SBV Addict seeks logical debunking

Okay, here goes. Armor versus Block Value:

I've done some fiddling, and come up with the following.

One problem is that armor has diminishing returns. As you gain more armor, you have less damage resistance per 100 armor.

However, at the following benchmarks, 100 armor on an item reduces incoming damage by (this is the value for 110 armor, because of the talent):

12k: 0.4853%
13k: 0.4648%
14k: 0.4459%
15k: 0.4286%
16k: 0.4125%
17k: 0.3976%
18k: 0.3837%

Okay, so let's compare that with block value. Block value items get a 30% bonus from talents.

It's pretty easy. How much are you currently getting hit for (counting your current block value)? Now assume you have 100 block value on an item.

Formula: 1-Damage/(Damage-BV*1.3)

1k: 13%
2k: 6.5%
3k: 4.33%
4k: 3.25%
5k: 2.6%
6k: 2.17%
7k: 1.86%
8k: 1.63%
9k: 1.44%
10k: 1.3%

Now, compare the two percentages, and you have the relative value of BV and armor.
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On top of that, the armor/BV ratio in itemization is between 5:1 and 10:1. On hard-hitters armor comes out hands down.
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Example:

1) Let a Boss hit for 10000 on 0 armor.
2) At 60% DR due to armor, he will hit you for 4000

Now you increase your armor till you get 61% DR:

3) The same Boss will hit you for 3900
4) Therefore this armor increase is equivalent to gaining 100 BV.


Now how much armor do you need to go from 60% to 61%?

As a (rather quick and dirty) reference: using the tanking spreadsheet with one of my gearsets equipped for 700 spell damage and around 55% pure avoidance (for around 1400 TPS, buffed), reducing my avoidance by taking 5 points out of deflection will drop my average TPS by ~7.


At 800 spell damage, and raid buffed to the hilt with best case scenario for group composition - pushing over 1900 TPS - dropping 5% parry gained ~20 TPS.

It varies a lot based on composition and your nominal threat output, etc, but you shouldn't be too worried about losing threat to your avoidance.
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