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[Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 4:20 pm
by Kalliope
As many of you have already noticed, there are item level restrictions on getting into instances in Cataclysm. This is the plan I've been following to gear myself up for instances at level 85 and figured I'd share! :)

Average ilevels required for each set of dungeons
80-81: 226
82-85: 272
Heroic: 327
Zul Heroic: 346

New instance level breakdown
80-81: Blackrock Caverns (Blackrock Mountain), Throne of the Tides (Abyssal Depths)
82-84: The Stonecore (Deepholm), Vortex Pinnacle (Uldum)
84-85: Lost City of the Tol'vir (Uldum), Halls of Origination (Uldum), Grim Batol (Twilight Highlands)
85: Heroic Shadowfang Keep, Heroic Deadmines
85^1: Zul'Aman, Zul'Gurub

Where to go first
There are a number of excellent blue quality rewards available from quests in various zones, so I'm not going to get into them. Suffice to say that if you quest in Deepholm, Uldum, and Twilight Highlands, you'll run into some good starter pieces of at least level 318 ilevel. Don't pass up Deepholm upgrades even if they're green. That's the zone where the steepest upgrades come. You'll still need to upgrade from those, but they're an excellent starting point for obtaining said upgrades. Definitely do Crucible of Carnage in Twilight Highlands at 84. It's a major exp boost, plus you get a 333 blue bow!

Hunter reputation gear breakdown
Guardians of Hyjal: revered (346 blue necklace), exalted (359 epic boots)
Earthen Ring: honored (333 blue shoulders), revered (346 blue cloak), exalted (359 epic ring)
Therazane: honored (blue shoulder enchant), revered (346 blue ring), exalted (epic shoulder enchant)
Ramkahen: honored (333 blue belt), revered (helm enchant)
Wildhammer Clan/Dragonmaw Clan: revered (346 blue helm {alliance/horde})
Tol Barad (PvP area, but can do quests without PvPing): revered (346 blue dagger, 346 blue 1h axe, 346 blue polearm, 346 blue crossbow), exalted (359 epic trinket)

Some of these wonderful pieces, even from the starter zone factions, are 333 ilevel and you can wear them below level 85. 333 is the ilevel of the level 85 regular instance gear; heroic is 346. Do not discount the reputation vendor gear regardless of how soon you can get it.

There are dailies available for all factions except the Earthen Ring, so you'll probably want to prioritize that tabard first. You'll also get a ton of rep with them for questing in Deepholm and some of Vashj'ir and Twilight Highlands.

Available crafted items (these can be expensive)
Alchemy
BoP 359 epic trinket (you MUST be a 500 alchemist to craft)

Blacksmithing
346 blue polearm
346 blue 1h axe
346 blue dagger
316 blue polearm
316 blue 1h axe
316 blue dagger

Engineering
BoP 359 epic helm (you MUST be a 525 engineer to craft)
346 blue gun (slightly better stats than the bow below)
346 blue bow (hotfixed from epic to blue; same stats as before)
333 blue crossbow
333 blue gun
BoE 333 blue trinket (you MUST be a 475 engineer to use, but could have someone else craft)

Jewelcrafting
346 blue ring (hit)
346 blue ring (mastery)
346 blue neck (red socket)
346 blue neck (yellow socket)
333 blue fist weapon
317 green fist weapon
300 green ring; random stats (can proc as 325 blue version)
300 green necklace; random stats (can proc as 325 blue version)

Leatherworking
359 epic belt
359 epic chest
346 blue cloak
333 blue cloak
339 blue resilience set
mixed 308/333 blue and 295 green set; random stats

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 4:20 pm
by Kalliope
Conveniently, heroic loot is now just directly upgraded versions of normal loot in Cata instances, which consolidates the list for both leveling and heroic gearing upgrades.

Priority goes to rogues and enh shamans on 1hers. Don't be a loot whore! We have better 2h options.

80-81
Blackrock Caverns
Rom'ogg Bonecrusher - 308 ring (346 heroic version)
Beauty - completing Do My Eyes Deceive Me? gives 308 belt
Ascendant Lord Obsidius - 308 bow (346 heroic version), 308 cloak (346 heroic version)

Throne of the Tides
Lady Naz'jar - 308 1h axe (346 heroic version), 308 gloves (346 heroic version)
Erunak Stonespeaker and Mindbender Ghur'sha - completing Rescue the Earthspeaker! (A/H) gives 308 leggings
Ozumat - 308 ring (346 heroic version), 308 chest (346 heroic version)

82-84
The Stonecore
Corborus - 316 trinket (346 heroic version), 316 fist weapon (346 heroic version)
Slabhide - 316 dagger (346 heroic version)
Ozruk - 316 necklace (346 heroic version), 316 bracers (346 heroic version)
High Priestess Azil - 316 staff (346 heroic version)

The Vortex Pinnacle
Grand Vizier Ertan - completing A Long Way from Home gives 316 cloak
Altairus - 316 belt (346 heroic version)
Asaad - 316 gun (346 heroic version)

84-85
Lost City of the Tol'vir
General Husam - 333 polearm (346 heroic version), 333 cloak (346 heroic version)
Lockmaw and Augh - 333 dagger (346 heroic version)
Siamat - 333 trinket (346 heroic version)

Halls of Origination
Earthrager Ptah - 333 necklace (346 heroic version)
Anraphet - 333 boots
Isiset - 333 ring (346 heroic version)
Ammunae - 333 shoulders (346 heroic version)
Completing Doing it the Hard Way gives 333 gloves

Grim Batol
General Umbriss - 333 trinket (346 heroic version), 333 helm (346 heroic version)
Forgemaster Throngus - 333 ring (346 heroic version)
Drahga Shadowburner - 333 boots (346 heroic version)
Erudax - completing Closing a Dark Chapter gives 333 bracers

85 heroic only
Shadowfang Keep
Baron Ashbury - 346 gloves
Commander Springvale - 346 boots
Lord Godfrey - 346 helm

Deadmines
Glubtok - 346 dagger
Helix Gearbreaker - 346 cloak, 346 1h sword
Admiral Ripsnarl- 346 2h axe
"Captain" Cookie - 346 1h sword, 346 cloak
Vanessa VanCleef - 346 bracers

While you're farming instances, you'll be collecting justice and valor points.

Alliance QMs - Stormwind
Justice: Magatha Silverton
Valor: Faldren Tillsdale

Horde QMs - Orgrimmar
Justice: Gunra
Valor: Jamus'Vaz

Hunter Justice Gear
346 chest - 2200
346 helm - 2200
346 leggings - 2200
346 belt - 1650
346 gloves - 1650
346 shoulders - 1650
346 necklace - 1250
346 offhand dagger - 950
346 offhand axe - 950

Hunter Valorous Gear
tier 11 359 chest - 2200
tier 11 359 leggings - 2200
tier 11 359 gloves - 1650
359 epic trinket - 1650
359 epic boots - 1650
359 epic cloak - 1250
359 epic ring - 1250 (added in 4.0.6)

Arena season 9 started on 12/14. The 352-353 bloodthirsty set and 365-366 vicious set will get you into heroics, though they're not ideal for PvE.

Alliance QMs - Stormwind
Honor: Knight-Lieutenant T'Maire Sydes
Conquest: Captain Dirgehammer

Horde QMs - Orgrimmar
Honor: Blood Guard Zar'shi
Conquest: Sergeant Thunderhorn

Once your average ilevel is 346, you get Zul'Aman and Zul'Gurub (checklist).

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 4:39 pm
by Zeilla8
Awesome post Kalli! I was just looking up where I needed to get my gear :D

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 7:14 pm
by Lisaara
If you need help, I have atlasloot that tells what hunter stuff drops from what.

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 7:30 pm
by Kalliope
I'm good to go, thanks; just trying to write this up between randoms! :lol:

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 7:31 pm
by Sarayana
Very nice list, I've just started thinking about these things...

Question: I was going to level my priest next but my druid is my engineer. Is the ranged weapon from engineering a big enough upgrade that it's worth taking the time to level her for her engineering?

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 9:00 pm
by Kalliope
Well, you can get a level 333 bow from the new Ring of Blood in Twilight Highlands (Crucible of Carnage), so it's really only worth it if you max out engineering to make the 346 weapons. However, leveling engineering is a PAIN IN THE BUTT, so I wouldn't let that determine what you're leveling next. On the plus side, you can level engineering without leveling the character, so maybe it'll be a worthwhile side project. :)

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 9:17 pm
by Sarayana
True. I'm also not entirely certain I want to stick with JCing on Sara, so I might just pass the ore I mine on to my druid instead. Not to mention, minipets. The minipets! I must have them, you know? ;) Decisions, decisions. :lol:

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 12:25 am
by Adam-Savage
Crafted Gear:

Dragonkiller Tunic
http://db.mmo-champion.com/s/78490/dragonkiller-tunic/

Razor-Edged Cloak
http://www.wowhead.com/spell=78475

Bloodied Dragonscale Bracers
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/item/56526

Bloodied Dragonscale Shoulders
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/item/56527

Corded Viper Belt
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/item/56539


Crafted Weapons:

Elementium Shank
http://www.wowhead.com/item=55068

Elementium Poleaxe
http://www.wowhead.com/item=55066

Finely-Tuned Throat Needler
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/item/59598

Volatile Thunderstick
http://www.wowhead.com/item=59599

Overpowered Chicken Splitter
http://thottbot.com/item=59364

Kickback 5000
http://www.wowhead.com/item=59367

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:23 pm
by Kalliope
Updated to include all craftables, instance drops, and justice/valor point gear.

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:40 pm
by Zeilla8
Lets do a vid on this! It's awesome info. Great job and thank you for posting!!!!

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:41 pm
by Kalliope
I'd be down, although I have no mic for at least a week. >_< *scowls at her comp*

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:41 am
by Slickrock
This needs a sticky!!!! Great work!!!!

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 6:49 am
by SgtMakkie
Thanks Kalliope:)))

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 11:38 am
by Magli
Just for the record: even though Vortex Pinnacle (and presumably Stonecore too) are 82-84 dungeons, level 85 characters can queue for them as well. I grouped for a random (at 83) with some max-level guildmates, and we ended up in VP. (And the belt and gun dropped, so I'm a Happy Hunter today.)

There's a blue cloak quest reward in there, by the way, which didn't make the loot list in your second post. I can't link it here because WoWhead is blocked here at work. :( But it's very nice. :)

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 2:53 pm
by Kalliope
Yep, Magli, your being 83 determined the range of your group's queue. :) I've grouped with mid-80 players and gotten into Stonecore, but not with a group of 85s. Thanks for the missing quest pointer! Fixed!

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:14 pm
by Acherontia
Awesome reference :D

There was some very good, very easily-obtainable bow--I think from questing in Deepholm--that's blue. Spore...something?

Didn't see it on here (I assume most of the quest gear is being put aside for the purposes of the guide) but it's actually better than a few of the dungeon/crafteds!

I'm also fairly certain that Guardians of Hyjal have an AMAZINGLY good blue neckpiece at honored or revered. Acorn of something or other, same stats as the Justice item and you should be just about able to buy it the minute you finish Hyjal, rep-wise.

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 11:56 pm
by Kalliope
Acherontia wrote:Awesome reference :D

There was some very good, very easily-obtainable bow--I think from questing in Deepholm--that's blue. Spore...something?

Didn't see it on here (I assume most of the quest gear is being put aside for the purposes of the guide) but it's actually better than a few of the dungeon/crafteds!
Were you thinking of Sporeshot? It's definitely up there on the list of early upgrades, though it doesn't beat the crafted ones. :)
Acherontia wrote:I'm also fairly certain that Guardians of Hyjal have an AMAZINGLY good blue neckpiece at honored or revered. Acorn of something or other, same stats as the Justice item and you should be just about able to buy it the minute you finish Hyjal, rep-wise.
According to the quotes on Wowhead, "the reputation requirement on this item is a bug. It should be a normal world drop iLevel 333 BoE blue." So I didn't include it. ^_^

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 3:09 pm
by Acherontia
I'm wearing it now, and it was a rep-required factional reward : / Unless they changed it?

Re: [Guide] Kalliope's Checklist of Post-Cataclysm Gear

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 3:18 pm
by Kalliope
Acherontia wrote:I'm wearing it now, and it was a rep-required factional reward : / Unless they changed it?
Nope, you're right; Wowhead was wrong and it wasn't there when I first looked at the list, which was pre-release. Sorry about that!