- Author: Nevermore
- Date: January 8, 2023
- Expansion: WotLK Classic
Equipment will be the main source of your character’s power, contributing the biggest bulk of your stats. It is therefore very important that you choose the correct equipment for each slot — commonly referred to as “best in slot” equipment – in order to maximize your power.
This section of the guide will be divided into two parts: the first part of the section will have a simple BiS list. The second part of the section will have the best items along with all possible alternatives and extended explanations for their use.
Note: stats of the items may change once Phase 2 is released. This list is an educated guess based on the currently available information.
Best-in-Slot
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
Alternative: Cloak of the Gushing Wound
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
Alternative: Sharp-Barbed Leather Belt
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This combination of rings will be your best option.
Alternative: Meteorite Whetstone
If the Incisor Fragment is being a bit stubborn with dropping, you can use Meteorite Whetstone instead, the two aren’t extremely far apart in performance. You’ll want to make sure you’re using Mirror of Truth at all times, though.
Alternative Main Hand / Human: Crypt Lord’s Deft Blade
Humans can use Crypt Lord’s Deft Blade in their main hand to get their racial’s benefit, while everyone else should be using The Key. For the off-hand slot, The Interrogator is just really good, thanks to its superb speed and stats.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This combination of rings will be your best option.
Alternative: Mirror of Truth
The Mirror of Truth is roughly equal to Loatheb’s Shadow, so you can use whichever one you happen to get first. You will want to get Grim Toll no matter what your 2nd trinket is, however, as it is incredibly powerful.
Alternative Main Hand / Mace Specialization: Angry Dread
Alternative Off-Hand / Mace Specialization: Split Greathammer
The sword combination listed above will be the overall best option this tier. Dwarves, however, can go for the mace set listed in the Alternatives above, switching to the Mace Specialization talent build. Other races can also go for the maces if they happen to drop first and nobody wants them, or if the swords are being elusive — the Silent Crusader is notoriously rare, as it drops from trash.
This will be your best option for this slot.
This will be the best option for this slot.
Alternatives:
This will be the best option for this slot.
Alternatives:
This will be the best option for this slot.
Alternatives:
This will be the best option for this slot.
Alternatives:
This will be the best option for this slot.
Alternatives:
This will be the best option for this slot.
Alternatives:
Progressive Best-in Slot
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
The Oculus – Cache of Eregos (Heroic) | |
Halls of Lightning – Loken |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your head slot. In case you are an engineer, your first choice will be Weakness Spectralizers. The item itself has quite strong baseline stats, allowing you to gain a significant overall damage boost. If you do not have enough gold, the traditional approach would be to slowly progress with items like Hood of the Furtive Assassin and Mask of the Watcher from normal and Heroic Dungeons.
With the release of Phase 2, we gain access to a new variant of dungeons, Heroic Plus, that can grant you items such as Heroes’ Bonescythe Helmet (not confirmed yet) and Helm of the Vast Legions. For DPS output, your best choice will be Heroes’ Bonescythe Helmet as it also gets you the tier set bonus and quite a good chunk of Expertise Rating. Helm of the Vast Legions is better only if you end up lacking Hit Rating later on.
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
Naxxramas – Kel’Thuzad (25) | |
Naxxramas – Gothik the Harverster (25) | |
Naxxramas – Gluth, Thadius (25) |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. In this case, the best item for DPS output is Valorous Bonescythe Helmet, as it offers you high raw stats, much-needed Critical Strike Chance, Expertise Rating, and access to the tier set bonus.
The next best option is Hood of the Exodus, from a DPS output perspective. Instead of Critical Strike Chance, it grants you Haste Rating. While Haste Rating is not the best stat for Combat Rogue, it still provides you with plenty of damage.
Lastly, you can use Cover of Silence. However, it is inferior to the other two options due to the lack of gem sockets.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Thorim (25) HM | |
Ulduar – Mimiron (10) HM | |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (25) | |
Ulduar – Thorim (10) HM |
The best item for phase 2 is entirely dependent on your T8 4-item set bonus usage. If you choose to entirely ignore the 20% damage bonus to Rupture, your best choice will be Mimiron’s Flight Goggles. However, if you choose to use Rupture constantly, you will want to use Conqueror’s Terrorblade Helmet instead. Both items get you plenty of Critical Strike Chance and Haste Rating in addition to high raw stats, making the tier set bonus access the only actual difference between the two.
The next-best alternative is Garona’s Guise. For DPS output, this item is weaker than the first two presented. However, it can supplement you with considerable amounts of Expertise Rating, making it a potent choice if you are struggling with reaching the Expertise soft cap.
Lastly, Guise of the Midgard Serpent is a viable temporary option until you manage to gain any of the previously mentioned items, as the item itself is quite a downgrade in comparison.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
The Culling of Stratholme – Chrono-Lord Epoch |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your necklace slot. You can use your gold savings to acquire Titanium Impact Choker from either a Jewelcrafter or the Auction House. This necklace is quite potent, as it grants you both the high stats and Armor Penetration.
However, if you wish to take a more traditional path, you can start with items from dungeons such as Necklace of the Chrono-Lord that provides decent stats up until items like Collar of Dissolution.
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
The Eye of Eternity – Heroic: Judgement at the Eye of Eternity | |
Naxxramas – Sapphiron (25) |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. In this case, the item with the best possible DPS output is Broach of the Wailing Night. However, it can only be acquired with Emblem of Conquest, meaning that it may take a while to farm dungeons to gain them before any raid.
Favor of the Dragon Queen is the next best choice as it does provide you with solid stats, a gem socket, and Armor Penetration.
Lastly, you can use Icy Blast Amulet as it provides decent stats and Critical Strike Chance and Haste Rating with the offset that it does not grant a gem socket.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
With the changes done to Ulduar’s items, the Pendulum of Infinity becomes the most powerful item that you can acquire for the neck slot, even if it does not grant Armor Penetration. Its high raw stats, high Critical Strike Chance, and Haste Rating provide the best DPS output.
The next viable alternatives are either Seed of Budding Carnage or Nymph Heart Charm, with Seed of Budding Carnage being the clear superior choice for its Armor Penetration and its high stats. Nymph Heart Charm is a better choice if you severely lack Hit Rating.
Lastly, Broach of the Wailing Night is a very solid choice for the beginning of the gearing process until you can manage to get an upgrade.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Naxxramas – Instructor Razuvious (25) BoE | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
The Nexus – Grand Magus Telestra | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – King Ymiron |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your shoulders slot. The best possible choice would be Spaulders of Egotism, you can acquire them from the Auction House as they are a BoE item. The high raw stats, Critical Strike Chance, and Haste Rating will grant you the highest DPS output possible as a Fresh 80. Alternatively, you can get Trollwoven Spaulders from the Auction House or a Leatherworker if you don’t have enough gold for Spaulders of Egotism.
Supposedly with the new Heroic Plus Dungeons, you will be able to gain Heroes’ Bonescythe Pauldrons. If that is the case, it will be the next best option for your shoulders slot. Alternatively, you can gain Spaulders of Resumed Battle from Heroic Plus Dungeons, granting you both the much-needed Hit Rating as well as Critical Strike Chance.
Both Spaulders of the Careless Thief and Ceremonial Pyre Mantle are great choices that you can start with from the normal dungeons in Northrend if you do not have the gold for BoE items!
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
Naxxramas – Loathleb, Gluth (25) | |
Naxxramas – Instructor Razuvious (25) | |
The Obsidian Sanctum – Sartharion (25) |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. Valorous Bonescythe Pauldrons are the best item that you can acquire due to their high Critical Strike Chance and Haste Rating. Even if they do not grant Armor Penetration, they grant access to the tier-set bonus, making up for any lost damage.
Both Spaulders of Egotism and Concealment Shoulderpads are viable options from a DPS out perspective, however, they each work better individually, in builds that have either a high critical strike chance or high armor penetration. Concealment Shoulderpads are extremely potent if you lack quite a bit of Armor Penetration.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (25) | |
Ulduar – Steelbreaker (25) | |
Ulduar – Kologarn (25) | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (10) |
For the BiS item, we have a stand-off between Conqueror’s Terrorblade Pauldrons and Shoulderpads of the Intruder, with the difference being the access to the 4-item set bonus. Conqueror’s Terrorblade Pauldrons is slightly better because of the access to the tier bonus and the Critical Strike Chance bonus it offers.
Both Shoulderpads of the Monolith and Treacherous Shoulderpads are perfectly valid options for the beginning of the gearing process, however, they should be swapped out as soon as possible. Compared to the first items, their overall stats are a lot lower, even with Armor Penetration granted by one of the items.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Violet Hold – Erekem (Heroic) | |
Halls of Stone – Maiden of Grief |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your cloak slot. You can choose the Ice Striker’s Cloak, as it is the most convenient choice, a BoE item. Use it until you can manage to get your hands on either Cloak of Darkening or Cloak of Mastery from the new Heroic Plus Dungeons. Alternatively, you can get two solid starter items, such as Cloak of the Gushing Wound or Embrace of Sorrow from Heroic and Normal Dungeons respectively.
The best choice for DPS output is the Cloak of Darkening. However, Cloak of Mastery will grant you the much-needed Hit Rating.
Pre-Raid
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. The best choice will be Shawl of the Shattered Giant once someone will clear Ulduar and put the item in the Auction House.
Alternatively, you can use the former BiS from Phase 1, the Drape of the Deadly Foe, as it grants high raw stats, a high Critical Strike Chance, and a high Haste Rating. Other viable options will incluide Aged Winter Cloak and Hammerhead Sharkskin Cloak, with the latter being much more accessible since you can acquire it with emblems.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – General Vezax (10) | |
Ulduar – Hodir (25) HM | |
Ulduar – Runemaster Molgeim, Steelbreaker, Stormcaller Brundir (25) | |
Naxxramas – Kel’Thuzad (25) |
Drape of the Faceless General will be the strongest option for this slot, especially due to the high Armor Penetration it offers and the two gem sockets. By using the right sockets, you can slightly out-damage the Drape of Icy Intent.
As viable alternatives, you can use Drape of the Lithe or Drape of the Deadly Foe until you manage to get the previously mentioned items, as their raw stats will be quite potent.
For your cloak slot, you generally want items that grant you either Hit Rating, Critical Strike Chance, Haste Rating or Armor Penetration.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former The Obsidian Sanctum 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Krik’thir the Gatewatcher | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – Skadi the Ruthless |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your chest slot. The best possible choice will be Heroes’ Bonescythe Breastplate, assuming it will drop with the new Heroic Plus Dungeons. Alternatively, your next best item choice will be Blade-Scarred Tunic, especially since it grants you the much-needed Hit Rating. You can use Tunic of Dislocation instead, if your Expertise Rating is really low.
As solid first choices, you can use either Drake Rider’s Tunic or Custodian’s Chestpiece, as they provide you with decent initial stats.
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
The Eye of Eternity – Malygos (25) | |
Naxxramas – Hodir (25) | |
Naxxramas – Grobbulus (25) | |
Naxxramas – Gluth, Instructor Razuvious (25) |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. If we do not take the 4 set item bonus into consideration, Chestguard of the Recluse is the best possible option from a DPS output perspective.
Valorous Bonescythe Breastplate is the next best option, especially if you manage to have the 4-item set bonus active. As viable weaker alternatives, you can pick either Tunic of Indulgence or Chestpiece of Suspicion, as they are both potent, even if their respective DPS output is considerably lower.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Hodir (25) | |
Ulduar – Thorim (25) HM | |
Ulduar – Hodir (25) | |
The Eye of Eternity – Malygos |
The best available option for phase 2 is Conqueror’s Terrorblade Breastplate if you plan on using Rupture consistently. However, as its application is defined by the player, Embrace of the Gladiator is the stronger choice by simply offering higher offensive stats and one additional gem socket.
As viable early alternatives, you can use either Winter’s Icy Embrace or Chestguard of the Recluse, with the former being the superior choice, as both grant you quite solid stats in regard to DPS output.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
The Wyrmrest Temple- Exalted | |
Halls of Lightning – Loken (Heroic) | |
The Culling of Stratholme – Patchwork Construct, Bile Golem |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your wrist slot. Since there are no BoE items that you can outright buy, the best possible route is to start with items such as King’s Square Bracers or Advanced Tooled-Leather Bands from normal dungeons reaching to items such as Cuffs of Dark Shadows from the new Heroic Plus Dungeons as your best option.
Alternatively, you can buy Dragonfriend Bracers from the Wyrmrest Temple once you get an Exalted reputation.
Pre-Raid
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. The best possible choice is to buy Wristwraps of the Cutthroat for 60 emblems as it grants the highest possible offensive stats, however, you may find Sinner’s Bindings almost as equally strong.
Another viable option, yet overall weaker, will be represented by Thrusting Bands. This is also a good option in case you severely lack Hit Rating or Expertise Rating.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) | |
Ulduar – XT-002 Deconstructor (10) | |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) |
Solar Bindings will be the best choice, especially since our build does not grant enough Expertise Rating. Fluxing Energy Coils may grant Armor Penetration, however, the overall DPS output of the Solar Bindings will be higher in this item set.
A viable alternative before acquiring any of the previously mentioned items will be the Mechanist’s Bindings. however, their overall DPS output will be lower.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former The Obsidian Sanctum 10 Drop) | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – King Ymiron (Heroic) | |
Halls of Lightning – Ionar (Heroic) | |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your gloves slot. The best initial approach would be to acquire Seafoam Gauntlets from the Auction House until you manage to get yourself in Heroic Dungeons. From there, you will steadily upgrade this slot with items such as Gilt-Edged Leather Gauntlets reaching up to the best possible variant which is Rapid Attack Gloves from the new Heroic Plus Dungeons.
Rapid Attack Gloves will grant you high stats while also supplementing you with plenty of Expertise Rating. Alternatively, you can use Heroes’ Bonescythe Gauntlets if you plan on activating the 4-set item bonus.
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
The Eye of Eternity – Malygos (25) | |
The Obsidian Sanctum – Sartharion (25) | |
Naxxramas – Sapphiron (25) |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. Gloves of the Blind Stalker will be the best option stat-wise, especially since they offer a high Critical Strike Chance and Haste Rating, however, it requires a high number of Emblem of Conquest.
The next best choice will be either Frosted Adroit Handguards or Valorous Bonescythe Gauntlets, depending on whichever you can grab faster, as they both have similar DPS outputs. Valorous Bonescythe Gauntlets will be slightly better if you aim to activate the 4-item slot bonus.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Mimiron (25) NM/HM | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Oberserver (10) | |
The Eye of Eternity – Malygos |
The best possible choice for this slot for Phase 2 will be Conqueror’s Terrorblade Gauntlets, especially due to its high overall stats such as Critical Strike Chance, Attack Power, and Agility.
The next best choice will be the Gloves of the Stonereaper, and might even come off as a better choice if you manage to structure your build around Armor Penetration. However, this will require quite a lot of adjustments.
The only other possible alternatives are either Gloves of the Endless Dark and Frosted Adroit Handguards with the former being superior to the latter in pure DPS output.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – Ingvar the Plunderer (Heroic) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Thrash Drop |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your waist slot. The best possible choice will be the Death-warmed Belt, however, this will require someone to clear Ulduar and gain the pattern. While you gather gold and wait for that to happen, you can use Jorach’s Crocolisk Skin Belt as it grants you high overall baseline stats, critical strike chance, and expertise rating.
As an initial choice, until you can get into Heroic dungeons, you can buy the Treasure Seeker’s Belt from the Auction House, as it is quite a powerful initial item.
Alternatively, you can use items from Heroic Dungeons and Heroic Plus Dungeons such as Blistered Belt of Decay and Sharp-Barbed Leather Belt which offer quite solid stats until you manage to get into a Naxxramas 25.
Pre-Raid
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. Just like previously mentioned, you can buy the Death-warmed Belt as the best possible option for the Pre-Raid phase. However, you will have to wait until someone clears Ulduar in order to get a hold of the pattern.
In the meantime, items such as Belt of the Twilight Assassi and Stalk-Skin Belt will bring the best DPS output.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
The best possible choice for this slot with the new Phase 2 items will be Soul-Devouring Cinch. It grants overall high stats, a high Critical Strike Chance, and an Expertise Rating, generating the best possible DPS output.
The next best item will be the Death-warmed Belt once the pattern gets available.
Other weaker viable choices will include Waistguard of the Creator and Relic Hunter’s Cord. Even if Waistguard of the Creator does not provide Armor Penetration, it proves to be the superior choice from a DPS output perspective between the two items.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Gundrak – Gal’Darah (Heroic) | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – Gortok Palehoof (Heroic) | |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your legs slot. The best option would be Heroes’ Bonescythe Legplates, which are now supposedly granted by the new Heroic Plus Dungeons. This will be the best option, not only due to the item set bonus but also because of the high stats it offers.
As the next best option, you can use Leggings of Discord as they grant a high critical strike chance and expertise rating. There are also a lot of weaker alternatives such as Gored Hide Legguards and Ravenous Leggings of the Furbolg that can be used as solid first choices.
A good starting point will be the Leggings of Visceral Strikes, especially since it is a BoE item that can be bought cheaply and offers solid initial stats such as high Critical Strike Chance.
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
The Obsidian Sanctum – Sartharion (25) | |
Naxxramas – Thaddius, Gluth (25) | |
Naxxramas – Maexxna | |
Naxxramas – Gothik the Harverster (25) |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. The best possible choice for this slot in the Pre-Raid phase will be the Leggings of Wavering Shadow. However, the item might be difficult to acquire early on as it requires 39 Emblem of Conquest.
The next possible choice will be the Leggings of the Honored as they have high overall stats, gem sockets, and quite a high value of Hit Rating. Other possible alternatives are Valorous Bonescythe Legplates or Infectious Skitterer Leggings which offer a similar DPS output.
In case you can’t get your hands on either of the previously mentioned items, you can use the Leggings of Fleeting Moments as a decent initial choice, especially since they grant high Haste Rating and Critical Strike Chance.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
The best possible choice with the new Phase 2 items will be the Legguards of Cunning Deception. They offer extraordinarily high base stats, 3 sockets, and a high Critical Strike Chance and Armor Penetration Rating to reach the best DPS output.
As a viable alternative, you can use Conqueror’s Terrorblade Legplates which offer a solid DPS output as it grants fairly high baseline stats and Critical Strike Chance paired up with a high Haste Rating.
As viable initial alternatives, you can use either Leggings of Wavering Shadow or Proto-hide Leggings with the former being entirely superior to the latter as far as stats go.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Halls of Stone – Sjonnir the Iron (Heroic) | |
Halls of Lightning – Volkhan (Heroic) | |
Gundrak – One of a Kind |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your feet slot. The best possible choice throughout the entire phase, whether we talk about the early gearing process or the BiS will be Footpads of Silence. The most advantageous part of this item is that it is a craftable item, meaning that it will be accessible at the Auction House once the pattern drops.
If the prices are extremely high, you have several choices for a fresh 80 character. You can either buy Jormscale Footpads for an usual low price or you can find items such as Slag Footguards and Boots of the Whirling Mist in Heroic Dungeons.
The next best item compared to Footpads of Silence will be Boots of the Worshiper released with the new Heroic Plus Dungeons, as it grants you high overall stats including Critical Strike Chance and Haste Rating.
Pre-Raid
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. Just like previously mentioned, Footpads of Silence will be the best choice, especially during the Pre-Raid phase.
Otherwise, you can use items such as Dawnwalkers or the Footwraps of Vile Deceit that grant quite a high DPS output due to their high overall stats such as Critical Strike Chance or Haste Rating.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Ignis the Furnce Master (25) | |
Ulduar – Runemaster Molgeim, Steelbreaker, Stormcaller Brundir (25) | |
Ulduar – Razorscale (10) |
The best possible choice for this slot just as previously mentioned will be the Footpads of Silence. They grant you a high Critical Strike Chance, 2 sockets, and a much-needed Hit Rating.
Alternatively, you can use either Flamestalker Boots or Runed Ironhide Boots as the next best option. The Flamestalker Boots will be a better option, once you manage to gain enough Expertise Rating.
As a starting viable option, if you can not get your hands on the Footpads of Silence, you can use the Treads of the Invader until you gain an upgrade.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Dalaran- Harold Winston | |
Gundrak – Gal’Darah (Heroic) | |
The Culling of Stratholme – Chrono-Lord Epoch (Heroic) | |
Azjol-Nerub – Anub’ar Warrior |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your ring slots. The first and strongest options before accessing the new Heroic Plus Dungeons will be defined by the Titanium Impact Band and the Band of the Kirin Tor as they both offer quite high offensive stats.
As a less forward path, you can choose Hemorrhaging Circle, Mobius Band or the Stained-Glass Shard Ring, however, they possess inferior overall stats compared to the BoE options.
The best options will come from the new Heroic Plus Dungeons in the form of Circle of Death and Sealing Ring of Grobbulus, as they are both former Naxxramas 10 loot. Together they offer overall high stats and much-needed Expertise Rating, Critical Strike Chance, and Haste Rating.
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
The Eye of Eternity – Malygos (10)/Heroic + Dungeons | |
Naxxramas – Patchwerk, Noth the Plaguebringer, Anub’Rekhan, Grand Widow Faerlina, Instructor Razuvious (25) | |
Dalaran – Harold Winston | |
The Obsidian Sanctum – Sartharion (10)/Heroic + Dungeons | |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. The best choices will be represented by the former BiS of Phase 1, Surge Needle Ring and Strong-Handed Ring .
As great alternatives, you can get Greatring of Collision and the Inscribed Band of the Kirin Tor, however, the latter costs a small fortune. Another great initial choice will be the Ring of Invincibility, granting you decent yet inferior compared to the other options.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Heroic: All is Well That Ends Well | |
Ulduar – Steelbreaker (25) | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (10) | |
All is Well That Ends Well | |
Ulduar – General Vezax (25) | |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (25) |
Loop of the Agile and Brann’s Signet Ring will be the best possible choices with the new changes coming with Phase 2. They both provide ample offensive stats and high base stats, granting us the best DPS output.
As viable alternatives, we have several choices which grant us potent DPS output, each of them being defined by a progressive “upgrade” system, meaning that items such as Godbane Signet and Metallic Loop of the Sufferer will be your initial choices with items such as Brann’s Sealing Ring and Band of Lights being the middle tier choice.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Darkmoon Faire – Darkmoon Nobles Deck | |
Drak’ Tharon Keep – King Dred (Heroic) | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – King Ymiron (Heroic) | |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your trinket slot. The best choice would be to acquire both Darkmoon Card: Greatness and Mirror of Truth. However, that will take some time and gold out of your pockets.
As viable alternatives, you can use Figurine – Emerald Boar or Mighty Alchemist’s Stone if you have either Alchemy or Jewelcrafting. The most potent choices will be Meteorite Whetstone and Incisor Fragment especially due to the high Armor Penetration and Haste Rating they offer. They will remain the most potent choices until you can get your hands on the first mentioned items.
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
Darkmoon Faire – Darkmoon Nobles Deck | |
Naxxramas – Maexxna, Grobbulus, Gluth, Heigan the Unclean, Gothik the Harvester (25) | |
Naxxramas – Gluth, Loathleb (25) |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. Just like the BiS for Phase 1, Mirror of Truth and Darkmoon Card: Greatness remain the greatest options for this slot. Their raw DPS output is apparently higher than Grim Toll, due to its inconsistency.
As a valid alternative, you can use Loatheb’s Shadow, even if it is completely inferior compared to the other items.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) | |
Ulduar – Thorim (10) HM | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (10) | |
Darkmoon Faire – Darkmoon Nobles Deck |
With the item changes presented by Phase 2, there is a lot of debate between 3 different items and their possible combinations for the best DPS output. Mjolnir Runestone and Comet’s Trail would present the best possible DPS output. However, there is a chance that Dark Matter may grant similar DPS output to Mjolnir Runestone.
As a viable alternative to either one of the previously mentioned items, Darkmoon Card: Greatness still represents an extremely strong option.
For Combat Rogue, weapon choice depends entirely on the talents that you wish to pursue. Ulduar as a Raid heavily emphasizes Fist Weapons, Maces, and Daggers, making the Hack and Slash hardly useful. You may choose to use it while you are a fresh 80 rogue or in the pre-raid phase, however, you will want to quickly swap to the Close Quarters Combat talent and equip a Fist Weapon/Dagger as soon as you acquire them for the best damage output.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former The Eye of Eternity 10 Drop) | |
World Drop | |
Knights of the Ebon Blade – Revered | |
Violet Hold – Erekem (Heroic) | |
The Sons of Hodir – Revered | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – King Ymiron | |
Utgarde Pinnacle – Svala Sorrowgrave |
As a fresh level 80, you have several choices for your first weapons. You may choose to steadily choose the path of picking up items such as Ymiron’s Blade and Ritualistic Athame and follow a path of steady upgrades reaching items such as Torment of the Banished and Omen of Ruin as your best options. Or you may choose to buy items from the Auction House such as Krol Cleaver and Titansteel Shanker to skip gathering items from normal and heroic dungeons.
The best options will come from the new Heroic Plus Dungeons, granting you items from the former Naxxramas 10 raid.
Generally speaking, it will be best to choose a slow Main-Hand item such as Hatestrike or Torment of the Banished and pair it up with a fast attacking weapon such as Omen of Ruin or Hailstorm.
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
Naxxramas – Kel’Thuzad (25) | |
Naxxramas – Kel’Thuzad (10)/Heroic + Dungeons | |
Naxxramas – Thrash Mobs (25) | |
Naxxramas – Noth the Plaguebringer (25) | |
Naxxramas – Anub’Rekhan, Gluth (25) | |
Naxxramas – Sapphiron (25) |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. The best choice for the Pre-Raid phase will be Calamity’s Grasp and Webbed Death. It offers the best damage output per the previously discussed system, granting you more poison application ticks and high damage from your abilities.
As viable alternatives, you can use Silent Crusader and Angry Dread with the Hack and Slash talent.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (25) | |
Ulduar – Steelbreaker (10) | |
Ulduar – Mimiron (25) NM/HM | |
Ulduar – Yogg-Saron (10) | |
Ulduar – Freya (25) HM | |
Ulduar – Mimiron (25) | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) |
As previously explained, Ulduar is dominated by Fist Weapons and Daggers as the main weapon choice for Combat Rogues. Golden Saronite Dragon and Bladetwister will provide the best possible DPS output, especially with the new Phase 2 item updates. Even if Golden Saronite Dragon does not provide Armor Penetration or Critical Strike Chance, its sheer high stats and damage grant it the best spot.
You will have plenty of viable alternatives such as The Masticator combined with Fang of Oblivion or Delirium’s Touch that grant solid DPS output. Another option would be to choose a mace such as Caress of Insanity as your main weapon choice, however, it will deeply affect your talents.
Fresh 80
Item | Source |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
Heroic + Dungeons (Former Naxxramas 10 Drop) | |
The Culling of Stratholme – Mal’Ganis (Heroic) |
For your ranged slot, you have several potent choices. The best and most optimal choice is to acquire Nesingwary 4000 from an Engineer or from the Auction House. Depending on your server economy, this can cost you quite a hefty amount!
If you wish to take a more traditional way, you can start with Pierce’s Pistol, an item that can be acquired from a Heroic Dungeon and immediately replaces your ranged weapon gained from questing or normal dungeons.
Furthermore, once you acquire either of those two, you will want to acquire either Accursed Bow of the Elite or Nerubian Conquerer from Heroic Plus Dungeons. Nerubian Conquerer will be the superior choice based on pure DPS output.
Pre-Raid
Item | Source |
Naxxramas – Kel’Thuzad (25) | |
Naxxramas – Noth the Plaguebringer (25) | |
Naxxramas – The Four Horseman, Gluth (25) |
Your Pre-Raid options will often be defined by the BiS items from the previous raid tiers, and any other new dungeons that arrive with the new phase. Envoy of Mortality remains the best option, as it was in the first phase of the expansion for its ridiculously high stats.
Spinning Fate and Final Voyage are both valid alternatives as they can both grant you Critical Strike Chance and either Hit Rating or Haste Rating depending on your current needed stats.
Phase 2 Best-in-Slot
Item | Source |
Ulduar – Flame Leviathan (10) | |
Ulduar – Algalon the Observer (25) | |
Ulduar – Kologarn (25) | |
Ulduar – Auriaya (25) |
Without a doubt, with the new Phase 2 items, Twirling Blade becomes the best item that you can acquire for your ranged slot, beating Skyforge Crossbow in terms of raw DPS. The only difference which grants Twirling Blade the edge is the Armor Penetration granted by it compared to the Critical Strike Chance of Skyforge Crossbow.
Skyforge Crossbow will still be a phenomenal choice if you manage to get your hands on it!
You can use Giant’s Bane and Siren’s Cry as viable alternatives until you manage to get either of the two previously mentioned items.
About the Author
Would be great if you listed where the items drop and what boss
Hey there! We have provided you with links to each different item, you will be able to find the location and boss name for each item using the database.
If you click on the item, it will take you to a database page. That page tells you where each item comes from. You can click here to see an example. We are planning on adding additional alternate options for items, but that’s a WIP.
What is your problem man ? You can clearly click on every item they mentioned and it will take you to the wotlkdb where you can see everything you need.
You should just do your own research and dont be a brainless sheep next time 🙂
Could you perhaps link to a useful database next time? Surely you know that WoWClassicDB is much less usable than WoWhead.
why are those the bis weapon wouldn’t it be nighttime and liar tonge
Hey there! The Pre-raid and BiS sections are according to the first phase of the expansion. Nighttime and Liar’s tongue are items that will not be available during the first phase of the expansion. Those two items will be released with the coming of the third phase of the expansion when Pit of Saron and Forge of Souls will be available.
Why is there only pre-raid bis and first phase bis and not end game bis ?
Hey there! We have decided to release pre-raid and BiS for the first phase of the game for every guide until the release of WotLK Classic. Once it releases, we will confirm the item lists for each different phase, respectively end-game BiS aswell.
hey why are we skilling mace but using swords?
Hey there! The talent-build variation which uses Mace is far more suited for the later phases of the expansion. You will want to use the standard build for the first phase that relies heavily on swords and axes due to the Hack and Slash Talent!
What about calamity’s grasp and some other dagger/fast fist weap?
Howdy! I have Calamity’s Grasp (fist weapon) main hand and Hailstorm (sword) off hand. I spec’d into close quarters combat. Should I swap Hailstorm for a Nax 10 dagger?
Why did you remove the tier 9 sets..?
This is a horrible list of phase 1 “bis” items. You have more wrong items in the Phase 1 BiS section than right.
How the hell do you put silent crusader & hailstorm above Calamity/dagger?
Grim toll & Loatheb over Mirror & Greatness is just laughable.
Please either put in some effort into what you’re posting or don’t post at all. This is blatant misinformation.