which spec for leveling to 85?

[Kelaan]

I'm thinking if I grab Ret gear from quests then I won't be able to tank in it, and if I grab Prot gear I'll do crappy dmg as Ret.

There are a LOT of pieces which are hit/mastery or expertise/mastery. When you get to Uldum, even the "ret" pieces have better tanking stats than my 264 tier gear does, so my "tank" set will likely be much closer to my DPS set than it currently is. 69 ilevels is a LOT of armor and stamina itemization. Also, very few quests have both a tanking and a dps option -- usually it's one or the other, and often the piece is imperfect but still good for both specs. I wouldn't worry about not being able to get both prot and ret gear.

Edit:

While questing around to fill my quest log with 30k+ experience quests, I've been doing it in nearly Ret gear, with prot spec and weapons. I'm even using a DPS helm and shoulders, for example. It's not as fast as Ret, but on the other hand Avenger's Shield is remarkably satisfying when dealing with more than one mob, or even just as multiple ranged pickups. We basically have both Judgement and AS as instant ranged pickups, which is one more than Ret does. Clearly, I'll rethink this once the burst of judge->AS is less significant (e.g., once I get to Hyjal).

[Badenhawk]

I wouldn't worry about not being able to get both prot and ret gear.

That said, there'll be no shortage of blacksmiths looking to skill up and make some quick gold by selling the crafted tanking sets. I think Digren has some links in his first draft 4.0 gearing guide. Those pieces will do in a pinch while levelling.

[tbolt]

I think my plan is to start out with Ret to see the pace I can quest at considering what I have heard about mob damage getting buffed. If I'm getting knocked around too much I'll probably just use Prot and try to have fun procing Grand Crusader.

[Orthien]

I picked Tank for life but really I will be leveling as ProtRet with some tank gear in my bags for the odd instance.

[eia]

I've been dualspec prot/ret for as long as dualspec has existed, so I'll just continue on as I do now, using the spec that is best for the job at hand. I'm expecting to use ret most while questing, and prot most in instances though.

[Chasey]

Gonna lvl prot and throw some ret gear on. Take all the tanking gear I can etc....
I've been Prot since i dinged 10 in TBC also w/some healy at times but no use in changing now.

[Adryl]

not 100% sure yet. I would like to go Holy with a tank friend and gun through it all. But idk if he will pick up cata immediately. If not then prob Prot with Ret gear.

[Pizbit]

Kitty/bear >.>

[Zhuel]

Protret is very nice. I usually tank in my Ret gear at the moment. The dps is awesome. If I know it a tough fight I put my tank gear back on. I think leveling this way will work out nice.

[Vaxas]

Been prot 1-80 (1st toon) and I plan on being prot 81-85. Tanks are a breed, not a spec.

[Radience]

Other than roleplaying, there's really no need to gimp your questing speed by not being in dps gear and spec. All leveling quests can be rather easily soloed without tanking gear and spec. Only exception being "new ring of blood" chain and obviously dungeons.

[Adryl]

Honestly I wish I could have the talent trees from 3.0 lol. I had a prot/ret hybrid I used for leveling and LOVED it. I was able to still tank effectively for quests but also burn people down. I guess it's similar to prot spec/ret gear but I will miss being able to dip into other trees no matter what.

[Sarutankah]

Prot in ret gear.

Holy offspec.


I have been trying to like ret, but I hate that it's almost completely RNG.

Other classes have reported some areas as "pull an add and your fucked" I really hate corpse runs :S

[Sala]

I will lvl as ret. but having both sets of gear on me and duelspeced ret/prot.
if it at some point becomes appealing to go back prot i sure will do so.


Sidenote i dont like pools where the different answers are being "manipulated"
Ansver one: Once prot always prot to death.... kinda heroic sentence?
Ansver two: I like holding big "sticks" in my hands aka if you choose this you are GAY

now what you wanna pick?

[Pizbit]

I will lvl as ret. but having both sets of gear on me and duelspeced ret/prot.
if it at some point becomes appealing to go back prot i sure will do so.


Sidenote i dont like pools where the different answers are being "manipulated"
Ansver one: Once prot always prot to death.... kinda heroic sentence?
Ansver two: I like holding big "sticks" in my hands aka if you choose this you are GAY

now what you wanna pick?

Lighten up, it's just a humourous poll. Just be happy there's no CBH option.