Warlock drain tanking

On May 6, 8:45 am, Trooper <removet... RemoveThis @trooperlooper.co.uk> wrote:
> In article <68bbm3F2s4qo... RemoveThis @mid.individual.net>,
> catrionarNOS... RemoveThis @totalise.co.uk says...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Tue, 6 May 2008 15:11:44 +0100, Trooper <removet... RemoveThis @trooperlooper.co.uk>
> > wrote:
>
> > >In article <3638b862-dd15-4d95-8bbd-c373babf89a9@
> > >34g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>, lcpl... RemoveThis @yahoo.com says...
>
> > >> Drain tanking gets more efficient as you get to higher levels and get
> > >> better gear.  Once you hit Outland and get flooded with lots of +stam
> > >> +spell damage gear, you'll really see drain tanking take off.
>
> > >I think that's probably my problem at the moment, L41 is too low level
> > >for drain tanking to be efficient?
>
> > I found at mid-40s level it was the best option, as the voidwalker can't
> > hold aggro unless you've put points into improving him. 41ish he can hold
> > aggro sure as he just got a new rank of torment, but it won't last unless
> > you've got really bad gear (like no +damage)
>
> This is me
>
> http://eu.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Terenas&n=Wando
>
> > It is best in the 60s, yep, but I certainly found it effective as of the
> > 40s, was awful in the 30s before I had dark pact though. I didn't see you
> > mention if you're using imp drain soul (with rank 1 DS) - you should be, as
> > that's a big chunk of mana back on every kill, and combined with dark pact
> > on the imp you'll finish every fight on full mana and 95% health.
>
> Yup, i have improved drain soul and use rank 1.  At the moment I find
> myself finishing fights with 95% mana and full health, so much for
> muchness, but with the addition of being able to take on multimob pulls
> without any worry.
>
> I guess I am drain tanking in some respect, as I always pull the mob off
> the void by the time it is around 1/3rd health left and tank the rest,
> but I assumed that everyone used the imp with dark pact, I just don't
> see the benefit of doing that, certainly at my level.  
>
> T.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

My method is like yours and I end up, usually, at 100% health and
about 90-95% mana.
I put my first 5 points into Improved Corruption and then switched to
Demo for 4/5 into Demonic Embrace, 1/2 into Improved Healthstone and
3/3 into Improved VW.
Then I started putting points back into Affliction, so I have Siphon
Life now, but haven't reached Dark Pact yet.
Rarely does a mob peal off the VW and head for me...so far. I have
used the Succubus instead, but I prefer the VW myself.
 >> Stay informed about: Warlock drain tanking 

On May 6, 9:26 am, morag <moraghanra....DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On May 6, 8:45 am, Trooper <removet....DeleteThis@trooperlooper.co.uk> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > In article <68bbm3F2s4qo....DeleteThis@mid.individual.net>,
> > catrionarNOS....DeleteThis@totalise.co.uk says...
>
> > > On Tue, 6 May 2008 15:11:44 +0100, Trooper <removet....DeleteThis@trooperlooper.co.uk>
> > > wrote:
>
> > > >In article <3638b862-dd15-4d95-8bbd-c373babf89a9@
> > > >34g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>, lcpl....DeleteThis@yahoo.com says...
>
> > > >> Drain tanking gets more efficient as you get to higher levels and get
> > > >> better gear.  Once you hit Outland and get flooded with lots of +stam
> > > >> +spell damage gear, you'll really see drain tanking take off.
>
> > > >I think that's probably my problem at the moment, L41 is too low level
> > > >for drain tanking to be efficient?
>
> > > I found at mid-40s level it was the best option, as the voidwalker can't
> > > hold aggro unless you've put points into improving him. 41ish he can hold
> > > aggro sure as he just got a new rank of torment, but it won't last unless
> > > you've got really bad gear (like no +damage)
>
> > This is me
>
> >http://eu.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Terenas&n=Wando
>
> > > It is best in the 60s, yep, but I certainly found it effective as of the
> > > 40s, was awful in the 30s before I had dark pact though. I didn't see you
> > > mention if you're using imp drain soul (with rank 1 DS) - you should be, as
> > > that's a big chunk of mana back on every kill, and combined with dark pact
> > > on the imp you'll finish every fight on full mana and 95% health.
>
> > Yup, i have improved drain soul and use rank 1.  At the moment I find
> > myself finishing fights with 95% mana and full health, so much for
> > muchness, but with the addition of being able to take on multimob pulls
> > without any worry.
>
> > I guess I am drain tanking in some respect, as I always pull the mob off
> > the void by the time it is around 1/3rd health left and tank the rest,
> > but I assumed that everyone used the imp with dark pact, I just don't
> > see the benefit of doing that, certainly at my level.  
>
> > T.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> My method is like yours and I end up, usually, at 100% health and
> about 90-95% mana.
> I put my first 5 points into Improved Corruption and then switched to
> Demo for 4/5 into Demonic Embrace, 1/2 into Improved Healthstone and
> 3/3 into Improved VW.
> Then I started putting points back into Affliction, so I have Siphon
> Life now, but haven't reached Dark Pact yet.
> Rarely does a mob peal off the VW and head for me...so far.  I have
> used the Succubus instead, but I prefer the VW myself.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Sorry, meant peel, not peal.
 >> Stay informed about: Warlock drain tanking 

On May 6, 10:11 am, Trooper <removet....DeleteThis@trooperlooper.co.uk> wrote:
> In article <3638b862-dd15-4d95-8bbd-c373babf89a9@
> 34g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>, lcpl....DeleteThis@yahoo.com says...
>
> > Drain tanking gets more efficient as you get to higher levels and get
> > better gear. Once you hit Outland and get flooded with lots of +stam
> > +spell damage gear, you'll really see drain tanking take off.
>
> I think that's probably my problem at the moment, L41 is too low level
> for drain tanking to be efficient?
>
> T.

In terms of efficiency, its more efficient than a destro or a demo
spec at that level. Your mana regen options are much better, allowing
you to continue on without having to stop.

On top of that, you can solo just about any outdoor elite mobs in
Azeroth with all the dots you have and fear. I did the entire STV
Nesingwary chain without getting a group, even for the much harder
final elite tiger.
 >> Stay informed about: Warlock drain tanking 

On May 6, 5:15 am, Trooper <removet... RemoveThis @trooperlooper.co.uk> wrote:
> I pinged 41 last night and decided to try a bit of drain tanking again
> after picking up dark pact. (I'm full affliction at the moment)
>
> Am I missing something? Drain tanking seems to be less mana efficient,
> slower and more risky to play.
> I've got a dot macro setup pings off my 4 dots one after the other, and
> a drain life macro that only recasts if drain life isn't running, so I
> can just mash that as much as I like.
> I've got the imp out and passive shifted so he just stands there like a
> battery.
>
> Even after all that, I seem to do a lot better and can go a lot longer
> by still using the voidwalker, send him in, dot up, life tap, drain
> life, mob breaks for me, drain soul and dead. Life tap again and keep
> going virtually forever. I can take on 3 mobs at a time easily and can
> chain pull a good half dozen or so before going oom if the pull goes
> really bad.
>
> Drain tanking seems to be dot up, mash drain life a few times (gets
> interrupted even with 70% protection), drain soul, end up with less mana
> and life than before. Taking on 3 at a time is risky.
>
> Obviously it's up to me how I play and i'm happy with my voidwalker at
> the moment, but I'm wondering what i'm missing and why drain tanking is
> supposed to be so good?
>
> T.

If you are draining, forget dark pact, use life tap. Use Succy for
quicker single target kills. Or use VW and always chain pull 2-3
mobs:

Send VW on Mob 1. Put only 2-3 Dots on Mob 1, including the drain life
Dot, NO immolate.
Go pull Mob 2 with immolate and several Dots, Including drain life
DoT.
Now lief tap and start draining life of Mob 2 OR
Fear, life tap and go pull Mob 3 (and Dot/drain tank Mob 3).
Use drain Soul rank 1 for extra mana as possible. Have shard manager
add-on delete extra shards.

It's all about juggling the targets and using timing to kill them
efficiently & chain pulling. You don't use all 5 DoT's, except on
hellacious single mobs (e.g. elites). When you have ten or so corpse,
go loot them. Also can loot when feared mobs are DoTed up. Use
bandages instead of eating.
 >> Stay informed about: Warlock drain tanking 

In article <3638b862-dd15-4d95-8bbd-c373babf89a9@
34g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>, lcpltom.RemoveThis@yahoo.com says...

> Drain tanking gets more efficient as you get to higher levels and get
> better gear. Once you hit Outland and get flooded with lots of +stam
> +spell damage gear, you'll really see drain tanking take off.
>

I think that's probably my problem at the moment, L41 is too low level
for drain tanking to be efficient?

T.
 >> Stay informed about: Warlock drain tanking 

On Tue, 6 May 2008 15:11:44 +0100, Trooper <removethis DeleteThis @trooperlooper.co.uk>
wrote:

>In article <3638b862-dd15-4d95-8bbd-c373babf89a9@
>34g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>, lcpltom DeleteThis @yahoo.com says...
>
>> Drain tanking gets more efficient as you get to higher levels and get
>> better gear. Once you hit Outland and get flooded with lots of +stam
>> +spell damage gear, you'll really see drain tanking take off.
>>
>
>I think that's probably my problem at the moment, L41 is too low level
>for drain tanking to be efficient?

I found at mid-40s level it was the best option, as the voidwalker can't
hold aggro unless you've put points into improving him. 41ish he can hold
aggro sure as he just got a new rank of torment, but it won't last unless
you've got really bad gear (like no +damage)

It is best in the 60s, yep, but I certainly found it effective as of the
40s, was awful in the 30s before I had dark pact though. I didn't see you
mention if you're using imp drain soul (with rank 1 DS) - you should be, as
that's a big chunk of mana back on every kill, and combined with dark pact
on the imp you'll finish every fight on full mana and 95% health.

I loved it as soon as I switched to it, only other way of draintanking I've
found that works as well is at a much higher level, when you can have soul
link and master demonologist along with affliction talents up to siphon
life; then using the voidwalker you take very little damage, he can heal
himself and offtank a mob or two, while you're killing several at a time.
--
EU-Draenor:
Balgair - Human Rogue (lvl 70)
Naomh - Draenei Priest (lvl 70)
Sagart - Undead Priest (lvl 70)
Rosad - Human Warlock (lvl 70)
Sealgair - Dwarf Hunter (lvl 70)
Eilnich - Blood Elf Warlock (lvl 70)
Beag - Dwarf Paladin (lvl 60)
 >> Stay informed about: Warlock drain tanking 

In article <68bbm3F2s4qo8U4.RemoveThis@mid.individual.net>,
catrionarNOSPAM.RemoveThis@totalise.co.uk says...
>
> On Tue, 6 May 2008 15:11:44 +0100, Trooper <removethis.RemoveThis@trooperlooper.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
> >In article <3638b862-dd15-4d95-8bbd-c373babf89a9@
> >34g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>, lcpltom.RemoveThis@yahoo.com says...
> >
> >> Drain tanking gets more efficient as you get to higher levels and get
> >> better gear. Once you hit Outland and get flooded with lots of +stam
> >> +spell damage gear, you'll really see drain tanking take off.
> >>
> >
> >I think that's probably my problem at the moment, L41 is too low level
> >for drain tanking to be efficient?
>
> I found at mid-40s level it was the best option, as the voidwalker can't
> hold aggro unless you've put points into improving him. 41ish he can hold
> aggro sure as he just got a new rank of torment, but it won't last unless
> you've got really bad gear (like no +damage)
>

This is me

http://eu.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Terenas&n=Wando


> It is best in the 60s, yep, but I certainly found it effective as of the
> 40s, was awful in the 30s before I had dark pact though. I didn't see you
> mention if you're using imp drain soul (with rank 1 DS) - you should be, as
> that's a big chunk of mana back on every kill, and combined with dark pact
> on the imp you'll finish every fight on full mana and 95% health.
>

Yup, i have improved drain soul and use rank 1. At the moment I find
myself finishing fights with 95% mana and full health, so much for
muchness, but with the addition of being able to take on multimob pulls
without any worry.

I guess I am drain tanking in some respect, as I always pull the mob off
the void by the time it is around 1/3rd health left and tank the rest,
but I assumed that everyone used the imp with dark pact, I just don't
see the benefit of doing that, certainly at my level.

T.
 >> Stay informed about: Warlock drain tanking 

On Tue, 6 May 2008 16:45:36 +0100, Trooper <removethis RemoveThis @trooperlooper.co.uk>
wrote:

>This is me
>
>http://eu.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Terenas&n=Wando

Hmm not too bad for your lvl, but have a look on the AH for shadoweave
items (or dreamweave if you feel rich) - those have very nice damage on
them for a warlock

>Yup, i have improved drain soul and use rank 1. At the moment I find
>myself finishing fights with 95% mana and full health, so much for
>muchness, but with the addition of being able to take on multimob pulls
>without any worry.
>
>I guess I am drain tanking in some respect, as I always pull the mob off
>the void by the time it is around 1/3rd health left and tank the rest,
>but I assumed that everyone used the imp with dark pact, I just don't
>see the benefit of doing that, certainly at my level.

Well, dark pacting the voidwalker means oom vw, means he won't hold
aggro... hence the use of the imp Plus it means you can deal damage on
all mobs, not only one at a time - harder hitting mobs will kill your vw in
the time it takes to kill 3+ one at a time, but if you put dots on any
except the one that he's hitting, he won't tank them for long, so you'll be
draintanking then anyway. Draintanking is much much better for multimob
pulls once you get used to it. Maybe not so bad at your level but at 60+
you can take far more hits than your vw can, unless it's only one mob and
you're spending half your time healing it.

I didn't find it all that great about lvl 40ish, to be fair, but switched
as I was tired of pulling aggro off the vw and then not even being able to
dark pact because he was running oom... it comes into its own later on I
think.
--
EU-Draenor:
Balgair - Human Rogue (lvl 70)
Naomh - Draenei Priest (lvl 70)
Sagart - Undead Priest (lvl 70)
Rosad - Human Warlock (lvl 70)
Sealgair - Dwarf Hunter (lvl 70)
Eilnich - Blood Elf Warlock (lvl 70)
Beag - Dwarf Paladin (lvl 60)
 >> Stay informed about: Warlock drain tanking