WOW:pre-Naxx tank gear guide

This is a list of some of the better Lv80 pre-Naxxramas plate tank gear that you can get by simple questing, the Auction House (AH), BOE crafting or reputation rewards up to 'revered'. The guide applies to Warrior, Paladin and Death Knight tanks. The following list will give you the best ways to tank gear guide:

Target Stats
The primary aim of the items listed is to increase stamina, defense, dodge/parry and armor. 540 defense is the target value to minimize crit chance against you. Once you hit 540 you should be aiming for a good balance between armor, stamina and avoidance (dodge+parry). From a threat generation perspective, strength, expertise, hit and block value will come naturally with the gear you collect. The head, chest, legs and shield contribute most to the tanking stats so aim to get these sorted above all else. Unbuffed 20k armor, 20k health and 30% dodge+parry is a good target for entry-level Naxxramas.

Gem Selection
Recommended green quality jewels are Perfect Regal Shadow Crystal (red slots), Perfect Enduring Dark Jade (yellow slots) and Perfect Solid Chalcedony (blue slots). Remember that you do not have to match the jewel color to the slot color and you only give up the socket bonus if you take this approach. Suggested gems are shown as a guide only for each socketable item. Better quality gems are recommended if you can afford them.

Other Comments
The Wyrmrest Accord reputation rewards provide many quality tanking items. You are encouraged to concentrate on getting to 'revered' as quickly as possible. The next reputation to aim for is Argent Crusade (revered) so that you can pick up the best head enchant.

*Highly recommended items - generally better than 5-man instance boss drops
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Head
The Crusader's Resolution
Source: L79 Quest - Icecrown: The Crusaders' Pinnacle

Recommended Enchant: Arcanum of the Stalwart Protector (Argent Crusade - Revered)

Profession Notes:
1. Engineers should craft Armored Titanium Goggles
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Neck
Burning Skull Pendant
Source: AH - Requires L80
or
Reinforced Titanium Neckguard 
Source: L80 Quest - Icecrown: The Admiral Revealed
or
Betrayer's Choker
Source: L74 Quest - Zul'drak: Betrayal
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Shoulder
Crusader's Square Pauldrons*
Source: AH - Requires L78
or
Pauldrons of Reconnaissance
Source: L76 Quest - Halls of Stone: Halls of Stone

Recommended Enchant: Lesser Inscription of the Pinnacle (Sons of Hodir - Honored)
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Cloak
Tattered Castle 
Source: AH - Requires L80
or
Cloak of Peaceful Resolutions
Source: Wyrmrest Accord quartermaster (Honored) - Requires L78

Recommended Enchant: +16 defense (titanweave)
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Chest
Breastplate of the Solemn Council*
Source: Wyrmrest Accord quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L80
or
Silver-Plated Battlechest
Source: L79 Quest - Utgarde Pinnacle: Junk in My Trunk

Recommended Enchant: +22 defense (greater defense) or +10 all stats (powerful stats) or +275 HP (super health)
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Wrists
Bracers of Reverence
Source: L80 Quest - The Oculus: A Wing and a Prayer
or
Tempered Saronite Bracers
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L77

Recommended Enchant: +15 expertise (expertise) or +6 all stats
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Gloves
Gauntlets of Vigilance
Source: L79 Quest - Storm Peaks: The Reckoning
or
Refined Ore Gloves 
Source: AH - Requires L80

Recommended Enchant: +2% threat and +10 parry (armsman)
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Belt
Waistguard of the Risen Knight
Source: AH - Requires L80
or
Tempered Saronite Belt
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L74
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Legs
Daunting Legplates
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L78
or
Special Issue Legplates
Source: Argent Crusade quartermaster (Honored) - Requires L78

Recommended Enchant: Frosthide Leg Armor (+55 stamina, +22 agility)
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Feet
Sabatons of Draconic Vigor 
Source: Wyrmrest Accord quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L80
or
Toxin-Tempered Sabatons
Source: Knights of the Ebon Blade quartermaster (Honored) - Requires L78

Recommended Enchant: +15 stamina/speed increase or Heavy Borean Armor Kit (+18 stamina)
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Rings
Ring of Earthen Might
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L78

Staunch Signet
Source: L78 Quest - The Oculus: The Struggle Persists

Kurzel's Warband
Source: L73 Quest - Drak'tharon Keep: Search and Rescue

Solid Platinum Band 
Source: L76 Quest - Gundrak: For Posterity

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Trinkets
(coming soon - hang on to your BC trinkets in the meantime)

Profession Notes:
1. Jewelcrafters should craft Figurine - Monarch Crab
2. Alchemists should craft Indestructible Alchemist's Stone
3. Engineers should craft/buy Sonic Booster
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Weapon
Blade of the Empty Void
Source: L80 Quest - Icecrown: Tirion's Gambit
or
Fang of Truth (Warrior threat weapon)
Source: Wyrmrest Accord quartermaster (Honored) - Requires L78
or
Hammer of Quiet Mourning (good for dwarves due to mace racial ability)
Source: L75 Quest - Zul'Drak: Wanted: Ragemane's Flipper
or
Sword of Heartwrenching Slaughter
Source: L75 Quest - Zul'Drak: Wanted: Ragemane's Flipper
or
Argent Skeleton Crusher (DK 2-hander)
Source: Argent Crusade quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L80
or
De-Raged Waraxe (DK 2-hander)
Source: L75 Quest - Zul'Drak: The Champion of Anguish

Recommended Enchant: +26 agil (exceptional agility) or +25 hit/crit (accuracy) or +self healing (lifeward)
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Shield
Saronite Bulwark
Source: Crafted/AH - Requires L77
or
Bulwark of the Warchief
Source: Horde Expedition quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L78
or
Shield of the Lion-hearted
Source: Alliance Vanguard quartermaster (Revered) - Requires L78

Recommended Enchant: +20 defense