Alright. This is going to be a major overhaul of the article based on 3.0+ through 3.0.3. Despite the Retadins being nerfed into the ground, the Prot Paladins actually received a great deal of uncommented love in these patches. An additional 3% base mitigation up to 9% from 6%; Righteous Defense cool-down lowered to 8 seconds from 15; and the Interrupt ability on Hammer of Justice is useable on targets that are immune to stun. That means we can finally do something about all those nasty healing spells that we had to rely on iffy Rogues, etc for previously.
 
Warriors have been given AOE abilities and Crushing Blows have been removed. Our 'niche' only involved the two. Will this effect our abilities to be good tanks in the long run? No. Short run? Yes, just like BC it's going to take us MUCH more work than Warriors to gear up for raids. Then again, we’re used to that.
 
From there let's begin. I don't know how many potential tankadins have really looked into the focus of where tankadins will be (currently) in WotLK. Right now we sit at a base mitigation of 9% vs. the warriors 10%. I'm not really concerned about that. I'm still going to tank. So what I 'can' look into for now is what gear it will take to get there. (Notice the VERY nice change from 6% base mitigation to 9% base mitigation. VERY nice)
 
To begin lets look at the mechanics that have been in place since pre-BC and still are. Defense Ratings. A level 83 mob’s base attack skill will be 415 vs. our base defense skill of 400. To prevent critical strikes, our defense skill will need a 5.6% increase, or 140 added Defense Skill (540 Defense as opposed to the original 490). All math totaled, we would be needing 688.58972546 Defense Rating. So let’s just say 688.59? M’kay? Good. (If you REALLY want to see the math, ask and I’ll post it however it is available on wowwiki.com.) The current stat conversions are thus:
·          Defense Rating - 4.918498039 per 1 point in Defense Skill.
o         Burning Crusade - 2.4 per 1
·          Parry Rating – 49.18498611 per 1 percent added Parry Rating
o         Burning Crusade - 31.5 per 1
·          Dodge Rating – 39.34798813 per 1 percent added Dodge Rating
o         Burning Crusade – 18.9
·          Shield Block Rating – 18.61111111 per 1 percent added Block Rating
o         Burning Crusade – 7.9 Block Rating
·          Agility – 30 Agility per 1 percent Dodge Rating
o         Burning Crusade – 25 Agility per 1 Dodge Rating
 
I do want to note that these are the conversions that I nabbed off of the WotLK Forums and Elitistjerk.com. These actually directly contradict the ratings you see on Wowhead, but I’m going to trust the true theorycrafters who have been slamming in Live, Beta, and the Test Realm to add all of this up.
 
Do we need 102.4% Avoidance anymore now that crushing blows have been removed? YES. Good LORD YES. Tanks need mitigation. End of story. Something to keep in mind for WotLK. Dodge now has a diminishing return. For every 2% dodge, we only receive 1.95% Dodge. Don’t get rid of your [Libram of Repentance] by the way. You’ll still need it with the current gear available. Keep in mind, for Avoidance we get an immediate 30% from Holy Shield, and the Libram gives us 2.26% while Holy Shield is active at level 80. So we’ll need roughly…… 30+5+2.26+x for 100%, or 67.74% (I haven’t really been able to verify the accuracy on the avoidance, only on the Def Skill) Now, 4.92 Defense Rating for 1 point. We need 140 points of defense skill to achieve 5.6% mitigation. Thus, we come back to +688.59 Defense Rating to achieve 540 Defense.
 
Something interesting to note (and look into later). With the removal of crushing blows, it is possible to use only resilience to achieve the 5.6% reduction on crit-chance and tank thus. I’m not the most knowledgeable on PVP gear, but I think the opportunity will be there to tank in all PVP gear. I'll leave that post to some of our PVP'ers (Dragonfork? This is for you to lookup.)
 
The new mechanic we'll need to take a quick look at is "Glyphs". A character may have three major, and three minor glyphs. I have separated the two sets of "prot-related" glyphs below and emboldened a few of them. I don't think we'll really be able to decide what glyphs are needed/required until we can really hit 80 in the nitty-gritty to see what kind of mana-upkeep we have at 80. However, I still listed them for reference.
Next lets take a quick glance at what spec is going to be mostly prominent. Notice I say prominent. That does not mean required.
 
·          Retribution Tree:
o         (Tier 1) Deflection = Parry +5% Req until geared
·          Protection Tree:
o         (Tier 1) Blessing of Kings = +10% Stats (Optional with Tier 3) (Req for Raiding)
o         (Tier 1) Divine Strength = Strength +15% (That is +15% Block Value received from Str)
o         (Tier 2) Anticipation = Dodge +5% Req until geared
o         (Tier 3) Improved Righteous Fury = All damage taken is reduced by 6%. Req
o         (Tier 4) Optional with Kings
o         (Tier 4) Improved Hammer of Justice = Required since HoJ can now spell interrupt. Req
o         (Tier 5) Blessing of Sanctuary = Bread and Butter Req
o         (Tier 6) Sacred Duty = 6% Bonus Sta Req
o         (Tier 6) One-Handed Weapon Specialization = 10% Damage increase Req
o         (Tier 7) Holy Shield = Bread and Butter Req
o         (Tier 7) Ardent Defender = Innate Last Stand kinda…. Req
o         (Tier 8) Redoubt = Bread and Butter when Sanctuary will be active Req
o         (Tier 8) Combat Expertise = Stamina +6% Req
o         (Tier 9) Avenger’s Shield = Bread and Butter Req
o         (Tier 9) Touched by the Light = +Spell equal to 10% of Stam Req for Threat
o         (Tier 9) Guarded by the Light = 3% Spell Mitigation, and mana-upkeep
o         (Tier 10) Shield of the Templar = 3% Mitigation, and threat/damage increase Req
o         (Tier 11) Hammer of the Righteous = Bread and Butter Req
·          Holy Tree:
o         (Tier 1) Seals of the Pure = Seal of Vengeance damage increase
 
Notice I didn’t tell you how many points to put into each talent, I didn’t mention Judgements of the Just, Benediction, and a few other classic ‘bread and butter’ spells. I also only listed talent requirements up to 70. The other ten points can be used on a situational basis. Whether more threat is needed, slowing down the targets, Improved Judgements is needed so you can Judge Wisdom faster, etc. That is going to be a matter of preference and gear. Not requirements.
 
Just so no-one feels that the Tankadin isn’t going to be viable in Wrath, I’d like to point out that as of right now, we have 9% base mitigation and 12% straight mitigation when [Blessing of Sanctuary] is active. 12% straight mitigation and +10% armor value straight off. We will be very viable.
 
Now, lets look at some PRE-RAID armor to get us there, all of which has been posted on www.wowhead.com thus far (Enchants, and Glyphs will arrive in later revisions):
 
Head:
·          [Tempered Titansteel Helm] – Crafted – 9.352 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Ground Tremor Helm] – Heroic Gundrak – 12.4 Def, 0 Avoidance
o         The Ground Tremor is obviously preferred. Two gems slots, and higher defense rating. However, lower armor value.
Neck:
·          [Titanium Earthguard Chain] – Crafted (JC) – 6.913 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Burning Skull Pendant] – Unknown – 5.693 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Pendant of the Nathrezim] – Stratholme – 5.083 Def, 0.63% Avoidance
·          [item]Shadowseeker’s Pendant[/item] – Old Kingdom – 6.709 Def, 0.53 Avoidance
·          [item]Blood-Infused Pendant[/item] – Sholazar Basin – 5.286 Def, 0.25% Avoidance
o         Here, I would say we’re looking at the Shadowseeker’s Pendant overall, but the crafted is good in a pinch.
Shoulder:
·          [item]Wapach’s Spaulders of Solidarity[/item] – Heroic Stratholme – 11.79 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [item]Crusader’s Square Pauldrons[/item] – Stratholme – 5.896 Def, 0.94% Avoidance
·          [Pauldrons of Reconnaissance] – Halls of Stone – 9.352 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Tempered Saronite Shoulders] – Crafted – 6.506 Def, 0 Avoidance
o         Here obviously the epic is preferred, but we’ll look at the regular shoulders as well. Not to mention the crafted shoulders availability.
Back:
·          Durable Nerubhide Cape – Crafted (LW) – 0 Def, 1.25% Avoidance
·          Cloak of the Enemy – Heroic Nexus – 8.539 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          Cloak of Peaceful Resolutions – Wyrmrest Honored – 8.743 Def, 0 Avoidance
Chest:
·          [Breastplate of Solemn Council] – Wyrmrest Honored – 15.45 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [item]Sun-Emblazoned Chestplate[/item] – Unknown – 12.2 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Ziggurat Imprinted Chestguard] – Heroic Drak’tharon Keep – 9.962 Def, 1.14 Avoidance
·          [item]Silver-Plated Battlechest[/item] – Utgarde Pinnacle – 15.05 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Tempered Saronite Breastplate] – Crafted – 11.39 Def, 0 Avoidance
o         The Sun-Emblazoned is a good second choice because it has a socket, but if your Wyrmrest is Honored, you’ll be picking up that instead. If Def Rating is a problem, the Silver-Plated can work in a pinch, but it has to little Sta/Armor. The crafted chestpiece is the worst of all four, but still good to start Heroics for the rest.
Wrist:
·          [Bindings of Dark Will] – Heroic Stratholme – 5.489 Def, 0.61 Avoidance
·          [Tempered Saronite Bracers] – Crafted – 9.759 Def, 0 Avoidance
o         Green Fortress 2.0. Pretty much gonna get the crafted.
Hands:
·          [Fireproven Gauntlets] – Kirin Tor Exalted – 8.539 Def, 0.84% Avoidance
·          [item]Horn-Tipped Gauntlets[/item] – Heroic Gundrak – 9.759 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Daunting Handguards] – Crafted – 14.44 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Tempered Saronite Gauntlets] – Crafted – 13.42 Def, 0 Avoidance
o         Going to pickup the Dauting Handguards to start, then once the gear comes you’ll quickly move to the Fireproven
Legs:
·          [Bolstered Legplates] – Heroic Violet Hold – 16.47 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Daunting Legplates] – Crafted – 17.89 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Special Issue Legplates] – Argent Crusade Honored – 14.03 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Tempered Saronite Legplates] – Crafted – 6.506 Def, 0 Avoidance
o         Take your pick here based on gear needs. The Argent pair and the Violet Hold pair both have a socket available. I wouldn’t get the Tempered Saronite.
Feet:
·          [Tempered Titansteel Treads] – Crafted – 7.116 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Greaves of Ancient Evil] – Unknown – 8.539 Def, 0.84% Avoidance
·          [Sabatons of Craconic Vigor] – Wyrmrest Honored – 11.79 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [item]Toxin-Tempered Sabatons[/item] – Ebon Blade Honored – 6.913 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Tempered Saronite Boots] – Crafted – 7.319 Def, 0 Avoidance
o         Looks like we’re gonna need Wyrmrest Rep, don’t it?
Trinket:
·          Offering of Sacrifice – Unknown – 550 Armor
·          Essence of Gossamer – Azjul-nerub Honored – YOU WANT THIS
·          Lavnthor's Talisman - Heroic Violet Hold - YOU WANT THIS. 3.97% Avoidance
·          Seal of the Pantheon – Halls of Lightning – 13.22 Def, 0 Avoidance
Ring:
·          Keystone Great-Ring – Heroic Drak’Tharon Keep – 490 Armor, 1.25 Avoidance
·          Titanium Earthguard Ring – Crafted (JC) – 5.083 Def, 0.86% Avoidance
·          Unsmashable Heavy Band – Unknown – 6.099 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          Dragonflight Great-Ring – The Oculus – 7.726 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          Gal’darah’s Signet – Gundrak – 7.319 Def, 0 Avoidance
o         Pick and choose.
Libram:
·          [Libram of Obstruction] – Your Judgement ability also increases your shield block value by 352 for 5 sec.   (15 lvl 80 Badges)
·          [item]Venture Co. Libram of Protection[/item] – Shield of Righteous deals 96 extra damage.
·          [Libram of Repentance] – 2.26% Avoidance when Holy Shield active.
+ They haven’t put much effort into tanking Librams so far. Keep your Repentance handy.
Main One-handed Weapon:
·          [Titansteel Guardian] – Crafted
o         This is your only choice during regular fights.
·          [War Mace of Unrequited Love] – Heroic Nexus
o         This’ll work in a pinch, and is also a Holy Mace as well for quick-respec.
Switch-Hitting One-Handed Weapon:
·          [Titansteel Bonecrusher] – Crafted
o         These haven’t really been developed to thoroughly with switch-hitting in mind. Best to stick to the crafted for now.
 
I went into some theorycrafting with a co-worker who didn't understand the basic concepts of threat generation, etc. So I will add this. If you don't understand the threat-generation mechanics, please go look them up. Pound for pound, you're going to be getting a great deal more threat from +spell weapons then from for example....... [item]The King's Defender[/item] (which is what he took off his spell sword for after the patch). Yes, the sta to spell is nice, and the hammer is nice as well. Its called "Switch-hitting". Setup a macro to throw in a high-end dps 1h weapon just BEFORE you use the hammer. Then switch back to your spell sword. DOOOOO EEEEEETTTTTTT!!!!!  
 
Switch-hitting will be a requirement for maintaining threat using the current mechanics.
[Hammer of the Righteous] requires high weapon damage for greater threat, as it does Holy damage based on your main-hand damage. [item]Avenger’s Shield[/item], [Holy Shield], and [Consecration] do Holy damage based on your +spell damage. [Shield of the Righteousness] does Holy damage based solely on the Block value of your shield +300 (+400 at level 80). Thus, we will need to have switch hitting for both our main hand weapons ([Amani Punisher] vs. [item]Fool’s Bane[/item]), and we’ll possibly also need to be switch-hitting our Shields.
 
The macro for this is actually very simple:
#showtooltip Hammer of the Righteous
/equip Name Of Melee Sword
/cast Hammer of the Righteous
/equip Name Of Spell Sword
 
#showtooltip Shield of the Righteousness
/equip Name Of High Block Value Shield
/cast Shield of the Righteousness
/equip Name Of Preferred Shield
 
Shield:
·          [Royal Crest of Lordaeron] – Heroic Stratholme – 9.962 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [Titansteel Shield Wall] – Crafted – 13.01 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [item]Blade-Binding Bulwark[/item] – World Drop – 4.27 Def, 1.49 Avoidance
·          [Bulwark of the Noble Protector] – Heroic Nexus - 6.303 Def, 1.38 Avoidance
·          [item]Leeka’s Shield[/item] – Stratholme – 7.726 Def, 0 Avoidance
·          [item]Shield of the Lion-Hearted[/item] – Alliance Revered – 6.506 Def, 0 Avoidance
+ Get the Titansteel crafted for you.
 
 
Glyphs:

Major:
 
Avenger's Shield - Your Avenger's Shield hits 2 fewer targets, but for 100% more damage.
This one should be used on non-caster fights. Our Consecration will take care of most off-target threat gen. If your DPS'ers are attacking the off-target they aren't very good anyway.
 
Seal of Righteousness - Reduces the cost of your Judgement spells by 10% while SoR is active.
This will help our mana stabilize a little better. o Judgement - Judgements do 10% more damage.
 
Turn Evil - Turn Evil becomes instant-cast bound only to GCD.
This will be entirely based on what Raid/Instance. Instant-cast-fear anyone?
 
Consecration - Increases duration and CD of Cons by 2 sec.
We want this for the duration, not the CD. This will help our mana stabilize a little better.
 
Righteous Defense - Spell Hit +8% on each target of RD
 
Spiritual Attunement - SA gives 2% more mana.
 
Divinity - LoH gives caster as much mana as target.
 
Hammer of Justice - HoJ lasts 1 second longer.
Will this effect the new 3 second silence feature as well?
 
Minor:
 
Warhorse - Reduces mana cost of Seal of Wisdom by 50%
 
Blessing of Might/Wisdom - BoM/BoW lasts 20 min longer when self-cast
 
Lay on Hands - LoH mana restored is increased by 20%
 
Sense Undead - 1% damage increase to Undead when Sense Undead is active.
 
Blessing of Kings - BoK mana cost reduced by 50%.