Just hit level 70 and want to quickly gear up for tanking duties in Karazhan or heroics? Don't want to run 5-man instances over and over hoping for just 1 item to drop?

Here is a list of some of the better L70 pre-Karazhan plate tank gear that you can get by simple questing, the AH or reputation rewards up to 'revered'.

Please note: This is not the "ultimate" pre-raid tanking guide - It excludes gear that drops from bosses in the 5 man runs since such drops are random and often require many runs of the same instance to obtain such gear. It also excludes epic crafted gear and gear that requires exalted faction rep. This guide is the "easy-to-get" gear guide to start tanking heroics and Karazhan.

The aim of the items is to increase stamina, defense, dodge/parry and armor. 490 defense is the target value to minimize crit chance against you. Once you hit 490 you should be aiming for a good balance between armor, stamina and avoidance (dodge+parry). From a threat generation perspective, block value will come naturally with the gear you collect but if you find your miss rate a little high then you may want to consider substituting in some +hit rating gems. The head, chest, legs and shield contribute most to the tanking stats so aim to get these sorted above all else. 12k armor, 12k health and 30% dodge+parry is a good target for entry-level Karazhan.

Recommended green quality jewels are Shifting Shadow Draenite (red slots), Thick Golden Draenite, Enduring Deep Peridot and Rigid Golden Draenite (yellow slots) and Solid Azure Moonstone (blue slots). Remember that you do not have to match the jewel color to the slot color and you only give up the socket bonus if you take this approach. Suggested gems are shown as a guide only for each socketable item. Better quality gems are recommended if you can afford them.

*Highly recommended items - generally better than 5-man instance boss drops

v2.1 - Apr 29, 2008. Current for patch 2.4.1
Posted at -
http://www.tankspot.com/forums/gear-lists-rankings/31940-polar-s-easy-pre-karazhan-tank-gear-list.html
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=387998850
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Head
Felsteel Helm*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=23519
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L70
Suggested Gems: Solid Azure Moonstonex3
or
Myrmidon's Headdress
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=28180
Source: L67 Quest - Zangarmarsh: The Warlord's Hideout (SV)
Suggested Gems: Shifting Shadow Draenite and Powerful Earthstorm Diamond

Recommended Enchant: Glyph of the Defender (Keepers of Time - Revered)
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Neck
Strength of the Untamed*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29173
Source: Cenarion Expedition quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L70
or
Thalodien's Charm
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=30378
Source: L67 Quest - Netherstorm: Shutting Down Manaforge Ara (Scryers)
or
Natasha's Battle Chain
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=31696
Source: L65 Quest - Blades Edge Mountains: The Hound Master
or
Mark of the Ravenguard
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29336
Source: L65 Quest - Auch: Brother Against Brother (Sethekk)
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Shoulder
Gladiator's Plate Shoulders
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=24546
Source: PvP Vendor - Requires L70
Suggested Gems: Solid Azure Moonstonex2
or
Warchief's Mantle
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29316
Source: L66 Quest - KoT Old Hillsbrad: Return to Andormu
Suggested Gems: Solid Azure Moonstonex2
or
Savage Plate Shoulders
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=35411
Source: Lower City Quartermaster (Honored) - Requires L70
Suggested Gems: Solid Azure Moonstonex2

Recommended Enchant: Any Aldor or Scryer shoulder inscriptions
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Cloak
Cloak of Eternity
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=24253
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L69
Recommended Enchant: +120 armor enchant or +12 agility enchant
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Chest
Vindicator's Hauberk*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29127
Source: Aldor quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L70
or
Gladiator's Plate Chestpiece
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=24544
Source: PvP Vendor - Requires L70
Suggested Gems: Solid Azure Moonstonex3
or
Breastplate of the Warbringer
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=25819
Source: L66 Quest - Netherstorm: Forge Camp:Annihilated

Recommended Enchant: +150 HP enchant
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Wrists
Sha'tari Wrought Armguards
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=28167
Source: L68 Quest - Auch: Soul Devices (SL)
Suggested Gems: Enduring Deep Peridot
or
Junior Technician 3rd Grade Bracers
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=30225
Source: L67 Quest - Netherstorm: You're Hired!

Recommended Enchant: +12 stamina (prefered) or +12 defense enchant
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Gloves
Felsteel Gloves*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=23517
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L70
Suggested Gems: Shifting Shadow Draenite and Solid Azure Moonstone
or
Gauntlets of the Chosen
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29134
Source: Scryers quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L70

Recommended Enchant: Heavy Knothide Armor Kit (+10 stamina) or +15 agil enchant or +2% threat
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Belt
Sha'tari Vindicator's Waistguard*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=31460
Source: L70 Quest - Netherstorm: How to Break Into the Arcatraz
or
Girdle of the Lost Vindicator
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=30380
Source: L70 Quest - Netherstorm: Aldor No More (Aldor)
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Legs
Timewarden's Leggings*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29184
Source: Keepers of Time (Revered) - Requires L70
Suggested Gems: Solid Azure Moonstonex3
or
Felsteel Leggings*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=23518
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L70
Suggested Gems: Solid Azure Moonstone, Shifting Shadow Draenite and Enduring Deep Peridot
or
Legguards of the Resolute Defender
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29783
Source: L67 Quest - Netherstorm: Destroy Naberius!

Recommended Enchant: Clefthide Leg Armor (+30 stamina, +10 agility)
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Feet
Flesh Beast's Metal Greaves*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29325
Source: L64 Quest - Mana Tombs: Someone Else's Hard Work Pays Off (Escort)
or
Sha'tari Wrought Greaves
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=28176
Source: L68 Quest - Auch: Into the Heart of the Labyrinth (SL)
Suggested Gems: Solid Azure Moonstonex2

Recommended Enchant: +12 stamina enchant or Heavy Knothide Armor Kit (+10 stamina)
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Rings
Wind Trader's Band
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=30006
Source: L68 Quest - Netherstorm: Dealing with the Overmaster

Protector's Mark of the Redemption
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=31078
Source: L68 Quest - SMV: Dissension Amongst the Ranks

Delicate Eternium Ring
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=24088
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L70

Andormu's Tear
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29323
Source: L66 Quest, KoT BM: Hero of the Brood
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Trinkets
Dabiri's Enigma
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=30300
Source: L68 Quest - Netherstorm: Dimensius the All-Devouring

Regal Protectorate
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=28042
Source: L58 Quest - HFP: Overlord(A)/Cruel's Intentions(H)
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Weapon
Inuuro's Blade*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=34672
Source: Shattered Sun Offensive quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L70
or
Grom'tor's Charge
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=31071
Source: L68 Quest - SMV: The Cipher of Damnation
or
Crystalblade of the Draenei
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=31234
Source: World Drop/AH - Requires L66
or
Crystalline Kopesh (slightly slow for a tanking weapon)
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=25772
Source: L66 Quest - Nagrand: Wanted : Durn the Hungerer
or
Seeker's Gavel (Pally Tanks)
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=34670
Source: Shattered Sun Offensive quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L70
or
Continuum Blade (Pally Tanks)
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=29185
Source: Keepers of Time quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L70

Recommended Enchant: +15 agility or mongoose (prefered)
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Shield
Gladiator's Shield Wall*
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=28358
Source: PvP vendor - Requires L70
or
Ogri'la Aegis
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=32652
Source: Ogri'la quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L70
Suggested Gems: Solid Azure Moonstonex3
or
Netherwing Protector's Shield
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=31490
Source: L70 Quest - SMV: Ally of the Netherwing (Zuluhed chain)
or
Shield of the Wayward Footman
http://wowarmory.com/item-info.xml?i=31200
Source: AH - Requires L65

Recommended Enchant: +18 stamina enchant
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Ranged (warriors)
(any green bow/gun/thrown with +stamina or +stam/agility)
Source: AH
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Post a reply if you find this list useful or if you have any suggestions.

what stat bonus's do u end up having with all that?

Good idea putting the guide up here Polar. Hope everyone else will find it as useful as I am.

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Q u o t e:
what stat bonus's do u end up having with all that?

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Hard to say exactly since there are a few options but with enchants and gems, you should be reaching around 12k health, 12k armor, 490 defense (with anticipation talent) and 32% dodge+parry (with defelection talent)

You're completely leaving off 5 man drops.

This makes sense, sort of, except some of the quest/rep rewards that you list require you to run 5 mans anyway.

So what's the point?

nice post :) really useful i now have most of these items and working on the others. Some such as the belt require that u run bot and mech however the point of the post is that you are guaranteed to get the items rather than the random chance of a drop from a instance

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Q u o t e:
You're completely leaving off 5 man drops.

This makes sense, sort of, except some of the quest/rep rewards that you list require you to run 5 mans anyway.

So what's the point?

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Yes, the 5 man boss drops have been excluded since most have a 10-15% drop rate. This means you need to run the instance around 6-10 times (on average) before you will see the drop.

The aim of the guide is to show new level 70 plate tanks a quick way to get geared up sufficiently for Kara and/or heroics. I expect that everyone will pick up some better pieces as they do their normal 5-man instancing anyway.

I agree that some of them are quest rewards from 5-man quests or 5-man instances but at least you only have to run it once to be guaranteed of the reward that is listed.

I will review it any case and add some close alternatives where there is only one item listed that requires 5-man questing (eg. the belt)

Thanks for the feedback.

What's the best glove enchant for a tank?

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Q u o t e:
What's the best glove enchant for a tank?

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+15 agility is the enchant of choice for tanks seeking more avoidance.

+2% threat is also a good one for tanks that are seeking more threat generation.

Devilshark Cape from Steamvaults is the cape you should be wearing, nothing else should even be on the list. Also, Shoulders of the Bold are superior to the ones you listed, and easy to obtain - they will last you a long time.

EDIT: I see you are intentionally excluding 5-man drops, but really you have no choice. The cape and the shoulders, and a shield are going to go a LOOOONG way towards gearing you for kara, as well as teaching you how to tank effectively in various situations.

I had to run SL over 10 times for my shield, and SV between 5 and 10 times for my cape. Didn't mean I was willing to give up though.

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Q u o t e:
Devilshark Cape from Steamvaults is the cape you should be wearing, nothing else should even be on the list. Also, Shoulders of the Bold are superior to the ones you listed, and easy to obtain - they will last you a long time.

EDIT: I see you are intentionally excluding 5-man drops, but really you have no choice. The cape and the shoulders, and a shield are going to go a LOOOONG way towards gearing you for kara, as well as teaching you how to tank effectively in various situations.

I had to run SL over 10 times for my shield, and SV between 5 and 10 times for my cape. Didn't mean I was willing to give up though.

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The OP has a point though, I've seen some people zero in on instance drops, and will rather wear crap items, until those drops. I subscribe to the notion of getting the best and not waiting. The necessary tanking stats can be attained with crafted and quested gear, the crafted ones are very cheap too. Then work on the instance drops, the instance will be easier anyway if you are properly geared. And if the shoulder and cape drops for you, well and good.

Awesome list - thx! Any chance of a sticky???

Ok, Shoulders of the bold, The shield from Botanica, and the Devilshark cape should be on that list, hands down. Your giving reputations rewards so i dont see why this would be a question, If your serious about tanking, then it shouldnt matter of what the freak the drop rate is, You do whats best for you to be the best tank you can be. I dont feel like going through and correcting everything

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Q u o t e:
Ok, Shoulders of the bold, The shield from Botanica, and the Devilshark cape should be on that list, hands down. Your giving reputations rewards so i dont see why this would be a question, If your serious about tanking, then it shouldnt matter of what the freak the drop rate is, You do whats best for you to be the best tank you can be. I dont feel like going through and correcting everything

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Sigh

You are not getting it. This isn't the absolute best pre-raiding tank gear list. This is the list of easy to get items to prepare you for Kara and heroics.

Of course there are better items dropping from 5 mans, and if you get them great. There is that unlucky warrior out there that will run an instance 20+ times and never see that item he wants.



Personally I am leveling straight through to 70 and I know my tanking gear is gonna need some help. Thank you for the list and /tagged for later reading.

nice job man i completely agree with you, although i must say, farming 5 mans you can get some pretty damn good %*!% as long as a lot of rep and lots of friends whom you will find and can trust to run instances with to make them actually fun instead of a chore. also it will help you out, if you are ever trying to find guilds or people you think you want to run karazhan with (if you do pugs, although i haven't really heard of too much of that going on)

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Q u o t e:

I had to run SL over 10 times for my shield, and SV between 5 and 10 times for my cape. Didn't mean I was willing to give up though.

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lol try 23 sl runs, 10 bot runs (no shield from either), and 18 SV runs, good stuff, got exhaulted with all of them before i got the stuff i wanted. :D boring and tedious, but still, well worth it. (especially for the cloak... ended up getting better shield from rep)

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Q u o t e:

You are not getting it. This isn't the absolute best pre-raiding tank gear list. This is the list of easy to get items to prepare you for Kara and heroics.

Of course there are better items dropping from 5 mans, and if you get them great. There is that unlucky warrior out there that will run an instance 20+ times and never see that item he wants.

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/agree

This is the simply the quick-and-dirty guide to getting gear to be able to tank heroics and start on Kara. Better still, we could name it the "minimum tanking gear for heroics and entry into Karazhan". (Once you get into Kara, the first few bosses drop some fantastic Tank gear pieces so you will gear up quickly anyway)

If you are looking for the ultimate pre-raid gear list then I am sure you will find a few threads on the topic elsewhere. :p