Looks much better, sure. Statistically, I think I'd go with this one (unless the other one happened to drop first). Defense is a really, really nice stat.

Cetainly is, but Titansteel is one of those starting shields to use since reaching 540 def is a tad more tricky upon dinging 80 compared to TBC.

I still use this shield in my full frost resist gear to remain uncritable. It has a lot of defense.

ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?!

It is so much easier to reach 540 defense in WotLK than TBC. You have the entire Tempered Saronite set to get you there along with the horde rep shield and a quest mace. The only point of the Titansteel Shield is that is has more defense and stamina. The only point of stacking this much def is to increase all your mitigation. But you will get specific ratings in heroics and naxx. You should end up with 540 def without needing trinkets and a good amount of mitigation. They have a very nice progression from crafted to heroic to raid as far as tank loot is concerned.

Maybe it was that I knew what I was doing, but I hit 540 def within an hour of dinging 80.

Wakleon, Only problem with the Tempered Saronite, is that, being 76ish level Items, They have relatively low Stamina/Strength compared to lvl 80 Tank pieces, leaving you Uncrittable, but still low on all the other stats.

So yes, they are a good starter, but I dont suggest running anything but the easiest Heroics with them, because, Even if the mob ain't critting you, It still only takes a couple good smacks to kill you, which can be hard on healers

Just my 4 and a half cents.

"It is so much easier to reach 540 defense in WotLK than TBC. You have the entire Tempered Saronite set to get you there along with the horde rep shield and a quest mace."


Okay folks, let's get something straight here.

This shield should NOT be disenchanted, or sold EVEN if you get the badge or HCoS shield.

Reason: That Saronite set is nice, the blues from Wyrmrest are nice, but they are ALL higher in Defense than the Tier items.

WHAT?

That's right, when you upgrade your gear (and you will) you will start seeing your defense plummet faster than Apple Stock the day Steve Jobs dies. (Do not start this rumor, they will find me and break my legs)

I just got my T7 chest. Lost close to 30 defense rating. This shield is the only reason I am still over 540. I can upgrade this to something with more avoidance or block, but when I need to juggle some pieces after upgrades, this shield will consistantly be available to keep me high enough that I can not hurt a raid's chances with .1% chance crit coming up at the wrong time. Because if you have a 1 in 1000 chacne to get crit, it will happen 100% of the time when facing Patchwerk as MT.


Do NOT underestimate this shield.