Tankadin Gear Evolution - 5-Mans to Illidan

Mostly for my reference, but thought it could be useful for others. Below is a list (with some subjective choices made) of MT-grade gear, and the progression of items in each slot, showing their relative worth. The item in red is the item that I currently use for most tasks (although I may have some of the others).

Felsteel Helm --> Justicar Faceguard --> Crystalforge Faceguard --> Tankatronic Goggles --> Lightbringer Faceguard --> Hard Khorium Goggles --> Faceplate of the Impenetrable

Strength of the Untamed --> Barbed Choker of Discipline --> Brooch of Deftness --> Frayed Tether of the Drowned --> The Darkener's Grasp --> Pendant of Titans

Righteous Spaulders --> Mantle of Abrahmis --> Justicar Shoulderguards = Crystalforge Shoulderguards --> Pauldrons of Abyssal Fury --> Lightbringer Shoulderguards

Devilshark Cape --> Pepe's Shroud of Pacification --> Phoenix-Wing Cloak = Slikk's Cloak of Placation

Jade-Skull Breastplate = Vindicator's Hauberk --> Panzar'Thar Breastplate = Justicar Chestguard --> Crystalforge Chestguard --> Chestguard of the Stoic Guardian --> Lightbringer Chestguard

Bracers of the Green Fortress --> Vambraces of Courage --> Bracers of the Ancient Phalanx --> Wristguards of Determination --> The Seeker's Wristguards

Felsteel Gloves --> Iron Gauntlets of the Maiden = Crystalforge Handguards --> Gauntlets of Enforcement --> Lightbringer Handguards

Sha'tari Vindicator's Waistguard --> Crimson Girdle of the Indomitable --> Girdle of the Protector --> Belt of the Guardian = Iron-Tusk Girdle --> Girdle of Mighty Resolve

Timewarden's Leggings --> Wrynn Dynasty Greaves = Crystalforge Legguards --> Praetorian's Legguards = Unwavering Legguards --> Lightbringer Legguards = Inscribed Legplates of the Aldor

Flesh Beast's Metal Greaves --> Boots of Elusion = Battlescar Boots --> Red Havoc Boots = Boots of the Protector --> Jungle Stompers = Sabatons of the Righteous Defender --> Boots of the Resilient --> Tide-Stomper's Greaves

Delicate Eternium Ring --> Andormu's Tear --> Elementium Band of the Sentry --> Violet Signet = Shermanar Great Ring --> Seventh Ring of the Tirisfalen --> Signet of the Last Defender --> Band of the Eternal Defender = Ring of Sundered Souls = Band of the Abyssal Lord

Continuum Blade --> Gavel of Unearthed Secrets --> Gladiator's Gavel = Cudgel of Consecration --> Fang of the Leviathan = Merciless Gladiator's Gavel = Amani Punisher --> Hammer of Judgement --> Tempest of Chaos

Platinum Shield of the Valorous --> Crest of the Sha'tar --> Shield of Impenetrable Darkness = Dawnforged Defender = Sunward Crest --> Merciless Gladiator's Shield Wall --> Aldori Legacy Defender --> Bulwark of the Amani Empire --> Kaz'rogal's Hardened Heart --> Bulwark of Azzinoth

Libram of Repentance --> Libram of Divine Purpose --> Tome of the Lightbringer

Figurine of the Colossus = Dabiri's Enigma --> Figurine - Dawnstone Crab = Adamantite Figurine = Brooch of the Immortal King --> Styleen's Impeding Scarab --> Moroes' Lucky Pocket Watch = Ancient Aqir Artifact --> Scarab of Displacement= Figurine - Empyrean Tortoise --> Shadowmoon Insignia

Figurine - Living Ruby Serpent = Violet Badge --> Gnomish Poultryizer = Goblin Rocket Launcher --> Argussian Compass --> Spyglass of the Hidden Fleet = Commander's Badge --> Darkmoon Card: Madness --> Darkmoon Card: Vengeance --> Commendation of Kael'thas

Note there's a few Heroic rewards in there, as well as stuff going the whole way to BT. Old-world (ie, Azeroth) stuff has been left out unless it's truly extraordinary (such as Styleen's Impeding Scarab).

The new 2.4 shields are a tough pick. For threat purposes, I'd prefer them to nearly anything, but the shield is a vital source of armor and mitigation, as well as Stamina, hence me putting them on par with a Shield of Impenetrable Darkness.

Credit for this list goes to Lieris, who assembled this thread. Thanks!