Gear Questions (Return Player - learn to tank)

[ZkInPhamouZ]

Hi all,

I'm currently working toward gearing up my tank (Paladin) with soldiery piece.
A quick background on my progression is...

I'm still on T5, so I have no access to higher Coil gears, I will have to work on that eventually, my crafting is also limited, but as right now I would like to get some advice without Coil gears, preferably just Tomes.

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Left Side - (Solidery) - will eventually change to Poetics
It's almost done.
It's also fairly straight forward, better than what I currently wear.

Right Side - (Solidery + Poetic?)
This is where I need advice from. (Vit vs. Str)
Based on other posts, people have different preference, but the difference between them and my Paladin is... I'm doing from scratch (Not saying they didn't!), but as right now I may not have extra spare gears that I can swap out at any time.

I would like to know what is a good starting point for a tank. (Vit vs. Str)
Mostly, I would like to use 4 man dungeon as my primary use case here.

Thank You!

[Donjo]

If you don't have an excellent grasp on your class and how to Tank, you'll only make things unnecessarily hard on parties you're in if you stack STR. Start with VIT and only think about moving to STR once you're highly comfortable with Tanking and the ways you can provide yourself mitigation through avenues other than Raw Max Health.

EDIT:

Additionally, you'll want the highest iLvl possible left side before considering really going ham on STR so as to minimize the VIT you lose in the transition.

If you're primarily looking to tank in 4 mans, though, less health is necessary overall unless your healer isn't terribly geared. If you'd like, feel free to poke into STR in these safer areas once you feel comfortable. Just don't go overboard

[SirTaint]

If you don't have an excellent grasp on your class and how to Tank, you'll only make things unnecessarily hard on parties you're in if you stack STR. Start with VIT and only think about moving to STR once you're highly comfortable with Tanking and the ways you can provide yourself mitigation through avenues other than Raw Max Health.

^ This

VIT first for new tanks and then slowly add STR. As you start to over gear content you'll be able to add more and more STR.

[ZkInPhamouZ]

Much appreciated!
I will focus on Vit Gears first.

The reason I pointed out 4 man dungeon to et myself familiar with AoE tanking and how to maintain threat and alter combo rotation as necessary =)
Right now, i will get myself fully geared with Soldiery first, then slowly move toward Poetics while I attempt T5.

Thank You!

[Hybris-Maenad]

Surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but use poetics on your left side before your right side. VIT+substats vs. VIT+STR+DEFENSE+substats, not a hard decision, yet I see people snagging multiple right side pieces before filling out the left side all the time. Only excusable if you are actually running final coil and are very optimistic about drops and know your healers can handle it.

[Abbul_Stonecleaver]

Yes definitely gear your left side with Poetics first. It will be a tad bit slower, but it'll work out. Accessories have much more leeway than left side armor and weapon.

I am a fan of using Str when I can get away with it, but I also fully recommend using Vit until you're comfortable. Vit accessories are still handy in speed runs in dungeons if you have a group with an ae dps composition. If I'm pulling big, I use Vit. If I'm doing small pulls, I use Str. But I am i117/ i116 depending on set.

As for T5.. Gearing up enough for T5 at this point is very easy. I'm sure you're probably geared enough already, though I haven't seen your equipment. That fight is entirely about the deaths that occur from Divebombs and Twisters. Death Sentence used to be brutal, and I suppose it still could be without experienced healers. Get used to using CDs for DS to help.

Mostly, just research T5 and try to learn the fight. That fight is all about knowing more than just overgearing for it.

[ZkInPhamouZ]

Thanks for the input guys! Yes, I'm saving Poetic for left side now.
I'm currently i102, would this video from MTQ still a good way to about the fight?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fsPp9IQXuc

Thank You!

[Rufalus]

I'm currently i102, would this video from MTQ still a good way to about the fight?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fsPp9IQXuc
Thank You!

Yes she is really nice and to the point. The fight mechanics are still the same so her guide is relevant.

[aisustrong]

could always get Ruby with vit melded onto it