Thanks for doing the list.

[Horn-Tipped Gauntlets] drops in Gundrak heroic and you might get those before getting exalted with Kirin Tor (since most wouldn't pick that faction to work on early).

I find it interesting that the Titansteel Destroyer is listed as only being better than a quest green axe. Is there a particular reason for this?

It's also important to note that if you're going to keep a "quick reference guide for new players" like this thread is, you should actually keep it updated with good information. If you're going to suggest socketing a gem that doesn't even exist in game currently, maybe someone else should take over the OP.

If the OP is only going to suggest one or two gems for new players to put into their pre-raid tanking gear, it should be exp/stam or dodge/stam. You should additionally suggest the [Austere Earthsiege Diamond] as the quick reference meta gem for completion's sake, whether or not you're unwilling to "take sides in the meta debate".

I realize the ratings are from Rawr but the Colossal Skull-Clad Cleaver is the best pre-raid weapon for orcs and the Titansteel is best for the other races. The Seal of Pantheon is only worth it of you aren't def capped from straight gear/gems which is sad considering the 25 defense runeforge. There is also no way the Woeful Band is better then Gal'darah's Signet or Dragonflight Great-Ring. I'd probably take the badge belt over the H AN belt too. I really hope no one would actually take PvP gear over PvE gear either.

Bolera -
The Argent Skeleton Crusher was considered, but not added. Since it is behind the other weapon on the list, except for the quest green, and is only a very slight upgrade to it. The Betrayer's choker is pretty far behind the other listed items, but may be a good choice for someone trying to get Def capped.

Krag -
Horn-Tipped Gauntlets took the place of Gauntlets of the Water Revenant. But i left the TS and quest items to have a few easy to get items in the upgrade path.

Gem discussion.
No I do not think anyone would use the gemming selection I have made here for comparison purposes. What I think is until +540 Def everyone should gem +16 Def in every socket. After that it becomes more complicated. If you have a lot of avoidance from other pieces someone might want to gem for Sta. If they have a ton of Sta they may need the avoidance more. Trying to model this in a one size fits all list is pretty much impossible, which is why I made the decision to fill gems the way I did.

However I did update the list to include only gems available in game (woops), and to include the Austere Earthsiege Daimond as the Meta gem of choice.

Weapons
The ordering of the weapons remember only has to do with their contribution to tanking stats (ignoring threat generation) as discussed in the first post, NOT their overall value. Which is why the green item did so well. Since it is the only weapon there that has +Def. If we assume overall value then of course the item order will shift a lot, not to mention a lot of other items as well. But the point here is to help those people trying to: 1) Get Def capped. 2) Get the Hp and mitigation necessary to start tanking in raids. To those ends threat has to take a back seat to survivability and the DPS may just have to scale back a little untill the tank gets a few upgrades.

PVP Gear
Yes Resiliance sucks compared to Defense. But it can also be one of the fastest ways to get Def capped. Since it helps to push Crits off the table as well. No it doesn't give the other advantages of Def, but for those people still trying to get Def capped it can be pretty easy to get gear. And the Hands for instance would fall just behind the Fireproven gloves without its resiliance. Due to its impressive amount of Sta, Str, Hit, and Dodge. In fact the Horn Tipped Gauntlets (now number 3 on the list) only beats the Heroes' in Def and that only by 5 points, compared to a loss of 14 Sta, 13 Str, 38 Dodge, AND a gem socket. In other words, the PVP gear stays and while it may not be the best gear running it is still pretty good intro stuff.

Ring: [Keystone Great-Ring] from The Prophet Tharon'ja in Drak'Tharon Keep heroic

I also suggest to enchant your Wrist with: [Formula: Enchant Bracer - Major Stamina]

[Sigil of the Unfaltering Knight] is the link for the Sigil

For Ring: Solid Platinum Band ( The World of Warcraft Armory ) as Quest reward. Easy to obtain and decent stats for such a low level item.

Also as Ring option: The Green JC crafted ring with the gem slot. Forgot name. Have used it a long time till patch due to the +def gem in it.

Not sure how you calculated the values and prioritization orders on the weapons, but they are wrong.

As is generally agreed, Threat generation on a weapon is a far better judgement value then Avoidance.

There is no way [Saliva Corroded Pike] is better then Titansteel destroyer? Lower Max damage, less hit, less strength and only slightly more stamina.

Please check before blindly posting.

And he clearly stated in the OP that threat is ignored in this list, so please first read before blindly posting.

I would like to know why threat generation is being ignored, it is a key factor to tanking and shouldn't ever be ignored.

I did read, however, surely taking the avoidence of a 2H weapon is fully pointless. No one in their right mind would choose that order of weapons, with the possible exception of [Axe of Bloodstained Ice] if they are really really really lacking in defense.

Although labelled clearly, some common sense must prevail in making a "Pre-Raid DK Tank Gear" list.

Had the title been written as "Pre-Raid DK Avoidance and Crit Immunity at all costs Gear" list, I could understand, but in this current case, I cannot.

EDIT: Also, why the use of [Perfect Subtle Bloodstone] over [Subtle Scarlet Ruby] ?