Note: I've updated (and abbreviated) the basic gear list for patch 3.3, and this new list can be found here.
Now that I’m starting to pick up gear to replace the crafted PvP gear Fingle started with, it’s time to add a new guide that explains where the next level of gear comes from. To start with, I’m looking at gear suitable for Fingle, my discipline priest.
As I write this (with 3.2 on the horizon, but not expected all that soon) there are currently five tiers of PvP gear suitable for the level 80 healing priest.
The first, which Fingle is currently wearing, is the Frostsavage Battlegear set. Rare items with an item level of 187, they are a full tier below the “real” PvP sets, but have the singular grace of being readily available to anyone.
This set differentiates itself in being a full 8-item set, as opposed to the 5-item size of the other sets. It is also different in that the stats are designed as a one-size-fits-all cloth set, so it isn’t optimised for specific classes or specs. Also, as none of the items have sockets any stat modification will have to come from an eternal belt buckle and enchants.
Frostsavage Cowl
Frostsavage Shoulders
Frostsavage Robe
Frostsavage Bracers
Frostsavage Gloves
Frostsavage Belt
Frostsavage Leggings
Frostsavage Boots
From now on, there are two sets for each tier. The main difference between them is that one (usually considered the Holy set) has Spirit, where the other (the Shadow set) has Crit.
The next sets, the Savage Gladiator’s Investiture and the Savage Gladiator’s Raiment, are blue items with an item level of 200, and are the first that are priest-only. These are purchased with Emblems of Honor from doing heroic dungeons. These items all have sockets for gems, giving the set more flexibility than the Frostsavage set. They are also the first set to have a dedicated PvP equip effect, the Psychic Scream cooldown reduction on the gloves, which is also found on all higher-level priest PvP items.
Holy Set
Savage Gladiator’s Mooncloth Hood
Savage Gladiator’s Mooncloth Mantle
Savage Gladiator’s Mooncloth Robe
Savage Gladiator’s Mooncloth Gloves
Savage Gladiator’s Mooncloth LeggingsShadow Set
Savage Gladiator’s Satin Hood
Savage Gladiator’s Satin Mantle
Savage Gladiator’s Satin Robe
Savage Gladiator’s Satin Gloves
Savage Gladiator’s Satin Leggings
The next is the Hateful Gladiator’s Investiture and the Hateful Gladiator’s Raiment. Epic items with an item level of 200 (equivalent to heroic and 10-man Naxxramas items), these were the lower-level arena rewards from arena season five which started with the launch of Wrath. These days you can purchase them with honor points, emblems of valor, or a combination of honor and arena points.
Holy Set
Hateful Gladiator’s Mooncloth Hood
Hateful Gladiator’s Mooncloth Mantle
Hateful Gladiator’s Mooncloth Robe
Hateful Gladiator’s Mooncloth Gloves
Hateful Gladiator’s Mooncloth LeggingsShadow Set
Hateful Gladiator’s Satin Hood
Hateful Gladiator’s Satin Mantle
Hateful Gladiator’s Satin Robe
Hateful Gladiator’s Satin Gloves
Hateful Gladiator’s Satin Leggings
Next is the Deadly Gladiator’s Investiture and Deadly Gladiator’s Raiment. These epic 213-item-level sets (equivalent to 25-man Naxxramas items) were the top-level arena rewards from season five, and are now available for purchase for either badges of conquest or a combination of honor and arena points. (I won’t be linking these sets as they’re the same as the Hateful sets, only with slightly more stats)
The current top level gear is the Furious Gladiator’s Investiture and Furious Gladiator’s Raiment (which I can’t link, as WoWHead has a broken link for the sets). These epic 232-item-level sets (equivalent to 25-man Ulduar items) are the current reward for arena play in season six, and are only available for purchase with arena points. The items also have a personal and team arena rating requirement.
There are also non-set alternatives available for your head and chest slots; these are cost Wintergrasp Marks of Honor, and the vendor is to be found in Wintergrasp when your faction controls it. (All of the cloth Titan-forged items are variations of the Shadow set items, but with Hit Rating or Haste instead of Crit Rating.)
The helm and chest are almost identical to their level-equivalent set items, so are only really an option if you have enough Wintergrasp marks and wish to spend your honor points on other items. Also bear in mind that you can only equip one of these items if you have four class set items and wish to have the four-set bonus active.
Item Level 200 Helm: Costs 40 Wintergrasp Marks of Honor
Titan-forged Hood of Salvation
Titan-forged Hood of Dominance
Item Level 213 Chest: Costs 40 Wintergrasp Marks of Honor
Titan-forged Raiment of Salvation
Titan-forged Raiment of Dominance
For the other three slots (namely belt, bracers and boots), you have a choice of two item types that are shared with all three cloth-wearing classes. At each item level, there is one with spirit and one with critical strike rating.
Item Level 213 Belt: Purchased with 15 Wintergrasp Marks of Honor
Titan-forged Cord of Salvation (Haste item)
Titan-forged Cord of Dominance (Hit item)
Item Level 213 Belt: Purchased with honor points
Deadly Gladiator’s Cord of Salvation
Deadly Gladiator’s Cord of DominanceItem Level 226 Belt: Purchased with honor points, requires arena rating
Furious Gladiator’s Cord of Salvation
Furious Gladiator’s Cord of DominanceItem Level 213 Bracers: Purchased with honor points
Deadly Gladiator’s Cuffs of Salvation
Deadly Gladiator’s Cuffs of DominanceItem Level 226 Bracers: Purchased with honor points, requires arena rating
Furious Gladiator’s Cuffs of Salvation
Furious Gladiator’s Cuffs of DominanceItem Level 200 Boots: Purchased with 15 Wintergrasp Marks of Honor
Titan-forged Slippers of Salvation (Haste item)
Titan-forged Slippers of Dominance (Hit item)Item Level 213 Boots: Purchased with honor points
Deadly Gladiator’s Treads of Salvation
Deadly Gladiator’s Treads of DominanceItem Level 226 Boots: Purchased with honor points, requires arena rating
Furious Gladiator’s Treads of Salvation
Furious Gladiator’s Treads of Dominance
When you’re starting out, your options are dependant on what resources you have access to:
- Get the Frostsavage set crafted. (The best option for a new level 80 or non-raider who doesn’t have any emblems of heroism)
- If you have emblems of heroism, purchase Savage Gladiator pieces. (Available from heroic dungeons and 10-man Naxx)
- If you have emblems of valor, purchase Hateful Gladiator pieces. (Available from 25-man Naxx and 10-man Ulduar)
- If you have emblems of conquest, purchase Deadly Gladiator pieces. (Only available from 25-man Ulduar)
As you don’t start with any honor points (or Wintergrasp Marks), you’ll have to make do with the Frostsavage belt, boots and bracers until you’ve got some points (and marks) in hand.
(Note: With the badge changes coming in 3.2, emblems on conquest will become the new badge from heroic dungeons, both instances of Naxxramas and 10-man Ulduar. For now, though, those are your options)
That is what priests have to choose from, at least when starting out, as far as armor goes. In the next installment I’ll go through the rest of the PvP items you have available to you, and possibly gems and enchantments. Hope it’s helpful!
/wave
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