This is an AWESOME effect to put on a shaman breastplate, the best i have seen so far in fact!
Bramblecoat isn't just a damage shield, it is also an AC BUFF! If you wear this and then use the bramblecoat the ac of this item is effectively 52. Uhhh, i think that's better then any other BP in the WHOLE GAME! Who cares if that also gets you a 5 point damage shield, that's just gravy. And don't start throwing at me that there are better AC buffs, i know that, but for a shaman, those AC buffs we have are DAMN hard on mana, and this is FREE. So, unless you have the Brain Pan to actually figure out what an effect REALLY does for you, maybe you should go back into your bedroom and keep doing what you are really good at.