The value of block

With the doubling of block value across items the stat, has become a lot more attractive than it’s ever been. One major reason for this is, as Paladins, we have the advantage of being able to consider Block Value as Effective Health. Because of Holy Shield it’s possible to keep ourselves block capped at all times, which in turn means that every hit we take will be mitigated by BV. So, if you have 2300 BV, it’s like having 2300 more hit points.

As such, when evaluating gear, I’ve started looking at any additional BV stat like it was an additional health stat. Consider the stat this way: Every 114 block value is basically equivalent to 10 stamina.

4 Comments to “The value of block”

  1. Wrathy
    @AvengingWrathy
     11 August 2009 at 5:49 pm #

    They question that we all have right now is, what is the opportunity cost of swapping other stats for more block value. Sure you can always have a block set that works for fast light hitting bosses, and trash packs, but hopefully blizzard works with us to turn block into something like armor. That tricky stat that many overlook but is quite powerful.

    So far on the Coliseum gear, I haven’t seen much block value. Only the shield has active SBV stats on it, everything else is “token” avoidance gear.

    • Rhidach
      @Rhidach
       11 August 2009 at 10:13 pm #

      Oh right, I’m not advocating wearing a full set of block value gear now… something I probably should have expanded on. Rather, I mean that (for example look at the T8.5 gloves) if you see an item with BV on it among other useful stats (read: not block rating) you shouldn’t chuck the item out of hand. It can be considered faux-hp rather than just a threat stat.

      Btw, great blog! :)

  2. Logan 11 August 2009 at 11:58 pm #

    well considering that Block now has a Threat “cap” for our “shield slams”, its welcome in the way that Rhidach suggests, since we wont be getting more TPS from it, only reducing incoming damage, however, I strongly recommend not “stacking” block since your own STR will put you pretty much near the cap, and some avoidance would be more than welcome. and now that we have other stats to look at for threat (I´m looking at you Expertise! /fistshake), finding a balance is more important than ever.

    Long story short, stack stamina, get avoidance and block from your gear, and dont look back or the boss is gonna take advantage of your avoidance loss!

  3. Ohmymoogle 16 August 2009 at 11:21 pm #

    With my current tank gear i have around 101.5% which is damn close to the unhittable/block rating cap.

    So block rating is good already, so all i i need is more block value. I don’t go out of my way to get it, but stuff like my tiers and my new earth shaker ring adds it which is welcome. My block value now is roughly like 1200 to 1500 which to me is alright since i am not sacrificing any stamina or avoidance stats to get it since it’s incidental block rating.

    I have a separate tank set for block that can get my block value to 2k+ for 5man heroics :] Makes tanking easy.