Warrior Protection Talents

Protection

This category is the tree that improves the damage mitigation and threat generation for the Warrior class.

Shield Specialization / Anticipation

Shield Specialization - 5 points

1. Increases your chance to block attacks with a shield by 5%. (1 per point)

OK, you probably don't need to be told this is only good if you intend to be using a shield frequently. Instances / groups for the most part but not really PvP or solo (although you can solo just fine with a shield thanks). Problem with blocking is it doesn't totally negate the block attacked, but rather reduce it by the value listed on the shield plus a strength bonus. If you're going this route, don't forget a shield spike.

Utility Rank: 4/10 (1 person rating)
Not useful for those shieldless times and doesn't reduce nearly as much damage as deflection
Cost Rank: 8/10 (1 person rating)
If you're putting at least 11 points in protection, 5 of them should be here (imp. shield block rocks)
Overall Rank: 6/10 (1 person rating)
Not overwhelming, but it's a necessary evil (a theme in the protection tree).

Anticipation - 5 points

1. Increases your Defense skill by 10. (2 per point)

Underwhelming. 10 additional defense skill gives you 0.4% additional chance to dodge/parry and reduces your chance of being critted by a mob.

Utility Rank: 2/10 (1 person rating)
About less than 1/5th as useful as deflection. Go to arms if you want the best tier 1 mitigation talent.
Cost Rank: 2/10 (1 person rating)
A lot of better talents out there. Only for those building the prot tree who know they will never use shield block.
Overall Rank: 2/10 (1 person rating)
If you want +defense skill, find some gear with it. Talent points are better spent elsewhere.

Improved Bloodrage / Toughness / Iron Will

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!