Using the Voidwalker as an off-tank.

[Deathstrider]

I wanted to address this on its own, since I've seen a few questions on it. If you're headed into an instance without a primary tank (perhaps you've got a Shaman or other "Tank Lite", the Voidwalker can be VERY effective in this role. It does, however, require a bit of finesse.

#1. If Possible, Grab Improved Voidwalker.

24% Improved Torment is a big buff when you're trying to hold aggro as an off tank. Grab it if you can. If you can't, you can still use him effectively.

BE PATIENT

The key to using the Voidwalker as an off-tank is to give him time to build aggro (meaning, give him time to cast Torment). If you've got a simple situation with, say, two rogues, a Warlock, a Shaman, and a Priest--let the VW cast torment, health funnel him, and wait until he's landed 4-5 torments. *Then* everyone lets loose on the mob in question. This is very handy for dealing with certain big boss mobs that have little small fry around them (where small fry = as powerful as any character).

You'll have to warn your group in advance--if they charge in after two torments, he won't hold. You can use this strategy successfully in places like BRD, however--I've done it against Elite level 55's.

[soulrealm]

Fiew.. thx DS. Looks like our VW is actualy an awsome tank pet.

[Deathstrider]

Soul,

A level 58 VW has 3,216 HP with no Fel Stamina. Slap on a Power Word Fortitude, you're at 3916 if the Priest has the Improved PWF talent. Improved MotW takes you to 4236, and if you were with a Warlock using an Imp, you're up to 4,776.

Now, if you had Fel Stamina on top of all that...you'll have a Voidwalker with 5,492 HP and approximately 48% damage reduction. The DR% could be about 50%, if you tossed on an additional Scroll of Protection.

Even then, your VW isn't as good a tank as a Warrior--but he can either take care of an add, draw off a troublesome mob, or hold aggro on a big heavy just long enough for the rest of the party to deal with other threats. Though you wouldn't want to use it too often, a properly timed healing funnel can help with this even more, if you need him to hold a mob down for awhile.

[Soni]

I was confused when I came into this thread. I usually use the term "off-tank" for when my group HAS a main tank, but I'm taking care of adds, etc.

Haven't really tried using VW as a main tank, usually have a warrior around.

Edit: Also, when you get to within 2-3 levels of your next Rank of Torment, you'll start having problems keeping aggro.

[Deathstrider]

Soni,

Hmmm.

I would never recommend instancing with JUST a Voidwalker-as-tank...but what do you call it if you don't have a warrior? Both Shamans and Hunters have at least moderate tanking skills...so its not fair to say they don't tank at all. Semi-tank? Backup tank? Tank Girl? ;)

[Mash]

The Voidwalker has lower AC than the real tank classes, so it's not as effective a tank as those. That said, the blueberry can potentially tank an add or two if you get in trouble. You have to make sure, though, that the priest is aware of the fact that the Voidwalker is tanking. Health Funnel won't do much against instance elites.

[Deathstrider]

True. Buffing with Health Funnel in a situation like that delays (but usually doesn't prevent) him dying. Good thing we've got that Curse of Weakness. ;)

I jest a bit. Actually, in this specific case, using a Curse of Weakness + Stoneskin totem is a good idea. The two combined will give Big Blue -31 damage reduction (that's the real value, calculated for his armor). Amplify CoW, and you'll pick up a -39 for him, if you had both with three talent points (God knows why), *and* you Amplified CoW, you could reduce his damage by 50. Though you wouldn't normally bother with CoW when using the VW, remember, your goal in this case is for him to "hold down the fort" / draw aggro while you deal with a pressing situation elsewhere.

Given this, its more important that he live longer (take less damage) than that you cast a DoT on a mob.

[Silvarion]

Tank Girl?

:p

[Soni]

Originally Posted by Deathstrider

True. Buffing with Health Funnel in a situation like that delays (but usually doesn't prevent) him dying

When he's getting to about half-health, I'll hit Health Funnel and "/p Heal Pet plz"

Health funnel slows down his death long enough for the priest to get a heal off. Without having pets in the party interface it can be tough for healers to keep track sometimes.

[Larsz]

Originally Posted by Deathstrider

True. Buffing with Health Funnel in a situation like that delays (but usually doesn't prevent) him dying. Good thing we've got that Curse of Weakness. ;)

I jest a bit. Actually, in this specific case, using a Curse of Weakness + Stoneskin totem is a good idea. The two combined will give Big Blue -31 damage reduction (that's the real value, calculated for his armor). Amplify CoW, and you'll pick up a -39 for him, if you had both with three talent points (God knows why), *and* you Amplified CoW, you could reduce his damage by 50. Though you wouldn't normally bother with CoW when using the VW, remember, your goal in this case is for him to "hold down the fort" / draw aggro while you deal with a pressing situation elsewhere.

Given this, its more important that he live longer (take less damage) than that you cast a DoT on a mob.

I have been championing (is that even a word?) CoW since Blizzard "fixed" it.