In today's edition of the Blue Bar, we talk about Blizzard's itemization. In particular, we will focus on the adjusted tier 10 plate armor pieces, and the new Ashen Verdict strength ring.

Tier 10 armor now has... MORE armor!

We recognize that many plate tanks are making their gear choices based on the amount of armor they’re provided, as this is currently the most preferred stat. In order to make the tier-10 plate tanking sets more desirable, we will be adjusting the stats on the gloves and chest pieces in order to inflate the amount of armor they provide in the next minor patch. This will apply to all item levels of the tier-10 death knight, warrior, and paladin tanking gloves and chest pieces.

Similar items crafted or purchased with Emblems of Frost will continue to be very good and will compare favorably to all but the Heroic difficulty boss loot, so you shouldn't despair if you recently acquired any of those.

Zarhym (Source)

Almost every plate wearing tank was glad to hear of this change, and for good reason. Armor (and stamina) is the name of the game for all end-game tanks right now, and the lack thereof on the old tier 10 pieces made them highly unfavorable.

I do feel for those who spent their emblems of frost in ignorance and now regret what they bought. All is not lost however. Speaking from recent experience, there's a very good chance that you can get the emblems of frost refunded to you for buying the badge gear if you put in an in-game ticket and make a request for it. Sadly, if you bought Primordial Saronite with your emblems to craft a certain armor piece, you're out of luck. Just be aware that Blizzard will not restore items often, so don't abuse your restorations!

The Ashen Verdict Strength ring has finally been announced! But why so much stamina?

Ashen Band of Endless Might

+99 Strength
+107 Stamina
Yellow Socket
Socket Bonus: +4 Strength
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 59.
Equip: Improves hit rating by 59.
Equip: Chance on hit to increase your attack power by 480 for 10 sec.

Zarhym (Source)

Sorry Warriors and Retribution Paladins, it looks like blizzard wants you to stick to the agility ring. I play a Death Knight, so I'm happy that they're putting in the new strength ring. What I'm not so pleased about however, is the itemization of the ring and the allocation of its stats.

Let's first take a look at how much stamina it has. In relation to the other physical DPS ring, it has an astounding 23 more stamina! Couldn't these points have gone into more strength instead? Not a direct conversion mind you, since a point of strength is worth more than a point of stamina.

Now let's take a look at the other underwhelming stat on the ring. Hooray for more hit that no one wants! Why not make this stat armor penetration (or haste) instead? Not only would Warriors (and Ret Paladins) also be able to make use of the ring, but it would be a better ring for Death Knights as well.

Why make Death Knights, Paladins, and Warriors all wait this long for a strength ring that should have existed since the release of Icecrown Citadel; and then make it so poorly itemized that only 1 of the 3 classes will even want to equip it?