Strictly lore/class fantasy wise (not current in-game performance or stats) which tank class would you consider to be the best and why? :3
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I love the whole Paladin fantasy, this proud bulwark standing against hordes of the undead.
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I think (warcraft 3 styled) Death Knight has the most built up behind it.
That goes to DKs.
The basic DK armor set is forged from saronite, the blood of Yogg-saron. Just being around it turns the living insane due to the constant whispers, the Undead are unaffected. Saronite is known to deflect magic, even the Light.
DKs are no slouch when it comes to area of denial too. Koltira, the wimpiest of DKs, was able to erect an AMZ that prevented that Scarlets from overwhelming him in the original DK starting zone.
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In the most vanilla of senses, warriors I think are the “best”: the classic sword and shield defending their allies.
But that’s boring. Coolwise, I’d have say druids and DHs. Literally a giant mumma bear protecting her babies. DHs literally hate their enemies to death, I love it.
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For me, I’d say Warriors. I love the tale of Broxigar.
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Lorewise id say paladins. The Light protects them and their allies, and they can heal themselves and their allies. Other classes like Death Knights and Demon Hunters are more oriented to offense, rather than defense.
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Paladins and Warriors fit the stalwart protector mold, which is all fine and dandy, but that probably doesn’t make them the best.
However, DK’s are more of a one man army kind of deal. A Blood DK walks into a battalion, lots of bloodborne-esque splatters go by and the DK walks out uninjured with a literal graveyard of corpses behind it. Don’t need to protect the people behind you if you singlehandedly kill everything first.
Paladins can do similar things to undead, but DK’s do it to everything so…
Brewmasters strike me more of a duelist. DH and Druids… I don’t even know what to do with them.
That’s a failure of your imagination, not the trope.
The world of Golarion for instance has a couple of epic shields and tales appended to them. The Shield of Aroden being the best known example.
Vanilla isn’t bad, though. Sword and shield is kinda boring compared to, in WoW’s sense, anything else there is lol. When you think of a tank, you think of a sword and shield.
Failure of imagination = / = baseline aesthetic preferences.
I’ve always loved warrior tanks. All the other tanks have some kind of magic that supernaturally protects them, but what do warriors have? A big-*ss shield, enough armor to make Samus and Master Chief weep with pride, and an iron will that refuses to submit.
Bonus points also go to Guardian Druids, who basically just make themselves into screaming, slashing meat shields.
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As far as lore goes, it would depend on the specific characters. Whether we are talking the big names, or ground level Player Champions, or the general class as depicted in lore.
Druids make a strong case for most powerful because of Malfurion. He is one of the most powerful Characters, period. That speaks more about him than the class.
Same with Death Knights. Arthas, with weapon and armor intact, at his peak, makes a powerful DK tank. But that is not every Death Knight.
Demon Hunters are pretty basic, until you run into Illidan level Demon Hunters. When Turalyon attempts to strike him, llidan just holds Turalyon’s sword.
Broxigar held aggro on Sargeras for a moment. He gave the forces on Azeroth time to save the universe. That was a moment for Warrior Tanks… but that is more like a Warrior DPS who heroically taunts the boss for few seconds as a distraction. It is not really an example of straight-up Prot Warrior tanking.
Paladins have proven powerful but limited in comparison. Same for Brewmasters.
Obviously I’m biased, but I’d like to throw in a vote for Druids. You get to play into the fantasy of being a Druid of the Claw unit from Warcraft 3, which in my opinion makes for an immersive experience—especially for Night Elf fans who want to hearken back to the race’s original portrayal from the RTS games.
Also, while the animations aren’t as flashy as other tank specs, you’re an enchanted bear that feels like a sturdy body of mass ready to take any hit.
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Everyone will show their bias, so shall I.
I think the best tank class fantasy is the brewmaster.
The brewmaster isn’t “tanking” the hits, he is avoiding it like a drunken fighter, being agile, moving around the enemies attacks. Think Jackie chan, just annoying the hell out of a big monster by dodging everything while looking drunk.
And then you smash a keg of some beverage in the head of the enemy, and spit hot fire on it.
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Best, or favorite? Best would be Paladin because they’re warriors protected by the Light. They’ve got a shield and magical defense.
Favorite and most original? Brewmaster.
Drunken boxing + martial arts + performance-enhancing magical drinks + life force energy manipulation (Chi)
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Druid of claws in warcraft 3 were VERY Healthy units
He’s also more than half demon and majorly juiced by an artifact or two.
Brewmaster probably.
Not to many people are going to try to deliberate antagonize a giant dragon unless they’re seriously faded, and the fantasy here is alcohol actually makes you better at something, which would be neat.
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Definitely Paladin. Paladin is admist the ever rare “defensive class” category. Every other class prioritizes offense, or is neutral in said regards.
Protecting the innocent is literal within the Paladin’s job description.
I feel warrior is the most iconic. When I think tank it’s big armored person with giant sword or axe.