Originally Posted by kalbear
I don't see how block value is going to compare to spelldamage for threat.
It might be a higher ilvl, but that doesn't mean it's a better item for prot paladins. Block value, while good, is not in general as useful for a prot paladin as spelldamage is. The [Chestplate of Stoicism] has functionally no threat for a paladin; if gemmed with spelldamage, it has less stamina as well. It does have more avoidance and serves a purpose, but that isn't to say it's the better item for a paladin in general.
Like I said, it's the more generically useful item. It may not be ideal for tanking trash in Hyjal or kiting a fel reaver. It may not be ideal for a high-avoidance fight. But it's going to be useful everywhere and better in a lot of places that the chestplate is not. |
For heroics and aoe tanking (e.g hyjal) I find block value to be my best friend. For what it's worth, the document at the beginning of this thread states block value as the #1 thing to gear for aoe etc.... and I've found that to be true. Getting the "right" balance is an ongoing tweak as gear and situations change... but I find that
[Chestplate of Stoicism] provides me room to move my gear around in such a way as to present a more optimum mix. When I have zero block value in this slot, I find myself compensating elsewhere to get it back in.... and not being as happy with the overall mix. Spell damage has its place (I generally use consumables to improve it in 25 mans)... but I'm by no means finding holding agro to be a problem (except when trying to be 2nd on the agro list as an off-tank) - gear mix ranges from about 300-600 damage and healing depending on the fight and consumables.
If you were talking about which gear to use as an Off-tank for a 25 man raid, I think I'd prefer
[Chestguard of the Stoic Guardian]... but I don't find myself in those situation often enough to keep it in my bags. In main tank situations, I don't find my agro to be an issue, while survivability is always a concern, so again, i'd go with
[Chestplate of Stoicism] for that role. Note that I haven't had many opportunities to MT in 25 mans so I'm not speaking from a wealth of experience in that context.