The Argent Tournament Grounds

OK, this post has been much harder to collate than I expected.  Blizzard have made this especially difficult considering they have the same items with different names for Horde & Alliance. They have also named items that drop from both normal and heroic versions of the Trial of the Crusader raid the same… but given them different stats arghhh!  To top this off items that have been data mined by MMO Champion, are not showing in Wowhead yet so its hard to get a full view of which items are best.

Instead of waiting for everything to be added properly, I’m still releasing this now, however will most likely edit the post with an update in a few weeks after all the bosses are unlocked to ensure the information is still accurate. For any Horde looking that this post, all the items I’ve listed are the Alliance versions – do not fear! You also have the same items available to you, the names are just slightly different.

Notes:

• I’ve tried wherever possible to only include leather items. Some slots for example wrists & feet had an abysmal selection of decent items to choose from so I’ve added some cloth options also.  For a completely expanded list, check out my Loot Rank Template with weightings included!
• I’ve included the Item Levels for each piece to try to help simplify everything considering many items have the same name.
• For some slots the Balance tier gear actually ranks better than the Restoration pieces. I’ve not included these because I’m assuming trees will be aiming for the 4 piece bonus.
• I’ve tried to only add 4 items per slot, however to ensure that the raiders out there who do 25s but don’t do Hard Modes still have an option, some slots will have 5 or 6 to choose from.
• Items that aren’t yet showing in WowHead but have been data mined are linking to the MMO Champion Database.  Unfortunately you actually have to click on these links to view the item statistics.

Head
ilvl258 Malfurion’s Headpiece of Triumph: Regalia of Triumph, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Helm of Abundant Growth: 75 x Emblems of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl245 Malfurion’s Headpiece of Triumph: Trophy of the Crusade, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl232 Helm of the Snowy Grotto: Twin Val’kyr, Trial of the Crusader 10H

Neck
ilvl258 Wail of the Valkyr: Twin Val’kyr, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Amulet of Binding Elements: Lord Jarraxus, Trial of the Crusader 10H
ilvl239 Charm of Meticulous Timing: XT-002 Deconstructor, Ulduar 25H
ilvl239 Sapphire Amulet of Renewal: Iron Council, Ulduar 25H
ilvl226 Watchful Eye of Fate: Iron Council, Ulduar 10H

Shoulder
ilvl258 Malfurion’s Spaulders of Triumph: Regalia of Triumph, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Malfurion’s Spaulders of Triumph: Trophy of the Crusade, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl245 Shoulders of the Fateful Accord: 45 x Emblem of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl239 Shoulderpads of Dormant Energies: Flame Leviathan, Ulduar 25H

Back
ilvl272 Bolvar’s Devotion: Tribute Chest, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl272 Jaina’s Radiance: Tribute Chest, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl258 Shawl of the Refreshing Winds: Northern Beasts, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl258 Maiden’s Favor: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Shawl of the Refreshing Winds: Northern Beasts, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl258 Cloak of Displacement: Faction Champions, Trial of the Crusader 25H

Chest
ilvl258 Vestments of the Shattered Fellowship: Faction Champions, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl258 Malfurion’s Robe of Triumph: Regalia of Triumph, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Vestments of the Shattered Fellowship: Faction Champions, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl245 Lunar Eclipse Chestguard: Crafted

Wrist
ilvl258 Bracers of Autumn Willow: Lord Jaraxxus, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Bracers of Autumn Willow: Lord Jaraxxus, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl239 Grasps of Reason: XT-002 Deconstructor, Ulduar 25H
ilvl245 Royal Moonshroud Bracers: Crafted

Hands
ilvl258 Malfurion’s Handguards of Triumph: Regalia of Triumph, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl258 Gloves of the Lifeless Touch: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Malfurion’s Handguards of Triumph: Trophy of the Crusade, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl239 Gloves of the Frozen Glade: Hodir, Ulduar 25H

Waist
ilvl258 Cord of Pale Thorns: Twin Val’kyr, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Cord of Pale Thorns: Twin Val’kyr, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl239 Star-beaded Clutch: Algalon, Ulduar 25
ilvl226 Belt of Arctic Life: Crafted

Legs
ilvl258 Malfurion’s Leggings of Triumph: Regalia of Triumph, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl258 Leggings of the Awakening: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Malfurion’s Leggings of Triumph: Trophy of the Crusade, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl232 Malfurion’s Leggings of Conquest: Emblem of Triumph, Dalaran

Feet
ilvl258 Boots of the Unrelenting Storm: Northrend Beasts, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl258 Boots of the Mourning Widow: Faction Champions, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl239 Boots of Fiery Resolution: Flame Leviathan, Ulduar 25H
ilvl245 Boots of the Unrelenting Storm: Northrend Beasts, Trial of the Crusader 25

Ring
ilvl258 Ring of the Darkmender: Lord Jaraxxus, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl258 Band of Deplorable Violence: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Band of the Invoker: 35 x Emblem of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl245 Band of Deplorable Violence: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl258 Ring of the Darkmender: Jaraxxus, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl239 Conductive Seal: Mimiron, Ulduar 25H

Trinkets
ilvl258 Solace of the Defeated: Lord Jaraxxus, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Solace of the Defeated: Lord Jaraxxus, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl219 Spark of Hope: Kologarn, Ulduar 10
ilvl226 Meteorite Crystal: Algalon, Ulduar 10
ilvl239 Show of Faith: Yogg-Saron, Ulduar 25H
ilvl226 Pandora’s Plea: Mimiron, Ulduar 25
ilvl213 Illustration of the Dragon Soul: Sartharion, The Obsidian Sanctum 25

Staves
ilvl258 Clemency: Tribute Chest, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl239 Staff of Endless Winter: Hodir, Ulduar 25H
ilvl232 Icecore Staff: Hodir, Ulduar 10H
ilvl232 The Lifebinder: Freya, Ulduar 25

Main Hand
ilvl258 Misery’s End: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Blade of the Silver Disciple: Faction Champions, Trial of the Crusader 10H
ilvl245 Misery’s End: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl245 Argent Resolve: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 10H

Off Hand
ilvl258 Chalice of Searing Light: Twin Val’kyr, Trial of the Crusader 25H
ilvl245 Chalice of Searing Light: Twin Val’kyr, Trial of the Crusader 25
ilvl226 Ironmender: Kologarn, Ulduar 25

Relics
ilvl245 Idol of Flaring Growth: 25 x Emblem of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl213 Idol of Awakening: Multiple Bosses, Naxxramas 25 OR 25 x Emblems of Valor
ilvl226 Idol of the Flourishing Life: Trash Drop, Ulduar OR 19 x Emblems of Conquest

Mmmmm.... Yummy Tasty Triumph Items

With the changes to mana regen (again) and the boost to MP5, I’ve been scouring through Elitist Jerks posts and articles to try and find some consensus on Resto Druid gear weightings for Patch 3.2.  It took me ages, and I ended up going into Northrend Beasts last week with absolutely no idea if there was an potential drop I should be looking out for.

Now that I’ve finished my reading & research I want to make it easier for other trees out there,and have created a gear wish list so you know what to look out for.  I’m splitting this into 2 parts, this first part aimed at players who fit into the below 4 descriptions:

1. The fairly serious 10 Man raider who sometimes PUGs the easy 25 Mans
2. The 25 Man Raider who is trying to gear up a Resto alt or dual spec set
3. The casual player who knows there stuff, runs heroics with friends & PUG easy 25 mans
4. The player who has just come back from a break and wants to get back into 25 man raiding

I’ve listed 3 or so options for each slot, because some players won’t have access to the new 10 man raid.

Notes:

• All options included here are leather only & from normal modes.  For an expanded list, check out my Loot Rank Template with weightings included!
• I define PUGable 25 Mans as Naxxramas, Obsidium Sanctum: 0 Drakes & Eye Of Eternity
• With the patch 3.2 changes to badges be prepared to run heaps of heroics! You’ll notice that many of the best items available require Emblems of Triumph.  You can get 2 emblems every day by doing the daily heroic dungeon which means 14 emblems per week!
• While waiting for a good store of Triumph emblems, you can build yourself a great set between Emblems of Conquest/Valour pieces & splashing out some cash on crafted items.

Head
ilvl245 Helm of Abundant Growth: 75 x Emblems of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl232 Helm of the Snowy Grotto: Twin Val’kyr, Trial of the Crusader 10
ilvl226 Conqueror’s Nightsong Headpiece: 58 x Emblems of Conquest, Dalaran

Neck
ilvl226 Life-Binder’s Locket: Requires Quest Item from Sapphiron, 25 Man Naxxramas & 25 Man Malygos
ilvl226 Evoker’s Charm: 19 x Emblems of Conquest, Dalaran
ilvl213 Symbol of Redemption: The Black Knight, Trial of the Champion Heroic

Shoulder
ilvl245 Shoulders of the Fateful Accord: 45 x Emblems of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl232 Malfurion’s Spaulders of Conquest: 30 x Emblems of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl232 Shoulderpads of the Glacial Wilds: Northrend Beasts, Trial of the Crusader 10
ilvl219 Valorous Nightsong Spaulders: Thorim, Ulduar 10

Back
ilvl226 Cape of the Unworthy Wizard: Kel’Thuzad, Naxxramas 25
ilvl226 Asimov’s Drape: Mimiron, Ulduar 25 OR Auction House
ilvl213 Cloak of Kea Feathers: 25 x Emblem of Valor, Dalaran
ilvl213 Shawl of the Caretaker: Ignis the Furnace Master, Ulduar 10

Chest
ilvl232 Malfurion’s Robe of Conquest: 50 x Emblems of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl226 Conqueror’s Nightsong Vestments: 58 x Emblems of Conquest, Dalaran
ilvl226 Phaelia’s Vestments of the Sprouting Seed: Iron Council, Ulduar 25 OR Auction House

Wrist
ilvl213 Esteemed Bindings: Instructor Razuvious, Naxxramas 25
ilvl213 Bands of the Great Tree: 60 x Emblem of Valor, Dalaran OR Auction House
ilvl219 Bindings of the Depths: General Vezax, Ulduar 10

Hands
ilvl232 Malfurion’s Handguards of Conquest: 30 x Emblem of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl213 Valorous Dreamwalker Handguards: Sartharion, The Obsidian Sanctum H
ilvl226 Grips of the Secret Grove: 28 x Emblem of Conquest, Dalaran

Waist
ilvl226 Belt of Arctic Life: Crafted (With Runed Orbs coming down in price, this is definitely worth making)
ilvl226 Belt of the Living Thicket: 28 x Emblem of Conquest, Dalaran
ilvl226 Unravelling Strands of Sanity: Malygos, The Eye of Eternity Heroic

Legs
ilvl232 Malfurion’s Leggings of Conquest: 50 x Emblem of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl226 Wildstrider Legguards: 39 x Emblem of Conquest, Dalaran
ilvl219 Valorous Nightsong Leggings: Hodir, Ulduar 10

Feet
ilvl226 Boots of Wintry Endurance: Crafted (With Runed Orbs coming down in price, this is definitely worth making)
ilvl213 Rainey’s Chewed Boots: 40 x Emblem of Valor, Dalaran
ilvl219 Boots of the Petrified Forest: Iron Council, Ulduar 10

Finger
ilvl245 Band of the Invoker: 35 x Emblem of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl245 Heartmender Circle: 35 x Emblem of Triumph, Dalaran
ilvl226 Etched Loop of the Kirin Tor: Tiffany Cartier, Dalaran
ilvl219 Lady Maye’s Sapphire Ring: Iron Council, Ulduar 10
ilvl213 Band of Channeled Magic: 25 x Emblem of Valor, Dalaran

Trinket
ilvl219 Spark of Hope: Kologarn, Ulduar 10 (This trinket is just made for trees)
ilvl213 Illustration of the Dragon Soul: Sartharion, The Obsidian Sanctum Heroic (Every man & his dog seems to have this trinket – I’ve yet to see it drop)
ilvl213 Forethought Talisman: Multiple Bosses, Naxxramas 25
ilvl200 Je’Tze’s Bell: World Drop, Auction House
ilvl219 Eye of the Broodmother: Razorscale, Ulduar 10 (Be prepared to fight some caster clothies for this trinket!)

Staff
ilvl232 Enlightenment: Twin Val’kyr, Trial of the Crusader 10
ilvl232 Cold Convergence: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 10
ilvl219 Devotion: Yogg-Saron, Ulduar 10
ilvl219 Pillar of Fortitude: Trash Drop, Ulduar 10

Main Hand
ilvl232 Blade of the Silver Disciple: Faction Champions, Trial of the Crusader 10
ilvl232 Argent Resolve: Anub’arak Raid, Trial of the Crusader 10
ilvl226 Torch of Holy Fire: Kel’Thuzad, Naxxramas 25 (Yes this once coveted piece is still fantastic)
ilvl219 Stormtip: Iron Council, Ulduar 10

Off Hand
ilvl232 Chalice of Benedictus: Twin Val’kyr, Trial of the Crusader 10
ilvl213 Matriarch’s Spawn: Maexxna, Naxxramas 25
ilvl219 Igniter Rod: Ignis the Furnace Master, Ulduar 10

Idol
ilvl245 Idol of Flaring Growth: 25 x Emblem of Triumph, Dalaran (This has got to be the best idol ever designed! It’s the first thing Lath is spending her emblems on)
ilvl213 Idol of Awakening: Multiple Bosses, Naxxramas 25 OR 25 x Emblem of Valor, Dalaran

I hope some trees out there find this helpful! Next up a gear list for the 25 Man raider…

Cheers

Lath

So Who Is Malfurion?

While I have been getting into WoW lore of late, I doubled checked on WoWwiki for a quick bio:

“Malfurion Stormrage is the greatest archdruid to ever live, and one of the most powerful mortals in the Warcraft universe. He is the twin brother of Illidan Stormrage, and the beloved of Tyrande Whisperwind. Malfurion started the practice of druidism among the night elves under the tutelage of the demigod Cenarius. Following the conclusion of the War of the Ancients, he became the Archdruid of the night elves.”

So basically Malfurion is one cool dude, and I’m pretty excited that I’ll soon get to wear his garb.

Set Bonuses

While the actually stats for each item is yet to be data mined.  The Set Bonuses have been revealed and for resto druids this is what we get to work with:

(2) Set: Increases the critical strike chance of your Nourish spell by 5%.
(4) Set: Your Rejuvenation ability now has a chance for its healing to be critical strikes.

2 Piece
Meh…. I just don’t particularly like Nourish if I’m honest with you.  I know spells like Nourish are all that other healers have (I’m looking at you Mr Pally!), but it seems a waste to me casting a spell that renders me useless for a couple of seconds…. and then that’s it! There is no residual HoT to keep ticking along on that player for the next few seconds, its just mana down the tube.  In the time I cast Nourish I could probably get off a couple of Rejuvenations and a Wild Growth… so much more useful IMO.

4 Piece
Now I do love a good Rejuv spam while I’m raid healing, so I guess the jury is out until I see how much these crit for.

Tier 8 vs Tier 9

I absolutely love my Tier 8 gear and can promise you even when it gets replaced, it will still be cherished in my bank coffers. Will this new set be worth giving up the current Tier 8  4 Piece? I just can’t see it being better but I’ll wait to see what the theorycrafters come up with before completely dismissing this.

Update – 04/08/2009

I’ve been doing some further research on this gear with all the rumors that the patch is being released tonight.  There are 3 versions of the Tier 9 gear:

Conqueror’s Malfurion’s Garb: Item Level 232, Found in 10 Man Raid
Triumphant Malfurion’s Garb: Item Level 245, Found in 10 Man Heroic/25 Man
Totally Triumphant Malfurion’s Garb: Item Level 258, Found in 25 Man Heroic

Triumphant Malfurion’s Garb Stats

Wearing the full set of Tier 9 from the 25 man version of the raid will give you the following stats:

Stamina: 463
Intellect: 463
Spirit: 364
Armor: 2530
Critical strike rating: 223
Haste rating: 149
Spell power: 629
Sockets: 1 x Meta     3 x Red     1 x Yellow     3 x Blue