Block Strength vs Block Rate

[Zoomie]

As a Paladin @LV46 you receive an ability known as Bulwark which raises the Block Rate 60% for 10s every 180s I personally am going to opt for Block potency > Block rate - PLD can't up it's block potency but it can up it's block rate (via abilities); VIT>STR>Parry>Crit>DEX seems to be the most acceptable way to prioritize your stat build. I would look here http://ventusinvictus.blogspot.com/2...din-guide.html

Would we not get more out a high block rate shield with that 60% rate buff? Having a higher base value on the shield will increase the value we get out of that 60% buff.

[Dhex]

Okay.

DEX = Block Rate\Parry Rate

STR = Block Potency\Parry Potency\DPS\Enmity

If you're blocking all the time for very little that's great for auto-attacks. Those attacks however are very /easily/ managed by healers at high level with Regen and Medica paired with your abilities.

If you're about to eat a high damage attack - you /might/ block that single high damage attack and yes you'll certainly have a better chance of blocking it by raising your rate, but your block potency is low.
Block potency is going to scale with damage - I /know/ that I can boost my block rate by 60% in a pinch, and if I do block I will block /much/ more of that single high damage attack.

You have CDs that also further reduce this damage - and a static reduction to damage by using Shield Oath. By focusing on STR you're raising your DPS and reducing enmity strain which allows healers more freedom to use their high enmity generating cures when they /need/ to use them.

[Zoomie]

If you're blocking all the time for very little that's great for auto-attacks. Those attacks however are very /easily/ managed by healers at high level with Regen and Medica paired with your abilities.

Actually this makes a lot of sense. I suppose rate > block if you're being hit with a larger number of small attacks. However when tanking bosses who it hard, afterall these ARE the fights that matter, it may be better to have that high block value on demand when you use your cool downs.

See this is why I came here, to learn from you elder sage types.

[Dhex]

Actually this makes a lot of sense. I suppose rate > block if you're being hit with a larger number of small attacks. However when tanking bosses who it hard, afterall these ARE the fights that matter, it may be better to have that high block value on demand when you use your cool downs.

See this is why I came here, to learn from you elder sage types.

Honestly I'm not much higher level than you are with my GLA - being WAR/MNK/WHM @ 50 I just have the benefit of peaking at PLD setups at lv50 and watching how they utilize CDs and what portions of Primal (HM)s cause healer's the most trouble.