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

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 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/f63/4...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.