Post by Dunsinane
Basic numbers:
- 689 defense rating = 540 defense skill for raiding
- 665 defense rating = 535 defense skill for heroics
- You'll want about 20k health to start heroics along with the defense minimum
For gems, you'll want to get defense until you reach the defense minimum, then stamina. Thick Autumn's Glow and Enduring Forest Emerald are your friends. Never gem for parry. I'll assume the hit gem was from a stint as Ret.
What in the name of Jehosephat is with the Spellpower thread on your legs? Stam/Agi is the way to go.
Gear:
The problem I'm seeing for you is twofold: no enchants, and a half-dozen dps pieces (not counting trinkets, which are a pain)
Your friendly neighborhood blacksmith can help you quite a bit. Tempered Titansteel Helm, Boots, and Shield are all outstanding pieces for a starting tank and will last quite a while. JCs can make the Titanium Earthguard Ring, which will last well into 25-man content.
Argent Crusade has your helm enchant. Sons of Hodir your shoulder enchants. The Wyrmrest Accord has an excellent cloak and a chestpiece, both of which you can use.
The best pre-heroic trinket drops in HoL, the Seal of the Pantheon. You can also go back to Netherstorm and get Dabiri's Enigma (or even run Shadow Labyrinth for the Adamantite Figurine). Yes, tanking trinkets are that weak until you're in heroics.
Go run Wanted: Ragemane's Flipper in Zul'drak for a real tanking weapon. Grab the mace.
Post by PureGold
Few things I noticed:
- Rings, change 'em.
- Still one dps trinket.
- What is with the weak strength gem in the chest? If you are going to gem for strength go all out. Or at least make it stam/strength.
- Librams are kind of hard to replace but there are two easy ones, use your emblems IMO for the nice tanking one. Or if you are too lazy Venture company token one is still badass.
- A distinct lack of enchants.
Edit: Noticed a lack of helping in my post. This can all be fixed by throwing a bit of gold at your local chanter. The defense chant for your back might swing you around to 540 def and enchant the rest with stam. It works very well.