Magma Shell → Morph of Magma Armor
(Vital)
This Ultimate is essential for high damage or emergency situations, particularly for newer tanks. While you may not always have it slotted, it’s crucial to have access to it for content where it’s incredibly useful. Magma Shell makes you nearly unkillable for 12 seconds, allowing you to skip mechanics or burn bosses without dying. Note that the duration of this Ultimate is increased with the Elf Bane set.

Stone Giant → Morph of Stonefist
(Vital)
A crucial ability for a DK Tank, especially in group content. Maintaining Stone Giant can add approximately 2-4k DPS per Damage Dealer on a target. In a 12-person group with 8 Damage Dealers, this could boost group DPS by 24-32k+. Stone Giant is challenging to maintain for inexperienced Tanks due to its low uptime and frequent stamina cost.
To use it effectively:

• Cast it 3 times on a target initially to reach the maximum of 3x Stagger stacks, which last for 6 seconds.
• Recast every 5 seconds to refresh the timer. If it expires, restart the stacks with 3 casts.
• The first cast drops block, so avoid using it during heavy attacks or big mechanics.
• The first cast is also AoE, hitting multiple nearby targets and increasing damage in add pulls.

Igneous Weapons → Morph of Molten Weapons
(Situational)
Use this skill in beginner groups to ensure they receive Major Sorcery/Brutality if they aren’t using the correct potions. It’s also beneficial in high-performing groups that use alternative potions, such as Ultimate regeneration potions, but still need Major buffs. Additionally, it’s useful for achieving a 6% Engulfing Flames setup. Communicate with your group leader to determine if this skill is needed for your particular group.

Igneous Shield → Morph of Obsidian Shield
(Vital)
This multifunctioning ability provides a damage shield scaling off your Max Health and grants a smaller group shield, enhancing survivability in group content. It also gives Major Mending, boosting your healing done, so it’s effective to cast this before using a healing ability. Igneous Shield is crucial for leveraging the Mountains Blessing passive, which provides Minor Brutality to the group and returns Ultimate to you, and the Helping Hands passive, which returns 1120 Stamina. This makes it a key skill for DK sustain, allowing you to cast it for Magicka while gaining Stamina even while maintaining block.

Petrify
(Not Needed)
Typically used in PvP situations and not necessary for tanking.

Cinder Storm → Morph of Ash Cloud
(Optional)
Use this skill for a long-duration heal over time to reduce reliance on burst heals from Dragon Blood. At the start of combat, cast it in front of enemies to snare them by 70%, giving you time to close the gap and gain aggro, especially useful if you don’t have Razor Caltrops. Additionally, this skill can proc gear sets such as Olorime, Symphony of Blades, and Sentinel of Rkugamz.

Eternal Mountain
(Vital)
Extends the duration of Igneous Shield, Stone Giant, and other Earthen Heart abilities. Essential for reducing the frequency of casting Stone Giant, making it a resource-saving passive.

Battle Roar
(Vital)
Key differentiator for DK Tanks. Using Aggressive Horn (250 Ultimate) restores a significant amount of resources, making DK sustain easy and ideal for most Tanks. Newer Tanks can use lower-cost Ultimates to benefit from this passive while learning.

Mountain’s Blessing
(Vital)
Provides a group buff beneficial for Damage Dealers focused on Weapon Damage. It also builds extra Ultimate by casting an ability every 6 seconds, often achieved through frequent use of Igneous Shield and Stone Giant.

Helping Hands
(Vital)
Allows you to gain Stamina while blocking by casting Igneous Shield, which is vital since you can’t gain Stamina from recovery while blocking. High Magicka Recovery and skills like Balance enable frequent casting of Igneous Shield, converting Magicka to Stamina, maintaining Ultimate generation from Mountain’s Blessing, all without dropping block.