Talents, Gyphs, and Rotation

• 1). Choose talent points in the protection tree as you level. You will need 31 points in the protection tree, choosing a combination of threat generation and survival talents. Hallowed ground is your best area-of-effect threat generation talent. But it is of little use on single target boss fights whereas some of the judgments are really single target oriented. Spend most of your remaining points in the retribution tree; crusade and improved judgment are solid choices.
  
  
• 2). Choose the right glyphs. For prime glyphs use seal of truth, shield of righteous and hammer of the righteous. Glyph of the ascetic crusader, hammer of wrath and consecration or glyph of lay on hands are solid major glyphs. Glyph of truth is the must-have for minors.
  
  
• 3). Build a rotation using a priority system for shield of the righteous, word of glory, crusader strike, judgment, hammer of wrath, avenger's shield, consecration, holy wrath and hammer of righteous. Keep up to date with the latest patch information, as rotation priorities change frequently.
  
  

Gearing Your Pally Tank

• 1). Balance survivability and threat stats. Pure stamina builds are no longer viable in 4.2 due to healer mana issues. Strength is your best stat and stamina a close second. Ignore agility, intellect and spirit.
  
  
• 2). Reach the 8 percent hit cap to remove misses. Add expertise until 26 to prevent dodges. Stack mastery to the block cap and then expertise to 56 to eliminate parries. Armor is good for mitigation.
  
  
• 3). Reforge haste and then crit to mastery.
  
  
• 4). Use Austere or Eternal Shadowspirit gems for meta socket. Otherwise, gem mainly for stamina or mastery.
  
  
• 5). Enchant all your gear. Use Arcanum of the Earthen Ring for your head enchant, Greater Inscription of unbreakable quartz on your shoulders, and mainly stamina and mastery enchants for the rest of your gear.