gnomeDK – Your Pink Haired Guide to All Things Death Knight

Continuing from gemming and enchanting for DPS here are my gem and enchant suggestions for your tanking gear.

Gems

There are several gem options for each slot, depending on your stat needs. There really isn’t a “best” gem for most slots, because it all depends on what you need as a tank. If you aren’t defense capped then defense is best. If you are then maybe you need more dodge or stamina. Keep in mind strength, in addition to more aggro, increases your parry, however attack power does nothing for you defensively.

Red Sockets:

• [Glimmering Monarch Topaz]
• [Regal Twilight Opal]
• [Flashing Scarlet Ruby]
• [Bold Scarlet Ruby]
• [Guardian's Twilight Opal]
• [Precise Scarlet Ruby]
• [Accurate Monarch Topaz]

Blue Sockets:

• [Solid Sky Sapphire]
• [Enduring Forest Emerald]
• [Regal Twilight Opal]
• [Vivid Forest Emerald]
• [Guardian's Twilight Opal]

Yellow Sockets:

• [Thick Autumn's Glow]
• [Enduring Forest Emerald]
• [Glimmering Monarch Topaz]
• [Vivid Forest Emerald]
• [Rigid Autumn's Glow]
• [Accurate Monarch Topaz]

Meta Sockets:

• [Austere Earthsiege Diamond]
• [Effulgent Skyflare Diamond]

You should also take careful note of a socket bonus before trying to gem for it. Crit bonuses aren’t helpful to your survival and aren’t dependable for aggro. Likewise defense bonuses aren’t helpful if you are already defense capped.

Enchants

This list includes both traditional enchanter enchants as well as other options available through vendors or other crafting. The top item is considered the best, but some slots have options if you are low on a certain stat or already capped in another. Some enchants also have an expensive/powerful options and a cheaper/lesser option. If you are enchanting blue quality gear, look at the cheaper option. If you are enchanting raid epics look at the good stuff.

Head:

• [Arcanum of the Stalwart Protector]

Shoulders:

• [Greater Inscription of the Pinnacle]
• [Lesser Inscription of the Pinnacle]

Chest:

• Enchant Chest – Greater Defense
• Enchant Chest – Super Health
• Enchant Chest – Mighty Health

Cloak:

• Enchant Cloak – Titanweave
• Enchant Cloak – Mighty Armor
• Enchant Cloak – Major Agility
• Enchant Cloak – Superior Agility

Wrists:

• Enchant Bracers – Greater Stats
• Enchant Bracers – Expertise

Hands:

• Enchant Gloves – Armsman
• Enchant Gloves – Precision

Waist:

• [Eternal Belt Buckle] + Favorite Gem

Legs:

• [Frosthide Leg Armor]
• [Jormungar Leg Armor]

Feet:

• Enchant Boots – Tuskarr’s Vitality – Note this will not stack with Unholy Aura.
• Enchant Boots – Greater Fortitude