I was browsing for some more information on hit/spell hit for Paladins and stumbled on this forum thread.

The author uses some existing theory-craft math to calculate the effectiveness of Hit Rating, Spell Hit Rating, and Expertise. It’s based on the existing assumption that one spell damage yields approximately 0.5 threat per second, if all abilities are used in rotation.

The findings? Hit Rating and Spell Hit Rating are only cost effective (i.e. they yield more threat than an equivalent amount of spell damage) at unrealistically high levels of threat generation – roughly 1500 tps. I suggest you go read the forum thread if you’re wondering how he came up with those calculations.

This is a good example of how itemization gimps the Protection Paladin. Because our abilities are split between Spell Hit mechanics and Hit mechanics, each one is half as effective as it should be. If all of our abilities were based on Spell Hit rating, then Spell Hit rating would be cost effective at 750 tps. That’s more reasonable for raid worthy tanks.

Instead, we’re left in a conundrum. We can ignore Hit/Spell Hit altogether and pursue spell damage for maximum threat generation. This, however, leaves us open to resisted taunts/pulls, and generally spikes in low threat generation. If we search out Hit/Spell Hit rating, we’re gimping our sustained threat generation in exchange for more consistency. Not cool.