New stam DK tank meta? Been away for a while.

Mariusghost84 · May 2019

I havent tanked on my stam DK but due the changes to infused on 2h the meta now is a frost staff ( to apply crushing ) ? Is sword and shield still viable on both bars? I really dont like the idea of tanking with a staff, i will be doing vet DLCs - is dropping the staff gimping the group a lot?

Thanks in advance

Vildebill · May 2019

Most tanks run an infused destro staff back bar nowadays (either frost for tanking passives or lightning for more off-balance) to get higher crusher numbers. You also get the advantage of crushing shock to range interrupt with the destro staff. Some people go with a bow back bar as well for some extra damage.

Gimping your group a lot might be an overstatement, but you would sure not giving your group optimal debuffs.

Mariusghost84 · May 2019

Vildebill wrote: »

Most tanks run an infused destro staff back bar nowadays (either frost for tanking passives or lightning for more off-balance) to get higher crusher numbers. You also get the advantage of crushing shock to range interrupt with the destro staff. Some people go with a bow back bar as well for some extra damage.

Gimping your group a lot might be an overstatement, but you would sure not giving your group optimal debuffs.

Tanking with a bow? Thats a new one

I like the idea as my main is stam dk dps! Is VMA bow actually viable as a tank, or is the set bonus on backbar priotised?

cpuScientist · May 2019

Mariusghost84 wrote: »

Vildebill wrote: »

Most tanks run an infused destro staff back bar nowadays (either frost for tanking passives or lightning for more off-balance) to get higher crusher numbers. You also get the advantage of crushing shock to range interrupt with the destro staff. Some people go with a bow back bar as well for some extra damage.

Gimping your group a lot might be an overstatement, but you would sure not giving your group optimal debuffs.

Tanking with a bow? Thats a new one I like the idea as my main is stam dk dps! Is VMA bow actually viable as a tank, or is the set bonus on backbar priotised?

Depends on what you are running. If alkosh or powerful assault for example. Those can be used single bar.

Liofa · May 2019

You can use Bow, which is better than staff, here is why.

1) More precise Crusher procs. While Elemental Blockade is somewhat reliable, it's really not compared to Endless Hail. Blockade will proc the enchant on the enemy that's closest to you while Endless Hail will proc on the enemy closest to the center. So you can aim at your targets feet to apply Crusher to your target while Blockade will cause problems such as applying Crusher on a small add that's standing between you and the boss.

2) AOE Root. Bombard is a somewhat reliable AOE Root that you want to have in trash packs. Even though Root immunity changes kinda nerfs the whole idea, Roots are still very useful for protecting your team from getting smacked.

3) More Damage. As you will have more Max Stamina and more Weapon Damage (SnB passive), you will do a lot more DPS while using a Bow. Especially Maelstrom Bow will be a very nice DPS tool. Make sure to let it hit on Bow bar otherwise it doesn't work.

4) Speed buff on demand. Just a roll dodge and you have speed buff.

You get all of these advantages at the cost of tankiness (frost staff) or providing off balance (lightning staff), which are arguably not needed as most healers already run lightning staff with Blockade and you won't need much tankiness of the frost staff most of the time. Only place I currently use Ice Staff is Cloudrest for example. For any other fight, I use a Bow.

Mariusghost84 · May 2019

Liofa wrote: »

You can use Bow, which is better than staff, here is why.

1) More precise Crusher procs. While Elemental Blockade is somewhat reliable, it's really not compared to Endless Hail. Blockade will proc the enchant on the enemy that's closest to you while Endless Hail will proc on the enemy closest to the center. So you can aim at your targets feet to apply Crusher to your target while Blockade will cause problems such as applying Crusher on a small add that's standing between you and the boss.

2) AOE Root. Bombard is a somewhat reliable AOE Root that you want to have in trash packs. Even though Root immunity changes kinda nerfs the whole idea, Roots are still very useful for protecting your team from getting smacked.

3) More Damage. As you will have more Max Stamina and more Weapon Damage (SnB passive), you will do a lot more DPS while using a Bow. Especially Maelstrom Bow will be a very nice DPS tool. Make sure to let it hit on Bow bar otherwise it doesn't work.

4) Speed buff on demand. Just a roll dodge and you have speed buff.

You get all of these advantages at the cost of tankiness (frost staff) or providing off balance (lightning staff), which are arguably not needed as most healers already run lightning staff with Blockade and you won't need much tankiness of the frost staff most of the time. Only place I currently use Ice Staff is Cloudrest for example. For any other fight, I use a Bow.

Thank you for a well written response. There is one thing i didnt get, did you just suggest tanking in medium gear?

Liofa · May 2019

Mariusghost84 wrote: »

Thank you for a well written response. There is one thing i didnt get, did you just suggest tanking in medium gear?

I didn't suggest that in my first post but yes, if you are comfortable, you can tank in Medium Armour. Powerful Assault/Alkosh is a really nice combo for 4 man content assuming you get enough synergies. It will also increase your Stamina sustain and Damage.

Krayl · May 2019

I prefer staff over bow simply to have another way to get magicka back. But bow works.