Post by Dunsinane
I'm writing this up with the assumption that you're planning on tanking something harder than Naxx down the line. If you're picking up Prot just to screw around in T7 content and Uld10, then grab all the BV gear you can because as it looks now blocking is going to be absolutely silly against weak-hitting bosses.
1. Titanimum Earthguard Ring. Let me repeat that.
Titanium Earthguard Ring. This will last you into T8 and possibly T9 given how late you are to the party. Signet of Winter is nice if you can afford not to have defense on your rings. Signet of the Earthshaker is strictly a block/threat set piece.
2. Iron Council has some indifferent stats (expertise, block rating) that make it more suited for a warrior, but if you can get one for a good price there's nothing wrong with it. The T8 piece you want is the Cloak of the Makers (before hard modes, anyway). Otherwise, grab the Cloak of Peaceful Resolutions from Wyrmrest Accord rep and save up Conquest Emblems for a Platinum Mesh Cloak or run Naxx25 for the Cloak of the Shadowed Sun. Don't bother with the Tattered Castle Drape unless it is a bargain - hold out for the Shadow of the Ghoul.
3. At this time, no. We haven't seen the T9 bosses in their entirety yet, but I don't think it likely that we're going to have softly hitting bosses in the next tier of content. Throw in the nerf to dodge rating, and keeping your pure avoidance high will be the better focus.
4. No. You can't speak that broadly for any type of fight.
- Start by ensuring you're uncrittable. 540 defense skill or 689 defense rating
- Stack enough health to ensure your healers have enough time to do their job. This depends on the content you're clearing and how good your healers are. Generally, you should have enough to take two melee hits or the burst ability from a boss.
- At that point, if you're dealing with a boss that hits like a truck (Patchwerk or most Ulduar bosses) you'll want to work on avoidance. If you're dealing with a boss that does mostly magic damage (KT, most dragons), you'll continue to focus on stamina. If you have a boss that hits softly and quickly, or if you're controlling adds rather than the boss, you can bring out the block set (many Naxx bosses, Razorscale adds, XT OT)
- As far as avoidance stats go, that's changing in 3.2. Defense is getting relatively better, dodge is being brought into line with parry. Maintankadin, Tankspot
5. Tempered Titansteel remains an excellent bargain for the beginning tank.