On the PTS forum, this topic has been heavily discussed (
@Liofa for an awesome job laying out all the balance changes). But the thread is a little lengthy if you're trying to find what remedies are available to mitigate the 3-4 times increased block cost changes. (this is predominantly focused on end-game trials tanking. Most dungeon bosses give opportunity to heavy attack, and not as much blocking required)
After speaking with a number of players running PTS, it seems these are some of the things they've found effective
1. Shield-play enchants on jewelry are effective when you have to basically permablock (Axes/Stone Atro in VAA as an example). But not effective for everyone (depends much more heavily now on shards/stamina builders).
2. A lot of tanks have switched to running two Potion Timer Decrease enchants on jewelry. With the medicine passive, and this, it can make a huge difference for the rapidly dwindling stamina while tanking.
3. More use of off-tanks in end-game trials content. Even so far as splitting axes, or more definite role in grabbing adds etc. Many trials I've done with an off-tank was basically for one or two spots, and otherwise they just rez'd, added some buffs etc.
4. Equilibrium (at least for DK's, not sure about Wardens) is basically a requirement now. Granted, it was very high up on the list before, but most content you could skate by without needing it. Now it's essentially required
**(as a result, may see more classes as tanks than the usual DK/Warden. Sorceror tanks have amazing recovery via dark deal coupled with equilibrium. Even running Necropotennce with your heal pet up)
5. Lastly, some are experimenting with sets off-meta designed for resource recovery. A lot of these sets they are replacing Ebon with:
Examples:
-Desert Rose
-Black Rose
-Aspect of Mazzatun
-Bloodthorn
-Lich
-Akaviri Dragonguard (fairly meta)
And some sets that increase just your overall block percentage/damage mitigation:
-Footman's Fortune
-Automated Defense
Certainly debatable whether the above add that much value or if it's just a knee-jerk reaction. Very interested to hear from more folks on PTS, or just thoughts on whether any of these seem feasible or not, and perhaps what you'd recommend.
*Last note! In very optimized groups, some tanks aren't noticing a tremendous increase. Healers using Master Resto and keeping shards coming frequently (every 20 seconds) can make up a lot of the difference. But as we all know, many groups aren't totally optimized, so tanks in these cases have to, no pun intended, "roll with the punches."