I would like to point out that paladin tanks do not rely on defense to be uncrushable. defense does help to our total avoidance but really we only need it to be uncritable. So we are forced to stack enormous amounts of dodge, block, and parry. Our talent tree does not give us the ability to be both uncritable and uncrushable so we become gear reliant.

I know this... not sure what this has to do with this comment though

Paladins who are main tanking have alot to pay attention to, and are the most gear dependent of the 3.

When you start getting new gear (raid gear) as a Paladin tank (at least in my experiences) you want to make sure that you meet all the requirements still and find yourself constantly juggling around all the stats to keep them balanced out.

102.4 total avoidance (dodge/shield block/parry)w/holyshield
490 def
Spell dmg
Hp
etc

Paladins might not need defense to become uncrushable, but it is the second best stat (next to block rating) to stack in order to become uncrushable. It's much better than dodge or parry in terms of getting there quickly.

Warriors would almost always rather stack dodge than defense (though dodge and defense are very close on their given avoidance) but paladins almost always would rather stack defense over dodge.

@ Kal

That would be (i am sorry for stating the obvious but you left it out) also be because a big part of Paladins threat is generated from being hit. Though yes Defense and Shield Block are the 2 easiest stats for Paladins to reach being uncrushable

Warriors also tend to hit 490/491 def (491 for safe measure)then stack stamina as their uncrushability has to do with Shield block. At least most of the warrior tanks i know do that