Loading ...Don’t ditch your old Defense Trinkets just yet!
The following represents the notable Defense trinkets from the last year as well as the newest additions, you’ll notice that Wrath of the Lich King’s contribution is noticeably small.
- Styleen’s Impeding Scarab (20)
- Regal Protectorate (26)
- Dabiri’s Enigma (30)
- Adamantine Figurine (32)
- Brooch of the Immortal King (32)
- Figurine - Dawnstone Crab (32)
- Shadowmoon Insignia (36)
- Figurine - Empyrean Tortoise (42)
- Scarab of Displacement (42)
- Guardian’s Alchemist Stone (54)
- Seal of the Pantheon (65)
- Repelling Charge (84)
I’m sure you’re a little interested in finding out more about the 2 new stars of the defense trinket scene. (and I bet you’re a little shocked at how much your old stuff is holding up!) Seal of the Pantheon drops in Regular mode off Loken, the last boss of Halls of Lightning. Halls of Lightning is classified as an 80 instance, but the ambitious can safely do it at level 78 or lower even. (The loot requires level 78, so you might as well go then) While, you’re there you might as well grab yourself this ubiquitous rare blade.
Unlike the Pantheon that you may be holding by 78, Repelling Charge drops of Thaddius, the last boss of the Abomination Wing in Naxxramas on either regular or heroic. (10 or 25 man) In other words, while you’ll definitely want to pick up this gem, don’t expect to be running 5 mans for it as you won’t find it there 
Why this is Relevant?
540 Defense is the goal. It’s the most important thing a tank can do to increase their survivability at 80. So while, yes you may like the look better of your new shiny trinkets, if the old ones are the difference between being uncrittable (having 540 Defense) and being crittable (under 540 Defense)… You better be using the old stuff!
December 1st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Amen to that.
[Reply]
December 1st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Pardon, can I just hit my head to the wall? Thanks.
[This scene has been removed due to it’s violent content.]
Whew…
I sold my Adamantite Figurine and Dabiri’s Enigma last week; “Of course there will be good DR trinkets.” Suppose it serves me right for assuming things like that. Guess I will have to see if I can reach that magic number anytime near the time we’re going to Naxx for the first time…
[Reply]
Khossypoo reply on December 2, 2008 12:33 pm:
GM ticket usually gets you those back after a couple days.
[Reply]
Djiss reply on December 2, 2008 3:41 pm:
Same here, sold Adamantite Fig and Dabiri because of bag space and the fact I never really used them. Now I regret, even tho I’m at 540.
Fortunately, I still have Scarab of Displacement and Styleen’s Impeding Scarab (got lucky on a run after 3.0 for achievement, it droped and took it for the nice combo of stat on it).
So far, I only need to use Scarab of Displacement to get uncrittable, while using the new engineer stam trinket (4k ap raid buffed when it proc lol).
[Reply]
December 1st, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I seemed to have notice a bit of a trend on the blue gear you get leading up to 10-mans. Alot of the rep reward gear (Wyrmrest and Argent Crusade) is stacked with defense. In fact, the chest, leggingsand boots all boast DEF higher than most items found in 25-mans. I think Blizzard did this to help tanks reach 540 relatively quickly. I am sitting at 545 DEF with http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29387 and http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28528.
I think it is going to be alot harder maintaining the 540 DEF than it is to initially reach it. If you look at the Tier7 and badge loot, replacing the current rep rewards with those almost halves the defense found on the items. This is where enchanting and gemming is going to play a huge part.
[Reply]
Cleaved reply on December 2, 2008 12:07 pm:
Actually, after getting some Heroic Rare and Epic drops, I am way over the 540 “cap.” I can’t seem to get rid of DEF if I wanted to, its just a lot of gear from Heroics has it in preparation for Naxx and such. However, most of the later gear, as you mentioned, has less DEF. I think that’s because you need it less and less as you get the other DEF heavy items. You always have the option to socket or enchant to reach 540, but somehow I doubt that gear from Raids is going to gimp us compared to Rares/Epics/Crafted items.
From what I hear (my guild is casual and takes a leisurely pace) Naxx is very easy non-Heroic and if you have good teamwork (people that pay attention/know their job) Heroic isn’t that hard either.
I’d have to say that its easier to gear-up in normal/heroic instances in this expansion than it was in the last. We get such a head-start considering the jump from T5/6 => 7 is a much smaller one than it was going from T3 => 4.
[Reply]
Caud reply on December 2, 2008 3:38 pm:
Having gone through Naxx minus the last two bosses it is actually not the easiest to maintain 540 with the more gear you get. The normal/heroic gear has TONS of defense, the naxx gear, not so much.
Compare the heroic sword of courage to the 10 man naxx drop. Differences like that add up quickly.
[Reply]
December 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I actually went through Halls of Lightning at lvl 77 because a jewelcrafter in my guild really wanted the pattern that came off of Loken. As the bosses are lvl 81+, I frequently was subjected to crushing blows while attempting the boss fights. We got through it because my healer was the jewelcrafter and was stubborn enough to keep pressing forward, despite the spiky damage intake. Be very careful attempting this if lower than level 78, and prepared for frustration.
[Reply]
Pyroshen reply on December 2, 2008 9:45 am:
I do not recommend going to Halls of Lightning at 77. I tried it with 19k unbuffed hp and 5% crit reduction, i still got annihilated by the bosses since they would crush me for 9k seconds after each other.
Just wait the 1 level and avoid a lot of damage.
[Reply]
Tankette reply on December 2, 2008 11:12 am:
I tanked it at 80 with a 75 healer and 75,77,79 for dps. We did it twice with just a few wipes per run. It probably be a completely different story if the tank is the low level.
[Reply]
Djiss reply on December 2, 2008 3:56 pm:
I did the same with the same setup. The start was hard and I did ~40% of the group dps, but we did it.
Was kinda interesting but I won’t repeat since it took almost 3 times the normal time it take to clear it.
December 1st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I’m double lucky. 2 runs of Halls of Lightning and I got both the Seal of the Pantheon and the Eternally Folded Blade. I’m still hanging on to all my BC trinkets as well as most of my other level 70 gear. I need more bank space.
[Reply]
December 1st, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I actually found it rather easy to reach the 540 def rating - especially with the new gems and enchantments and gear stats. I just started heroics last week - which were not too bad to do with a decent healer and dps that could do at least 1400.
Stuff like the Argent Crusade’s rep head glyph, +22 def to chest, +16 def gems all make it very obtainable in my opinion.
[Reply]
December 1st, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I’m so happy that I kept Dabiri’s. I got it at like lvl 70 a year ago, and after I got better trinkets I was thinking it was probably worthless. I hung onto it in case I ever needed it. And guess what, I did! Used it as soon as I hit 80, and definitely needed it. I kinda planned ahead and was uncrittable like, an hour after I hit 80. Used it until I picked up Repelling Charge a few days ago, but was sooo happy I kept it.
[Reply]
December 1st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Yah…Guardian’s Alchemist Stone worked wonders for me, no doubt. I’m still the only tank in my guild that’s Uncrittable. Can’t wait to see Naxx up close finally.
[Reply]
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:50 am
I haven’t gotten any of the new trinkets, and didn’t have any of the 25-man ones from BC. However, I had Dabiri’s and the Figurine. I’m currently at level 80 and 540 def, and I switched Figurine for Styleen’s, as it at least has some avoidance/block/block value on it. I’m sure I’ll replace that old soldier soon, but I’m glad I still had it. I’ll probably bank it along with the other one I wore so long next to it. (Ony head trinket!)
[Reply]
Sarris reply on December 4, 2008 9:49 am:
I used my Styleens recently for the added avoidance from the other stats. I just recently banked it again but I must say that it has been my most reliable item and I got it over 2 years ago.
[Reply]
mavfin reply on December 7, 2008 6:54 pm:
Yeah, that was my thing about it. I needed only that much def, and at least it has some avoidance/BV/BR on it, unlike the other choice I had, which was def-only with an on-use proc that wasn’t much, really.
[Reply]
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:06 am
I have to admit that with some simple quest blues, and proper enchanting I hit 540 defense easy. I was worried about it before but not now. I’m still using my Pocket Watch and Darkmoon Card. Im digging the 22200 unbuffed health, its the 39% avoidance that blows.
[Reply]
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:19 am
I was rocking my Scarab of Displacement and Shadowmoon Insignia for a little, until I got the Seal of the Pantheon, and Gemmed up some Defense.
Also, and because I just can’t not say it - Krakbak, Block is not Avoidance =D
[Reply]
Krakbak reply on December 2, 2008 8:23 am:
Where did I say that Block was avoidance? 18.5% dodge, 15.5% parry and 5.75% miss, not counting boss.
[Reply]
Ivanstone reply on December 3, 2008 12:28 pm:
Block may not be avoidance but it sometimes does a damn good imitation. Critical block makes for alot of completely stopped hits.
[Reply]
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:14 am
Remebering what happened with http://www.wowhead.com/?item=19141 in Karazhan at the beginning of TBC and having casters use http://www.wowhead.com/?item=19379 all the way through Illidan and having healers use http://www.wowhead.com/?item=19395 all the way through sunwell makes me very very very slow to ever get rid of any trinket. I still equip http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27529 if I ever need kill a lot of mobs for farming or a quest or something.
Trinkets, more than any other gear slot, bring intangibles to the table and I think that is why Blizzard usually has a hard time balancing them which means that seemingly low level trinkets can often have a lot of staying power.
[Reply]
admin reply on December 2, 2008 2:01 pm:
It seems the biggest issue with them is Blizzard’s reluctance to add many of them to the game. All of Karazhan had… 1 tanking trinket?
SSC: 1
TK: 0
Hyjal: 0
BT: 1
SW: 0
All they have to do is treat them like every other item in the game and add them in every zone for every spec/role and we wouldn’t be using our old stuff nearly as much. That being said… I wouldn’t expect them to change their gear model anytime soon, so keep hoarding your old stuff
[Reply]
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:46 am
I still have my Admantite Figurine and Dabiri’s Enigma. Im going to pick up the honored cloak from Wyrmcrest and then enchant some of my gear and hopefully that will give me some wiggle room for my trinkets.
[Reply]
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
Pickup old-world enchants any time you get a decent piece of gear, socket for DEF, and get the new (and old) DEF Enchants. However, you won’t need them for long. Especially if you are a Blacksmith. Imo, any Warrior worth his salt, is a Miner/BS, or BS/Engineer… BS/JC, the latter 2 if you have an alt that Mines for you
The crafted gear (epics) you can get are great, with exception of the Helm. There are better Rare helmets that drop and some even include META sockets, which are amazing, given the +21 DEF meta. The 2 crafted items you want, are the Boots and the Shield.
Honestly though, I struggled to get the DEF cap for about a week, until I realized something… even though I lose a Socket or 2, and some nice +Block or +Dodge… my OLD gear is crap. It has sometimes one QUARTER of the DEF of new crafted Rares or Epics. Also, having all that dodge and sockets is great, IF you can use the sockets for +STAM gems. Because of the low DEF on that old Gear, you can’t though. However, if you get the new Rare crafted Plate pieces, you’ll be over DEF cap and can focus on any gear with a socket… being socketed with Stamina. Another good way to do this, is not to struggle in Heroics, when there is plenty of good level 78 plate in level 80 Dungeons. Pick those up, while picking up Rep (Wyrmrest for Chestpiece, imo) and you’ll see yourself being ready for Heroics in no-time.
In summary, get to the DEF cap, and do it by replacing that old TK/BT/Badge loot you’ve been holding onto. You won’t need to use old trinkets, won’t need to socket for DEF and can even replace some DEF chants with +armor or +hp. I’m sitting at about 27k hp unbuffed and 20 points over the DEF cap, and I’m still in Blues/crafted gear. It helps a LOT in heroics to have the DEF cap AND the extra health.
[Reply]
admin reply on December 2, 2008 12:03 pm:
I was at 540 the day I dinged 80 b/c of old trinkets
[Reply]
Cleaved reply on December 2, 2008 12:12 pm:
Yes, I struggled to reach it with old gear, the “struggle” being the removal of old enchants/gems in favor of +DEF. Old Trinkets helped me (still have them ALL in my bank even though I’m SURE I don’t need them now, right? ;), but in the end, I went with new Rare/epic and crafted gear. The reason? In my old gear and old trinkets, I was at pitiful low hp, and running heroics isn’t just about a 540 cap. I got rid of old gear and socketed for Stamina, and my healers love me a lot more for it
[Reply]
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
was using Dabrils Enigma up until 2 nights ago when Pantheon finally dropped for me. And commendation of kaelthas still kicks ass
[Reply]
admin reply on December 2, 2008 2:05 pm:
The New Commendation: http://www.wowhead.com/?item=37220
[Reply]
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:20 am
Picked up my last 2 pieces from Wyrmrest and now way over the def cap. I’m back to my double +block trinket for trash and reg and double stam trinket (commendation and sonic booster) for heroic.
I’ll keep my def trinket tho, just in case …
[Reply]
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:30 am
I still use the ony trinket, because my luck regarding drops is not so good.
[Reply]
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 am
Ohhhhhh. Where does that Essence of Gossamer drop?
[Reply]
rochelle reply on December 3, 2008 9:57 am:
Hadronox in heroic azjol-nerub
[Reply]
Darraxus reply on December 3, 2008 12:50 pm:
Muchas Gracias.
[Reply]
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 am
Ciderhelm over at TankSpot has a nice little loot guide on getting to 540 (I think if you do everything, 689) defense without any raids. Seeing this makes me sad, as my old main has 2 of these BC trinkets but since I power leveled my new guy for Wrath, he’s got diddly and squat >
[Reply]
Irghen reply on December 3, 2008 6:14 pm:
I think you may be confusing the combat rating with the attribute; just to clarify:
689 Defense Rating -> 540 Defense
[Reply]
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I am soooo glad I was a packrat in terms of my eqt. That is all.
[Reply]
December 4th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Saw a few comments about not be able to get rid of defense if you wanted to. Well, you shouldn’t want to. The old dodge>everything else no longer holds true do to diminishing returns. Defense>everything else if you are gemming or enchanting for avoidance. I was casually aware that diminishing returns had been implemented and figured it was to prevent weird high-dodge rogue tanks like happened in Gruuls and BT. I was quite surprised to learn that it effects any non-talented dodge, parry and miss even at my entry level 80 tanking gear. In any event, don’t gem dodge any more unless you are chasing a socket bonus (and even then it might make more sense to gem strength/stamina for increase block value and attack power).
[Reply]
December 4th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
For once I’m actually glad for the +def on the alchemy trinket. With that along with herbalism’s lifeblood, maybe people will laugh at me a little less for not being an engineer or blacksmith. :-p
[Reply]
rochelle reply on December 4, 2008 2:11 pm:
You can make flowers magically appear by your feet, hardly a laughing matter imo.
[Reply]
December 5th, 2008 at 4:25 am
This makes me sad that I didn’t get my tank to 70 until a day or two before the expansion. Looks like I’ll be waiting a while to get decent trinkets. I currently have a BRD trinket still equipped, lol, and that’s my only tanking trinket, aside from a dodge trinket from HFP I use occasionally.
[Reply]
Darraxus reply on December 5, 2008 8:14 am:
Dabiri’s Enigma comes from a quest chain in Netherstorm, so it is still very obtainable. The last guy you have to face is tough though (or at least he was) so bring a friend or 2.
[Reply]
Chet reply on December 5, 2008 10:28 am:
oh, thanks for the tip. I remember now, it was on my list of pre-kara gear to get, but in my rush to actually get to 490 I left it behind in favor of the nagrand quest chestpiece. In retrospect it would have been better to get the trinket, but hey, I can still go back and get it. Thanks!
[Reply]
December 5th, 2008 at 4:35 am
“Seal of the Pantheon drops off Loken, the last boss of Halls of Lightning.”
Solved all my problems concerning the def cap with epic items
and this precious can be looted in normal-mode (!!)
[Reply]
Blithlyle reply on December 5, 2008 6:55 am:
It also only drops in normal mode. You can’t run Heroic Halls of Lightning and hope to pick it up.
[Reply]
admin reply on December 5, 2008 10:42 am:
While there may be a very small chance of it dropping on Heroic, this is definitely an excellent tip. I’ve updated the article so that people know that if this trinket is their goal that they better be doing a regular run for a change.
[Reply]
Harbinger reply on December 5, 2008 3:02 pm:
No, actually it won’t drop in heroic, zero chance. Normal drops are req lvl78, ilvl187. Heroic drops are only req lvl80, ilvl200.
December 15th, 2008 at 10:16 am
My Priest CL & pocket healer mocked my Shadowmoon Insignia when we were lined up for a Naxx heroic…
[Reply]
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:23 am
Well I just want to say I got the shield block rating trinket out of Violet Hold and I love it.
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=37872
It replaced my alchy trinket as I instantly saw my block percentage jump 4-5%.
Got it macroed with my SS+block and it results in 7800+ shield slams. I have read some warriors getting up to 11k SS’s. I cant wait.
[Reply]