RE: Tankingtips.com

http://www.tankingtips.com/2009/12/24/the-emblem-of-frost-pick-order/

Fine, I guess I buy that… but the trinket!?

Well… I need more in a Trinket than Stamina. So, this trinket comes off as really, really lackluster to me. Absorbing damage isn’t exciting at all. Compare the bonus offered by this trinket to Satrina’s Impeding Scarab and it’s clear that the emblem trinket got the shaft. And I’m not just saying this when comparing the trinket to high tier items, I wouldn’t use this Stamina beast over The Black Heart either. So between the two I’ve already mentioned that best it, Glyph of Indomitability which is still amazing, there’s also Heart of Iron and Royal Seal of King Llane.

Which really begs the question, why pick it up at all? Because you never know if the absorb mechanic will be useful for some fight. It’s also entirely possible that a fight will have only magic damage and it’d be nice to have this in our toolkit. Okay, who am I kidding… sometimes, you just want to show off how much health you can get!

FINALLY VENE, someone who agrees with me. As I already mentioned I will be getting the stam trinket absolutely last, after my 4 set bonus, the cape, and the idol. While I will always think the black heart is EXTREMELY overrated (I hate procs, even in the expansion I ran 35 agi over mongoose for quite some time) I agree with the rest of it.

3.3 Rings, Necks, Trinkets, Capes, and Emblem of Frost Pick Order

As promised, the ring, neck, cape, and trinket update for my best-in-slot list.

RINGS:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50622

Devium's Eternally Cold Ring
Heroic
Binds when picked up
Unique-Equipped
Finger
756 Armor
+102 Strength
+141 Stamina
Red Socket
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Increases defense rating by 54
Equip: Increases your dodge rating by 46

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51913

Abomination's Bloody Ring
Heroic
Binds when picked up
Unique-Equipped
Finger
+57 Strength
+124 Stamina
Blue Socket
Requires Level 80
Item Level 264
Equip: Increases defense rating by 56
Equip: Increases your dodge rating by 63
Equip: Improves hit rating by 53

Note: I honestly think the heroic 10 man Twin's ring is better than the second ring I have listed and will probably be using it as my second ring for a long long time.

NECKS:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50682

Bile-Encrusted Medallion
Heroic
Binds when picked up
Neck
756 Armor
+102 Strength
+141 Stamina
Red Socket
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Increases defense rating by 54
Equip: Increases your dodge rating by 46

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50627

Noose of Malachite
Heroic
Binds when picked up
Neck
+78 Strength
+141 Stamina
Yellow Socket
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Increases defense rating by 68
Equip: Increases your dodge rating by 60
Equip: Improves hit rating by 52

TRINKETS:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50364

Sindragosa's Flawless Fang
Heroic
Binds when picked up
Unique
Trinket
+258 Stamina
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Use: Increases resistance to Arcane, Fire, Frost, Nature, and Shadow spells by 268 for 10 sec.

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50356

Corroded Skeleton Key
Binds when picked up
Unique
Trinket
+228 Stamina
Requires Level 80
Item Level 264
Use: Absorbs 3200 damage. Lasts 20 sec.

Note: See below regarding the purchase of this.

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50344

Unidentifiable Organ
Heroic
Binds when picked up
Unique
Trinket
2128 Armor
Requires Level 80
Item Level 264
Equip: Each time you are struck by a melee attack, you have a 60% chance to gain 27 stamina for the next 10 sec, stacking up to 10 times.

CAPES:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50466

Sentinel's Winter Cloak
Binds when picked up
Back
737 Armor
+90 Strength
+124 Stamina
Yellow Socket
Requires Level 80
Item Level 264
Equip: Increases defense rating by 48
Equip: Increases your dodge rating by 48

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50718

Royal Crimson Cloak
Heroic
Binds when picked up
Back
185 Armor
+78 Strength
+141 Stamina
Yellow Socket
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Increases defense rating by 68
Equip: Increases your dodge rating by 68
Equip: Improves hit rating by 44

EMBLEM OF FROST PICK ORDER:

Which will be slightly out of order to start. First let me say that since all of the set pieces cost badges now, unless it is something that will last you a very long time you are better off saving for your 4pc bonus.

It will take 310 badges to get your 4pc. That is a lot of badges. If you do the 3 new instances, a random daily every day, the weekly every week, and all 4 bosses of 10 and 25 man, you will have 146 badges when the new gate is opened.

If you clear through Putricide in 10 and 25 that is an additional 47 per week. That is 240 by the time the second gate opens if it takes 2 weeks. If the last gate opens 2 weeks after that, you can have a max of 350 badges.

It will probably take 3 weeks for each gate so realistically you can have your full 4 pc set, idol, cape, and trinket by the time you get to Sindragosa, or 452 emblems if the 3 week estimate holds.

3 examples where the upgrade does not justify the cost:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50972 (Shadow Seeker's Tunic)
-The 264 version of the best-in-slot chest is BOE, and it only has 16 less agi and hit instead of crit.
http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50995 (Vengeful Noose)
-Again comparing to the 264 version of the best-in-slot belt, you gain 16 agi haste and some extra ARP but worse socket colors and less AP if you use the emblem belt.
http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50982 (Cat Burglar's Grips)
-Compared to the, wait, you already have the set gloves because you need them to upgrade to the 277 version for your 4-pc set. You gain a socket with the emblem gloves but lost haste for crit, and lose some ap and arp.

Now to the items you want to get:

As always, this depends GREATLY on what items you already have for these slots.

Because of how valuable I feel the 4pc will be, and because of my current gear level, I will be buying my 4 set pieces in the following order before anything else:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50827 (gloves)
http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50825 (legs)
http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50824 (shoulders)
http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50826 (helm)


http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50456 (Idol of the Crying Moon)
-My first purchase once I complete my set. It is 220 agi when fully stacked, 67 more than the Idol of the Corruptor (please do not tell me you were using the dodge one).
http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50466 (Sentinel's Winter Cloak)
-This is the best cape in the game until hard mode Prince, and even then I still think this is better than the 277 one listed above. However until we start doing hard modes I prefer the expertise on the LJ cape I currently have so will leave this till second.
http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50356 (Corroded Skeleton Key)
-If you have either version of the Satrina's scarab/Jug vit, hold off until you can get the one listed above from Sindragosa. I personally plan on using the heroic Satrina's + heroic Sindragosa's and probably will not ever buy this.

This post made me laugh

A recent GC post about warlock DPS.

No, you were destroying the other classes, except for Mutilate rogues and Unholy DKs, who were also nerfed. I think the only difference is that for the rogues and DKs it was easier to do so, while only the better locks could really come out with the great numbers. But being hard to do is no excuse for someone's dps to be gratuitously higher than everyone else.

6 months ago didn't he say the reason feral cat DPS was so stupidly op was because the rotation was only doable by the best of players and as such if they can pull off a more difficult rotation they deserve to be rewarded with higher DPS.

NEWS UPDATE: Armory lists all ICC items, including heroic10 and 25, expcet Lich King drops

For the 277 best-in-slot list just search for "Step 5: The 277 Best-in-Slot list" down at the bottom.

Look for rings, trinkets, capes, and necks next week.

Step 1:

As such, I have put together a little comparison of the 277 set pieces vs the 277 offset pieces. Since you will more or less be forced to wear the 4pc for the enrage set bonus, the first task is to see if any set items are actually better than the offset items.

Helm: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51296 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50713

set gains: 24 agi, and 106 ARP

Offset gains: 48 AP, 8 crit, and 98 hit

Conclusion: Set

Shoulders: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51299 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50646

set: 8 agi, and 82 ARP

offset: 1 yellow socket, and 74 haste

Conclusion: Off-set

Chest: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51298 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50656

set: 16 agi, 122 crit, and 106 ARP

offset: 1 blue socket, 16 AP, 114 hit, and 106 exp

Conclusion: Off-set

Legs: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51297 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50697

set: 16 agi, 122 ARP, and 106 Exp

offset: 1 blue socket, 16 AP, 98 hit, and 122 crit

Conclusion: Wash

Gloves: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51295 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50675

set: 8 agi, and 8 haste

offset: 1 yellow socket

Conclusion: Off-set

Step 2:

Since the legs are close enough and the helm is clearly better, we need to determine which 2 of the 3 remaining slots to use to finish the set bonus. Considering the lack of hit and expertise getting both on one piece makes this choice easy, keep the off-set chest.

Right now you have equipped:
Set: helm, and legs
Off-set: chest, gloves, and shoulders

Changing the gloves gains you 8 agi and 8 haste while changing the shoulders gains you 8 agi and 82 ARP.

Changing the gloves costs you 1 yellow socket while changing the shoulders costs you another yellow socket and 74 haste.

Now you have equipped:
Set: helm, gloves, shoulders and legs
Off-set: chest

SO,

Is the 4pc set bonus, 16 agi, and 82 ARP worth 60 stam (2 yellow sockets) and 66 haste?

Step 3:

The 264 sets vs 264 off-sets. Unlike TOC where 245 set and offset had the same number of sockets while 258 sets had 1 less socket than the set piece, the normal mode 264 sets in ICC have 1 less socket than the 264 non-set also. That makes this comparison rather redundant but here it is anyway.

Helm: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51143 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50073

set gains: 24 agi, and 92 ARP

Offset gains: 48 AP, 8 crit, and 84 hit

Conclusion: Set

Shoulders: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51140 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=49987

set: 8 agi, and 72 ARP

offset: 1 yellow socket, and 64 haste

Conclusion: Off-set

Chest: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51141 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50001

set: 16 agi, 108 crit, and 92 ARP

offset: 1 blue socket, 16 AP, 100 hit, and 92 exp

Conclusion: Off-set

Legs: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51142 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50042

set: 16 agi, 108 ARP, and 92 Exp

offset: 1 blue socket, 16 AP, 84 hit, and 108 crit

Conclusion: Wash

Gloves: http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51144 vs http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50021

set: 8 agi, and 8 haste

offset: 1 yellow socket

Conclusion: Off-set

Step 4:

Changing the gloves gains you 8 agi and 8 haste while changing the shoulders gains you 8 agi and 72 ARP.

Changing the gloves costs you 1 yellow socket while changing the shoulders costs you another yellow socket and 64 haste.

SO,

Is the 4pc set bonus, 16 agi, and 72 ARP worth 60 stam (2 yellow sockets) and 56 haste?

Step 5: The 277 Best-in-Slot list.

WEAPON:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50727

Bloodfall
Heroic
Binds when picked up
PolearmTwo Hand
886-1329 DmgSpeed 3.40
(325.7 damage per second)
+175 Agility
+183 Stamina
Red Socket
Blue Socket
Yellow Socket
Durability: 120 / 120
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 122
Equip: Improves haste rating by 98
Equip: Increases your attack power by 212

HEAD:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51296

Sanctified Lasherweave Headguard
Heroic
Binds when picked up
LeatherHead
564 Armor
+183 Agility
+183 Stamina
Meta Socket
Red Socket
Durability: 70 / 70
Classes: Druid
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 114
Equip: Increases your attack power by 196
Equip: Increases your armor penetration rating by 106

SHOULDERS:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51299

Sanctified Lasherweave Shoulderpads
Heroic
Binds when picked up
LeatherShoulders
521 Armor
+136 Agility
+136 Stamina
Red Socket
Durability: 70 / 70
Classes: Druid
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 90
Equip: Increases your attack power by 165
Equip: Increases your armor penetration rating by 82

CHEST:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50656

Ikfirus's Sack of Wonder
Heroic
Binds when picked up
LeatherChest
694 Armor
+167 Agility
+183 Stamina
Red Socket
Blue Socket
Yellow Socket
Durability: 120 / 120
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Improves hit rating by 114
Equip: Increases your attack power by 228
Equip: Increases your expertise rating by 106


LEGS:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51297

Sanctified Lasherweave Legguards
Heroic
Binds when picked up
LeatherLegs
608 Armor
+183 Agility
+183 Stamina
Red Socket
Yellow Socket
Durability: 90 / 90
Classes: Druid
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Increases your attack power by 212
Equip: Increases your armor penetration rating by 122
Equip: Increases your expertise rating by 106

HANDS:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=51295

Sanctified Lasherweave Handgrips
Heroic
Binds when picked up
LeatherHand
434 Armor
+136 Agility
+136 Stamina
Red Socket
Durability: 40 / 40
Classes: Druid
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Improves haste rating by 82
Equip: Increases your attack power by 165
Equip: Increases your armor penetration rating by 90

BRACERS:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50670

Toskk's Maximized Wristguards
Heroic
Binds when picked up
LeatherWrist
304 Armor
+102 Agility
+102 Stamina
Yellow Socket
Durability: 40 / 40
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 60
Equip: Increases your attack power by 120
Equip: Increases your armor penetration rating by 68

BELT:

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50707

Astrylian's Sutured Cinch
Heroic
Binds when picked up
LeatherWaist
391 Armor
+120 Agility
+136 Stamina
Blue Socket
Red Socket
Durability: 40 / 40
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 90
Equip: Increases your attack power by 181
Equip: Increases your armor penetration rating by 74

BOOTS: (going to list two here because they are extremely close and for how easy it is to get the crafted ones I think they are definitely the better choice thus they are listed first)

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=49961 (only the pattern is present on armory)
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=49895

Footpads of Impending Death
Binds when equipped

Feet	Leather

457 Armor
+120 Agility
+120 Stamina
Red Socket
Blue Socket
Socket Bonus: +6 Agility
Durability 60 / 60
Requires Level 80
Item Level 264Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 80 (1.74% @ L80).
Equip: Increases your expertise rating by 64 (7.81 @ L80).
Equip: Increases attack power by 129.

http://www.wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=50607

Frostbitten Fur Boots
Heroic
Binds when picked up
LeatherFeet
477 Armor
+120 Agility
+136 Stamina
Yellow Socket
Yellow Socket
Durability: 60 / 60
Requires Level 80
Item Level 277
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 90
Equip: Increases your attack power by 181
Equip: Increases your armor penetration rating by 74

3.3: Items and things you need to know

Lets briefly go over any patch notes relevant to druid tanks:

• Taunt Diminishing Returns: We’ve revised the system for diminishing returns on Taunt so that creatures do not become immune to Taunt until after 5 Taunts have landed. The duration of the Taunt effect will be reduced by 35% instead of 50% for each taunt landed. In addition, most creatures in the world will not be affected by Taunt diminishing returns at all. Creatures will only have Taunt diminishing returns if they have been specifically flagged for that behavior based on the design of a given encounter.
• Rebirth: The cooldown on this spell has been lowered from 20 minutes down to 10 minutes. Cannot be used in Arenas. (not really tank related but GDI about dam time)
• Hunters: Misdirection: Redesigned. Instead of having finite charges, it now begins a 4-second timer when the hunter using Misdirection performs a threat-generating attack, during which all threat generated by the hunter goes to the friendly target. In addition, multiple hunters can now misdirect threat to the same friendly target simultaneously.
• Demoralizing Screech: The attack power reduction from this ability has been increased by 40%, equaling the maximum possible attack power reduction from the abilities of other classes. (REALLY? CAME THE FUCK ON BLIZZARD, warriors and druids still need to spend 5 talent points to max it out while paladins get it for 2 and hunters just have to change a pet, bullshit)
• Infected Wounds: This ability is no longer considered to be in the magical defense category; therefore spell hit no longer applies to its activation. Tooltip error corrected. (with luck this means it also now only needs 8% hit to never miss instead of the 17? it currently needs)

ITEMS:

I have not actually compared anything yet and remember it all depends on relative to your individual gear level, but for me nothing but the chest will be an upgrade. Furthermore I am only linking tank items, minus capes which even the DPS capes make a decent tank item with a 30 stam gem in them. Some of the accessories have parry on them but even for me they are just barely a downgrade but please be respectful of your fellow (plate) tanks.

Marrowgar:

25
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/49950/frostbitten-fur-boots/

10
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50763/marrowgars-scratching-choker/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50764/shawl-of-nerubian-silk/

Deathwhisper:

25
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/49985/juggernaut-band/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/49987/cultists-bloodsoaked-spaulders/

10
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50778/soulthiefs-braided-belt/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50780/chestguard-of-the-frigid-noose/

Gunship:

25
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50352/corpse-tongue-coin/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/49998/shadowvault-slayers-cloak/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50001/ikfiruss-sack-of-wonder/

10
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50341/unidentifiable-organ/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50790/abominations-bloody-ring/

Saurfang:

25
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50333/toskks-maximized-wristguards/

10
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50799/scourge-stranglers/

5 -Mans:

Forge of Souls:

Normal
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/49785/bewildering-shoulderpads/

Pit of Saron:

Heroic
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50228/barbed-ymirheim-choker/

Normal
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/49806/flayers-black-belt/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/49803/ring-of-carnelian-and-bone/

Halls of Reflection:

Heroic
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50300/choking-hauberk/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50293/spaulders-of-black-betrayal/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/50296/orca-hunters-harpoon/

Normal
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/49832/eerie-runeblade-polisher/
http://db.mmo-champion.com/i/49838/carpal-tunnelers/