It's a bit strange, already having a toon part of the raid, but I would like to be put under consideration for the tank opening in the 25 raid.

I'm a 394 iLvl Prot Paladin, and I am very well versed in my role, my class, and the implications each of my casts can have on the raid. I have my 4pc set bonus, and am experienced at communicating with the Healers and other tanks in order to time this cooldown accordingly, in addition to having the reactions to use it in an "Oh Shit" moment, as they arise.

I have been raiding on my paladin since May of 2010, when I first started WoW. Since then, I've found my skill at playing this class rise quite significantly to the point where I can call this my best toon.

Depending on the fight, I gear and set my rotations/glyphs/talents accordingly in order to minimize damage taken, as well as maximize damage output, while looking at Diminishing Returns and overall raid damage taken in order to find a balance that will help the raid (both DPS and HPS) as much as possible. For fights like Heroic Hagara, I am very comfortable calling out when/if I need a cooldown/taunt (while taking into account that a healer or three might be tombed), and adjust accordingly. Likewise, in fights like Heroic Morchok, I tend to favor a spec that allows for minimum damage taken since it is not a DPS race.

I understand that due to our lack of Mages, that I might not be able to switch characters immediately (or at all if a better raid replacement is found), but this is the toon I play the best. I know my rotation and can execute it near perfection, ranking me in WoL on certain fights (H Hagara rank 64 when I first downed it), as well as giving, what I feel, the greatest individual contribution on my part. Since we are pushing AoE heavy fights, such as Yor'sahj and soon Spine, I feel that a Fire Mage would be a far greater contribution (as seen in most of my parses from the other night) due to the insane burst AoE I can have when I manage to play my mage properly (300-500k AoE dps during black phases).

I'd love to play my Paladin, now, or in the future, in this 25; however, I understand the raid composition and progression is far more important than my individual wants, and as a fellow raid leader, I wouldn't have any (lasting) ill will/feelings if not accepted. I am also willing to reserve both of my toons for the 25 if that is what is required.

Thank You,
Varun Jain

*PS* My offspec on my Paladin is currently Holy, which I play at a sub-heroic level. I am willing to pick up a Ret spec if needed.