Tank

'''Tank''' is a traditional World of Warcraft group role responsible for controlling enemies and absorbing incoming damage.

On the Shadowmourne Realm, tanks may be controlled by either human players or Playerbots.

Tank Responsibilities

A tank should:

engage enemies first
generate threat
keep enemies focused on the tank
survive incoming damage
protect healers
position enemies safely

Tank Classes

Wrath of the Lich King tank-capable classes include:

Threat

Threat determines which character an enemy attacks.

A tank must maintain enough threat to keep enemies away from healers and DPS.

See Threat.

Tank Gear

Tank equipment typically emphasizes defensive statistics.

Depending on class and level, useful stats may include:

stamina
armor
defense
dodge
parry
block
hit
expertise

Warrior Tank

Warriors generally use:

plate armor
shield
defensive stance
threat abilities

Paladin Tank

Paladins generally use:

plate armor
shield
defensive magic
strong AoE threat

Druid Tank

Druids tank in Bear Form.

Important strengths include:

high health
armor
dodge

Death Knight Tank

Death Knights can tank using:

plate armor
defensive cooldowns
diseases
rune abilities

Tank Positioning

A tank should normally face enemies away from the rest of the party.

This helps avoid:

cleaves
frontal attacks
breath attacks

Playerbot Tanks

Playerbot tanks should be prepared using:

maintenance
autogear

See Playerbot Tanking.

Dungeon Tanking

In dungeons:

pull enemies
establish threat
keep enemies grouped
allow DPS to begin
protect healer

Raid Tanking

Raids may require:

main tank
off tank
tank swaps
add control

See Playerbot Raid Guide.