From a lore perspective, which tank class would do the most damage?

[Beloren]

as far as Dk's being behind arthas that goes for every class all druids are way behind malf all Dh's are way behind illidan ect. Dk's are also just likely trained more then dh's as Dh's focused only on demons while DK's were trained to fight all life and wield a wider range of magic then just fel as well as things like porals to the shadowlands.

We all saw the level of training DHs undergo, it is described in the quests and the books as the utlimate of both magical and physical capability. The same is not said of the DKs.

And the demons Illidan and his hunters are trained to fight are far more powerful enemies than the living creatures of Azeroth on average, so training to find a demon is tougher job than the foes DKs and others would likely encounter ( i mean in general ofc) - to me that means the DH is ahead of the DK. I'm not even sure the DK is second place, I'd place him 3rd behind the druid.

[Daemos daemonium]

We all saw the level of training DHs undergo, it is described in the quests and the books as the utlimate of both magical and physical capability. The same is not said of the DKs.

And the demons Illidan and his hunters are trained to fight are far more powerful enemies than the living creatures of Azeroth on average, so training to find a demon is tougher job than the foes DKs and others would likely encounter ( i mean in general ofc) - to me that means the DH is ahead of the DK. I'm not even sure the DK is second place, I'd place him 3rd behind the druid.

The demons the illidari train to fight regularly lose to the creatures of azeroth so that has no baring on which are more powerful.

DH training is largely about keeping the demon in check not being the best in either magic or physical capability's. Dk's Don't have the problem of keeping a demon in check have all the bonuses of undeath which include never tiring increased strength and durability ect. then on topic of that they are trained in runefordgeing, three magic types, anti magic, ect.

Dk training is just as good if not better, they have no drawbacks, they can be stronger races then just elfs, they have the added benefits of undeath, they know how to forge rune weapons. they are pretty much better in every way baring speed and as we can see form the illidan vs arthas fight speed isn't all that.

[aceperson]

i'd say blood dk. the entire premise of blood dk is causing pain and using it to heal wounds. (at least it was until blizz decided to make them punching bags that hit back a bit).

[Ardenaso]

Void Elf any tank class, that shit can instantly destroy you lorewise

any race Paladin, that shit calls on the Light to destroy you lorewise Tirion style; I'd be afraid of Blood Knights if they really exist

[valax]

DK seem very strong , 2h wielding vampires spreading disease .

[Jastall]

The idea that some regular schmoe with a sword and shield could stand up to anyone with magical is kind of silly, but then again the entire concept of a tank is pretty silly. :P

To be fair, player Warriors aren't regular shmucks with hands-me-down equipment, they're hardened veterans with enchanted arms and armors that are capable of somewhat supernatural physical feats like leaping 40 yeards in a single bound or spontaneously growing bigger.

Still, point's taken that a 10 foot tall flame-wreathed demon or an undead knight with a massive weapon and the ability to boil your blood inside you do probably deal more damage than even an experienced warrior with a sword and shield.

[Scrod]

lol warriors are like Batman, just a crazy asshole with a lot of weapons. The other tanks are actual super heroes with actual super powers.

(inb4 "but Batman can beat x superhero bc plot armor says so)

Yeah it's actually kind of funny that the original intended tank, warriors, is the one that looks the most disjointed and out of place in current wow relative to every other tank.

Every other tank is enhanced by magic, warrior's just got a sword and shield.

[Whitedragon]

I would say DH in lore is the most damage oriented of the tank classes probably followed by DK. Though I would also say DH in lore probably would be a poor tank VS anything not a demon so... ehh...

Looking at the lead member of each DK’s would be the strongest with arthas as an example with DH being only slightly behind if by them selfs.

Bears pally warriors and monks don’t come close.

But Uther was said to be stronger then Arthas, the only reason he won is because of his blade which we now know is some ancient artifact of death.

[Aresk]

A group of demon hunters destroyed an entire world. It took the combined might of Azeroth while half the Illidari forces were away to take them down. Meanwhile, DKs were nearly taken out by a neutral faction of paladins at Light's Hope. I don't really see the comparison between the two, tank or no.

[Whitedragon]

A group of demon hunters destroyed an entire world. It took the combined might of Azeroth while half the Illidari forces were away to take them down. Meanwhile, DKs were nearly taken out by a neutral faction of paladins at Light's Hope. I don't really see the comparison between the two, tank or no.

Actually it took the combined Aldor, Scryers, and the ashtongue + a Naru and some rando heroes to take down the black temple, if you are referring to BC as a whole then I would point out that it was much more then Illidans DH's that we fought.

[Daemos daemonium]

But Uther was said to be stronger then Arthas, the only reason he won is because of his blade which we now know is some ancient artifact of death.

Uther landed one blow on arthas and then was taken apart frostmourn didn't really do any thing during the battle other then be a sword.

[Aresk]

Actually it took the combined Aldor, Scryers, and the ashtongue + a Naru and some rando heroes to take down the black temple, if you are referring to BC as a whole then I would point out that it was much more then Illidans DH's that we fought.

True, the Illidari did have the naga and broken and fel orcs. And the DKs had the Scourge. It was the Sha'tar, Aldor, Scryers, and Horde/Alliance forces that stopped the Illidari vs Argent Dawn that stopped the death knights. Based on what we've seen in lore from DH and DK exploits (destruction of Nathreza vs downfall of Lordaeron), I'd say DHs have done more damage than DKs. Overall I'd say DH, then DK/Druid/Paladin, then Warrior/Monk.

[Soon-TM]

<snip>

A vampiresque undead, intelligent, sentient warrior, whose martial prowess is considerably augmented by the powers of death and decay looks like a far more formidable foe than any brute using sword and board (whether he/she is flashing with light or not), or a kung fu panda wannabe. Only a DH might be somewhat close to the power of a DK.

[Syegfryed]

Death Knights over DH anyway

you are already death

[Maddoc]

DK diseases sound painful as hell to be infected by. Or DHs, but demons aren't real soo...

But Death Knights are real?

[jellmoo]

1. DK
2. DH
3. Bear
4. Warrior=Paladin
5. Monk

[Bwonsamdi the Dead]

But Death Knights are real?

Well, poisons and diseases are I guess? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

- - - Updated - - -

A vampiresque undead, intelligent, sentient warrior, whose martial prowess is considerably augmented by the powers of death and decay looks like a far more formidable foe than any brute using sword and board (whether he/she is flashing with light or not), or a kung fu panda wannabe. Only a DH might be somewhat close to the power of a DK.

Both are Hero Classes too

[Goldielocks]

Fel's inherent purpose is to cause destruction of course it's going to do more damage lore-wise. Now, being the more effective tank of the two? That would be DK, because of its blood abilities.

OP's question is specific.

[TEHPALLYTANK]

I get Bear/Warrior/Monk not coming close, but surely a truly devout Paladin would be in with a shout?

No, I'd actually put Paladins pretty low on the list. The primary purposes of Paladins are to protect and heal, not to strike down their foes. The only exception would be when they're facing demons or undead, in which case I'd put them just behind DH and slightly ahead of DK (I don't see DKs as being particularly powerful against undead or demons, diseases don't make sense as an effective attack against undead).

I'd put DH>Druid≥DK>Monk>Paladin≥Warrior.

[Ulfric Trumpcloak]

According mmo champion a giant bear with control over nature is harmless. And a warrior with magic is less dangerous than a plain warrior.