Druid · Tank · MoP Classic 5.4.8

MoP Classic P5 Guardian Druid Guide

Choose Savage Defense or Frenzied Regeneration based on damage type rather than spending rage evenly.

Core resource:Rage

Core Rotation

Prioritize Mangle for rage generation; maintain necessary debuffs like Pulverize/Faerie Fire; use Swipe for multiple targets.
Use Savage Defense before consecutive melee hits; use Frenzied Regeneration after unavoidable damage.
Layer Barkskin, Survival Instincts, and Frenzied Regeneration according to the boss timeline; do not overlap them in the same small damage window.

Rage：Mangle and other abilities generate rage. Rage is not a damage resource that must be emptied, but a budget to exchange for dodge or self-healing based on damage type.
Savage Defense：Improves dodge, best for consecutive avoidable melee; low value against spells, unavoidable abilities, or when out of melee.
Frenzied Regeneration：Convert rage into immediate healing, good for recovery after damage; coordinate with healers to reduce overhealing.

-3 sec｜Mark boss facing and pull location, prepare rage/potions.：The biggest risk at the start of a Guardian encounter is that positioning and resources aren't established yet.
-1 sec｜Pull with Faerie Fire or Charge.：Ranged establish initial threat and quickly fix facing.
0–3 sec｜Mangle → Thrash/Lacerate system：Establish rage, debuffs, and sustained threat.
First melee chain｜Savage Defense：Spend first rage on the densest physical attacks.
After first spike｜Frenzied Regeneration or minor defensive：Decide on Reclaim based on health and upcoming damage, not by preemptively using it.

Savage Defense is ineffective against unavoidable magic.
After tank swap, continue generating rage and pre-store for the next pickup; don't dump it pointlessly.
Rage generation/spending and capping times.
Whether Savage Defense covers high-density melee and personal mitigation hits spikes.