Paladin Tank Pre-Karazhan Gear

When I started doing research in how to gear up my Paladin I found that a lot of the gearing is the same as for my Warrior, for that reason this guide ended up looking a lot like my Warrior Pre-Kara guide. The most significant difference is that you're going to want to get some decent +Spell Damage. The best place to do this without sacrificing other stats is to put it on your sword. Since your sword does not need to have high damage (most of your threat is generated through Holy Spell Damage).

I try not to depend on dropped items, since they are undependable and there are usually other solutions. If you have an item drop that is comparable to the items that are recommended, consider it a bonus. If you're into collecting sets, one set that is particularly good for paladin tanking is the Righteous Armor set. It drops off the following bosses:

• Breastplate of the Righteous from Warlord Kalithresh - Steamvault
• Gauntlets of the Righteous from Warchief Kargath Bladefist - Shattered Halls
• Helm of the Righteous from Pathaleon the Calculator - Mechanar
• Legplates of the Righteous from Aeonus - Black Morass
• Spaulders of the Righteous from Laj - Botanica

Crafted / Purchased Items

You can buy the following items from Blacksmiths or off the Auction House:

• HEAD Felsteel Helm
• HANDS Felsteel Gloves
• LEGS Felsteel Leggings *Easily replacable by earning revered with Keeper's of Time for Timewarden's Leggings
• SHIELD Shield of the Wayward Footmen

You can also buy from a Tailor or off the Auction House:

• BACK Cloak of Eternity

There are better options for each of the listed gear (see complete list below). But if you want to suit up quickly, buy these off the Auction House and throw some Solid Azure Moonstone or Solid Star of Elune into the sockets.

Netherstorm

WAIST Complete the Tempest Keep quest chain that starts in Area 52: Warp-Raider Nesaad. Eventually you will be sent to Botanica and Mechanar for pieces of the Arcatraz key. As a reward you'll receive this belt: Sha'tari Vindicator's Waistguard.

TRINKET On the island north west of Tempest Keep you'll find Recipe for Destruction. This is a group quest that will give you: Dabiri's Enigma.

Questing in Shadowmoon Valley

SHIELD Complete Kindness to get Netherwing Protector's Shield.

This quest chain starts at Mordenai in the south east of SMV, under the flying netherdrakes. This quest line can be solo'ed up until the last part where you'll need 4-5 people to kill Zuluhead. This is also the quest chain that gives you nuetral reputation with the Netherwing faction. You'll need to be nuetral to get a an epic netherdrake mount. I no longer recommend a PvP Shield in any case, it makes you look like a noob & requires too much time in arena/battlegrounds

RING From Wildhammer or Shadowmoon Village accept The Path of Conquest. You'll want a full group for this as there is a more difficult quest you'll run into later on. Either way you'll receive Protector's Mark of the Redemption.

Instances

WEAPON Your sword is a great place to make up for +Spell Damage. To get a good combination of Spell Damage, Stamina and a bit of Intellect there are about 4 good options listed below. The easiest to obtain, in my opinion, is the Continum Blade which can be obtained by doing 8 runs of either Durnholde Keep or Black Morass (and completing the Keepers of Time quests). Keep in mind DPS is sacrificed for +Spell Damage, as the later is applied to all Holy Damage spells and is enhanced by Rightous Fury.

SHOULDERS & RING Complete Durnholde Keep and Black Morass (Opening of the Dark Portal) quest chains to receive Warchief's Mantle and Andormu's Tear.

WRISTS & BOOTS Complete Shadow Labyrinth while completing the quest Trouble at Auchindoun and Find Spy To'gun and you'll receive Sha'tari Wrought Greaves and Sha'tari Wrought Armguards.

NECK

Complete Sethekk Halls while completing Brother Against Brother (starts outside the instance) to receive Mark of the Ravenguard.

Complete Gear List

Here is a comprehensive gear list that shows other options for each piece of gear.