Originally Posted by
Synthaxx
I've used a few different sets since Transmog came out. I first used the T6 set I had when I was tanking T6 content in TBC. Unfortunately, the only shield that I had that matched was Royal Crest of Lordaeron (Lor-do-ron-ron-ron, Lor-do-ron-ron). I mean sure there was the shield from the SSO which sorta matched it, but it just looked cheap. It didn't look awesome enough.
I went through many months of wearing different sets trying to find one that worked, but nothing ever did. I'd originally intended to use Bulwark of Azzinoth, but I hadn't ever had it drop for me/won a roll. To date, the Bulwark of Azzinoth is the only shield in the game that goes along the characters arm when unsheathed. Due to this and it's size, it's also one of the only shields that actually protects the characters body.
Of course, other shields would if you blocked with them, but none look like they could block as much damage (or deal as much damage) as this one. As a TBC raid tank, it's had a special place in my heart, but has been an empty space in my inventory. It has been the most sought after item for me, moreso than even Ashes of A'lar. In fact, the only item that came close was Golden Bow of Quel'thalas, and obviously, I can't use that. As I switched to Tauren the moment it was available, the shield is even more fitting due to the way it scales.
I moved over to T2 after getting the shoulders drop on my first solo kill (after they nerfed the first boss) and for a long time, I didn't raid or PVP, and thus I was disinterested in the game.
When MoP rolled around, I played casually. The RoS nerf rolled in making BT soloable, and I had a reason to go back there. Weeks passed and I got geared as ret through LFR, still playing casually. I said I'd return to Prot if I ever got the Bulwark of Azzinoth. I went through every piece of loot in drops over the course of 12 solos.... every piece except the glaives, the mace, and the shield. 2 resets ago, my hunter went in at level 88 to solo. After a few wipes, I learnt what bosses required me to tank, and which ones my pet could tank. Eventually, I made it to the end, and lo and behold, both the mace and the shield dropped. First clear on the hunter, and the mace and shield dropped (I was hoping for the bow). Since it was a Tuesday clear and I'm on EU servers, the next clear was on Wednesday. Cleared again, got one of the glaives on the hunter. That was last week.
Post-reset this week, I went in and did my usual clear, honestly expecting disappointment. I was expecting the bow to drop (I've already seen it drop on my Paladin). I killed Illidan, looted, saw the mace, expected it to be the stupid bloody trinket to fill the other loot slot. Such a pleasant surprise to see the shield had dropped. Yes, after over 5 years of clearing that content, I finally have the shield.
Now, I have a new problem; What set to match it with. I'm currently using my T6, with Faceplate of the Impenetrable as opposed to the crown. I've matched it with Pepe's Shroud of Pacification, again due to it being the T6 cloak I used, but I do have a blue and gold cloak to match the tier available. I've got the non-set belt and boots that match the actual tier, as opposed to the Sunwell pieces.
I mean, I'm happy with the T6 set, but a weapon to fit it is proving to be difficult to find. I'd use Dragonscale Encrusted Longblade, but I don't have it, and I'm using a mace. I'll have to wait until 5.2 to be able to use it for transmog, and to be able to loot it. The mace from Illidan is also MH while my mace is 1H so again, I have to wait. The S1 set sorta matches the color of the shield, and fortunately I still have the shoulders, chest and helm from mine. Then you stand back and look at it as a whole, and realise it just doesn't look that good.