Tankadin in Wrath - 3.1 - Weapons and Armor
Fjork — Fri, 03/20/2009 - 14:47
Weapons and Armor
Due to the massive load-times for my T1 internet connection with all of these weapons and armor embedded I have decided to post them all as web-linked directly to wowhead.com instead.
As a shield-bearing tank with a +30% Block spell that last for 10 seconds on an 8 second cooldown, you should be gearing almost exclusively for Block Rating before Dodge or Parry. It’s actually possible after Armor Mitigation and Block Value to drop the average 15,000 hit down to a manageable 2,000 or 3,000 damage every single time. Your healers will thank you.
Look for a page soon dedicated solely to Block, and what uses a Tankadin can take out of it, and how to best maximize it’s effectiveness.
As a warning though, you cannot block Hatestrikes from Patchwerk and a few other attacks throughout WotLK. So if you are going to build your “Block Value” set (Block Value <- Strength <- Block Rating <- Dodge <- Parry <- Expertise) you will need to be building a second set at the same time for Patchwerk type fights or your healers will run out of mana very quickly if they can keep you alive.
While gearing, be aware there is such thing as a ‘Block Cap’. (See Elitist Jerks for more info until I can build an article.) Each of the following gear items is ranked based on available avoidance. There are diminishing returns on Parry Rating and Dodge Rating. There is also a Block Cap. If there are articles here, read each thoroughly to determine how that might affect your next upgrade which may not be an actual upgrade. You never know until you really look at the numbers.)
· The Weapon
o Things to Consider
§ As a Tankadin, the most Threat-Per-Second available to you will come from weapons which have very high dps and/or very high strength.
§ Every 2 points of strength will award a point of additional damage to each Shield of the Righteousness.
§ Hammer of the Righteousness formula is ( DPS * 4 ). So for TPS, [40345] is preferred over [39344].
§ Just because it isn’t a ‘tanking’ weapon doesn’t mean it can’t have a use for you, especially on trash mobs or low-hitting bosses. For example, the [Hailstorm] and [Torment of the Banished] both have a very nice amount of agility and attack power for crit rating and HotR dps. Your Shield of the Righteousness will suffer on block value, but for trash, multi-mob fights (Gothik), or weak bosses (Loatheb) both of these swords will help your contribution to the raid by keeping avoidance (dodge through agility) and doing more overall dps.
o Raid-Progression
§ Teldrassil Protector / Axe of the Sen’jin Protector *NEW in 3.1*
§ Stoneguard *NEW in 3.1*
§ Legacy of Thunder *NEW in 3.1*
§ Shiver *NEW in 3.1*
§ Titanguard *NEW in 3.1*
§ Sorthalis, Hammer of the Watchers *NEW in 3.1*
· The Shield
o Things to Consider
§ Your shield will be rarely upgraded through Wrath. There are only a few. Spend the time to get a good one, and enchant it well. I would recommend +20 Defense Rating. Once your progression starts building, Defense Rating will be harder and harder to maintain.
§ Don’t waste your money having a Titansteel Shield Wall crafted (like I did). The Royal Crest of Lordaeron is much better and Heroic Culling of Stratholme is a very easy instance. Not to mention with 35 emblems (after your neckpiece and libram) you can purchase Crygil’s Discarded Plate Panel as well. Purchasing the Titansteel is definitely misplaced money.
o Raid Progression
§ Shieldwall of the Breaker *NEW in 3.1*
§ Northern Barrier *NEW in 3.1*
§ The Boreal Guard *NEW in 3.1*
· The Helm
o Things to Consider
§ Your helm won’t really be upgraded that often, and the [Tempered Titansteel Helm] is not a bad investment because you can have it ready before level 80, and the helm drops in Heroic Dungeons aren’t all that great. Then you enchant it with either the Keepers of Time or Argent Crusade rep reward and your helm is 10/25 man raid-ready.
§ The [Armored Titanium Goggles] are also very nice, and equip-able at level 72. You should take the time to craft these early if you are a serious Engineer.
§ You’ll definitely want to focus on picking up each upgrade as it comes along, because another might not come that soon. If you are raiding 10mans with anything weaker than the Ground Tremor Helm, you should probably ask your raid-leader to start with Four Horseman each week because there are only two upgrades in Naxx10, and one of them is your T7 helm which drops off Kel’Thuzad.
§ When enchanting, the +32 Stamina and Armor% will look tempting (and is not a bad idea when beginning), but as your gear builds you will want to go ahead and get the +22 Defense Rating and 5% Block Value gem instead. It will serve you much better and help with keeping uncrittable as your gear improves and your available defense rating falls.
o Raid Progression
§ Heroes’ Redemption Faceguard (Up one with 2 pc set bonus)
§ Ironbark Faceguard *NEW 3.1*
§ Valorous Aegis Faceguard *NEW 3.1*
§ Helm of the Faceless *NEW 3.1*
§ Conqueror’s Aegis Faceguard *NEW 3.1*
· The Shoulders
o Things to Consider
§ If you spend the money on the Wapach’s Spaulders of Solidarity, you’re an idiot. Patchwerk (10man) drops the Abomination Shoulderblades on a fairly regular basis.
§ The Crusader’s Square Pauldrons are BoE and pretty cheap in the AH usually (or just run H CoS until they drop). You can have them ready alongside your Tempered Titansteel Helm and Hammer of the Quiet Mourning before you even hit 80.
o Raid Progression
§ Valorous Aegis Shoulderguards *NEW in 3.1*
§ Shoulderplates of the Deconstructor *NEW in 3.1*
§ Conqueror’s Aegis Shoulderguards *NEW in 3.1*
· The Neckpiece
o Things to Consider
§ The Chained Military Gorget should be your second purchase with Emblems. It’s nice, it’s solid, you won’t be upgrading it very quickly, and it can always be switched in for a Patchwerk fight.
§ The Burning Skull Pendant is a nice BoE you can usually pickup relatively inexpensively.
§ Don’t waste your money on the Titanium Earthguard Chain. The Chained Military Gorget is better, and guaranteed with enough Heroics.
o Raid Progression
§ Burning Skull Pendant
§ Pendant of the Nathrezim
§ Blood-Infused Pendant
§ Titanium Earthguard Chain
§ Amulet of Autopsy
§ Chained Military Gorget
§ Medallion of the Disgraced
§ Heritage
§ Drakescale Collar
§ Boundless Ambition
§ Shard of the Crystal Forest *NEW in 3.1*
§ Nexus War Champion Beads
§ Necklace of Unerring Mettle *NEW in 3.1*
§ Bronze Pendant of the Vanir *NEW in 3.1*
· The Cloak
o Things to Consider
§ Make sure you do a pile of Wyrmrest quests while leveling. The Cloak of Peaceful Resolutions will be worn by you for a long time, and you’ll find that you keep throwing it on for this or that fight.
§ The Cloak of Armed Strife isn’t actually an upgrade to Cloak of Peaceful Resolutions for a Tankadin. The extra mitigation is nice, but doesn’t make up the difference.
§ If you want to (and have the cash to), get the Durable Nerub-Hide Cloak crafted before 80. It’s Avoidance will carry you a long way.
o Raid Progression
§ Titanskin Cloak *NEW in 3.1*
§ Cloak of the Makers *NEW in 3.1*
· The Chestpiece
o Things to Consider
§ Here is another reason for getting that Wyrmrest rep up while leveling. The Breastplate of the Solemn Council is a nice enough piece to even carry you into 25man raiding. Definitely worth the rep grind.
§ The Massive Skeletal Ribcage and Dragonstorm Breastplate’s are good pickups for the Patchwerk fight, but I would recommend passing them to DKs if they are there tanking as you can always pickup the T7 chestpiece with 80 emblems.
o Raid Progression
§ Valorous Aegis Breastplate *NEW in 3.1*
§ Conqueror’s Aegis Breastplate *NEW in 3.1*
§ Unbreakable Chestguard *NEW in 3.1*
· The Bracers
o Things to Consider
§ Not another [Bracers of the Green Fortress] here. We actually have options in WotLK. Just not that many. You’ll want to run Old Kingdom a few times to pickup the Bracers of the Herald before wasting the 300g for the +40 Stamina enchant.
§ If you complete the Hodir questline while questing (which you should since you REALLY need the shoulder-enchant only available through Hodir unless you are an inscriber), pickup the Bracers of Reverence. They can carry you into 25mans if you have to, but keep trying for the Bracers of the Herald.
§ If you have a great deal of money sitting around for the AH, or a friend who raids 25man consistently but can’t spend anymore emblems of valor, you should consider picking up the Bracer’s of Dalaran’s Parapets. They are the second-best pre-Ulduar bracers available and you can have them sitting about when you turn 80.
o Raid Progression
§ Flamewatch Armguards *NEW in 3.1*
§ Mimiron’s Inferno Couplings *NEW in 3.1*
· The Gloves
o Things to Consider
§ The gloves are pretty easy. You’ll eventually pickup the T7 if you keep getting emblems, and it’s likely you’ll get the Gauntlets of the Water Revenant while running Heroic Violet Hold for Lananthor’s Talisman and Bolstered Legplates.
§ I would recommend purchasing the Daunting Handguards as soon as you hit level 78 and equipping them. The 71 Defense Rating will come in handy as you are trying to gear up if you haven’t managed to get the Seal of the Pantheon trinket for the +65 Defense Rating it offers.
§ If you don’t mind spending money, the Refined Ore Gloves can usually be found for around 80 gold on the AH and with 2.01% Avoidance through Block Rating they are a nice set to have waiting when you ding 80.
§ The ‘tank’ enchant for the Gloves is Armsman with 2% added threat and 10 Parry Rating, however that is minimal avoidance and there aren’t many even half-geared tankadin’s that have any trouble with threat. However, the Strength enchant will get you additional attack power and block value.
o Raid Progression
§ Valorous Aegis Handguards *NEW in 3.1*
§ Conqueror’s Aegis Handguards *NEW in 3.1*
§ Gauntlets of the Royal Watch *NEW in 3.1*
§ Handguards of Revitalization *NEW in 3.1*
§ Handguards of the Enclave *NEW in 3.1*
· The Waistguard
o Things to Consider
§ Love the Eternal Belt Buckle. You’ll probably want to be putting it on every single piece of gear you get as you level. It’s a free socket that doesn’t mess with socket bonuses, but counts towards your meta-gem requirement. However, be honest with yourself. It’ll be a [Solid Sky Sapphire] or a Solid Majestic Zircon *+30 Stamina. NEW in 3.1*.
§ The Waistguard of the Risen Knight is another one you can usually pickup in AH for around 80g, and it will carry you easily into 10man and beginning 25man. I would recommend going after the Ancient Aligned Girdle though as it has a solid drop rate and Heroic Drak’Tharon is easy-mode.
o Raid Progression
§ Stormtempered Girdle *NEW in 3.1*
§ Shieldwarder Girdle *NEW in 3.1*
§ Indestructible Plate Girdle *NEW in 3.1 CRAFTED!*
§ Dragonslayer’s Brace *NEW in 3.1*
· The Legplates
o Things to Consider
§ Here’s the next step of where your Argent Crusade Rep comes in. The Special Issue Legplates are a very nice set useable even into 25man naxx. If you absolutely have to have the extra defense rating, you can pickup the Daunting Legplates. If you are that starved for uncrittability though, you probably aren’t ready to even try and tank heroics.
§ The legs are another example of why you are going to want to be running Heroic Violet Hold a lot. Besides the gloves and the trinket, your Raid-equal legplates are also in H VH.
§ If you are reading this while leveling, I would pickup the Tempered Saronite Legplates as soon as you ding 74. There’s not a better pair you can have approaching heroics, and nobody will notice if you are wearing them when you start your heroics.
o Raid Progression
§ Valorous Aegis Legguards *NEW in 3.1*
§ Gilded Steel Legplates *NEW in 3.1*
§ Saronite Plated Legguards *NEW in 3.1*
§ Wyrmguards Legplates *NEW in 3.1*
§ Conqueror’s Aegis Legguards *NEW in 3.1*
§ Legplates of the Endless Void *NEW in 3.1*
· The Boots
o Things to Consider
§ Don’t get the Tempered Titansteel Treads crafted. Seriously. Compared to pretty much half the other gear available they aren’t worth much. The Stamina on them is really nice, but with no avoidance? Is it worth it?
· “Hey ya’ll healers! Check out my huge HP pool!”
· *dies from six unavoided hits in a row*
· *blames healers*
§ If you have the Wyrmrest Rep, go ahead and get the Sabatons of Draconic Vigor. The Toxin-Tempered Sabatons are okay, but at early gear progession the Wyrmrest is going to be better off.
§ *NEW in 3.1* You can get the same boots through the Argent Tournament instead of Wyrmrest Rep.
§ *NEW in 3.1* The Spiked Deathdealers are comparable to the Greaves of the Stonewarden as the best boots in the game. If you can get them crafted? DO EET!
o Raid Progression
§ Slaughterhouse Sabatons / Blood-Caked Stompers *NEW in 3.1*
§ Charred Saronite Greaves *NEW in 3.1*
§ Spiked Deathdealers *NEW in 3.1 – CRAFTED!*
§ Greaves of the Stonewarder *NEW in 3.1*
Emblems
I’ve sorted each of the Emblems in ‘purchase’ order. Obviously if you have picked up a naxx25 neckpiece before getting the Chained Military Gorget, you’re not going to get it. This is just a recommended list based on the fact that the RNG hates paladins who think they can tank.
Basically, if it isn’t an upgrade, or you can get a larger upgrade by saving a few more emblems than do it. Spend wisely.
· Emblems of Heroism
o Libram of Obstruction – 15 Emblems
o Chained Military Gorget – 25 Emblems
o Crygil’s Discarded Plate Panel – 35 Emblems
o Waistguard of Living Iron – 40 Emblems
o Valor Medal of the First War – 40 Emblems
o Gloves of the Lost Conqueror – 60 Emblems
o Chestguard of the Lost Conqueror – 80 Emblems
· Emblems of Valor
o Signet of the Impregnable Fortress – 25 Emblems
o Platinum Mesh Cloak – 25 Emblems
o Kyzoc’s Groundstompers – 40 Emblems
o Bracer’s of Dalaran’s Parapets – 60 Emblems
o Mantle of the Lost Conqueror – 60 Emblems
o Legplates of the Lost Conqueror – 75 Emblems
· Emblems of Conquest *NEW in 3.1*
o Will update when information available. What little is here is most likely wrong, and a spoof.
o Neckpiece – 16 Emblems
o Tank Belt – 23 Emblems
o Tank Gloves – 23 Emblems
o Tank Legs – 32 Emblems
o T8 Helm – 48 Emblems
o Emblem of Valor – 1 Emblem
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