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:
- Lightning Flash Pendant/Yellow Smoke Pendant – Exalted with Wildhammer Clan/Dragonmaw Clan
- Dorian’s Lost Necklace – BoE World Drop
- Amulet of Tender Breath – Heroic The Vortex Pinnacle
- Pendant of the Keep – Heroic Shadowfang Keep
- Quicksilver Amulet – Heroic Blackrock Caverns
- Pipefish Cord – Heroic Throne of the Tides
- 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
- Cloak of Ancient Wisdom – Revered with The Earthen Ring
- Periwinkle Cloak – Heroic Throne of the Tides
- Solar Wind Cloak – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Chest:
- Stormrider’s Robes – 2200 Valor Points
- Chestguard of Nature’s Fury – Leatherworking BoE
- 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 Handwraps – 1650 Valor Points
- Blessed Hands of Elune – 1650 Justice 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:
- Stormrider’s Legwraps – 2200 Valor Points
- Leggings of Clutching Roots – Revered with The Earthen Ring
- Leggings of Late Blooms – 2200 Justice Points
- Leggings of the Path – Heroic Lost City of the Tol’vir
- Feet:
- Fading Violet Sandals – 1650 Valor Points
- Awakening Footfalls – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Decapod Slippers – Heroic Throne of the Tides
- Finger:
- Ring of the Boy Emperor – Archaeology BoP
- Ring of the Great Whale – Heroic Throne of the Tides BoE
- Twined Band of Flowers – 1250 Valor Points
- Band of Secret Names – 1250 Valor Points
- Signet of Venoxis – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Shimmerclaw Band – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Veneficial Band – Heroic Lost City of the Tol’vir
- Band of Life Energy – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Kibble – Heroic Blackrock Caverns
- Trinket:
- Darkmoon Card: Tsunami – turn in Volcanic Deck at the Darkmoon Faire
- Tyrande’s Favorite Doll – Archaeology BoP
- Vibrant Alchemist Stone – Alchemy BoP
- Core of Ripeness – 1650 Valor Points
- Figurine – Dream Owl – Jewelcrafting BoP
- Witching Hourglass – Heroic Blackrock Caverns
- Gale of Shadows – Heroic Grim Batol
- Staff:
- Staff of Ammunae – Archaeology BoP
- Staff of Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan – Archaeology BoP
- Legacy of Arlokk – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Staff of Siphoned Essences – Heroic Grim Batol
- Emberstone Staff – Heroic The Deadmines
- Cerith Spire Staff – Heroic Lost City of the Tol’vir
- Main-Hand:
- 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 Eonar – 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.