Equipment will be the main source of your character’s power, contributing the biggest bulk of your stats. It is therefore very important that you choose the correct equipment for each slot — commonly referred to as “best in slot” equipment – to maximize your power. This guide will cover the best items for each slot before you are able to start acquiring gear from raids in Cataclysm Classic.
Cataclysm added armor specializations for each class, so you won’t want to wear Cloth armor anymore, even if the stats are better. The Intellect you get from Leather Specialization is too good to pass up.
Pre-Raid Best-in-Slot Items
- Head:
- Camouflage Bio-Optic Killshades – Engineering BoP
- Amani Headdress – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Cluster of Stars – 2200 Justice Points
- Cowl of Rebellion – Heroic The Deadmines
- Neck:
- Dorian’s Lost Necklace – BoE World Drop
- Lightning Flash Pendant/Yellow Smoke Pendant – Exalted with Wildhammer Clan/Dragonmaw Clan
- Quicksilver Amulet – Heroic Blackrock Caverns
- Shoulder:
- Feathers of Akil’zon – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Mantle of Soft Shadows – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Mantle of Bestilled Winds – Heroic The Vortex Pinnacle
- Back:
- Ritssyn’s Ruminous Drape – BoE World Drop
- Heavenly Breeze – 1250 Valor Points
- Haunt of Flies – 1250 Valor Points
- Hakkari Loa Drape – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Periwinkle Cloak – Heroic Throne of the Tides
- Shadow of Perfect Bliss – Heroic The Vortex Pinnacle
- Solar Wind Cloak – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Chest:
- Stormrider’s Vestment – 2200 Valor Points
- Chestguard of Nature’s Fury – Leatherworking BoE
- Vestments of the Soulflayer – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Chestguard of Forgetfulness – 2200 Justice Points
- Cursed Skardyn Vest – Heroic Grim Batol
- Wrist:
- Armbands of the Bear Spirit – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Armbands of Change – Heroic Blackrock Caverns
- Hands:
- Stormrider’s Gloves – 1650 Valor Points
- Deep Delving Gloves – Heroic The Stonecore
- Waist:
- Lightning Lash – Leatherworking BoE
- Belt of the Untamed/Withered Dream Belt – Exalted with Wildhammer Clan/Dragonmaw Clan
- Underworld Cord – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Legs:
- Feet:
- Fading Violet Sandals – 1650 Valor Points
- Two-Toed Boots – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Decapod Slippers – Heroic Throne of the Tides
- Finger:
- Ring of the Boy Emperor – Archaeology BoP
- Band of Secret Names – 1250 Valor Points
- Signet of High Arcanist Savor – BoE World Drop
- Signet of Venoxis – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Shimmerclaw Band – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Band of Rays – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Rose Quartz Band – Heroic The Stonecore
- Lavishly Jeweled Ring – Heroic The Deadmines
- Ring of the Great Whale – Heroic Throne of the Tides BoE
- Trinket:
- Darkmoon Card: Volcano – turn in Volcanic Deck at the Darkmoon Faire
- Witching Hourglass – Heroic Blackrock Caverns
- Stump of Time – Exalted with Baradin’s Wardens/Hellscream’s Reach
- Gale of Shadows – Heroic Grim Batol
- Anhuur’s Hymnal – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Tendrils of Burrowing Dark – Heroic The Stonecore
- Two-Handed Weapon
- Staff of Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan – Archaeology BoP
- Legacy of Arlokk – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Cerith Spire Staff – Heroic Lost City of the Tol’vir
- Staff of Siphoned Essences – Heroic Grim Batol
- Emberstone Staff – Heroic The Deadmines
- Main Hand:
- Vitreous Beak of Julak-Doom – Julak-Doom, a Rare Elite in Twilight Highlands
- Amani Scepter of Rites – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Scepter of Power – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Torturer’s Mercy – Heroic The Vortex Pinnacle
- Elementium Spellblade – Blacksmithing BoE
- Biting Wind – Heroic The Vortex Pinnacle
- Blade of the Burning Sun – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Off-hand:
- (none if using a staff)
- Heartbound Tome – BoE World Drop
- Lost Bag of Whammies – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Divine Companion – Inscription BoE
- Prophet’s Scepter – Heroic The Stonecore
- Relic:
- Relic of Norgannon – 700 Valor Points
- Captured Lightning – Heroic The Vortex Pinnacle
About the Author
Luxrah
I've been playing World of Warcraft on and off since vanilla, usually as a healer or caster and often as a guild leader. I play both retail and classic. I also love RPGs, sandboxes, and sims.