OctoWow - Forums

Before Turtle WoW shut down, the developers acknowledged that Protection Warriors had been falling behind other tanks and made the following statement:

"Protection Warriors have been falling behind other tanks. These changes provide targeted improvements, while a more comprehensive review of the Protection talent tree and overall kit is planned for the future."

As many of us have carried over to OctoWoW, I would like to respectfully ask the development team to honor that commitment and continue the work that was planned for Protection Warriors.

While the previous changes helped, Protection Warriors still struggle to compete with other tanks in several areas. The issue isn't necessarily that Warriors need to become the strongest tank, but rather that they should feel equally viable, rewarding, and desirable in all stages of content. A comprehensive review of the Protection talent tree and class kit could help address long-standing weaknesses while preserving the unique identity that makes Warrior tanking enjoyable.

Many players invested time into Warrior characters with the expectation that the promised review would eventually happen. Continuing that effort would demonstrate a commitment to preserving and building upon the vision that many players originally supported.

I hope the OctoWoW team will consider revisiting Protection Warriors and evaluating what improvements can be made to bring them in line with the other tank options while maintaining class balance and identity.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I didn't play Turtle and was considering a War on the PvP server but I really enjoy Bear tanking as well. If you don't mind, what were the pro/cons of the other tanks?

Hops wrote: Wed Jun 24, 2026 3:17 am I didn't play Turtle and was considering a War on the PvP server but I really enjoy Bear tanking as well. If you don't mind, what were the pro/cons of the other tanks?

Protection Warrior

Pros

Best overall mitigation and survivability.
Strongest raid main tank.
Excellent cooldowns and defensive toolkit.
Scales extremely well with gear.

Cons

Slow leveling.
More gear-dependent than other tanks.
Weaker AoE threat than some alternatives.

Best for: Players who want the most traditional and reliable tank.

Feral Druid

Pros

Massive health pool and armor.
Easier to gear than warriors.
Strong threat generation.
Can switch to healing or DPS when needed.

Cons

Fewer defensive cooldowns.
Limited utility compared to warriors and paladins.
Less effective against crushing blows in some situations.

Best for: Flexible players who enjoy hybrid gameplay.

Protection Paladin (Alliance)

Pros

Best AoE tanking.
Excellent dungeon tank.
Powerful utility, blessings, and emergency support.
Strong threat on multiple targets.

Cons

Mana management.
Weaker against raid bosses than warriors.
Less effective on single-target threat in some encounters.

Best for: Dungeon-focused players and those who enjoy support utility.

Enhancement Shaman Tank (Horde)

Pros

Unique playstyle.
Strong utility through totems.
Good AoE threat.
Often easier to find groups because of rarity.

Cons

Less proven than warriors and druids.
Mana management
Can be gear-sensitive.
Fewer defensive tools than other tanks.

Best for: Players who enjoy unconventional tanks and bringing utility to the group.

Overall Raid Tank Ranking
Protection Warrior – strongest main tank.
Feral Druid – excellent off-tank and viable main tank.
Protection Paladin – shines in dungeons and AoE situations.
Shaman Tank – capable, but more niche and group-dependent.