Evoker Tank - Fortification

Community General Discussion
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I think the biggest counter-point for the opening up more group options is a few years back they had a data point saying adding more tanks doesn’t actually increase tank players; it’s almost entirely existing tanks switching over to the new tanks (And I think this phenomenon is replicated in other games like OW and League). As for healers equivalent to tanks, I think the hardest part is raids require from 3 up to 5 or even 7 healers but always take two tanks.

Because of the different ways to balance DPS (which, granted, they do not always do very well; just looking at the kit gap between rogues and rets) they can always add more DPS whether melee or ranged.

I do think in a vacuum a four spec class is the best option. I actually think your point on there’s always going to be a best and it’s not worthwhile designing, let alone balancing, around the highest of high end is extremely valid. I think they do too much of that as it is. The boring point is subjective for sure and I should’ve done without that. I think, if one had to be picked, adding annihilation over fortification is healthier; especially if the DF leaker was right and next expac features a titan four spec class. Supposedly reworking tanking is on the docket and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that as a feature for 11.0 as it is the part of the trinity which has evolved the least over time. This tracks with not adding a new tank until that rework happens.

However I would say if the reports are false, and next expac or two does not add a new class with a tank, I’d be more in favor of Evoker getting one even pre-tank rework.

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This is the tank shortage discussion which i agree with you isnt affected by a class but again is an encounter design issue. I actually believe outside of M+ there is no tank shortage at all. You also mistook me for wanting to appeal to new players, im sure it will but to clarify im saying a person that wants to tank has the least amount of specs to chose from when playing this game - fantasy immersion is a big part of user enjoyment to some. Finally although in raid healers take up more spots when you look at the statistics on amount of players playing each role for this past season the ratio is 1 to 1 to 3 for tanks heals and dps respectively. This means that there are as much tank players as healers who play the game where as the tank players dont have as many spots avail in content across the board - again an encounter design not class design issue.

I feel like this towards tanking, you can always balance them enough to clear content - naturally there will be the best option for a specific encounter design that top guilds go for but as long as all tanks can do enough to clear the content then balance is fine. Outside of pvp this has been mostly true for tanks, i will say though that again encounter design has been lacking to make different tanks shine in different niches. Complete side note to that imagine balancing the two specs already being added in, its literally the same and will always be an ongoing thing with every class/spec added to the game.

It is something that will unlock lust for the tank role and has potential to add a mele based caster tank to the game - a completely unique concept and playstyle. It is also very fitting to the lore and fantasy.

whole heartedly agree with this, i would love to see the new standard of 3-4 specs per new class we get every 6ish years instead of the 2 specs we get to save them balancing. Im saying step it up not step it down.

Finally to your last point who knows what or when we will actually get a new class. No one suspected dracthyr evoker. We can debate a future class when its actually confirmed. Right now we know for sure we are getting evokers. Based on everything they are there is no reason for them not to get a tank spec, the argument against mele is there are more mele spec options in the game than any other role. In my personal opinion if the class was to have 4 specs i would say tank, heals, mid range dps like a survival hunter, and pure extra far range dps. that would balance range to mele options as well as tank to healer while also satisfying those asking for a pure caster “hero class” (as if that really matters any way but its a bonus point for satisfying two different wants)

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443

I support more tank options, since we’re always in a shortage of tanks.

Wouldn’t more tanks be a good thing?

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I will always be of the opinion that if you can create a tank spec that is interesting enough, non tank players will give it a try and potentially fall in love with it. I know it’s true for me.

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445

On their main talent tree… there are three starting options: A ranged CC to lock down targets Landslide (A ranged talent), A defensive cooldown Obsidian Scale (Tanking), and a cleanse Expunge (healing). Tailswipe and Renewing Blaze are both bonuses for melee range.

At first glance, it would be easy to see how these talents could be seen as a possible Tank option.

A ranged tank could be interesting, however, I do see the logistical issues with trying to direct and face bosses while you are meant to be ranged. I can think of some ways this could work, but would be a logistical nightmare to balance. Honestly if they could do it with a ranged class that has dash in and out style…

The ideal would be an Evoker tank…

The right first step would be to open other classes up for Dracthyr sooner than later.

Sadly, the race/class combo released this way, after Blizzards black eye of recent, feels less like an exciting new addition, and more like P.R. For virtue signaling.

How a fantasy mmorpg developer not realizing the controversy around the Evoker/Dracthyr being so limited, clearly doesn’t appreciate the genre or the world they created, or their player base.

The idea that defenders of this cheap and limited design distill it down to “Ranged” vs “Melee” balance is just strange to me. This could have been an issue in the past, but not one I remember ever seeing. Hunters being given the ability to attack within melee range also seems to agree that “ranged vs melee” isn’t a thing.

The real question is, if this is supposed to be the modern version of MoP expact, why would be ok with Blizzard put out less product for more money?

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If Blizzard wanted to double down on the Dracthyr/Evoker only combo… then I would have looked to the lore… Like Druid, 4 specs.

  1. Red, mid-ranged dps with healing utility and melee finishers (something like Red Mage in ffxiv)
  2. Green, healing heavy focus.
  3. Blue, Full ranged dps.
  4. Black, Tank spec.
  5. Bronze magic infused with each for rewind and time based utilities like enemy slows, and haste buffs.
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447

The less of that extremely weird looking dracthyr race running around the better.

448

Won’t stop dreaming

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Still would enjoy this. Still feels like it’s just missing.

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450

Absolutely, especially since their 2 specs are not feeling great at the moment and thus I don’t expect to play an evoker.

However, a tank spec would make me change my mind in an instant.

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451

They feel off to me so far, so while I intend to use my Evoker I will not be maining that class either.

A tank spec would possibly help in that regard but I’m not sure it would push me over the edge now.

It’s just really odd to me that the dragon fantasy class has no physical based combat spec… Their lore should have one… It just doesn’t make sense to me.

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I don’t agree with this, not competly. I know personally if I happen to play a class that can tank I will tank normal/heroic/mythic and some lower key M+ dungeons contributing to the tank pool where it’s needed most. This is with me focusing on the DPS spec, I’m not a tank main.

Same with healing, I’m not going to sit around and spend a ton of extra time waiting for a healer when I have the option myself in that type of content.

DH might not have really added much to the tank pool all things considered, but unlike with Evokers they don’t remove from the pool as people still tank with them. With Evokers it’s just a fact some people who formerly tanked will now no longer have that option if they swap mains.

While I do think Evokers should have had a tank spec, I don’t care that much about it. I just find the argument silly.

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Players gave blizzard the green light to be lazy already. I argued about two specs for demon hunters especially since the warcraft franchise demon hunter is utterly unique. They don’t heavily borrow from some other archetype like a paladin or mage. Their imagination is the limit to what they could do with 3 specs. One tanking spec, one fel magic damage spec and one agile, acrobatic physical spec. But they couldn’t be bothered to make a third artifact weapon so 2 specs it is. They continue this laziness with dracthyr despite not being stuck designing a third mandatory weapon for them and having 5 flights to draw inspiration from.

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Just adding in that I think a black dragonflight tank spec would be amazing. Please add this Blizz.

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That would be swell.

Very much feels like such a spec is missing from evoker to me.

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Dragons make really poor tanks, i mean dont they always die for thinking they can take on groups of enemies?

Dragons are known for their 1v1 prowess against brave knights who think they could kill them solo~

:dizzy: :rabbit:

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They die because they don’t take their healer and dps with them.

Never once seen a dragon healer with their dragon tank in all the years I’ve been killing them.

Time for that to change.

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Reminder that Evoker should have a tank spec!
Plenty of players now choosing to main Evoker, some previously being Tank players.
If anything, Evoker not having a tank spec makes the tank shortage worse.

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Evoker’s are the flavor of the day (literally). It is actually totally hilarious watching them swarm from spawn to spawn grinding to get the gear at the invasion points. They have not been around long enough for anybody to know if it is going to be their main.

This is debatable. Tanking is a based on a person’s way of thinking and way of playing (and what they are willing to put up with). If Evokers could be tanks, then most would be people that tanked in other specs before (no net change on that part). There would be fresh tanks that like Evokers, but it would be a big difference from the DPS way of life they are used to.

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As a paladin tank main, I couldn’t disagree more. I’m definitely switching to Evoker and I know with 100% certainty that if I could tank as a black dragon Evoker I absolutely would. That would be my main, no doubt about it.

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