5punk

Cross posting this from my Guild forum for any warriors interested in tanking. It assumes a certain basic understanding, but feel free to ask any questions.

Tankspot Prot Warrior Guide, includes descriptions of talents and glyphs

Comprehensive Gear List in avoidance priority order. Very useful.

Def Cap (Crit Immunity)

Mobs >3 Lvls above (or ?? at Lvl 80) = 5.6% Crit Reduction = 540 Def Skill
Mobs <3> Stam+Armour)
Mitigition = reducing the damage taken (Strength -> Block Rating, Block Value)
Avoidance = preventing hits getting through (Exp, Def, Dodge, Parry)
TPS = Threat gen (Exp, Hit, Crit)

As a rule, work on the following:

Trash: threat & mitigation
Bosses: Effective Health & avoidance

Crit Immunity first! (Not 100% necessary for regular trash if you have a high block set, but a good rule)

Progression Tanking ('Stam' Set) = EH > Def > Dodge/Block > Exp > Parry

Threat Gen ('Trash or Block' Set) = Block Value & Rating > Exp > Hit > Crit > EH

Avoidance ('Dodge' Set) = EH > Def > Exp > Dodge > Parry/Block

Progression Set will develop into avoidance set as your gear improves.

Spec Builds

The 2 cookie cutter builds are:

Cruelty 5/8/58

Impale 15/5/51

As a rule, if Crit >25% (Buffed after talents) go Impale, otherwise Cruelty (though many would argue Impale is the de facto build now and having tried it I have to agree).

Rotation

Single Target at Pull: S&B Slam > Shield Block > Slam > Rev > Dev > Dev
Single Target during Fight: S&B Slam > Shield Block > Slam > Rev > Conc Blow > Shockwave/Dev/HS

Note that Threat gen works even if the mob is immune to the stun mechanic

AoE Tanking: Shockwave > TC then S&B Slam > Shield Block > Slam > Cleave> Rev/Dev/Conc Blow

Gemming & Enchants

Enchant for Def, socket for Stam, Mitigation and Avoidance
Socket bonuses are for the most part fairly worthwhile in WotLK gear
Don't forget to grab an extra belt socket from a friendly blacksmith

Meta

Austere Earthsiege for EH
Eternal Earthsiege for Def.

Red

Guardian's Twilight Opal
Regal Twilight Opal if you prefer dodge

Note1: You could go with Strength gems for a block set, but there seems to be more than enough on the gear already and I personally would rather spend the gem slots on Avoidance and Mitigation rather than Block for my progression set.

Note2: for optimum avoidance, Def Rating should be between 1.5x to 2x your Dodge Rating. Parry Rating gives significantly less benefit per point than Def and Dodge. In most cases this can be achieved just using Def Rating, so gemming for extra dodge or parry isn't worth it.

Yellow

Accurate Monarch Topaz
Enduring Forest Emerald if you're short on Def (or Thick Autumn's Glow if you're really short!)

Blue

Solid Sky Sapphire

Enchants - Not a definitive list, but a good enough guide.

Head: Arcanum of Stalwart Prot
Shoulder: Inscription of Pinnacle. Enjoy the grind!
Back: Titanweave
Chest: Greater Def
Wrist: Expertise (or the new Stam in 3.0.
Hands: Armsman or Expertise
Legs: Frosthide Armour
Feet: Tuskar's Vitality
Wep: TBC Potency or Mongoose are still good, or a titansteel weapon chain for hit.
Shield: Defense if you need it, or Titanium Plating, which now replaces the shield spike for threat gen and adds some mitigation into the bargain.

Nice work Friz, we could do with a few tanks

If I can ever be bothered to level by Tank past 70, I kinda enjoyed tanking. Although I kinda enjoy raising the dead and hitting things with a big sword too.