest:
Girdle of Ruination - A crafted belt that is very mats-heavy. The sockets will allow for adding +hit. I’d suggest waiting until you get to 70 and have your flying mount for farming the following mats:
10 shadowcloth
16 primal fire
1 primal nether
Legs
Imbued Netherweave Pants - Part 2 of the set! Uses the following mats:
5 bolt of imbued netherweave
2 netherweb spider silk
1 rune thread
Or you could search it out on the auction house.
Feet
Imbued Netherweave Boots - Part 3. These look rather ugly if you have to look at them, so having the robe instead of the tunic is my advice in this case! I never saw this one on the auction house, but that doesn’t mean you wont. Mats:
4 bolt of imbued netherweave
6 knothide leather
2 netherweb spider silk
1 rune thread
Finger
Cenarion Ring of Casting - This is from that quest in Colifang where you have to find all of the missing Druids. Not one of my best items, but like the cloak there aren’t many good ring upgrades that are easily available.
Band of the Guardian - Yet another quest reward! This one is from Hero of the Brood, which is completed in Black Morass, which like Old Hillsbrad is lots of fun! Although, I would not recommend having your voidwalker tank this one.
Trinket
Scryer’s Bloodgem - This is the awesome trinket from getting revered with the Scryers. This gives you improved spell hit rating by 32. Also, Scryer’s rep is easier to get these days due to the daily quests. The signets are actually pretty cheep on the auction house!
Glowing Crystal Insignia - Another quest reward, this time from Overlord Gorefist. It was a while back, but I’m pretty sure I soloed this quest. Hordies do a different quest and get Ancient Crystal Talisman.
Another option, essential if you are destruction specced or if you have no brains—I mean went Aldor:
Vengeance of the Illidari - I chose Insignia because as an afflicion specced warlock, damage done is more important.
Staff
The Bringer of Death - This staff not only looks completely shadow and awesome, but it’s a bind on equip world drop! This means you might find it on sale in the auction house. Mine was a gift from a guild member. There is no reason for you not to have this staff.
Wand
Nesingwary Safari Stick - Since all the 70 warlocks in my guild, and many of the mages as well, have this wand, I’m not going to bother to link any others. It makes finishing all those boring animal killing quests in Nagrand worth it.
There you have it! I managed to obtain all of these items in less than three weeks, while it took me over three years to get to 70. If anyone has pieces I’ve missed and would like added, be sure and comment!
Coming Soon: The gems and enchants I’ve used, my first trip to Kara (tomorrow!), balancing raiding and RP, and why Bliz should make an option to hide shoulder armor.
1. What are the required stats?
For Affiction warlocks, here are the required stats suggested by fellow Affliction-specced warlock and Veritas GM, Aimi:
Self-Buffed
Spell Hit: 80 (Less with the suppression talent.)
Spell Damage: 600
HP: 6500 - 7500
Mana: 7500
Crit: 10%
And in case you’re a Destruction lock, here are Aimi’s suggested stats:
Spell Hit: 80
Spell Damage: 550
HP: 6500 - 7500
Mana: 8500
Crit: 20%
(Note that Aimi suggests speccing Affliction for Kara. We belong to a ‘we wont tell you how to spec’ guild, though. I tried the dark pact/ruin build for about a week, but didn’t get nearly the DPS I get with Unstable Affliction. Also, she didn’t provide any info on what a Demonology warlock ought to have, and since I’d personally never spec Demonology myself, I haven’t bothered to look that up. If anyone knows this, please comment and I’ll add!)
2. What does my gear give me?
Spell Hit: 78 (+ Supression)
Spell Damage: 657
HP: 7760 (with Imp buff)
Mana: 8335
Crit: 12%
Visit Frijona’s amory profile for more info. (Note that this will change as I continue to upgrade my gear.)
3. The gear, and where to find it
Head
Hydromancer’s Headwrap – This is a quest reward for slaying Warlord Kalithresh in Steamvault (non-heroic). The quest is called The Warlord’s Hideout and starts with the Night Elf who sits inside Colifang Reservoir. He’s not the easiest boss to kill, but other than that it’s a generally fun instance which isn’t too hard to find people to go with. I ran it at level 68. Go ahead and ignore the socket bonus, as it is pretty pointless.
Neck
Torc of the Sethekk Prophet - This necklace gives a big spell crit boost. It’s also a quest reward for the quest Brother Against Brother, which takes place in Sethekk Halls. This instance also gives Lower City rep, which you’ll need for your shoulders!
Luminous Pearls of Insight is another option, which drops from the final boss in Underbog. I’ve seen it drop at least twice, but then again Underbog is my favorite instance and so I run it whenever I can.
Shoulders
Dreadweave Mantle - I chose this piece for three reasons: 1) the hit rating, 2) it’s fairly easy to get, and 4) it’s less hideous than the other option, which is blue and white and does not look warlock-ish at all:
The other, uglier option I mentioned was Spaulders of the Torn Heart, a reward for one of the longest quest chains in the game.
Back
Ogre Slayer’s Cover - Not my best piece, but pretty easy to get just from helping out that Broken in Nagrand who keeps getting captured by Ogres. Even though it’s not that spectacular, I couldn’t find an upgrade that was worth any effort.
Chest
Imbued Netherweave Robe. This is part one of the crafted set. The materials required are:
6 bolts of imbued netherweave
2 netherweb spider silk
1 rune thread
It’s also not that expensive on the AH. I can’t really see a reason why anyone wouldn’t want this set. I suppose if you’re Aldor, you can get Anchorite Robes, but I would advise against going Aldor so you can get the trinket from Scyers. Plus, if you have this robe you can’t complete the set.
Wrist
Shattrath Wraps - Another quest reward from the quest The Soul Devices. The red socket is great, since better gems come in red varieties than in blue (which most of my socketed items have).
Hands
Tempest’s Touch - This is a quest reward for Return to Andormu which you complete after running Old Hillsbrad, which is an amazing instance, that’s full of great lore. My voidwalker tanked this instance (along with Thrall). (Sometime I’ll have to write something about voidwalker tanking in instances.)
Waist
Sash of Serpentra - This is my only boss drop item. It’s amazing for the +17 hit rating. If it doesn’t drop for you, I’d suggest:
Girdle of Ruination - A crafted belt that is very mats-heavy. The sockets will allow for adding +hit. I’d suggest waiting until you get to 70 and have your flying mount for farming the following mats:
10 shadowcloth
16 primal fire
1 primal nether
Legs
Imbued Netherweave Pants - Part 2 of the set! Uses the following mats:
5 bolt of imbued netherweave
2 netherweb spider silk
1 rune thread
Or you could search it out on the auction house.
Feet
Imbued Netherweave Boots - Part 3. These look rather ugly if you have to look at them, so having the robe instead of the tunic is my advice in this case! I never saw this one on the auction house, but that doesn’t mean you wont. Mats:
4 bolt of imbued netherweave
6 knothide leather
2 netherweb spider silk
1 rune thread
Finger
Cenarion Ring of Casting - This is from that quest in Colifang where you have to find all of the missing Druids. Not one of my best items, but like the cloak there aren’t many good ring upgrades that are easily available.
Band of the Guardian - Yet another quest reward! This one is from Hero of the Brood, which is completed in Black Morass, which like Old Hillsbrad is lots of fun! Although, I would not recommend having your voidwalker tank this one.
Trinket
Scryer’s Bloodgem - This is the awesome trinket from getting revered with the Scryers. This gives you improved spell hit rating by 32. Also, Scryer’s rep is easier to get these days due to the daily quests. The signets are actually pretty cheep on the auction house!
Glowing Crystal Insignia - Another quest reward, this time from Overlord Gorefist. It was a while back, but I’m pretty sure I soloed this quest. Hordies do a different quest and get Ancient Crystal Talisman.
Another option, essential if you are destruction specced or if you have no brains—I mean went Aldor:
Vengeance of the Illidari - I chose Insignia because as an afflicion specced warlock, damage done is more important.
Staff
The Bringer of Death - This staff not only looks completely shadow and awesome, but it’s a bind on equip world drop! This means you might find it on sale in the auction house. Mine was a gift from a guild member. There is no reason for you not to have this staff.
Wand
Nesingwary Safari Stick - Since all the 70 warlocks in my guild, and many of the mages as well, have this wand, I’m not going to bother to link any others. It makes finishing all those boring animal killing quests in Nagrand worth it.
There you have it! I managed to obtain all of these items in less than three weeks, while it took me over three years to get to 70. If anyone has pieces I’ve missed and would like added, be sure and comment!
Coming Soon: The gems and enchants I’ve used, my first trip to Kara (tomorrow!), balancing raiding and RP, and why Bliz should make an option to hide shoulder armor.
Ding!
With WOW blogs, I automatically have the best excuse for updating: I've been too busy playing. First of all, I finally hit 70! I managed to get a screenshot of the lovely light enveloping my body:
Then with the help of some of my fellow officers I bought my ebon griffin, which I named Shadowwing. I then proceeded to fly around Wildhammer Stronghold like an obvious n00b. (If you click the link, that's my GM behind me on his ebon griffin.)
I also started writing in a new RP on the official forums called Missing in the Night. It's most of the same folks that are writing in A Dangerous Haul, plus some new faces, so it should be great!
Then with the help of some of my fellow officers I bought my ebon griffin, which I named Shadowwing. I then proceeded to fly around Wildhammer Stronghold like an obvious n00b. (If you click the link, that's my GM behind me on his ebon griffin.)
I also started writing in a new RP on the official forums called Missing in the Night. It's most of the same folks that are writing in A Dangerous Haul, plus some new faces, so it should be great!
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