Off topic, but you'll want to change that signature asap before kaubel finds you.

The double proccing from JoW had to do with judgement refreshing. The poster a few posts above explained it pretty correctly.

The 42ap was stated as a stand alone, you're saying that even with epic quality gems coming out JCing will still be greater then enchanting (64ap)? what if future gear is filled with red socket bonuses, and I reach the meta requirement for 21agi 3% crit damage with a single tear?

The 42 ap is still incorrect. 21 strength is 48 ap, not including Kings. I think it's safe to say that what you are now suggesting will be unrealistic, but even if what you suggested is true, using 3x27str gems over 20x2 and a tear is still a 35 strength increase, which is still about 80ap.

I'm not suggesting that it could happen, epic gems will happen, and when it does the only benefit (Untalented, without kings and not factoring socket bonuses of any sort.) from JCing is an extra 21 of any stat (str in this case.) and removing any requirements from a meta.

The gap will be smaller, but JC will still be superior, if only by the fact that you can virtually ignore meta requirements (and get the better 21crit meta). You also are able to pick up some rather nice set bonuses, depending on the gear slot (+8 strength in T7 helm, for example). Each of those has to be factored in.

EDIT: 2 posts said the same before I posted

With regards to JC there might very well be new prismatic gems in the future. At this time the [Bold Dragon's Eye] only requires 375 skill. Do not rule out the possibility for upgrades.

Yes, JC/BS will still be the best after epic gems. I seriously doubt new JC only gems will come out until 4.0, otherwise the gap between JC and other professions will grow.

Remember, 21 str gain is incorrect and the advantage of JC is the dragon's eye gems cover all colors (so you get socket bonus) and you don't need to use Blue/Yellow/+6 to all stats gems for meta.

I'm trying to find the better combination of professions before I drop one for another if it isn't painfully obvious already.

Yes I am aware that this is a Ret Paladin thread, if you are going to assume at the very least be accurate in those assumptions 21strx2.2 = 46.2ap not 48.

You can achieve the meta requirement of this meta Relentless Earthsiege Diamond - Item - World of Warcraft with a single Relentless Earthsiege Diamond - Item - World of Warcraft or Enchanted Tear - Item - World of Warcraft

Currently there are 4 Best in Slot items with blue slots, these are Obsidian Greathelm - Item - World of Warcraft, Valorous Redemption Shoulderplates - Item - World of Warcraft, Bracers of Unrelenting Attack - Item - World of Warcraft and Belabored Legplates - Item - World of Warcraft the socket bonuses giving a totall of 12str, 6crit, and 4 hit.

This wasn't a question of whether or not JC/BS is the best combination. (This is of course true.) It is asking if in the future with the introduction to epic gems or future variations of the current ones with a hypothetical scenario where most or all of the sockets in the higher tiers might be red sockets, not blue or yellow.

There are quite a few Ret's out there considering dropping professions for JCing I intend on proving or disproving it's value in the future before I take that step.

Thanks for the critique you pushed me to do all the work no one else would, to come up with the the end result of gear selection bonus from JCing.

(27strx3=81 - 16strx3=48) = 33 (33str+12str x 2.3+10%) = 139.1ap, 6 crit, and 4 hit.

Vs. Hypothetical Red Socket only gear and Epic Quality Gems

(27strx3=81 - 20str3=60) = 21 (21x2.3+10%) = 53.13 Let's hope there will be more str bonuses in future blue socketed gear.

This was based purely on the stats gained by blue socket bonuses from the Best in Slot items currently attainable in wrath.

I don't really see the point of speculating along these lines. What if a new profession, Gerbil Training, is introduced in 3.1 that gives +500 str? All those JCs are going to look pretty silly then! (More seriously, what if JCs get the ability to cut new BoP gems or trinkets, as has happened in the past?)

If you want to estimate a time for introducing epic gems, I don't think it will be at the same time as they introduce the remaining superior gem cuts that aren't already in the game. So you're looking at either Ulduar or the patch after that.

Divine Strength is 15% bonus strength, not 10% as you calculated it, which accounts for the 46.2/48 AP discrepancy. Lastly, you didn't add the "opportunity cost" for non-JCs in having to swap out a Bold Cardinal Ruby (if they ever actually exist) for an Enchanted Tear. We then get:

Currently:

27 * 3 - 16 * 3 = 33 net str from the Dragon's Eyes
33 + 12 = 55 str from the picked up socket bonuses
55 * 2.3 * 1.1 = 139ap, 6 crit, and 4 hit. (after talents, buffs, and non-str socket bonuses)

After Epic Gems:

27 * 3 - 20 * 3 = 21 net str from the Dragon's Eyes
21 + (20 - 6) = 35 (Opportunity cost of an [Enchanted Tear]), the JC is at -6 agi/int though
35 * 2.3 * 1.1 = ~88.5ap, -6 agi and -6 int (after talents and buffs) The lost agi is almost completely made up for by using the superior meta gem (crit rating instead of agi).

Conclusion:

JC will still be superior to enchanting even after epic gems, even on entirely red-socketed gear, due to the larger opportunity cost of activating a meta gem.

Whatever your intent, you're coming across like that kid that thinks he already knows everything and just wants to hear someone else say that he's right... Not the best way to present yourself when you're supposedly looking for help.

Now, if you are going to correct someone at the very least be accurate in your correction. 21x2.3=48.3 AP. Divine strength is 15% now, not 10%.