Prot Pally, where do I go from here?

[head_first]

Hello all!

I have just completed my third long, strange journey to 80 and have decided I want to tank this time around. I have done melee DPS and ranged DPS up to and through the first two encounters of ICC 10-man regular mode with them and was just bored. I wanted more, you know? So I decided to tank with my paladin, i currently have a gear score of 4200 and am nearing the end of my heroic farming. I just am unsure as to where I should be heading next, whether it's to a new-to-raiding guild and start working my way through 10-man ToC or what. Here's a link to my character...http://tinyurl.com/2d6d2mx

HALP!

[OcBeefy]

After reviewing your armory I have a few pieces of advice: Socket +30stam unless you need the def from those gems. The extra dodge you probably don't need and would be better replaced with more stam.

A good replacement for your weapon would be Lucky Old Sun from regular Forge of Souls off the first boss. And if you once again can afford losing the def, replace your current shoulder enchant for the PvP +30stam +15resil this would allow you to drop your def to 537 and still be uncrittable other than that I see nothing wrong.

After all of that, you should have enough health and def to easily be doing ToC10

[Reign]

as said above, get the pvp shoulder enchant, and a new weapon:
Falric's Wrist-Chopper
Rimefang's Claw
being good choices.

as for your spec & glyphs i would recommend something more like:
http://www.wowhead.com/talent#sZV0tAbuMusIufdxfMobc0G <--lol at the smiley in the url
you can also move the point from Conviction to Seal of Command for aoe tanking, but i personally prefer the Conviction, because i dont seem to have aoe threat problems with out it.
and if your still doing alot of heroics changing the Gylph of Judgement to Hammer of the Righteous wouldn't be a bad choice.

if you can afford it:
Saronite Swordbreakers
would be nice big upgrade, and Crusader Orbs arent very expensive anymore (least on my server)

and as said in many other threads:
The Black Heart
is an amazing, and very obtainable trinket to replace your essence.

but getting back on track, start doing ToC10/25 and get on your way to ICC. hope this helped

[Harmacy]

I agree on 53/18 - but Seal of Command is incredible for a fresh 80. Hits three targets, procs on pretty much anything? Yes please!

You're missing a few enchants (I recommend Armsman to gloves for starters, and then 22 stam to boots - put a Weapon Chain on your weapon for now), and as mentioned you could lose a little defense (don't go overboard with it though, in case you get something like Peacekeeper Blade or Mark of the Relentless).

Are you still grinding Hodir dailies? Unless you want to DPS or heal, you have my blessing to stop. The PvP shoulder enchant is widely regarded as superior, 30 stam > 20 dodge/15 def. It can be bought for 10k honor in SW, and best of all requires no rep.

Also, I think that getting your professions up is more important than crafted gear at this stage.

But yeah, get a new weapon, change a few gems/enchants, get some profession bonuses and you're good to go for raiding. Nice work so far!

[Vaugn]

I too am a Prot Palli, and dont know where to go. It seems not many guild run ToC anymore. I feel like my gear is better than T9
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-s...dmaul&cn=Vaugn
I would LOVE any advice from anyone
Cheers

[Harmacy]

I too am a Prot Palli, and dont know where to go. It seems not many guild run ToC anymore. I feel like my gear is better than T9
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-s...dmaul&cn=Vaugn
I would LOVE any advice from anyone
Cheers

First off, your spec. It's missing Touched by the Light and Crusade, two amazing threat talents. Spec 53/18 - pull the points from Divinity, Imp HoJ, Stoicism, and 1/2 Spiritual Attunement - and grab 3/3 Touched by the Light, 2/2 Pursuit of Justice, and 3/3 Crusade. You also should be glyphing for Seal of Vengeance and Divine Plea.

Your helm and shoulders are better than T9, and your legs are almost as good. Your chestpiece desperately needs replacing though, and new gloves wouldn't hurt.

You should go through all your gems and get rid of everything that isn't at least half stamina. Mostly you should be gemming pure stam, although it's ok to meet a few socket bonuses with something like agility or hit if you want (this changes when you get into semi-serious raiding). Definitely do not waste gem slots on intellect. And you should be using the armor meta, 32 stam and 2% armor.

You're also missing enchants on, well, pretty much everything. It's ok to get cheaper enchants, like a Titanium Weapon Chain for your sword, but no piece should be left unenchanted. And get rid of the Shield Spike - +18 stam or something would be much much better.

[Vaugn]

Thanks for taking the time to help. much appreciated