- Author: Nevermore
- Date: January 8, 2024
- Updated: January 10, 2024
- Expansion: WotLK Classic
In this section of the guide, we will help you choose the best equipment (and, if needed, alternatives) that you can use for each of the different phases of the expansion. The Pre-Raid tab will contain the items that you will want to acquire before you start any serious raiding!
This guide is divided into two sections. The first section is basic lists, providing you full sets for a fresh level 80 pre-raid, a level 80 preparing for their first foray into Trial of the Crusader, and an example of ideal gear to aspire to from Trial of the Crusader. The second section provides more alternatives for each slot, giving an example of gear progression between these three areas of gearing.
Heroic++, otherwise known as Defense Protocol Beta drops gear from 10-man Ulduar and Naxxramas. Heroic+, otherwise known as Defense Protocol Alpha, drops gear from 10-man Naxxramas, as well as regular Heroic gear. Future Phases are likely to add further Heroic difficulties.
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Progressive Best-in Slot
Before we dive into the progressive list, there is one aspect that we all must understand! All the Tanking Specializations in WotLK will benefit from different items in different ways depending on the fights themselves. Meaning that while you may often find a set that can work for almost each and every single encounter, this may not hold true in all situations. You will find fights where you may benefit from a higher Parry Chance rather than a higher Block Value or a higher Dodge Chance than Parry Chance, Block Rating, and Block Value.
Before proceeding to the in-depth part of our guide, we will grant you some very important tips that you will have to keep in mind, especially as you progress through your journey and come across many different items.
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for each separate slot. You will either be able to directly buy BoE items from the Auction House and other players, or, you will go through a progressive item hunt from Normal Dungeons, Heroic Dungeons, and the brand-new Heroic ++ Dungeons. Depending on your group, you may be able to directly join a Heroic ++ Dungeon, effectively skipping a harsh gearing process.
With the release of Phase 3 of the expansion, the new Heroic Defense Protocol Beta Dungeons will grant you both T7 and T8 items, per Boss Kill, with a guaranteed former Ulduar 10 (225) Ilvl drop. Heroic++, otherwise known as Defense Protocol Beta drops gear from 10-man Ulduar and Naxxramas. Heroic+, otherwise known as Defense Protocol Alpha, drops gear from 10-man Naxxramas, as well as regular Heroic gear. Future Phases are likely to add further Heroic difficulties.
However, those dungeons no longer provide any blue gear, meaning that if you seek a particular rare (Blue) item, you will have to venture through the Heroic version of the Dungeon.
Your Pre-ToC options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons or raid BoE items that arrive with the new phase.
Your Best-in-Slot items will often vary depending on the rest of your equipment and the situation you find yourself in. Depending on the class itself, the specialization, the phase you find yourself in, and the PvE encounter you currently face, your BiS items can completely change to better adjust to whichever situation you may find yourself in. In some cases, you will find a single BiS set that can be 100% functional in any situation, while in other cases, you will need to adjust your item sets from one PvE encounter to another.
As a Tank, this is especially true! For example, you may find situations where you will want to stack more Dodge Rating or Parry Rating against Bosses that deal Physical Damage while you may want to stack Magical Resistances against bosses that deal heavy Magical Damage.
As a Protection Warrior, you will mainly want to focus on Block Value gear as it grants the best possible stat value. However, this is not always the case, with some items providing better overall Avoidance through stats such as Parry Rating and Dodge Rating. You will find that your BiS items for this phase, are a mix comprised of all the Avoidance Stats, including Block Value, Armor, Parry Rating, Dodge Rating, Block Rating, and Defense Rating.
A notorious fight where Protection Warrior truly thrives as a “Block Oriented Tank”, is the ToC’s last boss, Anub’arak. A fight where you may wish to tweak your gear towards more Block Value rather than any other Avoidance Stat.
Phase 3 is also known for being one of the few phases that provides the exact same type of item for both factions, with the major difference of having a different name depending on the faction you belong to. We will emphasize which item belongs to which faction by placing a “Faction Flag” next to the item itself.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Eadric the Pure (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
With the introduction of the new Heroic ++ Dungeons, you will find that acquiring powerful gear as a Fresh 80 is a lot faster and a far smoother process. The best possible choice for this slot will be the 225 Ilvl T8 item, namely the Valorous Siegebreaker Greathelm. Since we can gain the T8 pieces from the new Heroic ++ dungeons, the T8 4-item set bonus will be a great addition to our abilities.
If you can’t get the T8 helmet, the next-best alternative will be the Ironbark Faceguard. While it doesn’t grant the same damage mitigation as the T8 helmet offered through its Block Rating, the item grants a large amount of Expertise Rating which will allow you to optimize the rest of your gear slots towards a more defense-oriented build.
The Helm of the Crestfallen Challenger is another viable alternative if you can’t find any of the Ulduar items, especially for builds that lack Hit Rating. This item has decently high stats and provides a large amount of Hit Rating that will be useful, especially in the beginning, as tanks generally have a Hit Rating issue with their builds.
Apart from the Ulduar items and the new items from ToC, both the Heroes’ Dreadnaught Greathelm and the Thane’s Tainted Greathelm remain valuable options, even if they come from the first phase of the expansion. While they pale in comparison to the Ulduar items, you will find them to be great buffer options in the meantime.
Lastly, you can acquire crafted items such as the Tempered Titansteel Helm or the Armored Titanium Goggles which act as a great initial choice before entering the new Heroic ++ Dungeons due to their very high raw stats. While those items only possess a few secondary stats when compared to the other options, they will allow you to tank a Heroic ++ Dungeon without encountering many issues.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Thorim (25) NM/HM | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Ulduar – General Vezax (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Naxxramas – Kel’Thuzad (25) |
In our current build, the best possible item for the Pre-Toc gearing phase will remain the Conqueror’s Siegebreaker Greathelm. This is mainly due to its high base stats, but most importantly for two different aspects. First, we will always want to benefit from the 4-set item bonus. The second reason is the “Shield Block Rating” which will increase your overall damage mitigation by improving your overall chance to “Block” an attack while Shield Block is on cooldown.
Naturally, the next-best option for this slot will be Valorous Siegebreaker Greathelm since it will provide the same type of benefits, only with lower overall stats.
As mentioned earlier, items can depend entirely on the encounter itself. Naturally, you will want items that will increase your “Block Chance” and “Block Value” as Protection Warrior will benefit the most from these stats. But in some situations, items that will provide Dodge or Parry Chance will be your only options.
Helm of the Faceless is a great alternative due to the high defensive stats it offers, even if it does not provide any stat that enhances your block. While Protection Warrior is not a specialization that relies on Parry Rating, the overall increase will improve your mitigation.
Ironbark Faceguard will be a better option if you are “Expertise” starved, granting you quite a high Expertise Rating Value. However, it will decrease your overall survivability, even if its baseline stats are high.
Lastly, the BiS from Phase 1, Valorous Dreadnaught Greathelm, will still prove itself to be a very valuable choice in Ulduar due to the Hit Rating it offers and the high “Block Value” it grants. If you alter the build to specifically include only items that grant a high “Block Value”, this item will perform extremely well compared to the others.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Thorim (25) NM/HM |
The best possible choice for the third phase of the expansion will be the Wrynn’s Greathelm of Triumph if you are Alliance or the Hellscream’s Greathelm of Triumph if you are Horde. This is due to the access to the T9 item set bonuses which are particularly strong when compared to the previous phases. combined with very high amounts of both baseline and secondary stats. Besides a great Defense Rating, the item also grants a ridiculous amount of Block Value, meaning that you will want to prioritize it.
Due to how powerful the T9 item-set bonuses are, the next-best alternatives will be the 245 Ilvl version of the item, namely the Wrynn’s Greathelm of Triumph/Hellscream’s Greathelm of Triumph, and the 232 Ilvl version, Wrynn’s Greathelm of Conquest/Hellscream’s Greathelm of Conquest.
As there are not many other viable choices for damage mitigation, both of the 245/232 Ilvl helmets from Onyxia’s Lair, namely the Helm of Wrath and the Faceguard of Wrath, will be the best alternatives for this slot due to the high avoidance they provide. Besides the avoidance gained from Dodge Rating, Parry Rating, and Defense Rating, the items also grant you a small amount of Resistances that can be useful in ToC, as you will encounter Frost and Shadow Damage.
The Faceplate of the Honorbound/Headplate of the Honorbound is yet another valid alternative, albeit a rather expensive one. This alternative is best used for builds that don’t have enough Expertise Rating, as it trades avoidance for increased expertise. The only issue with the item is the steep price that it has, sharing the same token for its acquisition with the T9 item. This item is best used only if you already have the T9 4-item set bonus activated from your other slots and decide to use the “Head Gear Slot” as an “Off-piece Slot”.
You can continue to use the Conqueror’s Siegebreaker Greathelm as a valid option thanks to its great stats until you manage to either gather enough Emblems of Triumph or get lucky enough to gain one of the Onyxia helmets.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
The best possible option as a Fresh 80 with the release of the new Heroic ++ Dungeons will be the Mark of the Unyielding. This is thanks to the high baseline stats that the item grants combined with a fairly high amount of secondary stats. Even if the item has only two secondary stats, the item still grants you a high damage mitigation through the Armor Value that it offers.
The Fervor of the Protectorate is the next-best alternative both in terms of damage mitigation and Expertise Rating. While it may not offer Defense Rating or Block Value, it offers a high amount of raw Armor Value which mitigates a considerable amount of Physical Damage.
The Medallion of the Disgraced will be the next alternative thanks to its Block Value and increased Block Rating which offers increased damage mitigation. Even if the item itself grants more “Defensive Stats”, the raw Armor Value provides higher survivability according to the “Sim Tools”. The Warlord’s Depravity is another similar alternative that grants nearly the same amount of survivability. Whichever one of the two items you choose will not make a huge difference, as they are very close in terms of performance.
The Chained Military Gorget is another viable alternative for builds that don’t have enough Hit Rating while the Amulet of Autopsy is another viable alternative that focuses on providing general “Avoidance” and damage mitigation.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Freya (25) HM | |
Ulduar – Kologarn (25) | |
Ulduar – Zone Drop (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) |
The best possible option for this slot will be the Bronze Pendant of the Vanir. This is mainly due to its insanely high baseline stats and powerful defensive secondary stats. Even if the item itself does not grant you any “Block Rating” or “Block Value” increase, it presents itself with quite a high defensive rating, dodge rating, and parry rating.
If your entire build is oriented around “Block Value”, the Necklace of Unerring Mettle will be your actual BiS as it offers you a very high increase in “Block Value”. Even if the baseline stats will be lower than that of Bronze Pendant of the Vanir, the increase in block value will improve your mitigation overall.
Both Titanstone Pendant and Shard of the Crystal Forest grant you a decent alternative and a very good set of stats with the difference between them being that one grants you Hit Rating while the other one grants you Expertise Rating. All and all, both of them are very good items until you can manage to get your actual BiS.
Nexus War Champion Beads will be useful in case you can’t access any other Ulduar item until you can replace it, however, if you do not manage to gain it, you can use the Fervor of the Protectorate, even if it grants overall lesser stats.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Freya (25) HM | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (10) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) | |
Ulduar – Kologarn (25) |
The best possible choice for this slot in the third phase of the expansion will be The Arbiter’s Muse for Alliance and the Legionnaire’s Gorget for Horde. This item grants the highest possible damage mitigation for this slot, even if it only has two secondary stats. The reason why this item is stronger than any other item in terms of damage mitigation is the raw Armor Value which it grants. When compared to an item such as the Bronze Pendant of the Vanir, the raw Armor Value is superior to the raw Parry Rating you gain.
The Bronze Pendant of the Vanir is the next-best alternative due to the damage mitigation stats that it provides. From a pure “Avoidance” point of view, the amount of baseline stats combined with the defensive secondary stats will grant the highest possible survivability besides the actual BiS.
Another viable alternative for builds that already have a large amount of defensive stats yet require more Expertise Rating is the Endurance of the Infernal/Fortitude of the Infernal. Due to its large overall stats, both baseline and secondary, it grants a high amount of survivability, ranking it better than other options.
The Arbiter’s Muse/Legionnaire’s Gorget 245 Ilvl versions will be the last viable alternative from ToC, being a better option than the Endurance of the Infernal/Fortitude of the Infernal if you already have enough Expertise Rating.
Lastly, you can continue to use the Necklace of Unerring Mettle as a viable option if you haven’t managed to gain any of the ToC items or the Bronze Pendant of the Vanir. You may even want to prioritize it for fights such as Anub’arak as Block Value is incredibly powerful in that encounter.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Argent Confessor Palatress (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
With the new Heroic ++ Dungeons, the best possible option as a Fresh level 80 will be the Valorous Siegebreaker Pauldrons. This is due to the access to the T8 4-set item bonuses, along with a great set of baseline stats and secondary stats. The Expertise Rating will prove extremely useful to reaching your Soft Expertise Cap while the Dodge Rating it grants will improve your overall Avoidance.
The next-best alternative will be the Regal Aurous Shoulderplates, especially due to the valuable Hit Rating that it grants. Since Hit Rating can be hard to come across when talking about Tanking Items, you will want to make use of it in case you struggle finding other Hit Rating pieces.
The Heroes’ Dreadnaught Pauldrons come close in terms of survivability to the Regal Aurous Shoulderplates due to its raw baseline and secondary stats. However, the T7 piece is inferior, especially since the T7 item-set bonuses can’t be easily activated in this current phase, losing a certain amount of relevancy.
Lastly, if you are unlucky with the drops for any of the previously mentioned items, you may use the Abomination Shoulderblades as it provides decently high stats, with an emphasis on much-needed Hit Rating.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (25) | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Ulduar – Kologarn (10) |
The best item for this slot as preparation for ToC will be the Conqueror’s Siegebreaker Pauldrons. This is mainly due to the item granting you access to the 4-set item bonus combined with the high baseline stats. The item itself grants you quite a high amount of Expertise Rating besides its Dodge Rating. While it does not enhance your overall “Block Value” or “Block Rating”, the item itself enhances your overall survivability by a high amount.
Shoulderplates of the Deconstructor is the next-best option, especially if you don’t have enough Hit Rating from your other items. If we keep in mind the 4-set item bonus from tier 8, Valorous Siegebreaker Pauldrons will prove itself to be the better option, however, if you find yourself without enough Hit Rating, Shoulderplates of the Deconstructor will simply be better, especially since you don’t want to miss your taunts.
Lastly, Shoulderguards of the Solemn Watch will be your best initial option, especially since it grants you a better “Block Rating” than the previous BiS from phase 1. However, you will want to swap this item as fast as possible with either the tier-8 shoulders or the Shoulderplates of the Deconstructor. Since Protection Warrior benefits more from Dodge Rating rather than Parry Rating, this item can be considered just a stepping stone. Bare in mind, however, that even if Protection Warriors do not primarily benefit from Parry Rating, benefitting primarily from Block Chance and Block Value, they will still improve their mitigation from raw Parry Rating.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (10) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (25) |
The best possible choice for this slot in the third phase of the expansion will be the Wrynn’s Pauldrons of Triumph/Hellscream’s Pauldrons of Triumph. This is mostly due to two different factors, its highly required Expertise Rating and the access to the T9 item-set bonuses. In terms of damage mitigation, the item itself is not the best possible option, however, in our set, the item plays a pivotal role due to how powerful the item-set bonuses are.
Naturally, the 245 Ilvl versions and the 232 Ilvl versions of the item will be the next-best alternatives, due to the item-set bonuses, even if the overall stats will be lower.
If you already accessed the 4-item set bonus, the next-best alternative will be the Pauldrons of the Silver Defender/Sunreaver Defender’s Pauldrons. This is due to the overall high baseline and secondary stats with an emphasis on increased Block Value. Since we specialize in “Block Tanking” this item will actually be extremely powerful for encounters such as Anub’arak.
Another viable, yet underwhelming alternative when compared to the other options is the Shoulderplates of Enduring Order/Shoulderguards of Enduring Order. The main issue with this item is its steep price and the fact that the cost itself is shared with the T9 item, making it a less favorable choice. In terms of pure damage mitigation, the item has great stats, however, it is weaker than the Pauldrons of the Silver Defender/Sunreaver Defender’s Pauldrons due to the Block Value itself being stronger on a Protection Warrior.
Lastly, you can still use the Conqueror’s Siegebreaker Pauldrons until you manage to either gain the T9 item or the Pauldrons of the Silver Defender/Sunreaver Defender’s Pauldrons, as you will want to prioritize those two options over the Shoulderplates of Enduring Order/Shoulderguards of Enduring Order.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former The Obsidian Sanctum 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
For this slot, you have many new possible options with the arrival of the new Heroic ++ Dungeons that can enhance your character in many different ways. The best possible option will be the Saronite Animus Cloak which grants a great mix of defense-oriented stats combined with a much-needed Hit Rating. The next-best alternative will be the Cloak of the Iron Council which grants you a similar set of defense-oriented stats, only this time with a focus on Expertise Rating. You may choose between those two items, depending on whether you need more Hit Rating or Expertise Rating.
While not as strong as the first two options, you can also use two different alternatives that can be acquired from the same Heroic ++ Dungeons, namely the Gale-Proof Cloak and the Cloak of Armed Strife. Both items come from the first phase of the expansion, serving a similar role to our first two mentions, with one of the cloaks granting you a Hit Rating and the other an Expertise Rating depending on your current needs.
Lastly, if you can’t participate yet in a Heroic ++ Dungeon, you will want to acquire the Durable Nerubhide Cape as it is a great starting item that can be acquired fairly easily. It will provide you with great initial stats that should aid you at the beginning of your journey while also being available for purchase either from a Leatherworker or the Auction House.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Mimiron (25) HM | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Naxxramas – Zone Drop (Multiple Bosses) (25) |
By far the best possible choice for Protection Warriors in the Pre-ToC gearing phase will be the Titanskin Cloak. While it does not grant you defensive secondary stats apart from the “Defense Rating”, it will grant you much-needed Hit Rating and Expertise Rating.
The next-best option will be the Cloak of the Makers as it grants you very similar baseline stats coupled up with a high Dodge Rating, a high Defense Rating, and a much-needed Hit Rating.
The Saronite Animus Cloak can be considered the smaller version of the Cloak of the Makers, basically giving you exactly the same type of stats, being different only by granting a lower amount and the item level of the cape itself.
Cloak of the Iron Council will prove to be a stepping stone type of item, granting you decent amounts of baseline stats paired up with a high amount of “Block Rating”, Expertise Rating, and Defense Rating. You will quickly want to swap this item as fast as possible with an upgrade.
Shadow of the Ghoul remains a great option since the item grants you both a high “Block Value” and a high “Block Rating” plus high baseline stats. You can safely maintain this item as long as you have enough Expertise Rating, Defense Rating, and Hit Rating until you can get an item such as the Saronite Animus Cloak. Depending on how much “Block Value” your equipment has, you will want to maintain this item for a long time to bolster the remainder of your equipment with raw “Block Value”. Even if it means sacrificing Stamina over it.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) HC | |
Ulduar – Mimiron (25) HM | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) |
The best possible option for this slot in the third phase of the expansion will be Magni’s Resolution/Cairne’s Endurance. This is due not only thanks to its very high Ilvl, but also because of its extremely high stats, displaying both potent baseline and secondary stats. The item itself is far better suited for builds that already have enough Hit Rating and Expertise Rating, as its focus is solely on providing defensive stats.
The Cloak of the Unmoving Guardian/Cloak of the Unflinching Guardian is the next best alternative, offering precisely the same type of stats as the Magni’s Resolution/Cairne’s Endurance, only in lower overall amounts.
Pride of the Eredar/Pride of the Demon Lord is another viable alternative that is similar to the former BiS from phase 2, namely the Titanskin Cloak. This is due to the large amount of Expertise Rating that it grants while also granting a large amount of both baseline stats and defense-oriented stats. While the Titanskin Cloak is similar to this item, it remains a far better item for builds that lack both Expertise Rating and Hit Rating at the same time. You can still confidently use it, however, with the 272 Ilvl Cloaks, you will want to swap it as soon as you can get your hands on them.
Pride of the Eredar/Pride of the Demon Lord in its 232 Ilvl version will be a weaker overall choice than the Titanskin Cloak, especially as our build has an issue with its Hit Rating. While you may operate under the 8% Hit Rating Cap successfully, you may want to get as close as possible to it before you reach your actual BiS items to ensure that you do not cause a wipe. The Cloak of the Makers is yet another alternative that provides Hit Rating which may be used to ensure your success.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 32 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
The Wyrmrest Accord – Revered | |
Halls of Stone – Sjonnir the Ironshapper (Heroic) | |
Drak’Tharon Keep – The Prophet Tharon’ja (Heroic) |
Depending on your current Expertise Rating, the best possible options for a fresh 80 will be either the Breastplate of the Timeless for builds that lack Expertise Rating or the Valorous Siegebreaker Breastplate for builds that have plenty of Expertise Rating and require more “Avoidance”. With both items having great baseline stats, the choice is entirely dependent on the Expertise Rating.
If you can’t gain any of the Ulduar items from the new Heroic ++ Dungeons, you can confidently use either one of the Heroes’ Dreadnaught Breastplate or the Massive Skeletal Ribcage from the first phase of the expansion. With both items granting decently high overall stats, the choice depends entirely on whether you need more Avoidance which can be received from the T7 chest piece, or more Expertise Rating which can be received from the Massive Skeletal Ribcage.
However, if you can’t find a group for the new Heroic ++ Dungeons, you can easily acquire Breastplate of the Solemn Council from The Wyrmrest Accord quartermaster or stroll through two different Heroic Dungeons to acquire either one of the Sun-Emblazoned Chestplate/Ziggurat Imprinted Chestguard as your initial items.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Hodir (25) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 32 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (10) |
The best possible option will be the Conqueror’s Siegebreaker Breastplate. This is mainly due to its high baseline stats, the huge increase of “Block Value”, and access to the 4-set item bonuses. Since the 4-item set bonus enhances your Shield Wall, allowing you to reduce magical damage by 10% as well, we will want to have the bonus active, especially for Hardmode bosses.
As a viable alternative, you can use the Unbreakable Chestguard, especially since it grants you the same type of increased “Block Value” that the tier item gives you. Overall, the items themselves are pretty similar in raw baseline stats, however, the tier bonuses simply outclass this item.
Breastplate of the Timeless can be a stepping-stone alternative, especially if you lack Expertise Rating. You can use it for its high baseline stats, however, you will find that the Valorous Siegebreaker Breastplate will be a better option just for the tier-set bonuses alone.
The only reason you would have to pick Breastplate of the Timeless over the Valorous Siegebreaker Breastplate would be the high Expertise Rating that the item grants.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (10) Heroic | |
In our current setup, there are two possible BiS variants for this slot, with the BiS depending on what item you are using in your Leg Slot. If you are using the T9 legs to activate your T9 4-item set bonus, your BiS will be the Chestplate of the Towering Monstrosity/Hauberk of the Towering Monstrosity due to the Expertise Rating that it grants. Naturally, the next-best alternative for it will be its 245 version, the (Chestplate of the Towering Monstrosity/Hauberk of the Towering Monstrosity).
If you use the Expertise Rating legs(Legguards of Feverish Dedication/Legplates of Feverish Dedication), you will want to use Wrynn’s Breastplate of Triumph/Hellscream’s Breastplate of Triumph as your actual BiS to activate the T9 4-item set bonus.
Naturally, for the situation in which you are using Legguards of Feverish Dedication/Legplates of Feverish Dedication for your Legs Slot, you will want to use the 245 Ilvl version of the T9 Chest (Wrynn’s Breastplate of Triumph/Hellscream’s Breastplate of Triumph), and the 232 Ilvl version (Wrynn’s Breastplate of Conquest/Hellscream’s Breastplate of Conquest) as your next-best alternatives.
The Chestguard of the Warden/Stoneskin Chestplate is a similar alternative to the T9 chest piece, offering the exact same type of stats and the exact same precise amounts of stats as the 245 Ilvl version of the T9 chest piece. The only main difference is the lack of access to the T9 item-set bonuses. Realistically, you may want to use this item until you can gain a Trophy to upgrade your T9 chest piece, however, you will want to swap it instantly after you manage to upgrade the T9 item.
In a similar fashion, the Breastplate of the White Knight/Breastplate of the White Knight provides the same type of stats, with the added difference of having one additional Gem Socket. The item is also easier to acquire since it is a crafted item.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
60 Emblem of Valor (BoE) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Since there are not many great options for this slot, the best possible choice will be the Flamewatch Armguards. The item is especially good as it provides us with Hit Rating, a stat that we will struggle to optimize. Depending on whether you can find it on the Auction House or not, the Bracers of Dalaran’s Parapets provide a similar set of stats, only for a lower overall amount. The main difference is the Avoidance form granted, with one item offering Dodge Rating while the other offers Parry Rating.
If you can’t gain access to any of the previously mentioned items, the Minion Bracers are a good option for increasing your overall Avoidance while the Bracers of Lost Sentiments are a decent option for improving your overall Hit Rating and Expertise Rating.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Naxxramas – Maexxna (25) |
Sadly, Ulduar does not grant us a lot of choices when it comes to the wrist slot. We will have two main options to pick from, with Mimiron’s Inferno Couplings being the best choice. This is mainly due to its high baseline stats combined with the high secondary stats. It will also grant you a much-needed Hit Rating. While it does not exceed in defensive stats, it still proves to be the best option for the simple lack of a better option.
Flamewatch Armguards are the only alternative presented by Ulduar, granting you both decent baseline stats and secondary stats. There is not much else to say about this item, other than that it can be considered a lesser version of Mimiron’s Inferno Couplings, practically giving you the exact same type of secondary stats.
If you wish to skip over the Flamewatch Armguards, you can still use the Bindings of the Hapless Prey as it grants you high baseline stats and severely enhances your “Block Value” while still granting you plenty of Defense Rating.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Hc | |
Trial of the Crusader -Icehowl (10) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) | |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (10) |
Depending on your current Hit Rating and how performant you are under the 8% Soft Hit Cap, you will have two main options for this slot in the third phase of the expansion. If you already have enough Hit Rating and your performance is great while being under 8% Soft Cap, the best option will be the Bracers of the Shieldmaiden/Armguards of the Shieldmaiden. This item also grants you a considerable amount of Expertise Rating besides its great baseline stats and high defense-oriented secondary stats. Naturally, the best alternative for it will be the 245 Ilvl version of it (Bracers of the Shieldmaiden/Armguards of the Shieldmaiden).
If you struggle performing under the 8% Soft Hit Cap, the best possible option will be the Dreadscale Armguards/Dreadscale Bracers as it has similar overall stats with a focus on Hit Rating. While it provides overall lower damage mitigation, it will allow you to successfully land your attacks and taunts.
Saronite Swordbreakers/Saronite Swordbreakers can be considered the next-best alternative for the Dreadscale Armguards/Dreadscale Bracers, offering almost identical stats with the added benefit of being a BoE-crafted item. This item is more defense-oriented, offering higher overall defensive stats over Hit Rating, however, it will still provide a considerable amount of Hit Rating, fulfilling its purpose.
On the same note, Mimiron’s Inferno Couplings will still prove useful for providing Hit Rating, even more so than the 232 Ilvl version of the Dreadscale Armguards/Dreadscale Bracers. The only issue with it, when compared to the other Hit Rating options, is that it provides lower overall Avoidance due to the overall lower stats it grants.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
60Â Emblem of Heroism/Vault of Archavon ( Archavon the Stone Watcher) | |
Trial of the Champion – Argent Confessor Palatress | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
For this slot, you will have multiple viable options that depend entirely on the rest of your items. The best possible option, the Valorous Siegebreaker Handguards, will grant you access to the T8 item-set bonuses while also offering a large amount of both baseline and secondary stats. The key stat that this item confers is the Hit Rating, especially as we will struggle with it early on.
If you still require Hit Rating and can’t find the T8 gloves or don’t wish to sacrifice your Gem Sockets for increased Hit Rating, you can use the Gauntlets of the Master as a viable alternative. However, it will provide lesser overall survivability when compared to the T8 gloves.
The next-best alternative will be the Adamant Handguards as it grants quite a substantial amount of defense-oriented stats. However, it’s better to use this item only if you have enough Hit Rating. On a similar note, the Gauntlets of the Iron Furnace can also be used due to their high baseline stats and Defense Rating that the item provides. Even if the item provides Armor Penetration, you will still gain a considerable amount of survivability.
If you already have enough Hit Rating but lack Expertise Rating, either of Heroes’ Dreadnaught Handguards or Mercy’s Hold to increase your overall Expertise Rating while also buffing up your overall survivability.
Pre-ToC
The best possible option for this slot during the pre-gearing phase for ToC and the only item that will not be a tier item from this set will be the Handguards of Revitalization. This is mainly due to the very high baseline stats, combined with the two gem sockets and high secondary stats. Even if Protection Warrior benefits more from “Block Value”, the high amounts of Parry Rating and Dodge Rating will increase your overall mitigation.
Handguards of the Enclave will provide you with the next-best alternative, especially since they grant you a spectacular amount of “Block Value”. However, the item has no gem sockets, meaning that it will have an overall lower Stamina than our first choice.
Conqueror’s Siegebreaker Handguards grants you a decent alternative, however, it is better suited for sets that do not have enough Hit Rating. The item itself grants you lower overall defensive stats than the previously mentioned items, being treated as a stepping stone. Most Protection Warriors choose to ignore the item altogether, however, it can still provide you with plenty of value in lack of any better option.
Lastly, the Gauntlets of the Royal Watch provide a very well-rounded option, granting you high Stamina, and high defensive secondary stats while also granting you a good amount of Hit Rating. While the item itself is quite good, you will want to gain either Handguards of Revitalization or Handguards of the Enclave as they are simply better items stats-wise.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Freya (25) HM | |
Ulduar – The Iron Council (25) |
The best possible option for this slot in the third phase of the expansion will be the Wrynn’s Handguards of Triumph/Hellscream’s Handguards of Triumph. This is due to the overall great stats that the item grants, with both baseline and secondary stats being very high. Not only that the item has great stats, it also provides you access to the T9 item-set bonuses.
Considering that you will want to gain the 4-item set bonus, the next best alternatives to this item will be the 245 Ilvl version of it (Wrynn’s Handguards of Triumph/Hellscream’s Handguards of Triumph) and the 232 Ilvl version (Wrynn’s Handguards of Conquest/Hellscream’s Handguards of Conquest).
Since there are no other viable options from ToC, you will want to use the Handguards of Revitalization from Ulduar as it grants precisely the exact types of stats as the T9 item, only in lower amounts and with no access to the T9 item-set bonuses.
Lastly, you can continue using the Handguards of the Enclave from the previous phase of the expansion, especially in encounters such as Anub’arak due to the increase in Block Value that it offers. Compared to the T9 item, the Handguards of the Enclave are overall weaker with the exception of the Anub’arak encounter where Block Value is extremely beneficial.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – Skadi the Ruthless (Heroic) |
For a fresh level 80, there is a special item that can be acquired from the second phase of the expansion which will boost your overall survivability by massive amounts. We are talking about the Indestructible Plate Girdle, a crafted item that grants huge amounts of both baseline and secondary stats, with a focus on defense-oriented stats such as Dodge Rating, Parry Rating, and Defense Rating.
If you don’t have enough gold to acquire the Indestructible Plate Girdle, you may choose to use either one of the Stormtempered Girdle or the Girdle of the Pallid Knight as the next-best alternative, however, their overall stats are considerably lower while also having a focus on Hit Rating rather than overall enhanced Avoidance. Since we have major issues with our Hit Rating, you might consider using either of the items until you can gain Hit Rating from your other gear slots.
If you can’t find any of the previously mentioned items, you can use either one of the Waistguard of the Tutor or the Skadi’s Iron Belt as they can be easily acquired while also providing you with a solid amount of survivability, even if they generally have lower overall stats than the rest of the options.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) | |
For the Waist slot, the best choice differs the most depending on which fight you currently find yourself in. As some fights favor Block Value over Parry and Dodge Rating while others favor Block Rating and Block Value completely, you will find yourself wanting to swap between two items in order to optimize your mitigation completely.
For fights that favor Block Value, your best choice will be the Dragonslayer’s Brace, as it provides very high baseline stats paired up with high “Block Value” and quite a high “Block Rating”. The only issue the item has is that it has no “gem sockets”.
The second choice which is better in fights that do not rely so much on Block Value will be the Indestructible Plate Girdle. The best part of this item is that you can quickly attain it since it is a crafted item and it has extremely high stats, both for its baseline and secondary stats. It also has two gem sockets.
As a decent alternative to the two previously mentioned items, you can use the Shieldwarder Girdle, as it grants you high amounts of Stamina paired up with quite a high amount of Dodge Rating and Hit Rating. The item itself can be considered quite good, however, it pales in comparison to the previously mentioned items, being used as a stepping-stone of sorts. The good part about it is that while the recipe for the crafted item may not be looted and the Dragonslayer’s Brace may simply not drop, this item can be acquired through Emblems of Conquest, removing the RNG element to some extent.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (10) HC | |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (10) HC |
The best possible choice for this slot will be the Girdle of Bloodied Scars/Belt of Bloodied Scars. Since ToC offers multiple waists that all have the precise exact same types of stats (Defense Rating, Dodge Rating, Parry Rating), you will want to use Girdle of Bloodied Scars/Belt of Bloodied Scars as it has the highest amount of sheer stats.
Naturally, the next-best alternative will be its 245 Ilvl version (Girdle of Bloodied Scars/Belt of Bloodied Scars), followed up closely by the Girdle of the Nether Champion/Belt of the Nether Champion which provides precisely the same type of bonuses, only in lower amounts.
Since we mentioned earlier that you will want to alternate between Block Value items and Parry Rating/Dodge Rating items depending on the encounter, there is only one viable exception for this slot that applies to that specific rule.
The Dragonslayer’s Brace is an exception that should be used only in the Anub’arak encounter as that fight requires a (Block Tank) to mitigate the vast amounts of damage that the boss and its adds deal.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Grand Champions | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10) |
For this slot, you will often have to choose between items that grant you sheer avoidance through increased Parry Rating, Dodge Rating, and Block Value or items that grant you two main defense-oriented stats and focus more on providing either Expertise Rating or Hit Rating. This slot can be customized depending on the rest of your gear as there are many viable choices that you can pick, depending entirely on the rest of your gear.
For increased Avoidance, the best possible option is the Valorous Siegebreaker Legguards while for increased Expertise Rating, the best possible option will be the Gilded Steel Legplates. Both items display extremely high stats, with one of them granting you access to the T8 item-set bonuses and a large amount of Block Value while the other one simply brings an incredible amount of Expertise Rating alongside high defense-oriented stats.
On the same note, Archaedas’ Lost Legplates and the Legguards of Abandoned Fealty will both be viable alternatives for builds that lack Expertise Rating, with the former being stronger than the latter due to the sheer amounts of stats it grants.
If you can’t gain any of the previously mentioned items due to unlucky drops or lack of Sidereal Essence, you can confidently use either one of the Legplates of Inescapable Death or the Heroes’ Dreadnaught Legguards as a viable alternative. Both items will increase your overall damage mitigation (Avoidance) either through increased Parry Rating/Dodge Rating or Block Value/Block Rating.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Freya (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM | |
The best possible choice for the Pre-Toc gearing phase of the expansion will be the Conqueror’s Siegebreaker Legguards. This is mainly due to its high baseline stats, two gem sockets, the potential for tier-set item bonuses, and its fantastic secondary stats. Since Protection Warriors benefit the most from “Block Value”, this item will grant you an outstanding amount of it, allowing you to increase your overall survivability.
Naturally, the Valorous Siegebreaker Legguards come as a second-best choice, since they are the basic version of the item, granting you the same type of stats and item bonuses.
As viable alternatives, you can choose either the Wyrmguard Legplates or the Legplates of the Endless Void. As mentioned previously, even if Protection Warrior benefits the most from Block Value, there will be fights where other forms of mitigation such as Parry Rating and Dodge Rating will be required. Meaning that for some fights, the Legplates of the Endless Void will prove invaluable, especially since they offer you insanely high overall stats.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) | |
Ulduar – Freya (25) | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM |
For this slot, the BiS depends entirely on your preference, the drop chance itself, and whether or not you are currently using the T9 Chest Piece or an Off-Set item.
If you choose to use the Off-Set chest, the (Chestplate of the Towering Monstrosity/Hauberk of the Towering Monstrosity), the BiS choice for your Legs Slot will be the Wrynn’s Legguards of Triumph/Hellscream’s Legguards of Triumph. You can think of it as a trade-off since the T9 Legs offer a large amount of defense-oriented stats while also making sure that you will activate the 4-item set bonus.
Naturally, if you choose to pursue this itemization path, you will want to use the 245 Ilvl version (Wrynn’s Legguards of Triumph/Hellscream’s Legguards of Triumph), and the 232 Ilvl version (Wrynn’s Legguards of Conquest/Hellscream’s Legguards of Conquest) as the next-best alternatives since they are basically the same item. The only major difference is the sheer amount of stats granted by the different Ilvl versions of the item.
One of the main reasons why you may want to prioritize the T9 legs instead of the T9 chest, is the large amount of Block Value that you can gain by using the T9 legs. Since Protection Warriors benefit the most from Block Value, this stat will be extremely impressive, especially in encounters against Anub’arak where (Block Tanks) really shine.
If you choose to use the T9 Chest piece, the (Wrynn’s Breastplate of Triumph/Hellscream’s Breastplate of Triumph), the actual BiS you will want to use is the Legguards of Feverish Dedication/Legplates of Feverish Dedication. Once again, you can think of it as a trade-off, gaining Expertise Rating and a plethora of useful defense-oriented stats alongside Gem Sockets from this item while gaining the T9 4-item set bonus from your Chest Piece.
If you choose to use the Expertise Rating legs, the next-best alternative for them will be their 245 Ilvl version, the Legguards of Feverish Dedication/Legplates of Feverish Dedication, as it’s basically the same item, only with lower overall stats.
You may still choose to use the Conqueror’s Siegebreaker Legguards until you can gain the T9 legs, however, their value will be quite underwhelming compared to the T9 item-set bonuses that you can gain. On the other hand, the Legplates of the Endless Void are an extremely strong alternative to the T9 legs, that you can use to increase your overall avoidance through increased Parry Rating and Dodge Rating.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 19 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Naxxramas – Anub’Rekhan, Gluth (25) (BoE) | |
Trial of the Champion – Eadric the Pure | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom – Herald Volazj | |
Depending on your current gear, you have multiple initial options that will greatly enhance your overall performance as a Fresh Level 80. You will have access to two strong options that became easily accessible through the new phase of the expansion, namely the Greaves of the Iron Army and the Boots of Heartfelt Repentance. Those two options are for builds that lack Expertise Rating, providing a large amount of Expertise Rating while also granting a decently high amount of survivability.
If you already have enough Expertise Rating and simply seek pure damage mitigation, the Spiked Deathdealers will be the best possible choice that you can acquire as a fresh level 80. This is especially true due to the item’s BoE nature, allowing you to simply buy it from a Blacksmith or the Auction House.
Another potent alternative if you already have enough Expertise Rating will be the Inexorable Sabatons. This item will still provide a large quantity of damage mitigation (Avoidance) through the increased Block Value and Block Rating.
If you can’t gain any of the previously mentioned items, you can choose to use either one of the Plague-Impervious Boots, the Greaves of Ancient Evil, or the Tempered Titansteel Treads as they all grant great initial stats until you can manage to find an upgrade.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Zone Drop (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 19 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Naxxramas – Anub’Rekhan, Gluth (25) |
Just like in the previous sections of this guide, the best option depends entirely on the encounter itself and the rest of your gear slots. There are two main options that can be swapped depending on the fight itself, meaning that you may want to gain both items to optimize your fights as much as possible.
The Greaves of the Stonewarder will be the best possible option when it comes to encounters where Block Value is the most efficient stat while the Greaves of the Iron Army is the best choice when it comes to fights where you benefit the most from Parry Rating. The Greaves of the Iron Army will be especially good if your overall gear lacks enough Expertise Rating.
As viable alternatives, you can directly buy either Spiked Deathdealers or even the Inexorable Sabatons, as both options are great. Following the same school of thought, the Spiked Deathdealers will be a great initial option, especially in fights where you benefit more from Parry Rating and Dodge Rating while the Inexorable Sabatons are a lot better in builds that stack as much “Block Value” as possible and in encounters where “Block Value” is the most efficient form of mitigation.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) | |
Ulduar – Zone Drop (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 19 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) |
The choice for this slot is extremely similar to the Bracers Slot, as it depends on how comfortable you are operating under the 8% Soft Hit Cap. While performing under the 8% Soft Hit Cap is entirely possible and even viable, it will also force you to depend on RNG, especially for successfully landing your Taunts.
If you choose to operate under the 8% Soft Hit Cap, the BiS option for this slot will be the Dawnbreaker Greaves/Dawnbreaker Sabatons as it grants the highest amount of raw baseline stats combined with a very large amount of defense-oriented secondary stats. However, if you choose to ignore Hit Rating items for your other slots as well and only focus on defense-oriented items, you may find major issues in both maintaining aggro and actually hitting your target.
The next-best alternative for choosing this path will naturally be the 245 Ilvl version of this item, the Dawnbreaker Greaves/Dawnbreaker Sabatons, which grants the exact same type of stats in lower overall amounts.
If you also choose to pursue more defense-oriented items for this slot, the Greaves of the Stonewarder is yet another viable option that increases your overall avoidance through increased Block Value. This item is also extremely strong in the Anub’arak encounter as (Block Tanks) are highly sought after for that encounter.
The Sabatons of the Lingering Vortex/Greaves of the Lingering Vortex will be your BiS if you choose to optimize your Hit Rating to get as close as possible to the 8% Soft Hit Cap. By doing so, you will renounce a small portion of your overall Avoidance Rating in favor of getting as close as possible to the Soft Hit Cap.
As for the next-best alternative when it comes to the Hit Rating path, the 232 Ilvl Sabatons of the Lingering Vortex/Greaves of the Lingering Vortex will be the only viable option.
Lastly, if you already have enough Hit Rating but still require Expertise Rating, the Greaves of the Iron Army will be the best possible choice, taking both ToC and Ulduar items into account from a sheer stats point of view.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 15 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Grand Champions (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former The Obsidian Sanctum 10 Drop) | |
Utgarde Keep – Ingvar the Plunderer (Heroic) | |
With the release of the new Heroic ++ Dungeons and the new Sidereal Essence Vendor, you will have multiple available options as a fresh level 80 when it comes to your ring slots.
The most potent ring combination will be the Seal of Ulduar & Signet of Winter. This is mainly due to the incredible stat spread that you can gain by using both of the rings, gaining access to a large amount of Armor, Parry Rating, Dodge Rating, and Expertise Rating. From a sheer stats point of view, there isn’t any other option that grants you as many stats as this combination.
If you don’t have enough essence to gain the Seal of Ulduar, you may use the Mark of the Relentless as the next-best alternative, as it offers the same types of stats in lower overall amounts.
If you don’t have access yet to any of the previously mentioned items, you can still use the rings from the first phase of the expansion as their stats will still prove to be useful.
The Deflection Band is a great initial option for builds that lack Hit Rating while the Signet of the Accord fulfills the same roles as the Seal of Ulduar. The main difference between the Phase 1 Rings and the Phase 2 rings is that the Phase 1 rings grant you Defense Rating while the Phase 2 rings will grant you Armor instead.
If you already have plenty of Expertise Rating/Hit Rating from your other slots but still can’t find any of the other previously mentioned items, you can use either one of the Unsmashable Heavy Band or the Titanium Earthguard Ring as a defense-oriented initial option.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Thorim (25) HM | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (25) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) | |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) |
Considering the best possible choices for your ring slots as a Protection Warrior in Ulduar, we sadly don’t have many choices. However, the choices presented are very powerful, even if they are not very diversified. The most powerful ring that you can pair up with any of the other 3 choices will be Fate’s Clutch. This is mainly due to its high baseline/secondary stats paired up with complementary Expertise Rating to aid you in reaching your Expertise Soft Cap.
The second ring that you will want to use depends entirely on the encounter itself with options such as the Signet of the Earthshaker providing you with a great deal of “Block Value” while options such as the Platinum Band of the Aesir grant you additional Expertise Rating and Dodge Rating as a main form of Mitigation.
Lastly, you can use The Leviathan’s Coil, however, you may want to swap it as fast as possible since you should only treat this item as a stepping-stone due to its low overall stats.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Thorim (25) HM | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (25) | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (25) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) |
The best possible choices for your ring slot in the third phase of the expansion will be a combination of Signet of the Traitor King/Band of the Traitor King and Fate’s Clutch. While the Signet of the Traitor King/Band of the Traitor King is the best possible choice in terms of pure damage mitigation that you can acquire in ToC, Fate’s Clutch will be our second choice due to the Expertise Rating that it grants which is vital in our current setup.
As an alternative to the Fate’s Clutch, you can use the Loop of the Twin Val’kyr/Band of the Twin Val’kyr for builds that already have enough Expertise Rating and simply require more Avoidance.
Naturally, the next-best alternative in terms of pure damage mitigation (Avoidance), will be the 245 Ilvl version of the Signet of the Traitor King/Band of the Traitor King. This is due to the sheer number of defense-oriented stats you can gain from the item.
As an alternative to the Loop of the Twin Val’kyr/Band of the Twin Val’kyr, you can use the Clutch of Fortification as it grants a similar amount of stats. The item has the same types of stats as the Loop of the Twin Val’kyr/Band of the Twin Val’kyr, however, it is weaker since it lacks a Gem Socket.
For Anub’arak, you can consider using the Signet of the Earthshaker for its increased Block Value!
In case you can’t find Fate’s Clutch, you can use the Platinum Band of the Aesir as the next-best alternative for gaining Expertise Rating. Beware, however, that its overall stats are significantly weaker than other ToC items.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Hadronox (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
With the arrival of the new Heroic ++ Dungeons and the Trial of the Champion Dungeon, we now have access to many powerful trinkets that can be acquired fairly easily.
The best possible trinket that you can use in this phase and can also be acquired very early on is The Black Heart. This is due to both the static Stamina buff that it grants and its On-Equip effect which grants an extraordinary amount of raw Armor Value on a very short internal cooldown. The best possible trinket you can combine it with is the Royal Seal of King Llane which also offers a more powerful static Stamina buff, however, it grants a weaker On-Use effect than The Black Heart.
As for viable alternatives that you can gain fairly easily, the Essence of Gossamer and the Figurine – Monarch Crab will be the next-best alternatives, as they will both grant you the best amount of Stamina available. However, you can only gain the Figurine – Monarch Crab if you have Jewelcrafting as one of your professions.
The Furnace Stone is another viable alternative that will grant a different form of damage mitigation through Dodge Rating and Armor Value. The only reason this trinket is not higher on the list is due to its long cooldown.
If you can’t find any of the previously mentioned items, you can also use the Repelling Charge as a viable defense-oriented trinket with a fairly decent On-Use effect.
While there may be stronger trinkets that you can realistically use from Naxxramas, it will be hard to attain them as a fresh level 80 unless you form a guild run or manage to find a group that will carry you and pass the loot over.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Ulduar – Ignis the Furnace Master (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Hadronox (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Ulduar – General Vezax (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 19 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Naxxramas – Zone Drop (Multiple Bosses) (25) |
The third phase of the expansion will grant us one extremely powerful trinket that will overshadow the rest of the trinkets from the second phase of the expansion. The Black Heart is a new addition to the trinket rooster that grants a considerable amount of Stamina while also granting a very powerful On-Equip effect. While you will find other trinkets from Ulduar such as the Heart of Iron which will grant a considerable amount of Stamina, the sheer amount of Armor Value granted by The Black Heart will be stronger than the raw Stamina and the Dodge Rating granted.
The best possible combination will be the Heart of Iron and The Black Heart mainly due to the very high stamina that they will grant you and the on-use effects that they will grant you.
As second-best alternatives, you will be able to choose between the Royal Seal of King Llane, the Essence of Gossamer, and the Figurine – Monarch Crab as they will both grant you the best amount of Stamina available. However, you can only gain the Figurine – Monarch Crab if you have Jewelcrafting as one of your professions.
Sadly, Ulduar doesn’t have many other competent tanking options, leaving you with alternatives such as the Furnace Stone or The General’s Heart as viable options. Neither can be considered great, as they will reduce your overall Health Pool.
Furnace Stone is good for fights where you will take high amounts of Physical Damage as you can greatly increase your Armor while The General’s Heart actually grants you an effect similar to “Block Value”.
Lastly, there is a possibility for you to create a Hybrid Build with a focus on Threat Generation by adding items that increase your overall Attack Power or Armor Penetration. Some examples of this type of build would be the Mjolnir Runestone or the Grim Toll. However, many would consider such a build on the Troll side.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Ulduar – Ignis the Furnace Master (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (10) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (10) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Hadronox (Heroic) | |
The best combination for phase 3 depends entirely on the encounter that you find yourself in. Some players may prefer to use both of the 258 and 245 Ilvl (Satrina’s Impeding Scarab/Satrina’s Impeding Scarab for Alliance)/(Juggernaut’s Vitality/Juggernaut’s Vitality for Horde) while others prefer to use Satrina’s Impeding Scarab/Juggernaut’s Vitality paired up with the Heart of Iron.
The double Satrina’s Impeding Scarab/Juggernaut’s Vitality & Satrina’s Impeding Scarab/Juggernaut’s Vitality will be less useful in overall fights as it only provides a flat increase in health besides its static health buff while the Satrina’s Impeding Scarab/Juggernaut’s Vitality & The Black Heart offers both a huge raw Armor Value buff while also providing the flat increase in health which provides higher overall Avoidance.
While you generally want to keep Satrina’s Impeding Scarab/Juggernaut’s Vitality as your main trinket, you will most definitely want to acquire The Black Heart as your secondary trinket. It performs extraordinarily well, even overshadowing trinkets such as the Heart of Iron or the Royal Seal of King Llane which provide more static Stamina. The reason for this is its On-Equip effect which grants an absurd amount of raw Armor Value on a very low 50-second internal cooldown.
You will be able to replace The Black Heart with Heart of Iron or the Royal Seal of King Llane. Both the Royal Seal of King Llane and the Heart of Iron grant static Stamina buffs, the main difference between them is the form of Avoidance that they grant, with one item granting Dodge Rating while the other Parry Rating. In terms of raw damage mitigation, they are very close to each other.
The Fervor of the Frostborn/Eitrigg’s Oath will be another viable alternative that you can use, however, it is considerably weaker than the previous options. It will provide you with a stacking Armor Buff and a static Dodge Rating buff which will increase your overall avoidance, however, it will be considerably weaker to The Black Heart which will be a lot easier to attain in comparison.
The Essence of Gossamer and the Figurine – Monarch Crab will still be very viable options due to the static Stamina buffs which they grant., even if their On-Equip effects are weak in comparison to the other items.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Eadric the Pure (Heroic) | |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
As a fresh level 80, there are multiple viable alternatives when it comes to your Weapon & Shield Slots, especially since Phase 3 comes with a new item vendor and the Heroic ++ Dungeons.
The best possible combination will be Shiver & The Boreal Guard which grants a great set of stats with a focus on both defense-oriented stats and much-needed Hit Rating. As they have a great stat spread, wielding those two will enhance your overall tanking performance considerably.
For your Weapon Slot, you will want to use either one of the Legacy of Thunder or the Stoneguard as your next-best alternatives. The Stoneguard focuses more on providing much-needed Hit Rating while the Legacy of Thunder will provide you with valuable Expertise Rating in case you can’t gain it from your other gear slots. In terms of defensive stats, both weapons are quite equal, providing a similar stat spread.
In case you can’t find the Legacy of Thunder and still require Expertise Rating, the Peacekeeper Blade will be the next appropriate alternative, providing similar stats in lower amounts. The main difference between the two is that one provides a raw Defense Rating while the other provides Parry Rating instead.
While there may be better weapons that you can use such as the Last Laugh, it will be highly unlikely to attend a Naxxramas raid as a Fresh Level 80.
Returning to your Shield Slot, if you can’t acquire The Boreal Guard due to the lack of Sidereal Essence, you will want to use the Shieldwall of the Breaker as your next-best alternative. The Shieldwall of the Breaker is also a viable choice for gaining Expertise Rating while maintaining a defense-oriented weapon or a weapon that focuses on Hit Rating.
Lastly, The Skull of Ruin is a pure defense-oriented option that grants a decently high amount of stats, with both baseline stats and secondary stats spread with a focus on Block Value.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (25) HM | |
Ulduar – Hodir (10) HM | |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) | |
Ulduar – Thorim (10) | |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (10) HM | |
Ulduar – Thorim (25) | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM | |
Ulduar – Hodir (10) HM | |
Ulduar – Hodir (25) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (10) |
There are many weapon choices for the Pre-Toc gearing phase, however, when it comes to the BiS, we will have Sorthalis, Hammer of the Watchers, and Bulwark of Algalon as our main choices. This is mainly due to their insanely high baseline stats, the combination of Expertise Rating and Parry Rating granted by Sorthalis, Hammer of the Watchers along with its Defense Rating, and the combination of high defensive secondary stats paired up with a gem socket granted by the Bulwark of Algalon.
However, until you can manage to get those items, you may find items such as the Shiver or Titanguard perfectly viable as alternatives for your main weapon. Both weapons grant you a much-needed Hit Rating, especially if you did not manage to get the soft Hit Cap from your other items while also granting you moderately adequate defensive stats.
As a stepping stone, you can choose the Legacy of Thunder, however, you will quickly want to swap it with an upgrade, since its stats are good enough only for Ulduar’s progression and not for any Hardmode content.
You can also use weapons such as the Caress of Insanity or Vulmir, the Northern Tempest which are traditionally DPS items for fights where you need to generate more Threat. However, it would help if you always remember that those weapons will be highly contested, especially at the beginning of Ulduar. A raid may choose to equip its tank with such a weapon only in the case that it has huge troubles in generating and maintaining Threat.
Returning to shields that you can use, The Boreal Guard is the next-best alternative to the Bulwark of Algalon. Since both items have very similar stats, the only difference is that one grants you Dodge Rating while the other one grants you Parry Rating and one additional gem socket.
Northern Barrier is a great alternative if you lack Hit Rating and Expertise Rating, especially if you are close to hitting your caps. Lastly, the Shieldwall of the Breaker will grant you very similar stats, however, instead of Hit Rating, it will grant you Parry Rating and a lower baseline stat amount than the Northern Barrier.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (25) HM | |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) HC | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (10) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (10) |
There are many options available for your Weapon & Shield slots, with a great deal of variety in the stats they offer. Your BiS for this phase will depend entirely on the rest of your gear slots, as it is bound by your current Hit Rating. For your Main-Hand Slot, you will have to choose, depending on your current Hit Rating, between the Silverwing Defender/Orgrim’s Deflector which is a defense-oriented option, and the Stormpike Cleaver/Hellscream Slicer which is the Hit Rating-focused alternative.
Since we have major issues with Hit Rating due to its scarcity, most of the time you will opt for the Stormpike Cleaver/Hellscream Slicer as it helps us reach as close as possible to the Soft Hit Cap. While the other option provides great defense-oriented stats, our overall Avoidance is already high from our other gear slots.
If you somehow still have issues with your Expertise Rating, you can choose to use Sorthalis, Hammer of the Watchers as your actual BiS due to its massive stats. The only possible situation for using Sorthalis, Hammer of the Watchers is by focusing your other gear slots on acquiring Hit Rating/Avoidance Stats instead of Expertise Rating.
If you already have plenty of Hit Rating and Expertise Rating yet you can’t gain the Silverwing Defender/Orgrim’s Deflector yet, the next-best alternative for increased Avoidance will be the Honor of the Fallen/Blood and Glory. This is due to the item presenting precisely the same types of stats, only in lower overall amounts.
If you still require Hit Rating and still haven’t come across the Stormpike Cleaver/Hellscream Slicer, you can use either one of the Shiver/Titanguard from the previous phase of the expansion as they both grant a good amount of Hit Rating besides their defense-oriented stats.
As for your Shield Slot, the best possible choice will be the Crystal Plated Vanguard/Forlorn Barrier. This is due to the massive amounts of stats that it grants, with a very good stat spread, especially due to its increase in Block Value.
While you will especially want to prioritize Block Value for Anub’Arak, the next-best alternative will actually be the Bulwark of Algalon, even if it doesn’t grant any Block Value. However, for the Anub’arak encounter, you will want to use a shield that focuses on Block Value.
As viable alternatives that specialize in increasing overall Block Value, you will be able to use the Bulwark of the Royal Guard/Aegis of the Coliseum and its 232 Ilvl version. Naturally, the Crystal Plated Vanguard will be stronger than the 232 Ilvl Bulwark of the Royal Guard/Aegis of the Coliseum, however, since it lacks a Gem Socket, it will be weaker than the 245 Ilvl Bulwark of the Royal Guard/Aegis of the Coliseum.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 38 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Animated Constellation – 15 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) |
Ironically, even with all the new options brought by the third phase of the expansion, the best possible choice will remain the Armor Plated Combat Shotgun. This is due to the Blue Gem Socket that provides Stamina as a bonus combined with the Defense Rating it provides. The difference between the Armor Plated Combat Shotgun and the Magnetized Projectile Emitter in terms of survivability is almost barely visible, with the former being just a bit stronger than the other in terms of damage mitigation. The Magnetized Projectile Emitter has a very similar performance due to the Armor Bonus it grants through the added Agility.
The Twirling Blades is another viable choice that can be used for increased Hit Rating as we will most certainly need it, however, it provides an overall lower survivability due to the lower Agility it grants. Since there is no Defense Rating either, you should only use this option as a buffer in between better options.
You can use either Avalanche or the Rifle of the Platinum Guard as a last alternative for increased Hit Rating even if they don’t provide any considerable damage mitigation tools. Once again, you can consider them as simple buffer items that you can use until you get an upgrade, just like with the Twirling Blades.
Pre-ToC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 38 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
The best possible choice for your ranged slot will be Veranus’ Bane. This is mainly due to the high Stamina that it offers paired up with solid defensive stats and Hit Rating. Since it is very important to hit our Defense Cap and our Hit Rating soft Cap, this item will be extremely valuable.
As a viable alternative, we can use the Magnetized Projectile Emitter, even if it does not grant any solid defensive stats. Simply put it, apart from Veranus’ Bane, the only item that can actually grant similar stats will be the Armor Plated Combat Shotgun, so you may want to keep it until you can actually gain the best option.
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 38 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
The best possible choice for this slot is the Blades of the Sable Cross. In terms of pure stats, it is extremely close to the former BiS from the second phase, namely, Veranus’ Bane. Both items display almost the same amount of stats, with the main difference being the weapon damage in itself which doesn’t actually matter for us as a Tanking Specialization. The main advantage of the Blades of the Sable Cross is that it can be acquired easily by using 25 Emblems of Triumph in comparison to Veranus’ Bane which is dependent on an Ulduar 25-man boss drop.
Since we want Hit Rating from this specific slot, the next-best alternative will be the Magnetized Projectile Emitter which can be easily acquired with the new Sidereal Essence. The Frenzystrike Longbow is another great alternative that becomes available from the new ToC Dungeon, offering a good amount of Hit Rating. The only issue with those two items is that they don’t grant any type of Defense Rating, granting Agility instead. While you won’t gain Dodge Rating from Agility, you will gain increased Armor which will help you mitigate Physical Damage.
Lastly, the Armor Plated Combat Shotgun remains one of the viable and strong options as it has a decent amount of Hit Rating, a blue gem socket that also offers Stamina as a bonus and a medium amount of Defense Rating that can be useful if your overall Defense Rating is low.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic Halls of Reflection – The Lich King | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Eadric the Pure (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Thorim (25) NM/HM |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Broken Ram Skull Helm | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Lady Deathwhisper |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Lady Deathwhisper | |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Heroic | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (10) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) | |
Ulduar – Kologarn (25) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Bile-Encrusted Medallion | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Rotface |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Rotface | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Heroic | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Heroic Noose of Malachite | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Valithria Dreamwalker |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic Pit of Saron – Forgemaster Garfrost | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Argent Confessor Palatress (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (10) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (25) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Gunship | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Gunship | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Blood Prince Council | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Blood Prince Council | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Korralin Hoperender – 30 Defiler’s Scourgestone (BoE) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former The Obsidian Sanctum 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Korralin Hoperender – 30 Defiler’s Scourgestone (BoE) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Royal Crimson Cloak | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Blood Prince Council |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Blood Prince Council | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Heroic Cloak of Many Skins | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Festergut |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Festergut | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 32 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic Pit of Saron – Scourgelord Tyrannus | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
The Wyrmrest Accord – Revered | |
Halls of Stone – Sjonnir the Ironshapper (Heroic) | |
Drak’Tharon Keep – The Prophet Tharon’ja (Heroic) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (10) Heroic | |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Heroic Ghoul Commander’s Cuirass | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Lady Deathwhisper |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Lady Deathwhisper | |
Heroic Blightborne Warplate | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Rotface |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Rotface | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) Heroic |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
60 Emblem of Valor (BoE) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Hc | |
Trial of the Crusader -Icehowl (10) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 30 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (10) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Bracers of Dark Reckoning | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Lord Marrowgar |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Lord Marrowgar | |
Heroic Gargoyle Spit Bracers | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Deathbringer Saurfang |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Deathbringer Saurfang | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Hc | |
Trial of the Crusader -Icehowl (10) HC |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
60Â Emblem of Heroism/Vault of Archavon ( Archavon the Stone Watcher) | |
Trial of the Champion – Argent Confessor Palatress | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Freya (25) HM | |
Ulduar – The Iron Council (25) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Heroic Taldaram’s Plated Fists | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Blood Prince Council |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Blood Prince Council | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Heroic Veincrusher Gauntlets | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Blood-Queen Lana’thel |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Blood-Queen Lana’thel |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
The Forge of Souls – Zone Drop | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – Skadi the Ruthless (Heroic) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 38 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (10) HC | |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (10) HC |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Belt of Broken Bones | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Festergut |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Festergut | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Heroic Ironrope Belt of Ymirjar | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Valithria Dreamwalker |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Grand Champions | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) | |
Ulduar – Freya (25) | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Heroic Deathforged Legplates | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Deathbringer Saurfang |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) Heroic | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Deathbringer Saurfang | |
Heroic Legguards of Lost Hope | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Lord Marrowgar |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Lord Marrowgar | |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 19 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic The Forge of Souls – Devourer of Souls | |
Naxxramas – Anub’Rekhan, Gluth (25) (BoE) | |
Trial of the Champion – Eadric the Pure | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom – Herald Volazj | |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 38 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Ulduar – Zone Drop (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 19 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Grinning Skull Greatboots | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Valithria Dreamwalker | |
Heroic Scourge Fanged Stompers | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Sindragosa |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Sindragosa | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) HC |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 15 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Grand Champions (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former The Obsidian Sanctum 10 Drop) | |
Utgarde Keep – Ingvar the Plunderer (Heroic) | |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (25) Heroic | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) Heroic | |
Korralin Hoperender – 30 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (25) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker | |
Heroic Juggernaut Band | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Lady Deathwhisper |
The Ashen Verdict – Exalted | |
The Ashen Verdict – Revered | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Valithria Dreamwalker | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Lady Deathwhisper | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (25) Heroic | |
Heroic Abomination’s Bloody Ring | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Gunship |
The Ashen Verdict – Honored | |
The Ashen Verdict – Friendly | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Gunship |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Hadronox (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 38 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Ulduar – Ignis the Furnace Master (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (10) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (10) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Hadronox (Heroic) | |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Sindragosa’s Flawless Fang | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Sindragosa |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 38 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic Unidentifiable Organ | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Professor Putricide |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Professor Putricide | |
Heroic Corpse Tongue Coin | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Gunship |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Gunship |
Fresh 80
Main-Hand | Source |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic Pit of Saron – Scourgelord Tyrannus | |
Heroic Halls of Reflection – Falric | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
The Forge of Souls – Bronjahm | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Eadric the Pure (Heroic) |
Shield | Source |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Halls of Reflection – Marwyn | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Main-Hand | Source |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (25) HM | |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) |
Shield | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) HC | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (10) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 50 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (10) |
Best-in-Slot
Main-Hand | Source |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic The Lich King | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – The Lich King | |
Heroic The Facelifter | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Professor Putricide |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Professor Putricide | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic The Lich King | |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – The Lich King | |
Heroic Bonebreaker Scepter | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Lord Marrowgar |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Lord Marrowgar |
Shield | Source |
Heroic Icecrown Glacial Wall | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Blood-Queen Lana’thel |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Blood-Queen Lana’thel | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) HC | |
Heroic Neverending Winter | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Gunship |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Gunship |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 38 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Animated Constellation – 15 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 38 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Dreamhunter’s Carbine | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Valithria Dreamwalker | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Zone Drop | |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic Halls of Reflection – The Lich King | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Eadric the Pure (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Thorim (25) NM/HM |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Broken Ram Skull Helm | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Lady Deathwhisper |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Lady Deathwhisper | |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Heroic | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (10) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) | |
Ulduar – Kologarn (25) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Bile-Encrusted Medallion | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Rotface |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Rotface | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Heroic | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Heroic Noose of Malachite | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Valithria Dreamwalker |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic Pit of Saron – Forgemaster Garfrost | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Argent Confessor Palatress (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (10) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (25) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Gunship | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Gunship | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Blood Prince Council | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Blood Prince Council | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Korralin Hoperender – 30 Defiler’s Scourgestone (BoE) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former The Obsidian Sanctum 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Korralin Hoperender – 30 Defiler’s Scourgestone (BoE) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Royal Crimson Cloak | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Blood Prince Council |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Blood Prince Council | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Heroic Cloak of Many Skins | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Festergut |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Festergut | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 32 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic Pit of Saron – Scourgelord Tyrannus | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
The Wyrmrest Accord – Revered | |
Halls of Stone – Sjonnir the Ironshapper (Heroic) | |
Drak’Tharon Keep – The Prophet Tharon’ja (Heroic) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (10) Heroic | |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Heroic Ghoul Commander’s Cuirass | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Lady Deathwhisper |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Lady Deathwhisper | |
Heroic Blightborne Warplate | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Rotface |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Rotface | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) Heroic |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
60 Emblem of Valor (BoE) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Hc | |
Trial of the Crusader -Icehowl (10) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 30 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (10) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Bracers of Dark Reckoning | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Lord Marrowgar |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Lord Marrowgar | |
Heroic Gargoyle Spit Bracers | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Deathbringer Saurfang |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Deathbringer Saurfang | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (25) Hc | |
Trial of the Crusader -Icehowl (10) HC |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
60Â Emblem of Heroism/Vault of Archavon ( Archavon the Stone Watcher) | |
Trial of the Champion – Argent Confessor Palatress | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – Freya (25) HM | |
Ulduar – The Iron Council (25) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Heroic Taldaram’s Plated Fists | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Blood Prince Council |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Blood Prince Council | |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Heroic Veincrusher Gauntlets | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Blood-Queen Lana’thel |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Blood-Queen Lana’thel |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
The Forge of Souls – Zone Drop | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – Skadi the Ruthless (Heroic) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 38 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (10) HC | |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (10) HC |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Belt of Broken Bones | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Festergut |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Festergut | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Heroic Ironrope Belt of Ymirjar | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Valithria Dreamwalker |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Grand Champions | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) | |
Ulduar – Freya (25) | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 264 Piece | |
Protector’s Mark of Sanctification & 251 Piece | |
Heroic Deathforged Legplates | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Deathbringer Saurfang |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) Heroic | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Deathbringer Saurfang | |
Heroic Legguards of Lost Hope | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Lord Marrowgar |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Lord Marrowgar | |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 19 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic The Forge of Souls – Devourer of Souls | |
Naxxramas – Anub’Rekhan, Gluth (25) (BoE) | |
Trial of the Champion – Eadric the Pure | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom – Herald Volazj | |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 38 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Ulduar – Zone Drop (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 19 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
The Ruby Sanctum (25) – Heroic Halion | |
The Ruby Sanctum (25) – Halion | |
Heroic Grinning Skull Greatboots | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Valithria Dreamwalker | |
Heroic Scourge Fanged Stompers | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Sindragosa |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Sindragosa | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Lord Jaraxxus (25) HC |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 15 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Grand Champions (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former The Obsidian Sanctum 10 Drop) | |
Utgarde Keep – Ingvar the Plunderer (Heroic) | |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (25) Heroic | |
Korralin Hoperender – 60 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) Heroic | |
Korralin Hoperender – 30 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (25) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Fjola Lightbane (10) |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker | |
Heroic Juggernaut Band | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Lady Deathwhisper |
The Ashen Verdict – Exalted | |
The Ashen Verdict – Revered | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Valithria Dreamwalker | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Lady Deathwhisper | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (25) Heroic | |
Heroic Abomination’s Bloody Ring | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Gunship |
The Ashen Verdict – Honored | |
The Ashen Verdict – Friendly | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Gunship |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Hadronox (Heroic) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 38 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Ulduar – Ignis the Furnace Master (25) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (10) HC | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (10) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Hadronox (Heroic) | |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Sindragosa’s Flawless Fang | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Sindragosa |
Heroic Petrified Twilight Scale | The Ruby Sanctum – Heroic Halion |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Sindragosa | |
Trial of the Crusader – Faction Champions (25) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 38 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Champion – The Black Knight | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic Unidentifiable Organ | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Professor Putricide |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Professor Putricide | |
Heroic Corpse Tongue Coin | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Gunship |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Gunship |
Fresh 80
Main-Hand | Source |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic Pit of Saron – Scourgelord Tyrannus | |
Heroic Halls of Reflection – Falric | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
The Forge of Souls – Bronjahm | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Trial of the Champion – Eadric the Pure (Heroic) |
Shield | Source |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Halls of Reflection – Marwyn | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) |
Pre-ICC
Main-Hand | Source |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (25) Heroic | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (25) HM | |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Animated Constellation – 25 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) |
Shield | Source |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) HC | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (10) HC | |
Korralin Hoperender – 50 Defiler’s Scourgestone | |
Trial of the Crusader – Anub’arak (10) |
Best-in-Slot
Main-Hand | Source |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic The Lich King | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – The Lich King | |
Heroic The Facelifter | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Professor Putricide |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Professor Putricide | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic The Lich King | |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (25) Heroic | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – The Lich King | |
Heroic Bonebreaker Scepter | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Lord Marrowgar |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Lord Marrowgar |
Shield | Source |
Heroic Icecrown Glacial Wall | Icecrown Citadel (25) – Heroic Blood-Queen Lana’thel |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Blood-Queen Lana’thel | |
Trial of the Crusader – Icehowl (25) HC | |
Heroic Neverending Winter | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Gunship |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) HM | |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Gunship |
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Animated Constellation – 38 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Animated Constellation – 15 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) | |
Heroic ++ Dungeons (Former Ulduar 10) |
Pre-ICC
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) | |
Animated Constellation – 38 Sidereal Essence ( Sidereal Essence Vendor) | |
Trial of the Crusader -Argent Crusade Tribute Chest (10) Heroic | |
Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic Dreamhunter’s Carbine | Icecrown Citadel (10) – Heroic Valithria Dreamwalker |
Icecrown Citadel (10) – Valithria Dreamwalker | |
Icecrown Citadel (25) – Zone Drop | |
Ulduar – Razorscale (25) |
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About the Author
Ignoring the fact that your gear doesn’t reach either defence cap, why in the world do you have DPS pants, instead of something like Bolstered Legplates?
Heroes’ Dreadnaught Handguards and Heroes’ Dreadnaught Breastplate are also much better choices than those listed, buy-able for 60 and 80 Emblem of Heroism, respectively.
Pauldrons of the Colossus are a much better option for your shoulders – they carry a Yellow Socket, along with Block Rating instead of Parry Rating, which offers MORE mitigation per point.
You should never exclude Seal of the Pantheon while you don’t exceed (or meet) the Defence cap.
Crygil’s Discarded Plate Panel is also a better option overall for your shield as it does offer more overall mitigation than Royal Crest of Lordaeron.
As I’ve mentioned, this part of the guide had an entire overhaul, with an added Progressive path that takes you all the way from the position of a new level 80 to a Pre-Ulduar gearing phase, to a BiS set for Ulduar. I apologize for the previous variant of this section as it had several errors you correctly pointed out!
Also, your neck piece should be Chained Military Gorget – your current choice doesn’t offer enough.
This is not the best gear. bad guide
This section of the guide has been completely updated! I do apologize for the previous version of this guide, I have made some errors regarding the item lists in the past.
Which raid gear is in the pre-raid?
Please be more specific.
Do you mean the pieces from level 70 raids? Because that is generally an accepted use for pre-raid gearing.
Do you mean the pieces for Emblems of Heroism? You can get those without ever going into a raid.
Do you mean anything from formerly Naxxramas 10, now Heroic+? Those are no longer raid items.
Hey there! I am sorry if the new format has created some confusion. The progressive list is supposed to show you a progression path starting from the beginning gear you can acquire in dungeons up to the BiS gear in Ulduar. The Pre-Raid section is supposed to show you the gear that you can acquire before Ulduar! It has items from the previous phase, including the Phase 1 BiS. Since Phase 2 came with the new Titan Rune Dungeons, the majority of the items have been overhauled and some of the old items which were only available in 10-man raids can now be accessed through the new Titan Rune Dungeon system.
The Pre-Raid section specifically mentions that it is a Pre-Ulduar section, not a Pre-Raid section for a fresh level 80 character.