Hey all, I've noticed a lot of people asking a lot of questions about Kara and starting out as a tank for this raid, which is really awesome. I love seeing our community get bigger. So I thought I'd share on a couple more "close calls" on gear for those starting out and who were unsure on what gear to go with as I used to be. I bring to you....*Heavy Metal*
Calculations of a Mathadin!!!! *guitar solo*
First up! - Tier 4 Justicar Handguards VS Iron Gauntlets of the Maiden
Justicar Handguards
944 Armor
+24 Intellect
+34 Stamina
Equip: Increases defense rating by 23 (0.38916% NPA)
Equip: Increases damage and healing by up to 27
Equip: Increases the block value of your shield by 35
Iron Gauntlets of the Maiden
906 Armor
+39 Stamina
Red Socket (12 Stam Blue)
Yellow Socket (12 Stam Blue)
Equip: Increases defense rating by 16 (.27072% NPA)
Equip: Increases your shield block rating by 17 (2.1560976813394157377314972138884% Block)
Equip: Increases the block value of your shield by 38
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And here is the comparison if you choose the Tier 4 hands:
+38 Armor
+360 Mana
+.11844% Block, Parry, Dodge and Miss
+35 Block VALUE
-2.1560976813394157377314972138884% Block CHANCE
-290 HP
I'd like to apologize for the mixup previously. This is a harder choice and I think I've 180'ed my decision on this entirely. It's all completely dependent on your gear makeup, but if you're sporting the Darkmoon Card and the new trinket from the MaTe Heroic and you find yourself hurting for some avoidance then you'll want the extra Block Chance on the Maiden's Gloves. The HP amount isn't enough to make a fuss over, but neither is the mana/armor difference either. The block value(if 35 is added to every block) is pretty nice. But as I said before, I'm not sure what the calcs are for block value, and I have yet to find anything definite on this.
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Next up! - Tier 4 Justicar Faceguard VS Eternium Greathelm
Justicar Faceguard
1227 Armor
+24 Intellect
+43 Stamina
Yellow Socket (12 Stam Blue)
Meta Socket Meta Socket (Powerful Earthstorm Diamond, 18stam, 5% Stun Res)
Equip: Improves your dodge rating by 24 (1.2698412698412698412698412698413% Dodge)
Equip: Increases defense rating by 29 (.49068% Non-Pure Avoidance)
Equip: Increases damage and healing by up to 27
Eternium Greathelm
1178 Armor
+31 Strength
+48 Stamina
Red Socket (12 Stam Blue)
Yellow Socket (12 Stam Blue)
Blue Socket (12 Stam Blue)
Equip: Increases defense rating by 34 (.57528% Non-Pure Avoidance)
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So if you choose Tier 4 again, here's what you get:
+49 Armor
+360 Mana
+1.2698412698412698412698412698413% Dodge Chance
+27 Spell Dmg
-1.5 Block VALUE
-110 HP
-.0846% Block, Parry, Dodge and Miss
This one is a little less of a no-brainer. Despite this Tier 4 piece having yucky intellect, this piece seems to be better overall. For the helm will give you a little less HP, and a little less NPA, but in it's place you get pure avoidance - dodge. A whopping ~1.3% Dodge chance. And the icing on the cake, extra threat. I'd say by the time you're taking down Prince, the Tier 4 helm will always be the better choice.
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It's early and I didn't double-check my work. So correct me if I'm wrong in a calculation.
As always, good luck tankadins!
***EDIT***
I have editted this for stupidity-noted conversion. Thanks all =P
Also, as punkspider noted, you can trade out the stam gems for other gems for extra avoidance respectively. I just leave them as stam as I haven't had to use anything but with careful calculations beforehand. That, and I'm always looking for more HP =P
Edited, Apr 4th 2008 5:05pm by TacticalRage