http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=89402279&sid=1&pageNo=1
Gear Overview
Tankadins are looking for three things in their gear: Threat, Stamina and Mitigation. This is the same for any tank, but Paladins do it in very different ways.
Threat can be achieved solely through your weapon, at the pre-raid level, and throughout Karazhan (KZ) A good spelldamage weapon ( http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29185 ), properly enchanted ( http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=27975 ), combined with some cheap oil ( http://www.wowhead.com/?item=22522 ), will put you at a very comfortable threat level. In any pre-raid situation, you will produce comparable (if not more, especially on Demon/Undead NPCs,) threat to a Protection Warrior/Feral Druid on single targets, and the same to up to three targets as a Feral Druid. On more targets, and through use of Salvation, there is no spec of any class that can produce more threat, (nor mitigate as much damage, usually) than you.
Again, this is all pre-raid, and throughout most of KZ, which is as far as your viability as an MT is unquestioned (For now, hopefully our gear will scale better with the difficulty of raid progression soon...) As your raid DPS gets higher, you need to start getting more spelldamage to keep up, but through all of KZ, 200 spelldamage is enough.
Stamina is relatively easy to get. We are kind of gimped in this area, compared to a Prot. Warrior or F. Druid (majorly) but HP is the easiest thing to get through consumables/buffs. 10,000 unbuffed is a good pre-raid goal, this will get a lot better as you start getting more epics.
Mitigation Here's where it gets a lot more complex, as your ability to mitigate damage comes from your Armor, Defense, Dodge/Parry/Block% and your Block Value. There are many other ways to mitigate damage (including some procs from gear, such as http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27770 )
Armor reduces physical damage by a % (Formula: http://www.wowwiki.com/Armor ) 12-13k unbuffed is a good goal for pre-raid. (That's about 53% reduction on l73 mobs) This can be pumped up to 16-17k with consumables/raid buffs. Inspiration/Ancestral Fortitude/Imp. LoH/Ironshield Potions can push this even higher.
Defense: 490 defense is your goal, as this will make you immune to crits from a level 73 mob. Every point past that is .04% chance to be missed, or for you to Dodge/Parry/Block.
Anything past 490 is good, but since dodge is cheaper (more on this later) it is better for pure avoidance.
Dodge/Parry/Block: The fun part. To overly simplify things, every time an NPC attacks you, a roll is made on a table. It takes your chance to be Missed, and adds it to your chances to Dodge, Parry and Block. This is your Avoidance value. If your Avoidance value is greater than 100%, the roll is made on just these values. If you have less than 490 defense, and your Avoidance is less than 100%, it will fill the rest of your table with Criticals (2x normal damage). If you have greater than 490 defense, but less than 100% Avoidance, it will fill the rest of your table with Crushing Blows (1.5x normal damage) up to a Crushing Blow value of 15%, in which case it will fill the rest with normal Hits.
Your goal with Miss/Dodge/Parry/Block is to get a value listed on your character sheet totalling 102.4% while Holy Shield is active to completely remove the chance of a Crushing Blow from a level 73 mob in ideal situations. The Badge of Justice turn in Libram ( http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29388 ) plays a major role in this. Once you get past that point, Block starts falling off the attack table, which is good for you because instead of reducing the damage you're taking by a certain value, you are completely avoiding it.
Block Value is the 'weakest' mitigation stat. Important NPCs are meleeing you for what is often thousands of damage. A few hundred blocked is way less useful than completely avoiding the damage, however, large amounts of block value will help to smooth out the consistant damage you are taking, easing on healing necessities. Again, Dodge is more efficient, but this is never a 'bad thing.'
Let's take a look at ratings and what they mean for us.
2.4 Defense Rating = 1 Defense = .04 Miss/Doge/Parry/Block
18.9 Dodge Rating = 1% Dodge
31.5 Parry Rating = 1% Parry
7.9 Block Rating = 1% Block
25 Agility = 1% Dodge
Assuming 1 Rating = 1 Item Point...
Until you reach 102.4%, Block Rating is the cheapest avoidance stat, followed by Defense, Dodge and Parry in that order.
Once you hit 102.4%, 1 Defense Rating gives you 0.05 pure avoidance, whereas 1 Dodge will give you 0.53. Parry is even worse, yielding 0.031 pure avoidance. For comparison 1 Agi = 0.04 avoidance.
At this point, extra Block is useless, so you should focus on Dodge, then Defense. Agility is worse than Defense, but better than Parry for Avoidance.
It's worth noting that the Miss rate is located on the mouseover window of your Defense. Add 5 (for the mob's base miss rate) and that's your Miss. Add that to your listed Dodge/Parry/Block and if the result is 67.4 (72.4 without the Libram) you are "UNCRUSHABLE." Which is our goal.
So far, all of our raid-ready goals are for tanking raid content and heroics to some extent. For all 5 mans, it is much advised to wear more spelldamage, giving up some mitigation. As long as healers can still keep up (which shouldn't be too difficult) this will allow you to do more damage, giving DPS more breathing room and ultimately speeding up the run.
Now that we know what we want and why, let's take a look at what we have available.
Following is a breakdown of most of what we have available to us in a pre-raid situation. (Please feel free to let me know of anything you think I've missed here.)
I'm going to list a couple mid-60's options, as well as note what is good for 5 mans.
>R< will denote a raid-tanking oriented item, while >5< will denote what is more than functional in 5-mans.
Head:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28560 Exorcist's Lamellar Helm (l66, Shard turnin)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29312 Cover of Righteous Fury (l67 Q. Reward)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30016 X-52 Technician's Helm (l69 Q. Reward
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28285 Helm of the Righteous (l70, drops off last boss of Mechanar)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23536 - Oathkeeper's Helm (l70, crafted)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27520 Greathelm of the Unbreakable (l70, first boss of Shattered Halls)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28180 - Myrmidon's Headdress (l70, Steamvault Quest)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23519 Felsteel Helm (l70 crafted)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23535 - Helm of the Stalwart Defender (l70 crafted)
I believe the Stalwart Defender to be the best raid tanking piece, and the Oathkeeper's best for 5-mans. Felsteel Helm is just a cut under Stalwart, and still very, very good for raids. Myrmidon's Headdress and the Greathelm are pretty comparable if you can't get either crafted helm, with Myrmidon's winning out slightly if you can get a good meta gem. Helm of the Righteous is an excellent 5-man piece until you can get Oathkeeper's made.
Neck:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29336 Mark of the Ravenguard (l69 quest)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27792 Steam-hinge Chain of Valor (l70, second boss of Steamvault)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29173 Strength of the Untamed (l70, CE rep)
Strength of the Untamed is best for pure avoidance, but Steam-hinge's block value is very valuable in a 5-man.
Shoulders:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24463 Pauldrons of Brute Force (l63, last boss of Underbog)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30291 Nexus-Guard's Pauldrons (l69 quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25967 Warchief's Mantle (l66, Old Hillsbrad Quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27803 Shoulderguards of the Bold (l70, last boss of Shadow Labyrinth)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27739 Spaulders of the Righteous (l70, second to last boss of Botanica)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27847 - Fanblade Pauldrons (l70, heroic Auchenai Crypts)
I believe the Spaulders of the Righteous is the best in 5 man situations (possibly raids too, if you want the 2 piece) but the Fanblade Pauldrons offer a bit more mitigation.
Back:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24379 Bogstrok Scale Cloak (l62 Slave Pens)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27988 Burnoose of Shifting Ages (l70, first boss of Black Morass)
>5R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27804 Devilshark Cape (l70, last boss of Steamvault)
Chest:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28055 Gilded Crimson Chestplate (l60 quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30074 - Heavy Earthforged Breastplate (l65 Armorsmithing)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25819 - Breastplate of the Warbringer (l68 quest)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28203 Breastplate of the Righteous (l70, last boss of Steamvault)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28262 Jade-Skull Breastplate (l70, second 'real' boss of Mechanar)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29127 Vindicator's Hauberk (l70, Aldor Rep)
IMO, Breastplate of the Righteous is best for 5 mans, while Jade-Skull is best for getting you to 102.4% as quickly as possible. Once you're there, the Vindicator's Hauberk is better for pure avoidance.
Wrists:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30225 Junior Technician 3rd Grade Bracers (l68 quest)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30400 Thadell's Bracers (l68 quest)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29252 - Bracers of Dignity (l70, Heroic Mana Tombs)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28167 Sha'tari Wrought Armguards (l72 Shadow Lab quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27459 Vambraces of Daring (l70, heroic Ramparts last boss)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23538 Bracers of the Green Fortress (l70 crafted)
I'd say the Green Fortress ones are best for raid tanking, and Bracers of Dignity for 5 mans. There aren't a lot of other wrist options for spelldamage, so you can wear mitigation here and squeeze threat out of other slots.
Hands:
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30967 The Hands of Fate (l70 Q. Reward)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29134 Gauntlets of the Chosen (l70 Scryer reward)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28390 Thatia's Self-Correcting Gauntlets (l70, boss in Arcatraz)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27535 Gauntlets of the Righteous (l70, last boss of Shattered Halls)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27475 Gauntlets of the Bold (l70, last boss in Steamvault)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23517 Felsteel Gloves (l70 crafted)
Righteous Gauntlets are probably best for 5 mans, though the block on Thatia's is very nice. None of them compare to Felsteel for raid tanking though. As a sidenote, the Dauntless Handguards ( http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25788 ) from an Alliance-only quest are -very- good block rating. If you have well over 490 defense and are still trying to get to 102.4% avoidance, these gloves do the job very well. After that point though, Felsteel is superior, as the item points are spent in a more raid-friendly fashion.
Belt:
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30330 Starcaller's Plated Belt (l70 quest)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30371 Lightwarden's Girdle (l70 Aldor Quest)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29253 - Girdle of Valorous Deeds (l70, Heroic Black Morass)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31460 Sha'tari Vindicator's Waistguard (l70 quest)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27672 - Girdle of the Immovable (l70 heroic Slave Pens)
There aren't a lot of options here, but the Lightwarden's is an excellent 5 man choice until you can get the Valorous Deeds. The Vindicator Waistguard is probably better than the Girdle of the Immovable, unless you put 2 +dodge gems in the latter, making it a much better raid tanking choice.
Legs:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29774 Kirin'Var Defender's Chausses (l69 quest)
>5<http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27893 Ornate Leggings of the Venerated (l70, second boss in Shadow Lab)
>5<http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27839 Leggings of the Righteous (l70, last boss of Black Morass)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29783 Leggings of the Resolute Defender (l69 quest)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29184 - Timewarden's Leggings (l70 Keepers of Time rep)
Timewarden's are best, properly socketed. Otherwise, Leggings of the Resolute Defender are good for raiding. 5 mans, Ornate Leggings or Leggings of the Righteous.
Feet:
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28069 Golden Ceremonial Greaves (l64 quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27420 Uther's Ceremonial Warboots (l66 Old Hillsbrad)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30334 - Starcaller's Plated Stompers (l70 quest)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29254 - Boots of the Righteous Path (l70, heroic Arc)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29325 Flesh Beast's Metal Greaves (l66 quest)
Personally, I use Golden Ceremonial (Righteous Path is better though) for 5 mans and Flesh Beast for uncrushability. The dodge is very sexy, and there aren't a lot of other options.
Fingers:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31078 - Protector's Mark (l70 quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28265 - Dath'Remar's Ring of Defense (l70 last boss of Mechanar)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28555 Seal of the Exorcist (l70 Spirit Shard turnin)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30006 Wind Trader's Band (l70 quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24088 Delicate Eternium Ring (l70 crafted)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31319 - Band of Impenetrable Defenses (l70 BoE world drop)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29323 Andormu's Tear (l70 BM Quest)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28407 Elementium Band of the Sentry (l70, Arcatraz last boss)
I'm partial to Andormu's/Elementium Band combo. Barring what's listed here, if you can get a random green ring of Eluding the massive amount of Agility/Dodge Rating is pretty good.
For 5-mans, a mix of high block value (such as Dath'Remar's) and Spell damage (Seal of the Exorcist) is probably best.
Trinkets:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28042 Regal Protectorate (l63 quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27770 Argussian Compass (l70, heroic Underbog last boss)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23836 Goblin Rocket Launcher (350 Goblin Engineering)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23835 Gnomish Poultryizer (350 Gnomish Engineering)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27891 Adamantine Figurine (l70 second boss of Shadow Lab)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27529 Figurine of the Colossus (l70 last boss of Shattered Halls)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30300 Dabiri's Enigma (l70 quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24125 - Dawnstone Crab (BoP Jewelcrafting recipe)
Shield:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25828 Petrified Lichen Guard (l62 Sporeggar rep)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27887 Platinum Shield of the Valorous (l68, Shadow Lab first boss)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28316 Aegis of the Sunbird (l70, second boss of Botanica)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31491 - Netherwing Defender's Shield (l70 quest)
>5< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27910 Silvermoon Crest Shield (l70 last boss of Shadow Lab)
>R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29176 Crest of the Sha'tar (l70, Sha'tar Exalted)
The Crest of the Sha'tar is far and away the best pre-raid shield, IMO. The Netherwing Defender's Shield probably has the best mix of threat/mitigation for 5-mans. (Warning: do NOT get the Netherwing Protector's Shield! I made this mistake, trying to max out my mitigation. There are much better pure mitigation shields, but no real sidegrades to the Caster/Tank stats on the Defender.)
Weapons:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24361 Spellfire Longsword (l62, first boss of Slave Pens)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24384 Diamond-Core Sledgemace (l61, first boss of Blood Furnace)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27899 Mana Wrath (l70, last boss of Mechanar)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27905 Greatsword of Horrid Dreams (l70, last boss of Shadow Lab)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30832 - Gavel of Unearthed Secrets (l70, Lower City Rep)
>5R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29185 Continuum Blade (l70, KoT rep)
Continuum Blade is arguably the best tanking weapon a paladin can get for a long time. For Alliance Paladins, the Gavel of Unearthed Secrets is a viable sidegrade to the CBlade, as Seal of Vengeance is more reliable with a slower weapon. Horde Paladins probably shouldn't bother, but that's just IMO. As a sidenote, there are situations where you -don't- need spelldamage and a weapon with better tanking stats or more physical damage is much more preferred. Followed is a list of non-spell damage weapons that will be very useful in certain situations:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31071 Grom'tor's Charge (l70 quest)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28311 Revenger (l70, first boss of Botanica)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28189 Latro's Shifting Sword (l70 Last boss of Black Morass)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29362 The Sun Eater (l70, heroic Mechanar last boss)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28425 - Fireguard (l70 Swordsmithing)
On the physical damage weapons, your best bet is probably the Sun Eater as far as mitigation goes. Fireguard is your best threat weapon, if not using Seal of Righteousness. As an aside, the other weaponsmithing choices are not very good tanking options, seeing as we're going for speed for Seal/Judge procs if we're not using our spelldamage weapon.
Librams:
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=22400 Libram of Truth (l52 BRD drop)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24386 Libram of Saints Departed (l61 Blood Furnace)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27917 Libram of Eternal Rest (l68 Sethekk Halls)
>5R< http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29388 Libram of Repentance (l70, heroic badge turnin)
Libram of Repentance is easily the best tanking Libram available.
Credits:
The Maintankadin Community: http://www.failsafedesign.com/maintankadin/index.php
wowwiki.com
Gestalt's tanking guide: http://www.failsafedesign.com/maintankadin/viewtopic.php?t=7
Zoe's Defense and Mitigation thread on the EU Pally forums: http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=265036995&sid=1
My guild, for putting up with the learning curve of having a paladin tanking, and encouraging me to keep going: www.anti-thesis.com
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