Illidan Stormrage Warlock Tanking

Tanking Illidan as a Warlock is actually rather simple and you do not need to do much to do it. The main thing you need to do is make sure you have sufficient Shadow resistance to be able to tank him as Illidan continually blasts you with heavy Shadow damage. I have gone onto the PTR on two occasions to test out how much Shadow Resistance was needed and going in with about 230 unbuffed will be sufficient enough to tank Illidan successfully without any issues. Myself and others have gone lower; however at that point you are leaving it up to chance and we do not suggest that as this is a very important role.

Further below is a list of the Shadow Resistance pieces you can get as well as a full list of what you want to aim to craft and get for Shadow Resistance. If you are reading this to prepare for tanking him ahead of time, then you may not be able to obtain the proper crafted Shadow Resistance gear since you need 9 Heart of Darkness per raider for your full set. So instead, head to the auction house and pick up 3-4 Uncommon Bind on Equip Shadow Resistance pieces. Grab those as well as Enchant Cloak - Greater Shadow Resistance, Glyph of Shadow Warding, and some Major Shadow Protection Potions and you will be more than okay.

Please note that Spell Hit remains just as important as the Shadow Resistance itself. Pay attention to it and still try to keep yourself up there on Spell Hit. It is okay if you are a tad lower than cap, but do not be more than 1% or so lower in this occasion for tanking Illidan. Also make sure your Meta gem is still active as it will help a ton.

For Phase 4 itself of the Illidan Stormrage encounter, all you need to do is simply stand max range from Illidan, assuring that nobody in the raid is standing near you, take off Blessing of Salvation, pop your cooldowns and cast a few Searing Pain to gain some quick threat to cover the healing aggro, then spam Shadow Bolts. That is all you need to do. This is not hard so much as just the gearing itself. Once you acquire sufficient Shadow Resistance you will be more than fine.

Make sure again to be at max range just in case you get targeted by a Shadow Demon from Summon Shadow Demons and not be able to move out of it, then killing you.

If you would like to read more about the Illidan Stormrage encounter, maximizing your Shadow Resistance for other encounters such as Mother Shahraz, or about the Black Temple raid as a whole, please see our other guides about them below.