INT vs. STR

imported_Judas · 05-10-2007, 09:38 AM

I have now read numerous posts about how STR is whats going to help generate agro. In the case of MELEE attacks this statement is true but keep in mind we have INT based spells/taunts that generate agro that NEED INT to be effective. Im a lesser giant so my Strength is fairly high not to mention the fact we have a 5 min buff/debuff for strength. Also keep in mind that the AOD stance seems to be working quite well now. It used to be we had to stay in offensive stance to generate agro because AOD was broken for so long, but the 30% to hate buff seems to be working quite well.

Im a level 44 DK and I was tanking the entire evening in Rhaz Inkur with a Monk and a Rogue in my group and when I was in AOD stance they never pulled agro from me and the monk told me he was critting like a madman. When we fought some of the level 50 5 and 6 dot mobs there, I simply asked my group to back off until I got some hits in due to the fact I missed alot of my attacks tanking a mob 6 levels higher than me and it worked very well.

I think the DK class works Quite well. Yes a few minor tweaks need to be made (fix the freakin AE rescue and the mobs who do not engage correctly when you get the message cant see the mob) but for the most part we have a pretty darn cool class to play.

On my original subject of STR vs INT be wary of what you read . INT does play a part in the DK point alignment at least it does in the way I allocate points. Keep in mind most of the gear or top end raid gear, will be heavy on the strength/constitution/dexterity as a matter of fact you will probably max your strength and cons with that gear anyway while buffed in raids. This allows you to put points in INT without sacrificing a damn thing keep that in mind also.

Avangarok · 05-10-2007, 10:55 AM

45 orc DK here. I used to put point in Int. Was maxing Dex then Str then putting all the remaining points into Int.
Then, took back all points in Int and put them into Con. Nothing changed for me tanking wise and aggro management wise. I have base Int and almost or no items giving me + Int.
Int does squat for managing aggro as far as Im concerned. And, mind you, Im tanking 1h+Shield so I cant even pretend that I manage to keep aggro dishing loads of mele damage.

In my book, Int is a waste of points. Better put them into Wis for a larger mana pool if you really want to skip Con.

imported_Judas · 05-10-2007, 11:27 AM

Will probably know the answer to this once we hit 50 . At that point anything over the cap will be a wasted point. The key is how you ajust to that once you do hit 50 and start equipting raid gear (that is if you plan to raid alot) I raid most of the time in MMO's so maximizing what my toon can do is important and 90% of the time Im capped out in the abilities that are most important for a tank and thats str, dex and con, in this game. Putting points in my INT so that my spell taunts have a bit more bite is well worth points spent. Open up your torture spells tool tip and watch the effect INT has on it

Jooma · 05-10-2007, 01:51 PM

Just my 2cp here but based off my experience as a 38.5 Vulmane DK I've always maxed my +3 STR and +3 Dex then dumped the rest into either Int, Con or Vit.

First I had all CON but then took back and got INT. I've JUST finished redumping my INT to VIT and it's a big difference. The HP/MP regen from the VIT is highly noticeable and allows me to even solo white or lower 4 dots without running out of energy. In a group situation I often find that there's so many stuns going around that I make up quite a bit of hp in longer fights from it as well.

Anyway that's just what has worked for me. I'd actually like to try Con again too since I have much more points now and it could mean much more hp combo's with the mana leach from Vile Strike.

imported_Judas · 05-10-2007, 02:58 PM

jooma in a solo enviornment I would agree with your allocation. I base my points strictly for raiding/MTing purposes. I wish I did not have to put any points in INT and then I would split it up evenly between str/con/dex

Jooma · 05-10-2007, 04:03 PM

I rarely solo. As a guild leader I'm grouped like 70% of the time and I have found INT to be virtually useless. It doesn't add enough DPS to out weigh my other abilities and I have no troubles holding aggro with 0 points in INT.

I personally believe while INT can be a benefit on paper, if you try it compared to max CON or VIT, the rewards of the latter two prove more useful and diverse than INT.

Again while I'm max VIT right now, I'm thinking that now with Vilestrike the points may be better spent in CON.