Gemming my new chest, is the socket bonus worth it?

[Ahlia]

So basically I am about to craft myself the 245 chest: Breastplate of the White Knight - Thottbot: World of Warcraft (http://thottbot.com/i47591)

and I'm wondering if anyone got any gemming advise?
myself I was thinking either 3 x 30 stam and ignore the socket bonus of 12 stam,
or 10 def +15 stam, 10 dodge + 15 stam and 30 stam, and then getting the 12 stam bonus. however I don't know how much the diminishing returns will affect the 10 def in that case, as I am already def capped.

here is my armoury as it stands atm The World of Warcraft Armory (http://eu.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Talnivarr&n=Ahlia) in case anyone would like to take that into consideration :)

any help or explanation on the def cap vs diminishing returns would also be much appreciated.

thanks to all of you that reply to this thread :)
All my love,
Ahlia

[krc]

Diminishing returns do not affect defense and only have to do with Dodge and Parry. Diminishing Returns affect dodge slightly more parry, I wouldn't worry about balancing your avoidance ratings too much though and just focus on EH. Satrina has a very good thread on the subject of DR http://www.tankspot.com/forums/f63/40003-diminishing-returns-avoidance.html . On the subject of gemming your chest it would probably be best if you gemmed it with 10 def 15 stam, 10 expertise/dodge/agility 15 stam and 30 stamina. If you did that you could also get rid of the meta requirment which needs a red gem.

[Fayre]

I would probably only gem it for the socket bonus if I needed those gems for my meta. However, from Armory I'm guessing that you're not pushing the edge of content with your guild, and so a more balanced approach might be appropriate.

[Toblerone]

Do you prefer stamina or a bit more avoidance? It comes down to personal preference really.

18 stam vs 10 dodge, 10 defense ratings.

As mentioned many times, the defense 'cap' isn't so much a cap because defense still increases dodge, parry, block and miss. I would personally go for the socket bonus as it will provide more benefit unless you are really lacking health.

[drae]

I would go stam in all 3 unless you need a red one for meta, then it would be worth the socket bonus.