2.4 Shield Block Value Gear Guide (2.3.X Updated)

[Devro]

Devro’s Shield Block Value Gear Guide (2.3.X Updated)
Or DSBVGG. :P

Change Log:
1/28/2008 - Updated "Introduction" slightly and updated with 2.3.X Itemization (Changes are in Dark Orange [Sorry about the long delay!])
As an added bonus (and for completeness), pre-BC gear has been added as well.

I do not really want to have an introduction, but I feel this guide needs one since there may be questions or concerns for a guide of this type. Shield Block Value (which will be henceforth abbreviated as either SBV or BV) and its use is not quite as well known as the more popular forms of damage output or damage mitigation. The first reason for this is the most simple: it doesn’t even appear in your character sheet (or armory page for that matter) and for most people, if it is out of sight, it is out of mind. The second reason why SBV is not as well known is because it is relatively such a small number. When a boss is hitting a tank for 12k damage per hit, a 500 point block seems a bit insignificant, right? Furthermore, a 1k Shield Slam critical hit also seems insignificant when a two-hand weapon coupled with Mortal Strike can break 2k damage when critted.

So why is BV so important? Some will contend that it really is not important at all and that you should solely focus on avoidance or attribute stats. Others may say that it has some value, but it is not a necessity to tanking. Still others will say that BV has a very high personal value. Personally, I would place myself with the last group because I think BV has a lot of value in all three forms of World of Warcraft: soloing, PvPing, and Grouping/Raiding.

Many tanks prefer to wear DPS gear when soloing or farming, and pre-BC, I would agree with these people since there were many buffs that had not been implemented to the game before the expansion. First and foremost, there were extremely few pieces of gear that gave BV. The first set of items introducing BV was the Dreadnaught set that dropped in Naxxramas, in which maybe 5% of the world population experienced more than half of the entire instance (I was lucky to be in a guild that cleared everything except 4 Horsemen, Sapphiron, and Kel’Thuzad before the expansion). However, after certain in-game buffs to Protection Warrior soloing (better SBV itemization, Shield Slam damage based upon BV rather than AP [Attack Power], and a great enhancement in the damage of Revenge), a Protection Warrior soloing was more viable than ever, especially at the 70th level. When I solo in my SBV gear, mobs below level 68 would be lucky to hit me more than two times because of my high avoidance and BV and anything above level 67 would be lucky to hit me more than five times. I finish every battle with 98% hp or more and can continue like this without stopping to rest. With my talent specialization and gear (check the US armory, Greymane server, Carcinoma), I can currently hit Shield Slam crits of approximately 1600 to 2100 in raids pretty often and as I collect more gear, that number will only continue to grow.

BV probably has the least logical application in PvP, but it is still somewhat viable, and being extremely hard to kill from a melee DPS’ perspective is extremely fun. If you have not already done so, please visit: Current Shield Slam Records - TheorySpot (http://www.tankspot.com/forums/movies-media/438-current-shield-slam-records.html) for a few movies and screenshots of Shield Slam crits. Currently, the record is over 8k damage, which is quite an exceptional number for a Protection specialized Warrior (and yes, I understand that many Protection PvP Warriors invest somewhat heavily into the Fury tree as well).
BV has at least as much value in Groups and Raids as Soloing and Farming if not more. Blocking a hit prevents a tank from getting crit upon which minimizes the damage taken by the tank. I will not get into the math, but many claim that Shield Slam is the Warrior’s best threat-scaling ability. It is simple: the higher your SBV, the more threat your Shield Slam creates and since melee damage get a 2.0x (more with talents) on critical hits, that is even more threat generated (and trust me, with my talent spec, I crit a LOT on bosses). Blocking is a bit like stacking Stamina gear for tanks, only less reliable. When you block, you prevent some damage from depleting your health bar. The more damage you block the more breathing room you give your healers. Conversely, the more health you have, the larger the breathing room your healers have to heal you. Again, SBV is like having Stamina only less reliable, since you always have that extra health from Stamina, but you do not always block.

Anyways, you (the reader) do not have to agree with me on every point in this guide, but I believe I do make valid points. :P
And now as Barnes in Karazhan would say, “On with the show!”


Head
• {+33}Horns of the Illidari [Shadowmoon Valley quest] (Horns of the Illidari - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32871))
• {+35}Onslaught Greathelm [Warrior T6] (Onslaught Greathelm - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30974))
• {+39}Warbringer Greathelm [Warrior T4] (Warbringer Greathelm - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29011))
• {+40}Crystalforge Faceguard [Paladin T5] (Crystalforge Faceguard - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30125))
• {+45}Faceplate of the Impenetrable [Illidan] (Faceplate of the Impenetrable - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32521))
• {+51}Battlesworn Tuskguard [Hex Lord Malacrass] (Battlesworn Tuskguard - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33421))

Neck
• {+15}Natasha’s Battle Chain [Blade’s Edge Mountains quest] (Natasha's Battle Chain - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31696))
• {+15}Thalodien’s Charm [Netherstorm quest] (Thalodien's Charm - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30378))
• {+29}Steam-Hinge Chain of Valor [Steamvaults] (Steam-Hinge Chain of Valor - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27792))

Shoulder
• {+26}Nexus-Guard’s Pauldrons [Netherstorm quest] (Nexus-Guard's Pauldrons - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30291))
• {+27}Justicar Shoulderguards [Paladin T4] (Justicar Shoulderguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29070))
• {+32}Destroyer Shoulderguards [Warrior T5] (Destroyer Shoulderguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30117))
• {+30}Pauldrons of Stone Resolve [Zul'Aman First Timed Chest] (Pauldrons of Stone Resolve - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33481))

Cloak
• {+29}Ironscale War Cloak [Heroic Slave Pens] (Ironscale War Cloak - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27550))
• {+29}Burnoose of Shifting Ages [Black Morass] (Burnoose of Shifting Ages - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27988))
• {+29}Devilshark Cape [Steamvaults] (Devilshark Cape - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27804))
• {+38}Farstrider Defender’s Cloak [Heroic Badges] (Farstrider Defender's Cloak - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29385))

Chest
• {+39}Panzar’Thar Breastplate [Nightbane] (Panzar'Thar Breastplate - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28597))
• {+45}Warbringer Chestguard [Warrior T4] (Warbringer Chestguard - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29012))
• {+47}Lightbringer Chestguard [Paladin T6] (Lightbringer Chestguard - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30991))
• {+51}Crystalforge Chestguard [Paladin T5] (Crystalforge Chestguard - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30123))

Wrist
• {+23}Vambraces of Daring [Heroic Hellfire Ramparts] (Vambraces of Daring - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27459))
• {+33}Vambraces of Courage [Attumen] (Vambraces of Courage - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28502))

Hands
• {+30}Crystalforge Handguards [Paladin T5] (Crystalforge Handguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30124))
• {+35}Justicar Handguards [Paladin T4] (Justicar Handguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29067))
• {+36}Gauntlets of Enforcement [Teron Gorefiend] (Gauntlets of Enforcement - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32280))
• {+38}Dauntless Handguards [Hellfire Peninsula quest] (Dauntless Handguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25788))
• {+38}Iron Gauntlets of the Maiden [Maiden of Virtue] (Iron Gauntlets of the Maiden - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28518))
• {+39}Thatia’s Self-Correcting Gauntlets [Arcatraz] (Thatia's Self-Correcting Gauntlets - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28390))
• {+44}Destroyer Handguards [Warrior T5] (Destroyer Handguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30114))

Waist
• {+29}Sha’tari Vindicator’s Waistguard [Netherstorm quest] (Sha'tari Vindicator's Waistguard - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31460))
• {+33}Belt of the Guardian [Crafted] (Belt of the Guardian - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30034))
• {+38}Girdle of Mighty Resolve [Gurtogg Bloodboil] (Girdle of Mighty Resolve - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32342))
• {+56}Girdle of Stability [Gurtogg Bloodboil] (Girdle of Stability - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32333))

Legs
• {+33}Destroyer Legguards [Warrior T5] (Destroyer Legguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30116))
• {+35}Crystalforge Legguards [Paladin T5] (Crystalforge Legguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30126))
• {+42}Onslaught Legguards [Warrior T6] (Onslaught Legguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30978))
• {+59}Unwavering Legguards [Heroic Badges] (Unwavering Legguards - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33515))

Feet
• {+23}Ascendant’s Boots [Shadowmoon Valley quest] (Ascendant's Boots - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32866))
• {+30}Red Havoc Boots [BoP Crafted] (Red Havoc Boots - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30031))
• {+30}Sabatons of the Righteous Defender [Heroic Badges] (Sabatons of the Righteous Defender - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33523))
• {+42}Jungle Stompers [Nalorakk] (Jungle Stompers - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33191))

Finger
• {+15}Protector’s Mark of Redemption [Shadowmoon Valley quest] (Protector's Mark of the Redemption - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=31078))
• {+24}Seventh Ring of the Tirisfalen [The Eye trash] (Seventh Ring of the Tirisfalen - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30028))
• {+39}Dath’Remar’s Ring of Defense [Mechanar] (Dath'Remar's Ring of Defense - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28265))
• {+44}Band of the Eternal Defender [Mount Hyjal rep ring] (Band of Eternity - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29296))

Trinket
• {+59}{+200 On Use}Gnomeregan Auto-Blocker 600 [Heroic Badges] (Gnomeregan Auto-Blocker 600 - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29387))

Warrior Shields
• {+137}Aldori Legacy Defender [Gruul the Dragonkiller] (Aldori Legacy Defender - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28825))
• {+152}Merciless Gladiator's Shield Wall [Arena PVP] (Merciless Gladiator's Shield Wall - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32045))
• {+155}Shield of Impenetrable Darkness [Nightbane] (Shield of Impenetrable Darkness - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28606))
• {+160}Kaz'rogal's Hardened Heart [Kaz'rogal] (Kaz'rogal's Hardened Heart - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30889))
• {+167}Vengeful Gladiator's Shield Wall [Arena PVP] (Vengeful Gladiator's Shield Wall - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33755))
• {+174}Bulwark of Azzinoth [Illidan Stormrage] (Bulwark of Azzinoth - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32375))
• {+183}Bulwark of Amani Empire [Jan'alai] (Bulwark of Amani Empire - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33326))

Paladin (Spell Damage) Shields
• {+115}Mazthoril Honor Shield [Heroic Badges] (Mazthoril Honor Shield - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29268))
• {+122}Dragonheart Flameshield [Nightbane] (Dragonheart Flameshield - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28611))
• {+152}Merciless Gladiator's Barrier [Arena PVP] (Merciless Gladiator's Barrier - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33313))
• {+160}Illidari Runeshield [Black Temple Trash] (Illidari Runeshield - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=34011))
• {+167}Vengeful Gladiator's Barrier [Arena PVP] (Vengeful Gladiator's Barrier - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33661))
• {+174}Antonidas's Aegis of Rapt Concentration [Archimonde] (Antonidas's Aegis of Rapt Concentration - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30909))

As per request, I have decided to add SBV Gear from TBC instances and quests, but they are listed separately from post-BC items.

Helm
None

Necklace
• {+15}Gluth's Missing Collar [Gluth] (Gluth's Missing Collar - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=22981))

Shoulder
• {+27}Pauldrons of Wrath [Chromaggus] (Pauldrons of Wrath - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=16961))

Cloak
None

Chest
None

Wrist
None

Hands
• {+21}Dreadnaught Gauntlets [Maexxna] (Dreadnaught Gauntlets - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=22421))

Waist
• {+18}Dreadnaught Waistguard [Heigan, Noth, Gluth] (Dreadnaught Waistguard - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=22422))

Legs
• {+32}Dreadnaught Legplates [Loatheb] (Dreadnaught Leglates - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=22417))

Feet
• {+14}Sabatons of Wrath [Broodlord Lashlayer] (Sabatons of Wrath - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=16965))

Finger
None

Trinket
• {+23}Glyph of Deflection [Sapphiron] (Glyph of Deflection - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23040))
• {+24}Styleen's Impeding Scarab [Flamegor] (Styleen's Impeding Scarab - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=19431))

Shields
• {+108}The Face of Death [Sapphiron] (The Face of Death - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23043))
• {+90}Elementium Reinforced Bulwark [Chromaggus] (Elementium Reinforced Bulwark - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=19349))
• {+90}Shield of Condemnation [Kel'Thuzad] (Shield of Condemnation - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=22819))
• {+88}Blessed Qiraji Bulwark [Imperial Qiraji Armaments] (Blessed Qiraji Bulwark - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=21269))
• {+78}Death's Bargain [Gluth] (Death's Bargian - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23075))
• {+78}The Plague Bearer [Patchwerk] (The Plague Bearer - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=22818))
• {+78}Stygian Buckler [Naxxramas Trash] (Stygian Buckler - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23238))
• {+75}Wormscale Blocker [Ouro] (Wormscale Blocker - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=21610))

Special Note: The separation of spell damage shields and labeling them as "Paladin Shields" does not mean that this guide does not support Protection Paladins getting shields listed in the "Warrior Shields" section. The reasoning behind having a "Paladin Shields" section is for those Paladins that may want to use those specific types of shields for specific types of tanking (such as weak-hitting, AoE trash tanking).

A Warrior with moderate effort (meaning quests and normal/heroic instances done), not including raiding, should have a SBV of at least 350. With Karazhan and T4 gear, one should be able to break 400 SBV. With SSC/TK/T5 gear, one should be able to break 500. This is not a definitive guide, but rather someone one may use as a benchmark.

With the addition of new Heroic Badge gear and Zul'Aman, a Warrior can easily break 600 Shield Block Value without stepping foot into SSC/TK (assuming one can clear Zul'Aman). After looking and calculating myself, I can see at least 660 SBV without using pre-TBC gear and without counting any bonuses from enchants and strength bonuses.

Any comments, questions, and constructive criticism is appreciated.

[Nicki]

{+23}Ascendant’s Boots [Shadowmoon Valley quest] (Onslaught Legguards - Items - World of Warcraft) needs fixing to Ascendant's Boots - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32866)

Very nice to have a collection of items =). You could maybe add shields by doing: The best raid block value shield, the best heroic block value shield, the best 5 man block value shield and the best quest reward shield =)?

[Devro]

{+23}Ascendant’s Boots [Shadowmoon Valley quest] (Onslaught Legguards - Items - World of Warcraft) needs fixing to Ascendant's Boots - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32866)

Fixed, thanks.

[brain9h]

Great guide, thanks, I was needing something just like it.

On a side note, as someone pointed out very well, with improved shield spec (30% more damage) and 1H weapon spec (10% more damage), under defensive stance and defiance (1.49 more threat produced), with a 10% crit chance(1.1), then 1 SBV gives you 1*1.3*1.1*1.1*1.49 = 2.34 threat when you shield slam, and that is why it scales well.

Get an item with lets say, +40 SBV, that means extra 93.6 threat every shield slam, or 15.6 more threat/s, which is excellent given that 40 SBV is cheap to acquire

[Iowynn]

While it doesn't have any innate SBV on it, it does have a rather nice SBV click effect that you can pair up with the Autoblocker. You can continually alternate back and forth with them effectively increasing your SBV by a large average chunk.


Dabiri's Enigma
Binds when picked up
Unique
Trinket
Equip: Increases defense rating by +30 (12.7)
Use: Increases block rating by 125 (15.9%) for 15 sec.
Cooldown: 1.50 min
Item Level 109


Thottbot World of Warcraft: Dabiri's Enigma (http://thottbot.com/i30300)

[Klimpen]

Just curious, is there any reason you didn't list any capes? I can think of at least 3 offhand that have BV.

[Ciderhelm]

Nice list. :)

[gardek]

That's block rating, not block value.
Block rating, unfortunately, isn't very useful.


While it doesn't have any innate SBV on it, it does have a rather nice SBV click effect that you can pair up with the Autoblocker. You can continually alternate back and forth with them effectively increasing your SBV by a large average chunk.


Dabiri's Enigma
Binds when picked up
Unique
Trinket
Equip: Increases defense rating by +30 (12.7)
Use: Increases block rating by 125 (15.9%) for 15 sec.
Cooldown: 1.50 min
Item Level 109


Thottbot World of Warcraft: Dabiri's Enigma (http://thottbot.com/i30300)

[Devro]

Just curious, is there any reason you didn't list any capes? I can think of at least 3 offhand that have BV.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I'll add that as soon as I get a chance!

[Iowynn]

That's block rating, not block value.
Block rating, unfortunately, isn't very useful.

Whoops! Should have paid closer attention to the tooltip. Have it in my quest log, just never got around to doing it.

[Devro]

Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I'll add that as soon as I get a chance!

Cloaks added, and I may add in the top 5 shields from Raids/Heroics/Quests as someone had mentioned.

[Bones]

The quest for Ascendents Boots requires 300 riding skill. Hopefully this helps some other poor sap that decides to go and solo a level 72 elite without realizing he can't do the quest.

http://www.tankspot.com/signatures/us/bones/quel'dorei/image.jpg

[Kennet]

yep, I did that too

[Aelvain]

Don't forget Sabatons of Wrath! :P

In all seriousness, this is a nice reference.

[Geeko]

For completeness you may want to add Timewarden's Leggings as they have +6 SBV socket bonus

Timewarden's Leggings - Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29184)

[Ludvich]

Great list! :D

[Trammel]

For completeness you may want to add Timewarden's Leggings as they have +6 SBV socket bonus

I currently am sitting at 604 sbv and never once did I realize that those leggin's had that socket bonus. I guess that is expected from people who just socket stamina;)

Looks like I will be pulling these out of the bank and replacing the gems:eek:

Thanks Geeko;)

[Narshe]

Sabatons of Wrath
Styleen's Impeding Scarab
I know these are from BWL but some of us still have them :P

You can also use this link: Items - World of Warcraft (http://www.wowhead.com/?items&filter=minle=60;cr=43;crs=1;crv=1)

[Kazeyonoma]

naxx raid happening again on my server to try to go back and do server first kel'thuzad kill, i'm gunning for sapphiron's trinket!

I'm at 638 sbv right now in sbv gear (i'm wearing it in my armory), gonna gun for new ones.

current SS record without impale or enrage/deathwish is at 2600 woot!

[frim]

Am I correct in remembering that +str also effects you SBV? If so, you should modify the SBV values for any items in the list that also have +str.

[Trammel]

I watched that video of the guy putting points in the talent trees but I can't quite tell by his fast clicking and his accent. Is there a shield block build like he shows in the video posted some where?

[Kaganda]

Thanks for putting this up here. It saves me the trouble of searching through WoWHead.

[Devro]

Am I correct in remembering that +str also effects you SBV? If so, you should modify the SBV values for any items in the list that also have +str.

You need 20 str for 1 point of SBV. So in essence, it's negligible. Also, AP does not translate into SBV. =/

Btw, I am back from a long hiatus of school and raiding, and I plan some reworking of this guide. So please hold tight. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Also, this is a post-BC guide, meaning I am not including pre-BC items because new players most likely will not have a chance to get many of the pre-BC items, most notably T2 and T3 items.

[Devro]

Ok, I have added shields to the list and once the 2.3 patch is released, I will update the entire list to reflect the new Heroic Badge and Zul'Aman items.

[Timetheos]

Also, this is a post-BC guide, meaning I am not including pre-BC items because new players most likely will not have a chance to get many of the pre-BC items, most notably T2 and T3 items.

Shame, Sapphiron drops Glyph of Deflection.

[frim]

You need 20 str for 1 point of SBV. So in essence, it's negligible. Also, AP does not translate into SBV. =/

Btw, I am back from a long hiatus of school and raiding, and I plan some reworking of this guide. So please hold tight. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Also, this is a post-BC guide, meaning I am not including pre-BC items because new players most likely will not have a chance to get many of the pre-BC items, most notably T2 and T3 items.

While 20 str per 1 SBV does seem paltry, these things add up. For example if you check out this thread ( http://shadowpriest.com/viewtopic.php?t=3384 ) at shadowpriest.com, they have done some pretty interesting things with finding out exactly how much +damage an item is worth... going so far as to calculate how much crit you get from the int on an item.

Personally i think it makes a lot of sense to quibble about 1.5 or so points here and there when you are talking about less than 50 points per item :)

But your list your values :)

[Eko]

Here are two sets with max shield block value. The first set is the top SBV gear before Black Temple and without the famous trinket of Naxxramas; the second set is the top of the top warrior stuff for a SBV set.

ATM i'am trying to get all of this ... dunno how strong my shield slam will be with a 21/40 template :D

SBV stuff without Naxx and BT :

Warbringer Chestguard
Battleworn Tuskguard + Presence of Might
Destroyer Handguards
Unwavering Legguards + Presence of Might
Belt of the guardian
Vambraces of Courage
Destroyer Shoulderguards
Jungle Stompers + Solid Star of Elune + 5 SBV
Farstrider Defender's Cloak
Dath'Remar's Ring of Defense
Signet of the Last Defender
Steam-Hinge Chain of Valor
Gnomeregan Auto-Blocker 600
Styleen's Impeding Scarab
Mallet of the Tides
Bulwark of the Amani Empire + 18 SBV

SB value : 806 (under GA600 : 1006)


Ultimate SBV gears :

Warbringer Chestguard + Bold Crimson Spinel + Bold Crimson Spinel + Bold Crimson Spinel + 6 all
Battleworn Tuskguard + Bold Crimson Spinel + Bold Crimson Spinel + Bold Crimson Spinel + Presence of Might
Destroyer Handguards + 15 str
Unwavering Legguards + Bold Crimson Spinel + Bold Crimson Spinel + Bold Crimson Spinel + Presence of Might
Girdle of Stability + Bold Crimson Spinel + Bold Crimson Spinel
Vambraces of Courage + Bold Crimson Spinel + 12 str
Destroyer Shoulderguards + Bold Crimson Spinel + Bold Crimson Spinel
Jungle Stompers + Solid Empyrean Sapphire + boar enchant + 5 SBV
Farstrider Defender's Cloak + 12 agi
Band of the Eternal Defender
Signet of the Last Defender
Steam-Hinge Chain of Valor
Gnomeregan Auto-Blocker 600
Glyph of Deflection
Gyro-Balanced Khorium Destroyer + Bold Crimson Spinel
Bulwark of the Amani Empire + Bold Crimson Spinel + 18 SBV + 3 stam

STR : 238 (+12 SBV)
SB value : 833 (w. trinkets : 1268)


I made a lot of maths to see the difference between a full BT/Hyjal set, a mix of items between ZA and BT, a full SSC/TK stuff etc ... just to show that higher level stuff didn't mean it's better (but all of you already know this :p). My best mix of stuffs to reach uncrushability is a mix of ZA, SSC/TK and BT items (a lot of BT of course).

Sorry for my poor english :)

[Radhja]

You know, I really don't understand why everyone feels SBR is so useless. Sure, it doesn't produce the threat potential that SBV does via Shield Slam rotation, but it does provide a measure of protection that the other avoidance/mitigation stats don't; It allows us to take a blow, shrug off a bit of the damage, and - most importantly - gain rage for an attack that doesn't outright miss.

Admittantly, the stat could use some polishing - but then again, so could the whole of tank-related stats. (Parry should generate at least a little rage, imo.)

(w00t! First post here!)

[veneretio]

You should update this list. It's a great source of information. You can copy off my article for all the new ZA stuff
Block Value: Everything you ever wanted to know - Warriors - TankingTips.com (http://www.tankingtips.com/2007/11/07/block-value-everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know/)

[Eko]

I think you made a little mistake. Max shield block value could be 834 (assuming you dont equip Glyph of Deflection but Styleen's Impeding Scarab) but you cant have two eternal defender ring. Best SBV rings are : Band of the Eternal Defender and Signet of the Last Defender. For me the top is 833 because it is much better to equip Glyph of Deflection :)

In all cases nice blog :)

[Borodin]

I note that these items are all TBC but since there's only 1 trinket listed it's probably worth listing a legacy item for completeness: Styleen's Impeding Scarab (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=19431)is not only a decent Trinket in it's own right (still) but has 24 SBV.

I use it in my specific "Shield Slam" set (870 SBV and counting).

[Karynaku]

I wish the guide were updated, 2.3 added ZA/badges which add a ton of block value gear - Blizzard is changing the way it itemizes, or at least adding a separate route towards what more people want; lots of Stamina and SBV and less avoidance. Well, I did some theorycraft, and I think I went further than the lists I've seen around because I've come up with some pretty wild numbers here.

So assuming we're a warrior (some Paladin tier pieces have higher SBV, however warriors win overall) and we have 5/5 Vitality and 3/3 Shield Mastery, here's the numbers I came up with:

Base STR: 154 (this is mine as a naked gnome)
Raw STR from gear: 45
Raw SBV from gear: 783
STR from enchants: 53
SBV from enchants: 48
STR from gems: 200
SBV from socket bonii: 5

OK so, we have 836 SBV raw, without any strength/talents factored in. We also have 452 strength, again discluding talents. Here's where things get a little shaky:

I'm not sure what shield block additions are multiplied. The things in question are the Glyph of Deflection/Auto-blocker combo (I read that they stack, thankfully!) as well as the 2 piece Destroyer bonus, which reads relatively ambiguously ("you gain 100 block value against a single attack in the next 6 sec.")

Due to this, we'll make a few scenarios. First, the equation (modified from WoWWiki)
Shield Block Absorbtion = (SBV * 1.3) + ( ((STR * 1.1)/20) -1 )

Shield Mastery/Vitality are already factored in. OK, worst case: neither trinkets nor destroyer are modified:
SBA = ((836 * 1.3) + ( ((452 * 1.1)/20) -1 )) + 535
..= 1646.66

Now, if trinkets and destroyer are both modified:
SBA = ((1371 * 1.3) + ( ((452 * 1.1)/20) -1 ))
..= 1806.16

And, for the sake of calculating Shield Slam damage, assume destroyer adds nothing and redo both scenarios:
SBA unmodified = ((836 * 1.3) + ( ((452 * 1.1)/20) -1 )) + 435
..= 1545.66
SBA modified = ((1271 * 1.3) + ( ((452 * 1.1)/20) -1 ))
..= 1676.16

Best case scenario: you are a moron that somehow got ahold of ridiculous amounts of high-endgame epics, came upon thousands of gold which let you socket everything (EXCEPT YOUR BOOTS! Jungle Stomper bonus FTW) with a Bold Crimson Spinel (i think that's the name, +10 str), and both of your trinkets and your destroyer bonus are modified by shield mastery:

You will block 1806 damage from a hit. That's ridiculous.

So let's assume another best-case: all of this, and you're using shield slam! Unfortunately, you use tier 5 and not tier 4: no 10% bonus. Assuming the Destroyer bonus is applied, you will berserking + enrage shield slam for 8030 damage (if luck is majorly on your side.)

You could probably get higher if you replaced some pieces with t4 for the 10% bonus, however I think that's getting to the limit of reasonability. Actually, all of this is beyond reason.

Okay, I'm done. Theoretical gear list, btw:
Battleworn Tuskguard
Steam-Hinge Chain of Valor
Destroyer Shoulderguards
Vambraces of Courage
Destroyer Handguards
Warbringer Chestguard
Farstrider Defender's Cloak
Girdle of Stability
Unwavering Legguards
Jungle Stompers
Band of the Eternal Defender
Signet of the Last Defender
Glyph of Deflection
Gnomeregan Auto-Blocker 600
Blade of the Unrequited
Bulwark of the Amani Empire

These are the items with the highest individual SBV, the weapon/gun are those with the most sockets, every socket has a +10 STR gem except for boots to retain the socket bonus.

edit: damnit! semi-repost! unlike the post on page 3 however, this one factors in a new gun and weapon, as well as the fact that the trinkets stack (according to a post on Wowhead /cough)...)

[Eko]

Still 4 items to get the top SBV gear for a warrior :)

- Girdle of Stability from Gurtogg (which i should get soon :p)
- Steam Chain of Valor
- Signet of the Last defender
- Glyph of Deflection

With my stuff, my shield slam crits cloth for 3600 (without deathwish and impale, a simply classic prot spec).

Honestly i love it ... for example i block (with 39% it happens a lot) between 900 and 1200 (t5 bonus and autoblocker) quite frequently. It is very fun to tank void reaver from 100% to 20% without loosing agro :p

I just dont know how to get Glyph of Deflection ... it seems quite hard to go to Naxx now :(

[Grabmill]

Quite a few new items with BV where introduced in 2.3.

Head:
Battleworn Tuskguard (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33421) +51
Shoulder:
Pauldrons of Stone Resolve (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33481) +30
Legs:
Unwavering Legguards (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33515) +59
Feet:
Sabatons of the Righteous Defender (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33523) +30
Jungle Stompers (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33191) +42 +5 socket bonus
Finger:
Signet of the Last Defender (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33499) +42
Shield:
Bulwark of the Amani Empire (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=33326) +183

And two more that weren't in your list yet:

Hands:
Topaz-Studded Battlegrips (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30741) +5 from socket bonus
Trinket:
Styleen's Impeding Scarab (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=19431) +24

I might be forgetting some paladin badge items perhaps, as I don't have those in my sheets. I've got about 800 block value now, if I have a little more, I can solo Durn the Hungerer without getting any damage :-).

Edit: Bleh, I was too stupid to see that the thread had multiple pages.

[Devro]

Sorry for the delay. I had taken a long hiatus, and almost quit the game. But this guide will be updated in the very near future.

[Devro]

And two more that weren't in your list yet:

Hands:
Topaz-Studded Battlegrips (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30741) +5 from socket bonus


This item was not added since I usually limited the items to the top 5 (with exceptions like Shields), and only 5 BV pales in comparison to the others.

On a separate note, I've finally updated the guide! Hope you all enjoy the work I put into it.

[Barren]

long time reader - first time poster

First, this is a nice sbv reference. Thanks for it. I used the spare time on the 2.4 PTR to test the impale/deathwish build and therefore i looked whats in my bags (872BV from the char-screen). I saw some 3kish crits while soloing but nothing special.

I have a question concerning Eko's Ultimate SBV gear. You proposed to use +10str gems in order to reach the highest possible amount of pure blockvalue (+12 SBV in sum).

Comparing the effective result with the used item budget, i'm wondering whether it won't be useful to socket +hit and crit +instead. Sure, this wont produce lower shield slams crits but it will produce (a lot) more of them.
Except from the purpose of ss-high-scoring and world-recording, this would seem much more reliable to me in all three aspects of the game.

How adviseable is a SBV set forced to Hit/Crit for (effectly) doing solo/pvp/5man content?


(Besides my question, it seems clear to me, that the Battleworn Tuskguard will loose against each other meta-sockable-helmets once the Eternal Earthstorm Diamond will be released. I guess this baby is the most wanted one around here :) )

[Ratholorn]

The new meta-gem will be a plus, so too (as posted by Cider in his blog a while ago) will be the new T6 because it allows the 4pc T6 bonus to stack with the 2pc T5 bonus.
My current set is 900 BV unbuffed (hits 1290 with T5 bonus and trinket) and I don't have the belt off Bloodboil or a second block value trinket yet (could eek out more with ZA gear but it looks too ugly for me to use).
In 2.4 it is possible to hit 1887 BV with both trinkets and T5 bonus - then you get to apply the T6 bonus to the Shield Slam damage.

[fairylore]

i can't find you on the armory could you put a direct link to you on the armory so i can see the stats :-) ty very much:-)

[KAOSFAYT]

Help Please,

seems there is always more to learn. i am trying to figure out my SBV and according to this i cant see it in game or on my armory. but i cant ignore this if i want to be better . If you have the time please help me to calculate my SBV sorry for the Nub Question but i gotta learn some way




Actually i just found a site minutes later for all those in need like me but afraid to ask here's a link for ya

Block Value: Everything you ever wanted to know - Warriors - TankingTips.com (http://www.tankingtips.com/2007/11/07/block-value-everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know/)

Please if any one knows that this is a bad link as far as it being the wrong info please tell me and i will remove it ASAP

[Kazeyonoma]

nah, veneretio is a good source.

[Crowler]

I am a SBV tank also, but with all the other stats that I need to worry about how do I determine what to compromise?

I know expertise and hit rating is important as a threat builder
for example has nice SBV but the has the best expertise for bracers.

I just want to raise questions to you guys as to what measuring basis are used to determine the right balance.

[Sirq]

So I just though lets compile a list. here we go;


Head - Faceplate of the Impenetrable - 45 (+15 from ZG enchant/meta 10%)
Neck - Steam-hinge chain of valor - 29
Shoulders - Destroyer shoulderguard - 32 (+100 with shieldblock activation)
Cloak - Farstrider Defender’s Cloak - 38
Chest - Warbringer chestguard - 45
Bracers - Vambracers of Courage - 33
Hands - Destroyer handguards - 44 (tier5 2set bonus)
Belt - Girdle of Stability - 56
Pants - Unwavering Legguards - 59 (+15 from ZG enchant)
Boots - Jungle Stompers - 42 (+5 from socket bonus)
Rings - Band of the Eternal defender - 44
- Signet of the Last Defender - 42
Trinkets - Gnomeregan autoblocker 600 - 59 (+200 use)
- Coren’s Lucky Coin (y the one from the brewfest boss) - 59 (+200 use - Most alike 1 usable at 1 time)
Shield - Bulwark of Amani Empire - 183 (+18 from shield enchant)



Total without Meta/talent, include enchant/bonus - 863

Add shieldblock use/trinket use +300= - 1163



Next I dunno how to add up the meta 10% and the 30% from talents,


but I guess its just simple 10 or 30% first and then 30 or 10% up on that, right? right.

just /point at me when im wrong








1.1*1163=1279.3


1.3*1279.3=1663.09 <- quite something y/n ? gief plx.




note; excluding str bonus which could be around 5 to 10 extra block when gemming pure str gems

ed; just bumped my head and woke up, the 30% from talents is only absorb right? it doesn't add up on BV, or does it? i'm just slackin at teh workz

[Armstrong]

I am a SBV tank also, but with all the other stats that I need to worry about how do I determine what to compromise?

I know expertise and hit rating is important as a threat builder
for example Vambraces of Courage has nice SBV but the Bracers of the Ancient Phalanx has the best expertise for bracers.

I just want to raise questions to you guys as to what measuring basis are used to determine the right balance.

Expertise rating is superior to Hit rating and SBV until you are capped.

Hit Rating is superior to SBV until you are capped.

Stack SBV after that.




Next I dunno how to add up the meta 10% and the 30% from talents, but I guess its just simple 10 or 30% first and then 30 or 10% up on that, right? right.

(...)

ed; just bumped my head and woke up, the 30% from talents is only absorb right? it doesn't add up on BV, or does it? i'm just slackin at teh workz

The 10% is based on your un-talented SBV. You can view it as a 4th point in Shield Mastery. So without the Meta, you would multiply your base SBV by 1.3. With the Meta, you multiply by 1.4.

In your case, 1163 * 1.4 = 1628

This applies both to damage absorbtion when blocking and to damage added to Shield Slam.

[Sirq]

Expertise rating is superior to Hit rating and SBV until you are capped.

Hit Rating is superior to SBV until you are capped.

Stack SBV after that.





The 10% is based on your un-talented SBV. You can view it as a 4th point in Shield Mastery. So without the Meta, you would multiply your base SBV by 1.3. With the Meta, you multiply by 1.4.

In your case, 1163 * 1.4 = 1628

This applies both to damage absorbtion when blocking and to damage added to Shield Slam.

you sure it's added up and then calculated by 1.4 ?

and not calculated likewise to BoS and Tranq air? which is first 30% and then 20% ?

[Armstrong]

Yes, that's how the math works out with my own gear. Other people have posted the same information in other threads on TankSpot, as well as on Wowhead.

[Kazeyonoma]

definitely that's how it works out.

[byechee]

instead of bulwark of the amani empire throw sword breaker's bulwark into the equation! that thing is phaaatttt.

[Kossaks]

you should put a sidenote for people on the helmets that says illidan helm easily outperforms the za one because of meta gem

[Inaara]

Shoulders - Pauldrons of Perseverance - 68 SBV
Shield - Sword Breaker's Bulwark - 225 SBV

[Belak]

Has anyone taken a new look at this list with the gear changes that will happen when 3.0 hits? With everything getting Strength on it and 2 Str = 1 block value, I'm curious if the list will change at all.

If nobody has already tried it, maybe I'll take a look and see what I can assemble.

[HankHill]

Trinkets - Gnomeregan autoblocker 600 - 59 (+200 use)
- Coren’s Lucky Coin (y the one from the brewfest boss) - 59 (+200 use - Most alike 1 usable at 1 time)


Ok, does anyone know if that is the case on the coin and autoblocker?
Does the use effect share the same cd? +400 would be a nice humph!

I got the Coin on my first run at Coren. I would hate to blow 41 badges on autoblocker if it does not stack, even though the 59 would.

Thanks,
HankHill

PS: Awesome list.

[Remmz]

Definitely, 100% confirmed that the coin and the blocker can stack at the same time.

This makes the coin pretty much a must-have for any prot warrior :)

[HankHill]

Awesome, 41 BoJ Poof...

Thank you - Remmz...

HankHill

[Dredok]

plzzzzz gief us an update gear-list taking into account the new 1str=0.5SBV

im so lazy, need time for porn

[Sirq]

i'm lazy aswell :P, since I dont work behind a pc anymore ^_^

anyway, atm with all shits n giggles popped i has 3250 block value, had 16.5k crit on a nude warrior :<

[Valdur]

Since there are no +SBV weapons in the game, I was looking for a weapons with +STR at least. The best which I found out was Firebrand Battleaxe (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27490). Add +20 STR enchant on it and I think it will be the best weapon to increase your SBV or does anyone have anything better in mind?

[Dredok]

for this purpose is quite better Blade of the unrequited ... put 3 gems of +10str

[Valdur]

for this purpose is quite better Blade of the unrequited ... put 3 gems of +10str
You're right! I didn't think about sockets at all. Stupid me...