Wow roles: Are tanks special? R.E Call to Arms.

The current state of affairs ^.^

Taking a look at the latest Wow Insider post on the subject >linky< on the Call to Arms feature - there is mass debate being sparked regarding tanks and whether or not they are "special"...

Well, I dunno!
Lets speculate :)

3 Roles: Tank, healer, dps dps dps.

All roles are required for a successful run that is of the appropriate level. (I.e your not over-geared or running low level dungeons.)

All dungeons require someone to tank*. Some fights may allow for momentary use of a dps for tanking - or maybe a hunters pet (check out big red rhino's blog for more on that!). Without a tank then the healer will have to spam heal to keep whomever is getting hit alive, who just wont be able to keep aggro against the healing threat.* This results in deaths, unless you are very lucky, skilled, or both.*

All dungeons require someone to heal. For various group pulls there may be sufficient self-healing for the tank to stay alive (especially if they are a paladin) but on any serious encounter - they need to be kept up by someone - and bandaging aint gonna cut it. (Pun intended.)

All dungeons require DPS - although depending on the dps output of the other two dps and the tank, the skill of the players, any tricks they have out their sleeve, etc - then you can often run with a DPS down (or two once you are geared, but thats against my premise up top.)

Ergo: I am going to take the standpoint that the DPS are nothing particularly special. They are easily replaceable - they can do most things faster in the outside world since they are killing things faster, or before they are even hurt, and tend to level quicker. They are also ten a penny and tanks and healers can DPS in an alternative spec*. Tanks and healers are both vital roles. DPS are important but not vital.

There, my deduction. All classes can be fantastic if you put the right person behind the controls, and everyone plays what they want to (well, I assume so unless maybe you are getting paid to play!) so if everyone get in eventually - whats the harm? Other than the "special people" getting a treat for what is usually a trickier role. If nothing else it is certainly more prone to blame if things fail. Im happy to stick to my DPS despite the changes, although I do have a priest, and I had a tank in Wrath - both of whom I enjoyed thoroughly.

Hopefully there is no offence in this post, there is none intended, but, if anyone out there does happen to take offence... well... your offended. I cant help but deduce that DPS are less vital - but people opt to play them, and in general in my experience - have been more fun.* :p Have a nice day!

-V

*There are of course exceptions...