(WoW) Auditing the Tankadin
A little over two months since I last looked at my gear planning on the verge of patch 3.3. In that time, I haven't done everything I could at every chance to help out my character. I don't run a random heroic dungeon everyday with my main, much less with alts. On the other hand, I'm not sure I expected to be downing bosses in Icecrown Citadel at this point either...
I don't really expect to be clearing ICC bosses prior to Cataclysm, though it could happen, so heroic versions of any ICC drops might be eventual goals. Ignoring the 25-man BOP drops, though, I'm actually a little surprised at how close I am to my "end" goals for gear this expansion.
Done Head: Currently Faceplate of the Honorbound, the non-tier Emblem of Triumph helm. This is a solid piece and serving me well. I imagine I'll eventually upgrade to Lightsworn Faceguard, tier 10 from Emblems of Frost, but it's not a major priority.
Done Neck: Currently Shard of the Crystal Forest, from Emblems of Conquest. While I would miss the +hit, this piece of gear is getting a little on the old side, and I'll be happy to upgrade it. There's a minor upgrade drop from heroic Halls of Reflection, but the dungeon is annoying enough I'm not going out of my way. The more likely, and more desirable, upgrade is a drop from ICC's first boss, Marrowgar's Scratching Choker.
Done Shoulders: Currently Shoulderplates of Enduring Order, another non-tier EoT piece. There aren't many upgrades available - a drop from Prince Valanar in ICC that we haven't reached yet or Lightsworn Shoulderguards tier 10 for emblems.
Done Back: Currently Sentinel's Winter Cloak, which was my first Emblem of Frost purchase. As such, this is probably going to last me.
Done Chest: Currently Turalyon's Breastplate of Conquest, EoT tier 9. There's a good drop from the second ICC boss, Ghoul Commander's Cuirass that I can hope for. Eventually, I hope to obtain a Cataclysmic Chestguard, which is widely considered better than the tier 10 chestpiece.
Wrists: Currently Saronite Swordbreakers, from a blacksmith with the recipe from Trial of the Crusader. These are good, and I think the only real improvement I can hope for is the Gargoyle Spit Bracers from Deathbringer Saurfang - when we beat him.
Done Hands: Currently Turalyon's Handguards of Conquest, tier 9. I could hope for the tier 10 drops from Toravon, but if I have to save EoFs, then I'm probably going to just buy the Gauntlets of the Kraken, which don't have the set bonus, but are still better (actually widely considered best of my options). These might be my next EoF purchase, as they look to be the biggest upgrade at this point.
Done Belt: Currently Verdigris Chain Belt, which was my second EoF purchase and is thus probably lasting me 'til the Cataclysm.
Done Legs: Currently Turalyon's Legguards of Conquest, tier 9 legs. There are two possible drop upgrades: Lightsworn Legguards that drop from Toravon (or can be purchased with EoFs) or Deathforged Legplates that drop from Deathbringer Saurfang (the bastard). The best I have to look forward to are actually crafted, but with the cost of the limiting crafting material so high, I don't know when I might ever be able to get Pillars of Might, so hoping for drops at this point seems more sound.
Done Boots: Currently Black Spire Sabatons, pulled out of heroic Pit of Saron and reluctantly replacing my previous boots. Honestly, I haven't looked at drops too much (there's something from Sindragosa, who we haven't even seen yet) as I aspire to the best, Boots of Kingly Upheaval. They are from an ICC blacksmith recipe, so there's a similar limitation to the legs above, but they're a little less material-intensive, so may be attainable in the coming weeks.
Done-ish Ring 1: Currently Ashen Band of Courage, which is tied to Ashen Verdict reputation. This ring will improve as rep level increases, and I'm going to be wearing it all the way to the end of the expansion.
Ring 2: Currently Clutch of Fortification, was a solid purchase with EoTs. And it's not worn out its welcome yet. There's a minor upgrade in the Abomination's Bloody Ring, which we've seen drop from the gunship battle. There's also the BOE Harbinger's Bone Band out of the 25-man ICC, which I could perhaps buy someday off the auction house, but I'm not counting on it as the only one I've seen listed at 21k buyout.
Trinkets: Currently Bubbling Brightbrew Charm and Bitter Balebrew Charm, both stamina trinkets from the Brewfest event.
At some point, I intend to have a Corroded Skeleton Key, but as much as people I use for reference love the thing, other EoF purchases have been larger upgrades for me thusfar.
I fully intend to pick up the Glyph of Indomitability for EoTs. I've overlooked it for a while, but from what I've been reading of late, I've been undervaluing the armor benefit. Still, straight stamina would be better on fights that are heavier on magic damage, but trinkets are situational - I'll carry backups that can be switched between bosses.
Done-maybe Weapon: Currently Bonebreaker Scepter, that dropped from Lord Marrowgar. I wasn't expecting or really striving for it, but I think this is probably the best tank weapon I'll have. There's also The Facelifter from a later ICC boss, but it's a sidegrade, trading dodge and hit for parry and expertise. I do like swords best as far as appearance, but i think the stats of the mace are more attractive.
Done Shield: Currently Bulwark of the Royal Guard, was a pleasant surprise from Anub'arak in TotC. It... looks like a big chunk of wood, though. Shields being such a big thing for paladin tanks, I'm really hoping to look at something different by the end of the expansion. Pretty much the only upgrade out there is Neverending Winter from the gunship battle. It can't match the Royal Crest of Lordaeron for appearance, but everytime we strap on rocket packs for the battle, I'm hoping for this drop.
Done-ish Libram: Currently Libram of Defiance, which is arguably better than the EoF libram (slightly lower maximum bonus, but less ramp-up time). I'll just hang onto this, methinks.
Edit: Gee, I now feel a little bit more justified in my EoF item pick order. People were all taken with the tinket's high stamina, but many people are regretting that now. I'm glad I didn't give in to the hype.
I don't really expect to be clearing ICC bosses prior to Cataclysm, though it could happen, so heroic versions of any ICC drops might be eventual goals. Ignoring the 25-man BOP drops, though, I'm actually a little surprised at how close I am to my "end" goals for gear this expansion.
Done Head: Currently Faceplate of the Honorbound, the non-tier Emblem of Triumph helm. This is a solid piece and serving me well. I imagine I'll eventually upgrade to Lightsworn Faceguard, tier 10 from Emblems of Frost, but it's not a major priority.
Done Neck: Currently Shard of the Crystal Forest, from Emblems of Conquest. While I would miss the +hit, this piece of gear is getting a little on the old side, and I'll be happy to upgrade it. There's a minor upgrade drop from heroic Halls of Reflection, but the dungeon is annoying enough I'm not going out of my way. The more likely, and more desirable, upgrade is a drop from ICC's first boss, Marrowgar's Scratching Choker.
Done Shoulders: Currently Shoulderplates of Enduring Order, another non-tier EoT piece. There aren't many upgrades available - a drop from Prince Valanar in ICC that we haven't reached yet or Lightsworn Shoulderguards tier 10 for emblems.
Done Back: Currently Sentinel's Winter Cloak, which was my first Emblem of Frost purchase. As such, this is probably going to last me.
Done Chest: Currently Turalyon's Breastplate of Conquest, EoT tier 9. There's a good drop from the second ICC boss, Ghoul Commander's Cuirass that I can hope for. Eventually, I hope to obtain a Cataclysmic Chestguard, which is widely considered better than the tier 10 chestpiece.
Wrists: Currently Saronite Swordbreakers, from a blacksmith with the recipe from Trial of the Crusader. These are good, and I think the only real improvement I can hope for is the Gargoyle Spit Bracers from Deathbringer Saurfang - when we beat him.
Done Hands: Currently Turalyon's Handguards of Conquest, tier 9. I could hope for the tier 10 drops from Toravon, but if I have to save EoFs, then I'm probably going to just buy the Gauntlets of the Kraken, which don't have the set bonus, but are still better (actually widely considered best of my options). These might be my next EoF purchase, as they look to be the biggest upgrade at this point.
Done Belt: Currently Verdigris Chain Belt, which was my second EoF purchase and is thus probably lasting me 'til the Cataclysm.
Done Legs: Currently Turalyon's Legguards of Conquest, tier 9 legs. There are two possible drop upgrades: Lightsworn Legguards that drop from Toravon (or can be purchased with EoFs) or Deathforged Legplates that drop from Deathbringer Saurfang (the bastard). The best I have to look forward to are actually crafted, but with the cost of the limiting crafting material so high, I don't know when I might ever be able to get Pillars of Might, so hoping for drops at this point seems more sound.
Done Boots: Currently Black Spire Sabatons, pulled out of heroic Pit of Saron and reluctantly replacing my previous boots. Honestly, I haven't looked at drops too much (there's something from Sindragosa, who we haven't even seen yet) as I aspire to the best, Boots of Kingly Upheaval. They are from an ICC blacksmith recipe, so there's a similar limitation to the legs above, but they're a little less material-intensive, so may be attainable in the coming weeks.
Done-ish Ring 1: Currently Ashen Band of Courage, which is tied to Ashen Verdict reputation. This ring will improve as rep level increases, and I'm going to be wearing it all the way to the end of the expansion.
Ring 2: Currently Clutch of Fortification, was a solid purchase with EoTs. And it's not worn out its welcome yet. There's a minor upgrade in the Abomination's Bloody Ring, which we've seen drop from the gunship battle. There's also the BOE Harbinger's Bone Band out of the 25-man ICC, which I could perhaps buy someday off the auction house, but I'm not counting on it as the only one I've seen listed at 21k buyout.
Trinkets: Currently Bubbling Brightbrew Charm and Bitter Balebrew Charm, both stamina trinkets from the Brewfest event.
At some point, I intend to have a Corroded Skeleton Key, but as much as people I use for reference love the thing, other EoF purchases have been larger upgrades for me thusfar.
I fully intend to pick up the Glyph of Indomitability for EoTs. I've overlooked it for a while, but from what I've been reading of late, I've been undervaluing the armor benefit. Still, straight stamina would be better on fights that are heavier on magic damage, but trinkets are situational - I'll carry backups that can be switched between bosses.
Done-maybe Weapon: Currently Bonebreaker Scepter, that dropped from Lord Marrowgar. I wasn't expecting or really striving for it, but I think this is probably the best tank weapon I'll have. There's also The Facelifter from a later ICC boss, but it's a sidegrade, trading dodge and hit for parry and expertise. I do like swords best as far as appearance, but i think the stats of the mace are more attractive.
Done Shield: Currently Bulwark of the Royal Guard, was a pleasant surprise from Anub'arak in TotC. It... looks like a big chunk of wood, though. Shields being such a big thing for paladin tanks, I'm really hoping to look at something different by the end of the expansion. Pretty much the only upgrade out there is Neverending Winter from the gunship battle. It can't match the Royal Crest of Lordaeron for appearance, but everytime we strap on rocket packs for the battle, I'm hoping for this drop.
Done-ish Libram: Currently Libram of Defiance, which is arguably better than the EoF libram (slightly lower maximum bonus, but less ramp-up time). I'll just hang onto this, methinks.
Edit: Gee, I now feel a little bit more justified in my EoF item pick order. People were all taken with the tinket's high stamina, but many people are regretting that now. I'm glad I didn't give in to the hype.
To chime in with my completely uneducated opinions on tanking, would not parry and expertise be more desirable in a weapon, as dodge is what's being penalized? Also, humans get free sword expertise added in. Certainly a loss of hit is annoying but there's an enchant for that. All of Saurfang's damage, from boiling Blood, to Blood Nova to the Blood Beasts, is physical. +Stam trinks aren't helping as much as armor/avoidance will. Also ever think you'll have the recipies off the vendors yourself?
ReplyDeleteWell... I'd have to crunch numbers and brush up on theorycraft to really know which weapon is better, but there are a couple things to consider. Properly-glyphed tankadins have a large amount of expertise on boss fights without any from gear. I haven't looked too closely, but I'm sure I'm closer to that cap than I am on hit. As for dodge and parry... it doesn't really work that way. People think "Oh, dodge is reduced by a flat 20%, so why should I bother?" Before I step foot in ICC, I have around 27%. After, I have about 7%. If I gain half a percent from an upgrade, that's still half a percent more dodge with or without the debuff and is equal to half a percent of parry - either way, the same amount more attacks are not landing. There are some other complications involved, but Chill of the Throne does not render dodge useless (unless you have under 20% to begin with). Saurfang and many others, it seems. Early on, there were expectations there would be more magic damage, but as wings opened up it appears most (though not all) bosses deal a majority of physical damage, especially on tanks - so even among the theorycrafters, there's some surprise that armor is as useful as it is. I picked up the armor trinket last night, and expect to be using it a lot - though I'll probably go back to double stamina on Deathwhisper. I would love to have those patterns myself. It's going to be a another run or two before I have the rep, though, and even then they cost primordial saronite to buy. So, as an example, I really want those boots. I can either: - Buy the pattern and make them myself, using 6 primordial saronites. That's around 14,400 gold at AH prices, or 138 emblems of frost (something like 10 weeks of daily Reya randoming). I get to make them for myself and... er... Tark/Dem if they every have the materials. - Get then made by someone else who has the pattern, using 5 PS. That's around 12k (plus maybe a 100g tip) at AH prices or 115 emblems (a little over 8 weeks of Reya randoming). I don't have the options of making them for anyone else, but the guild maintank has them. If the gear scaling from last expansion holds, these items might be worthwhile until getting into level 85 dungeons in Cataclysm - maybe. So there's some longevity, but they are currently so expensive I find it hard to believe I'll be in a position to be buying the patterns up anytime soon unless PS prices come down and/or my income of EoFs goes up radically. I hope to get patterns, but I'm not counting on it. And if I did, it would probably benefit more people to start with the DPS plate pieces - which sorta sucks for me. ;)
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