Why did the paladin tier-8 chest graphic change? I was really looking foward to badge farming the booby chest token when 3.2 went live. You see, it has been a long time since I last wore a battle bra; Pre-Molten Core I think. The Karazhan chest showed a bit of midriff if I recall correctly, but it wasn't true slut awesome like some of the pre-60 pieces (nothing beats this). QQ.

Oh and, it's quite possible that I might be going to BlizzCon this year ;)

MMO-Champion has as preview of most of the Tier-9 sets up, along with set bonuses. Paladin Tier-9 is apparently called Turalyon's Battlegear, Garb and Plate for Retribution, Holy and Protection respectively. I don't know how final any of these are, since they are being pulled off of the test servers.

The new paladin sets kind of remind me of the old school PVP sets minus the tacky yellow color. I like the blue, white and bronze/gold color scheme, it's very regal looking. The helm is also "wearable", unlike Tier-8's weird burka mask. Does anybody actually have the helm graphic on for that item? Many of the tiered sets look nice conceptually, but don't translate very well into the game. Crystalforge for example: Very swank and pretty in the collector's edition artbook, but way too purple and...floaty in the Burning Crusade.

I am also glad that Blizzard is adding different horde and alliance models for Tier-9; Can't have those dirty horde fakadins looking like me. But, if variety is what they are shooting for, why do the Death Knight and Warrior sets use the exact same model? Seriously, exactly the same just recolored. Really Blizzard?

But on the other hand: HAHAHAHAHA horde paladins. I am so sorry that you all are going to look like psychedelic crack shaman. Go go alliance!

Drysc has confirmed that Precision now affects spell hit as well as melee hit, nice! Also, a new talent for retribution: "Fanaticism will now reduce threat caused by all actions by 6/12/18/24/30%, in addition to its current effect." Nice change, on par with threat reduction for other DPS classes. I guess my only gripe is the fact that Fanaticism is a passive talent rather than an activated spell like Righteous Fury. It's going to be much harder for ret specs to tank.

If you haven't already, check out the new items available in 2.3 from Zul'Aman and the heroic vendor. Several of the new additions are specific to tankadins. I've listed the new plate tanking additions, but there are also several new capes, trinkets, rings, weapons and what not but I don't have time to list them at the moment, have to get back to work.

Zul'Aman drops
Battleworn Tuskguard
Chestguard of the Warlord
Pauldrons of Stone Resolve
Jungle Stompers

Heroic badge rewards
Bonefist Gauntlets
Bracers of the Ancient Phalanx
Chestguard of the Stoic Guardian
Girdle of the Protector
Iron-tusk Girdle
Sabatons of the Righteous Defender
Unwavering Legguards

It's major badge farming time. These are the current prices on the PTRs: Pants, chest and head are 75 badges. Shoulders, waist, feet and hands are 60 badges. Bracers are 35 badges.

Site Note: Those who are only interested in reading the WoW related posts might want to use this URL to filter out all of the non-WoW related entries. October marks the beginning of gaming season with the Christmas purchasing season just around the corner (meaning that I might actually write about "other things").

I won't quote the patch notes because they are like, on every single WoW blog and site. I am really looking forward to the sub 60 experience increase (might start leveling my mage again) and Zul'Aman. I really thought that ZG was a fun and well done raid instance, both loot and design wise. Hoping that ZA is similar.

Threat: The old Improved Seal of the Crusader talent (15% increase to attack bonus and holy damage) is being integrated into the normal seal and the new Imp SotC will be the the current Sanctified Crusader talent. Additionally, the mana costs for Exorcism/Hammer of Wrath/Holy Wrath is being reduced, which is nice for Karazhan tanking since I spam Exorcism on certain bosses fairly often :P.

Mitigation: The Weapon Expertise talent is being replaced by Combat Expertise, which now increases Expertise by 1/2/3/4/5 AND total stamina by 2/4/6/8/10%! 10% MORE STAMINA IS AWESOME! I think that's what, a 1k+ health buff for me? (Don't feel like looking up my stats now).

A new stat rating called, "Expertise" is being added. According to the notes, "Expertise rating converts to expertise at the same rate that weapon skill rating formerly converted at. Each point of expertise reduces the chance for your attacks to be dodged or parried by 0.25%." Less chance to be parried means less damage. Less chance for a mob to dodge means more threat. Intriguing.

Pets will now attempt to melee behind their target when engaging in combat! This change is nice because mobs can parry all frontal attacks. More attacks = more parries = more to heal. I try to drag the mob back a bit to reposition all of the melee, but that's not

Itemization: New heroic badge rewards are added, take a look at the tanking choices. Compare the [Wrynn Dynasty Greaves] to Unwavering Legguards (75 badges). Fuck Curator, Badge farming anyone? I am sort of regretting blowing my badge stash on random DPS/healing gear that I didn't need instead of stocking them :/

Miscellaneous: The range for cleanse is being increased to 40 yards, which should make fights like Prince nicer (having to move in and out of AE range sucks). There are additional faction discounts for all levels above neutral: 15% for revered and 20% for exalted; I am all for knocking off repair bill costs. I had posted a prospective new protection spec a few posts back, but never followed through in lieu of the 2.3 changes coming. I am glad I held off!