best mboxing tank for shamans

[evaqwesta]

If its true that mana stream totem stacks in the expansion then wouldn't paladin tanks have an insane advantage over any other tanking class since agro generating resources can be restored so much faster than any of the other tanks (druid - rage, warrior - rage, dk - runes) since they could spam skills and agro generating effects much quicker/more often?

[Kulzor]

No, they won't have an "insane advantage" in general situations. For multiboxing, however, we'll likely find the synergy between multiple shaman and their mana stream totems and a paladin tank to be very advantageous. No different than the paladin tank also gaining the benefit of a Totem of Wrath, whereas a Warrior or Bear tank do not.

[moji]

The advantage of a paladin has little to do with his mana pool and more to do with their ease of aoe tanking.

Shammies can't cc, yet, and paladins can hold on to large packs without any cc just by spamming consecrate and holy shield.

[Ticks]

There's synergy and then there's tanking. Synergy wise, the Pally has more to offer because he can buff your party and regen mana for everyone. Tanking wise, the warrior can take more damage and has more "oh shit" tools at their disposal. But the number one reason MBers take pally over warrior is that it's a lot easier for a pally to maintain aggro on multiple targets with very little manipulation. Whereas the warrior needs a lot of (different) key spamming.

[ChaoticMonk]

Keep in mind that pallies will also get mana back when they dodge, parry or block and warriors will get rage when they dodge, parry or black (I assume DKs will get something too but dont know about bears).
Shammies can't cc, yetAren't they getting Hex totem or something?

[moji]

Aren't they getting Hex totem or something? There's talk of a hex spell, not sure atm in beta or whatever. I'm not really paying much attention to shammies so I'm not the expert, personally more concerned with tanking in beta actually.

[Aradar]

Keep in mind that pallies will also get mana back when they dodge, parry or block and warriors will get rage when they dodge, parry or black (I assume DKs will get something too but dont know about bears).
Shammies can't cc, yetAren't they getting Hex totem or something?

The warrior thing only applies when they have blessing of sanctuary ('http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=20911')in the next patch. Therefore, you would still need a paladin in your group. And yes it applies for DK's (runic power) and bears.

As for the hex ('http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=51514'), you won't get it till level 80 and it only applies to humanoids and beasts. Compared to polymorph ('http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=12826'), it cost 4% less of base mana, last 20 seconds less, has a 45 second CD compared to none for polymorph and a 10 yard less cast range. Plus it doesn't work on critters.

[ChaoticMonk]

Wow...that really sucks =/

[Aradar]

Wow...that really sucks =/

I was thinking healing pally so no biggie but I wasn't thinking you have to spec for it which would obviously gimp his healing tree. So yeah, no go on that.

[Stealthy]

Aren't they getting Hex totem or something? There's talk of a hex spell, not sure atm in beta or whatever. I'm not really paying much attention to shammies so I'm not the expert, personally more concerned with tanking in beta actually.
Not talk, it's in beta and it rawks. It's a spell like poly, but without the annoying factor of healing the target, or breaking instantly on damage (chance to break on damage only, like fear). The catch - 45 sec cool down, but since we can rotate them out, not so much of a problem for us.

Cheers,

S.

[Steph]

For a multiboxer, especially with a elemental shaman group, the paladin is the tank to pick.
- Lowest actions per minute (compared to mildly higher for druid and very high button mashing for warriors)
- AoE tanking
- Synergy. Pally threat is done with spells, Wrath of Air is a significant boost for the pally, but useless to the druid and warrior for example.

Forget about this or that tank class taking more damage. While there are difference between the different classes tank talents and mechanics, it is balanced. Paladin tanks for example are not just for trash. I tank bosses in MH and BT as I please on my paladin tank. Paladin tanks have been the boss tank on world firsts in BC raids. Looking at just one number and proclaiming you have the answer is shortsighted. Take 10% vs 6% & argent defender ability for warrior and paladin respecitvely. With overhealing and another blow killing you, the difference is in actual fights basically none.